Jamestown Series.
Since the marriage of Pocahontas and the accession of Opechancanough to the imperial crown, the Englishmen appeared to be lulled into a sense of fatal security as they became more familiar with the Indians, eating, drinking, and sleeping among them. This sort of friendship affords the Indians the wisdom of the strength of the English and the use of our arms. They knew when and where to find the people, whether at home or in the woods, in bodies or dispersed, in the condition of defense or indefensible. Once this knowledge spread throughout the tribe, the English exposed their weakness with a plan to reduce the colony’s size.
Upon the killing of Nemattanow, a great and esteemed warrior believed to be immortal, Opechancanough took affront and commenced plotting a plan to massacre the English. The occasion was as follows:
Nemattanow had been in very many conflicts and escaped untouched from them all. He was also a very cunning fellow and took great pride in preserving the superstitions concerning him, for which purpose he would adorn himself with feathers and ornaments. This display caused the English to nickname him “Jack of the Feather.” Nemattanow negotiated privately with Mr. Morgan for several toys and persuaded Morgan to go to Pamunky to dispose of them, where Nemattanow gave him hopes of getting good bargains at Pamunky. Morgan yielded to his persuasion but was never heard of again.
Meanwhile, the colonists believed that Nemattanow had killed Morgan along the way and taken his treasure. Several days later, when Nemattanow returned to the same house wearing Mr. Morgan’s cap on his head, the Indian was met by two sturdy boys who asked for Morgan. Nemattanow told them he was dead. But they recognized the cap and suspected that he had killed their master. The boys insisted that Nemattanow go before a justice of the peace. But the Indians refused to comply. After that, the boys shot Nemattanow, and while carrying him to the governor, he died. As he was dying, Nemattanow earnestly pressed the boys to promise him two things. First, that they would not tell how he was killed, and, secondly, that they would bury him among the English. He imagined that being buried among the English might conceal his death from his nation and thus preserve his image. He was pleased with his last gasp of breath as the boys promised not to tell.
The above event was what spurned the Indians to massacre the colonists at Jamestown.
Note: The Middle Plantation was created in 1632 in Yor County and later (during 1699) became known as Williamsburg, Virginia. It was located on high ground about halfway across the Virginia Peninsula between the James River and York River, making it easily accessible from sea.
Genealogy Tips. Members of Virginia Pioneers.net can access images of the York County records. York County should be searched for possible records of the first Jamestown settlers. It is wise to read all the wills, regardless of the testator’s name, to discover other family names and events. Explore York County records 1633-1759 here — > https://virginiapioneers.net/counties/york/
