The Jamestown colony began on May 14th, on Tsenacommacah (Virginia), Paspahegh land where the local inhabitants investigated the settlement by canoe that very night. By May 26th a combined force of 4…
The Jamestown colony began on May 14th, on Tsenacommacah (Virginia), Paspahegh land where the local inhabitants investigated the settlement by canoe that very night. By May 26th a combined force of 400 Paspahegh, Quiockahannock, Weyanoke, Appomattoc and Chiskiack assaulted the under construction fort. The Native forces withdrew after a few deaths and injuries on both sides. The Paspahegh continue to assault the fort over the coming week. A ceasefire is called by Powhatan leader Wahunsenacawh (Powhatan) (who led the confederacy of which the Paspahegh were a part,) on June 15th and hostilities are quiet until the beginning of the First Anglo-Powhatan war in 1609. The colonists were deeply dependent on the local tribes who helped them survived the winters of 1607-8 and 1608-9. While this element of the history is emphasized, it is also important to see that the colony was attacked from the beginning and there were always Native peoples who did not want settler encroachment.
