An insightful recent book to consult on these topics is Camilla Townsend's Pocahontas and
the Powhatan Dilemma  (Hill & Wang, 2004).

Doug Deal
History/SUNY Oswego

Janet Hunter wrote:

> Hello Everyone,
>
> I have not seen the movie, but my eldest daughter is about to and we had a
> discussion regarding whether there was actually any romance between John Smith
> and Pocohantas, or just friendship.   I also told her of the rather torturous
> letter John Rolfe wrote to whom I can't remember, regarding whether he should
> marry Pocohantas ca 1614 (will try to find online).  My romantic heart read
> between the lines that Rolfe simply desperately wanted her as his wife.
>
> If memory serves, when the animated version of Pocohantas came up a few years
> ago, there was some some discussion from historians that there was never a
> romance between John Smith & Pocohantas.
>
> I'm curious what the historians on the list think about these issues,
> particularly whether John Smith & Pocohantas' relationship went beyond friendship, as
> we have so often been led to believe.  FYI, I do not know what the new movie
> "says" about this, but am just interested in your opinions/research, etc.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Best Regards,
> Janet (Baugh) Hunter
>
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