Jane Smith

Jane Pierce

• Birth: between 1587 - 1595, England
• Death: say 1635 Jamestown, James City County, Virginia, USA

Biography

Jane Pierce was the third wife of the John Rolfe. She was likely born in England between 1587 and 1595, and came to Virginia Colony with father, Jamestown colonist William Pierce in 1609. Jane's death is estimated at between 1625-35. No official documentation of either of these vital statistics have been found for her.

William and Jane Pierce and their children: William, Jane, and Thomas, came to the Jamestown Colony in Virginia in 1609 on the Blessing. The Pierces also brought a young niece [SIC: kin, relationship unclear] Cicilly [Reynolds?] , age 10, probably to help care for the younger children.

In 1616 John Rolfe took his wife, Rebecca (best known as Pocahontas ) and their infant son, Lieutenant Thomas Rolfe, to England. The couple spent months in the highest circles of London society, but Pocahontas died at Gravesend, England, seven months later on their return to Virginia. Rolfe left his son in the care of a guardian in England and returned to his adopted home.

In Virginia he became a councilor and sat as a member of the House of Burgesses. He continued his efforts to improve the quality and quantity of Virginia tobacco. By 1617 tobacco exports to England totaled 20,000 pounds.

Jane and John were recorded as married in 1620 at Jamestown, so that is why we know she was a wife of John after the death of 1st wife Sarah and 2nd wife Pocahontas.

John and Jane had a daughter, Elizabeth Pierce Rolfe, and Jane was widowed in 1622, after only being married to John Rolfe for two years.

Jane and John Rolfe had a daughter, Elizabeth, who married John Milner and had a daughter, Jane. Elizabeth died at the age of 15.

After John Rolfe's death, Jane remarried to Roger Smith. They adopted Sarah Pace, Jamestown Orphan as well as having two sons, John and Francis.

Origins

From http://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/pierce/6608/

The children of William Pierce and his wife Jone were

• William PIERCE was born Abt 1603, and died before 1609. ?
• Jane (Joan) PIERCE was born 1605. She married John ROLFE 1619 in James City, Virginia, son of John ROLFE and Dorothea MASON. He was born 6 MAY 1585 in Heacham, Norfolk, England, and died 22 MAR 1621 in James City, Virginia.
• Thomas PIERCE was born Abt 1607. He was NOT the Thomas Pierce who died 22 MAR 1622 in Henrico

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References

• Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Jan 13 2016, 19:38:38 UTC
• http://www.colonial-settlers-md-va.us/getperson.php?personID=I07575...
• Tyler, Lyon Gardiner, ed. (1915) Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Volume I-II. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Archive.org < link >
• Nugent, Nell Marion, (1934) Cavaliers and Pioneers: Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800, 1st ed. Richmond: Dietz Print Co., Archive.org (Page xxx). < link >
• https://historicjamestowne.org/history/pocahontas/john-rolfe/
• https://www.colonial-settlers-md-va.us/getperson.php?personID=I7575...