How Did Powhatans Interact In Central Virginia

During the time of English contact, the Algonquian-speaking Powhatan Indians lived in a large portion of Virginia, and specifically the Appomattocks tribe of the Powhatans resided in Central Virginia (“Virginia”). There were over thirty tribes in the Powhatan Chiefdom, led by Chief Powhatan. They lived in a ten-thousand-square-mile area they called Tsenacommacah, and their population in 1607 is estimated to have been around fifteen thousand. Powhatan towns were located on high ground near rivers, which were utilized for food, transportation, and bathing (“The”). In Powhatan society, there was strict division between the roles of women and men. Women had to build the houses, cook, collect food, fetch water, raise the children, make clothing,

Initially, the natives welcomed the English. However, in 1609, when the English continued to demand food from them, Chief Powhatan ordered his people to refuse them. It was not until 1614 when peace reigned between the two groups again. The year earlier Chief Powhatan’s daughter Pocahontas was kidnapped by the English. During her captivity, she and Englishman John Rolfe met and fell in love. They were married with her father’s permission in 1614. In 1617, Pocahontas, who had been christened Rebecca, died of an unknown illness after travelling to England with her husband and son. In 1618, Chief Powhatan died, passing his chiefdom to his younger brother briefly, before the chiefdom finally came into the hands of his next younger brother, Opechancanough

In March 1622, the Powhatan killed about one-third of the settlers. The English retaliated, and the conflict continued on and off for ten years (“The”). In 1644, the number of Englishmen had grown to eight thousand, and the Powhatan attacked again. Up to four hundred settlers died in the conflict. By 1646, however, the English had kidnapped Opechancanough. During his captivity, he was shot and killed, signaling the beginning of the end of the Powhatan Chiefdom (“The”). Also in 1646, the new chief, Necotowance, signed the first treaties with the English. These treaties clarified boundaries between English and Powhatan lands and stated that natives were not allowed on English land unless on official business. Even then, however, they were required to signify their status as a member of the Powhatan by wearing a striped coat, and later, a badge. The Powhatan signed another treaty over thirty years later, in 1677. This treaty extended reservation land and required natives to give yearly tribute to the English