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to Exploration 1: Who Were Pocahontas and Squanto?
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The
Baptism of Pocahontas by John
Gadsby Chapman
Oil on canvas, 12' x 18'
Commissioned 1837; placed 1840
Rotunda of the United States Capitol
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What
does this painting show?
"Pocahontas
is depicted in white as she is baptized Rebecca by Anglican
minister Alexander Whiteaker in Jamestown, Virginia; this event
is believed to have taken place in 1613 or 1614. She kneels
surrounded by family members, including her father, Chief Powhatan,
and colonists. Her brother Nantequaus turns away from the ceremony.
The baptism occurred before her marriage to Englishman John
Rolfe, who stands behind her.
Their
union is said to be the first recorded marriage between a European
and a Native American. The scene symbolizes the belief of Americans
at the time that Native Americans should accept Christianity
and other European ways."
Text
from the Office of the Curator, March 2001, U.S. Capitol
http://www.aoc.gov/cc/art/rotunda/baptism_pocahontas.htm
Why
was Pocahontas baptized?
"Among
the young men of rank and education at Jamestown was John Rolfe,
of an excellent English family, who became enamored of Pocahontas,
and to him
"She
was a landscape of mild earth Where all was harmony and calm
quiet, Luxuriant, budding." ...Byron
Pocahontas
reciprocated Rolfe's passion, and they agreed to be wedded.
But one thing troubled the soul of the young Englishman. He
was a Christian; she was a Pagan. "Is it not my duty,"
he said to himself, "to lead the blind into light?"
Then came to his mind the Bible story of the visitation of the
sons of Levi by God in his anger, because they sanctified strange
women. But love conquered. He resolved to labor for her enlightenment
and conversion. The young princess was an apt scholar, and very
soon, in the little chapel at Jamestown, whose columns were
rough pine trees from the forests, and its rude pews were of
sweet-smelling cedar, and its rough communion-table and pulpit
of black walnut, that dusky convert stood before a font "hewn
hollow between like a canoe," and there received the rite
of Christian baptism with the name of Rebecca, at the hands
of Mr. Whittaker. She was the first Christian Indian in Virginia."
Volume
I of Our Country, published in the late 1800's
http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/
Our_Country_Vol_1/johnrolfe_ed.html
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