The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-13
THE PAMUNKEY INDIANS
SOME FACTS CONCERNING THIS
ONCE POWERFUL TRIBE.
Old Emperor Powhatan - Two Noted
Ruiers-Totopotomoi and Queen Anne
The Fayorite OF King Charles IL.

Notice OF the feeble relic OF this once
powerful tribe Of Indians having recently
appeared in the pubic prints, It may be
proper 10 say something more OF an an
Cient people, now almost extinct.
Long before the ships OF our English
ancestors, or those OF any other European
explorer had rulted the waters OF the
ancient Powhatan river, an Indian nd
ton had held the territory lying north OF
the Pamunkey river, III what Is now
King " llam county. rms was the most
powerful OF the savage tribes then COM
posing the contederdcy, over winch the
great chief POwhatan ruled as emperor.
1t could bring the largest number OF war
riors INTO the neld, could support them
longer there and by its peculiar seOsraph-
icai situation could often make itself ar
bitter in matters OF doubtful issue, wheth-
er OF peace or OF war. ii was, on this
account. an important step III any pro-
posed adventure OF the whites or natives,
that the favor Of the Pamunkeys snOuld
be secured
When the English settlers first made
themselves known to this powerful tribe
they were ruled over by a noted chief.
OpeCancanugh was by lar the most re-
markable OF the savage chiefs who played
a part in the early history OF Virginia.
Although acknowledging allegiance 10
Powhatan his influence over the adjacent
nations, especially his immediate neigh
bors, the Chickahomnies. was potential.
It was himself that made his people SO
powerful lie was OF immense stature,
OF dauntIess courage great native sa-
sactty, and entirety given over to du-
plicity IN all his Intercourse with the
whites. He was said TO be a brother TO
Emperor Powhatan, ana on this account
it was thought he presumed upon his
high consangunity IN controlling his
tribe. But there Is great doubt i'm re-
gard 10 his lineage. some say ne came
10 Virginia from some remote part OF
the Southwest: was OF a different race
OF natives, and had achieved his present
position by force or lis personal midi
Niduility.
The neric term "brothcr'' was often
applied by the Indians TO either coad-
mtof OF some prominent savage diSnita-
~ OF another tribe. and therefore did not
always imply blood relationship.
The POwnatans, over whom the Emperor
OF ttJt name ruled, Mere a numerous ana
powerful people. 1hey Dccupied all the
territory lying between the Atlantic Ocean
and the ;:us OF the great rivers, and We're
composed OF seven distinct tribes. Their
old ruler had already reached great dge'
and GlC1 only eleven years dLttE the
LANDING at jamestown. His own brother
sucC 10 his throne, but snort time
after his death the ambitious and lrucu-
lent OpecaDcaaugh managed 10 get control
OF his nation. the usurper always hated
the English. although ever processing 10
be their friend. On one occasion, after
ne had acquired the supreme power, he
sent to the chief of So. Potomacs, his ally,
TWO baskets, as Dribe TO destroy white
man who had gone 10 the former on a
mission OF peace.
o9ccancanugh mad at one time BEEN
chief OF the ChicHthoIninies. hence his
influence over that tribe after he became
sachem or the Pamunkies. How long
he reigned over them does>not appear.
His treacherous and turbulent nature was
the ultimate cause OF ms fall. For more
than thirty ye4rs the whites had man
aged 10 keep the peace win their deceit
mi and dangerous neighDor. In the
meantime he mad Witnessed. WIN in
creased tea iousy. the continued grOwth OF
the English powcr.
At length. about the year lGl, insiislted
by his personal efforts, an attempt
made by the savages 10 surprise and
massacre the entire white population. An
Indian war now ragged for several years.
during which Opecancanugh and his chiefs
kiIled about five hundred OF the settlers
ana destroyed . large amount OF proper