By 1607, Powhatan was the ruler of the largest and most politically complex Indian empire in Virginia. The empire's population was approximately 14,000. Powhatan's domain of 30 tribes encompassed the entire coastal plain of Virginia from the fall line at present day Richmond to the Atlantic Ocean and from the Potomac River down to the modern Virginia-North Carolina border. Of all the tribes, the Pamunkeys were probably the strongest, ruled by Powhatan's powerful half-brother, Opechancanough. After an initial attack on the colonists in late May, the Indians were relatively friendly.
1609-1614 When the strong English leader Captain John Smith returned to England, the relationship between Powhatans and English suffered. Although Powhatan was unable to halt English advances, Opechancanough and the Pamunkeys were able to defeat the English in several skirmishes. While Powhatan spent most of this time in seclusion, Opechancanough became stronger and more powerful.
1613 The colonists captured Pocahontas, Powhatan's daughter, near the Potomac River. The fighting between the Indians and the English came to a halt and peaceful negotiations began.
1614 Pocahontas renounced her heritage and chose to live with the English. She was baptized into the Church of England and changed her name to Rebecca. Her marriage to Englishman John Rolfe established peace between the English and the Powhatans. This period of peace lasted for approximately eight years.
1617 Pocahontas died of natural causes in Gravesend, England.
1618 Powhatan died, succeeded by his second brother Opithapam. Several months later, Opechancanough assumed control.
1622 Chief Opechancanough planned a coordinated surprise attack against the English settlements in Tidewater Virginia on March 22, 1622. During this uprising, approximately 350 settlers, or one-fourth of the English population, died. Due to the timely warning by an Indian boy, Jamestown was spared the ravages of the attack. For the next ten years, the conflict between the settlers and the Indians dragged on.
1632 Following a decade of tense coexistence between the Powhatans and English, a stalemate developed. 
1644 Goaded by the increasing loss of his people's land and their culture, Opechancanough launched a second attack on the English settlements, leaving approximately 400 English dead.
1646 Opechancanough, nearly 100 years old, was captured by Governoror Sir William Berkeley and was later killed by a soldier guarding him at Jamestown. His death led to the signing of a peace treaty in which Powhatan tribes agreed to be loyal subjects and allies of the Crown.
1988 There are seven recognized tribes totaling 9,500 Powhatan Indians. The Pamunkey and Mattaponi reservations (1,000 acres) cover much of the same territory as the original lands. These were the first two Indian reservations established in the United States.

Now available online through the National Park Service is A Study of Virginia Indians and Jamestown: THE FIRST CENTURY by Danielle Moretti-Langholtz, Ph.D.

Reviewed 04/18/1999
Kirk D. Kehrberg
Park Ranger
COLONIAL NHP