Lord De La Warr attacks Powhatan capital unprovoked, beginning the first Anglo-Powhatan War

Lord De La Warr had just arrived in Jamestown after the colony was nearly abandoned in June. He adopted a much harsher and more war like attitude towards relations with the local Indigenous peoples (who had kept the colony from completely starving the previous two winters). He demanded the return of all captives held by the Powhatan in early July or face war. The colonists also held Powhatan captives, and some sources say the Powhatan response was for the colonists to stay in their fort or leave Virginia. After receiving no further response, De La Warr attacked the nearby Paspahegh village killing 65-75 peoples and taking the wife of Powhatan leader Wahunsunacawh and their children captive. De La Warr ordered the children thrown overboard and shot and later executed the wife of Wahunsunacawh as well. These actions are considered a major change in the approach of the colonists and resulted in the Paspahegh leaving the area permanently. It is presumed they joined with other Powhatan peoples and there is no further record of them as a distinct peoples after this brutal attack. Resistance to the colonists continued and in some cases this attack is considered the beginning of the first Anglo-Powhatan War. The Paspahegh are remembered with a historical marker which states "the Paspahegh consistently resisted the English settlement".