Thomas Dale in present-day Northampton County near Cape Charles. Governor Dale sailed back to England in the spring of 1616 aboard the "Treasurer". Accompanying him on what was considered an investor-relations journey were John Rolfe, his wife Rebecca (Pocahontas) and their one-year-old son, Thomas Rolfe. Samuel Argall commanded that ship. Queen Anne and others were reportedly charmed by Rebecca, and investment in the Virginia Company was enhanced. However, soon after leaving London, as John Rolfe and his wife sailed down the Thames River, Rebecca became very ill and died on 21 March 1617 before returning to Virginia. Although Dale and Pocahontas were
Gravesend Crew for Thames tugboats live in town, with Gravesend watermen often hailing from a family tradition. The Port of London Authority Control Centre (formerly known as "Thames Navigation Service") has its headquarters at Gravesend, providing maritime pilots with radar nowadays playing an important role in shipping navigation up the Thames. There is a variety of retail stores and shops in Gravesend. Gravesend market was first chartered in 1268. As of 2018, is situated in the heart of the town. Gravesend has the world's oldest surviving cast iron pier, built in 1834. It is a unique structure having the first known