FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Arlington, VA. 9 January, 2007. Richard (Dick) Cheatham, a descendant of John Rolfe and Pocahantas, will provide a “Welcome to the Virginia Colonyâ€Â to attendees at the National Genealogical Society banquet at the NGS Conference in the States & Family History Fair on Friday 18th May 2007 at the Richmond Marriott Hotel.
Appearing in the character and dress of John Rolfe, Cheatham, a 14th generation descendant of John Rolfe and Pocahontas, will provide the same welcome that John Rolfe would have given to new arrivals to Jamestown. Rolfe will talk about many of the important events that preceded their arrival and about many of the important individuals who played a part in the founding of Jamestown in 1607 and during the next several years. At the end of his presentation, he will answer questions that John Rolfe would not have been able to answer.
The year 2007 marks the 400th anniversary of Jamestown. John Rolfe was the savior of the English colony – the failing experiment at Jamestown which became “America.â€Â The marriage between John Rolfe and Pocahantas created an eight-year period of peace between the English and Powhatans – known as the “Peace of Pocahantas†– saving perhaps hundreds of lives. John Rolfe was also a member of America’s first democratic parliament in 1619 called the General Assembly.
Richard (Dick) Cheatham, a native of Richmond, Virginia, is founder and director of Living History Associates. A graduate of Virginia Military Academy and a school teacher, museum educator and television reporter, he has appeared on the BBC and The Learning Channel and has been interviewed on Entertainment Tonight and the Voice of America in addition to many other TV and radio stations. Dick’s interest in history flows directly from his strong and broad interest in ideas – why people do what they do.Â
Further information on the NGS Conference in the States & Family History Fair can be found at the NGS website at: www.ngsgenealogy.org
Contact: Jeanne Lund
National Genealogical Society
(703) 525-0050, ext. 112
(703) 525-0052 (Fax).
[email protected]
www.ngsgenealogy.org
Hi;
Pocahantas is my grandmother 15th times removed, or so the genealogist in the Mann family (my mother’s) has discovered. I would love to be able to attend this, but I have to keep my 90 year old mother, whose 14th times removed grandmother is Pocohantas.
How would I go about finding out more? I would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Delpha Linda Cook Hunt
p o box 43
Kellyton, AL 35089-0043
I just learned that Pocahantas is my grandmother 15 times removed also. This is so exciting!!!! What an honor it would be to attend this, but I won’t be able to. But would love to have any information about all of the celebration. Poeple here still don’t believe me when I tell them we are related to Pocahantas.
Thanks,
Faye Scoggins
Gilbert, AZ
Ummm… I hate to be a drag, but Sir Walter Raleigh most certainly did NOT establish the Jamestown colony! Good Heavens! I think you’re thinking of John Smith.
In 1607, Sir Walter was imprisoned in the Tower of London, having been accused of plotting against the life of King James VI of England. Sir Walter had established the Roanoke Colony in what is now North Carolina in 1585. This colony failed and another attempt was made in 1587. This colony also failed and became known as the famous “Lost Colony,” its members mysteriously disappearing, leaving only one cryptic clue: the word “Croatan” carved onto a tree at the fort where they had lived.
Yikes! People read this stuff, believe it and pass it on as irrefutable fact, especially people who don’t know anything about history or careful and responsible research into their own family history. It’s important to get it right.
Paron me, but in reading the above article I see no reference to Sir Walter Raleigh. Am I missing something ?
Someone at NGS had included an error in the announcement (as did I by not reading the press release more thoroughly!) ;), so I removed the sentence that EM is referring to.
I am a direct descendant of Pocahantas. I was told that in the 1930s and 1940s one of our Great Great Aunts ( Who was o Professor at the University of Oklahoma at that time), represented Pocahantas in a parade in New York City. I have a Genealogy showing how I am related to Pocahantas. I am proud to be a NATIVE AMERICAN. Sincerely, Sue Crawford Lambright
Have for many years back told by father that we are related to both Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raliegh. The family names I have are Smith from Ireland, English, Fobes and Murphy all from the Ohio Pennsylvania area in the 1800’s. The last known English homestead was in Belfast about 1979. A distant relative went there when relative died and never brought any info or heirloms back to the state. This relative was living in the Chicago area and has the name of English. This person’s adult son is the exact image of my father from Ohio. This confirms the relationship for me. Contact was lost as I moved away.
Interesting to know but wish I had more to go on from father’s relatives. From my maternal side I have info as to being 5th generation Cherokee most likely from the Kentucky/Carolina States. I have pictures of her dressed in early 1800 style with her grandaughter, which is my grandmother.
My mother was a Rolf (e) and was born on the Isle of Wight in England. We have always been led to believe that we were in some way related to John Rolfe who married Pocahontas. I know we can’t be a direct descendant of them but did John Rolfe have a brother from whome we may have descended?