POW-02
John Jenkins Designs
The Powhatan people may refer to any of the indigenous Algonquian people that are traditionally from eastern Virginia. It is estimated that there were about 14,000-21,000 Powhatan people in eastern Virginia, when English colonists established Jamestown in 1607.
In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, a “Mamanatowick” (paramount chief) named Wahunsenacawh created an organization by affiliating 30 tributary peoples, whose territory was much of eastern Virginia. They called this area Tsenacommacah (“densely inhabited land”).
Wahunsenacawh came to be known by English colonists as “The Powhatan Chief”.
Each of the tribes within this organization had its own Weroance (leader), but all paid tribute to the Powhatan Chief.
After Wahunsenacawh’s death in 1618, hostilities with colonists escalated under the chiefdom of his brother, Opchanacanough, who sought in vain to expel encroaching English colonists. His large scale attacks in 1622 and 1644 met strong reprisals by the colonists, resulting in near elimination of the tribe.
By 1646, what is called the Powhattan Paramount Chiefdom by modern historians had been decimated. More important than the ongoing conflicts with the English colonial settlements was the high rate of deaths the Powhattan suffered due to new infectious diseases carried to North America by Europeans, such as measles and smallpox.
The native Americans did not have any immunity to these, which had been endemic in Europe and Asia for centuries. The wholesale deaths greatly weakened and hollowed out the native American societies.
There are several detailed accounts of the Powhatan peoples, but we are fortunate to have the exquisite water-colors of John White, who was the governor of the second Roanoke Settlement. Luck would have it he was gathering supplies in England when his colony vanished.
The main weapon of all the Indians faced by the English settlers during this period was the longbow. This measured 5-6ft. and was made from witch-hazel or hickory. It was noted that the Indian bows were quick, but not very strong or accurate.