Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

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Use Restrictions

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Preferred Citation

John Rolfe. Will, 10 March 1621/2. Accession 24611. Personal papers collection. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

Lent for copying by the Rolfe House, Surry County, Virginia, 24 April 1957.

Biographical Information

John Rolfe was born in England in 1585. He emigrated to Virginia aboard the "Sea Venture," which was wrecked in Bermuda, before completing its journey. Upon his arrival in Virginia, Rolfe began experimenting with various tobaccoes until developing one which became economically viable. For doing this, Rolfe has been credited with saving the colony of Virginia by providing it with a cash crop. He was appointed secretary in the colonial government in 1614 and recorder general in 1617. Rolfe served on the council from 1619 to 1622. Rolfe's first wife, Sarah Hacker Rolfe, travelled with him to Virginia and there or in Bermuda. Their only daughter died in Bermuda. Rolfe married Pocahontas (d. 1617) in April 1614 and they had one son. At some date after 1617, he married Jane Pierce and they had one daughter. Tradition claims that Rolfe was killed in the Powhatan attack of 22 March 1622, but his name was not on the list submitted by the colony of those settlers who died. Rolfe had been in poor health and may have died of natural causes at roughly the same time.

Scope and Content Information

Will, 10 March 1621/2 and probated 21 May 1630 in London, England, of John Rolfe (1585-1622) of Virginia. This will is located in the Public Record Office, Principal Probate Registry, Prerogative Court of Canterbury. A typescript copy can be found in the VIRGINIA MAGAZINE OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY, volume 58, pp. 58-65.