Timeline of Events in the Lives of Pocahontas and Kocoum
by Shawn Henry Potter and Lois Carol Potter
renatuspress@gmail.com
English settlers, and their sponsors in London, viewed North America as a land of unlimited opportunity and potential wealth. Natural resources, including lumber, minerals, and leather, could and would, in time, make investors rich. And surely the native peoples would recognize and welcome the arrival of “superior” English civilization.
The first English settlers found life in Virginia to be more challenging than they imagined; and the native peoples had no intention of exchanging their culture for another way of life. How did these relations play out? Individuals on both sides were both heroic and despotic – no group of people is either all good or all bad; but a clear trend emerges when we examine the record.
Over and over, English settlers repaid native patient kindness with selfish cruelty. The following timeline highlights major events in the lives of Pocahontas and Kocoum. Can you identify the saints and the sinners?
Timeline
1577 – Kocoum was born to Chief Nemattanon of Patawomeck and his royal wife in Passapatanzy (38°17’50”N, 77°18’51”W).[1]
Jul 1585 – English settlers, during a first attempt to establish a colony on Roanoke Island, accused an Indian of stealing a silver cup and, in retaliation, burned the village and corn fields of Aquascogoc, on the mainland near Roanoke Island (35°52’58”N, 75°39’20”W).[2] The distance from Roanoke Island to the mouth of the Chesapeake (36°55’31”N, 76°01’09”W), which was just beyond the Powhatan Paramount Chiefdom, was about 75 miles, as the crow flies. Chief Wahunsenecawh, who became paramount chief in the mid 1570s, was aware of English atrocities in the vicinity of Roanoke Island.[3]
Mar 1586 – English settlers near Roanoke Island kidnapped Chief Menatonon of Choanoke and Skiko, the chief’s son, to coerce their help in searching for precious metals and feeding the settlers.[4]
1 Jun 1586 – English settlers on Roanoke Island slaughtered Chief Wingina of Roanoac and his lieutenants, as Wingina welcomed the English settlers into his home. Although the Roanoac had been feeding the English settlers – who could not feed themselves, the English settlers later reported they suspected the Roanoac were about to attack. Eye-witness Thomas Hariot contended that the “tale of the conspiracy was largely a fabrication.”[5]
Aug 1587 – English settlers, during a second attempt to establish a colony on Roanoke Island, conducted a pre-dawn surprise attack on a group of friendly Croatoans, mistaking them for Roanoacs, in an attempt to overawe potential enemies, killing men, women, and children.[6]
1596 – Pocahontas was born to Chief Wahunsenecawh of the Powhatan Paramount Chiefdom and his royal wife, Winganuske of Patawomeck, in Werowocomoco (37°24’43”N, 76°38’56”W).[7]
13 May 1607 – The English ships Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery, transporting 104 boys and men, landed at Jamestown Island (37°12’33”N, 76°46’39”W) – land belonging to the chiefdom of Chief Wowinchopunck of Paspahegh (37°13’48”N, 76°47’24”W), member of the Powhatan Paramount Chiefdom.[8] Paspahegh was about six miles, as the crow flies, northwest of Jamestown Fort.
18 May 1607 – Chief Wowinchopunck of Paspahegh met with the English settlers at Jamestown Fort, providing a feast of stew and venison, and offering to give the English settlers “as much land as [they] would take.” However, the meeting abruptly ended when an Indian picked up a hatchet, an Englishman grabbed it away and slapped the Indian, and both sides took offense.[9]
25 May 1607 – Chief Wowinchopunck of Paspahegh led about two hundred warriors in a one-hour attack against Jamestown Fort.[10]
15 Jun 1607 – English settlers completed construction of Jamestown Fort.[11]
Jul-Dec 1607 – Capt. John Smith, in his official role as “cape merchant,” explored the James River, trading copper and hatchets for food with the Kecoughtan, Quiyoughcohannocks, Paspahegh, and Chickahominy – all members of the Powhatan Paramount Chiefdom led by Chief Wahunsenecawh.[12]
Dec 1607 – Capt. John Smith traveled about forty miles up the Chickahominy River, encountered a Powhatan hunting party, was taken prisoner, and was presented to Chief Wahunsenecawh at Werowocomoco.[13]
30 Dec 1607 – Chief Wahunsenecawh conferred upon Capt. John Smith the title of Werowance (Chief) of English settlers and designated English settlers members of the Powhatan Paramount Chiefdom. As such, both parties agreed to provide for mutual defense, Chief Wahunsenecawh agreed to provide corn and venison for the English settlers, and Smith agreed to provide copper and hatchets for Chief Wahunsenecawh.[14]
31 Dec 1607 – Pocahontas met Capt. John Smith, as Chief Wahunsenecawh and his family feasted and entertained Smith in honor of the new Powhatan-English alliance.
1 Jan 1608 – Capt. John Smith, escorted by several Powhatan warriors, returned from Werowocomoco to Jamestown Fort.[15] The distance was about 30 miles, following a route, either by foot or canoe, down the north shore of the York River to modern-day Gloucester Point (c. 15 miles), crossing the York River by canoe (c. 1 mile), then walking across the peninsula to Jamestown Fort (c. 14 miles). The complete journey typically took about six-seven hours.[16]
Jan 1608 – English settlers at Jamestown Fort were unable to provide for themselves – food from supply ships was often delayed, spoiled, and insufficient, and English settler harvests were meager. In accordance with the Powhatan-English alliance, Chief Wahunsenecawh began sending food to Jamestown Fort every couple of days.[17]
Feb-Mar 1608 – Capt. Christopher Newport, Capt. John Smith, and others visited Chief Wahunsenecawh at Werowocomoco, where they were feasted and entertained, as both sides discussed trade and mutual defense.[18]
Spring 1608 – Chief Wahunsenecawh sent people to Jamestown Fort to teach the English settlers how to plant corn and make tools.[19]
May 1608 – Capt. John Smith arrested 16-18 residents of Paspahegh on charges of stealing. The Paspahegh took two English settlers prisoner in retaliation. Soon thereafter, the Paspahegh and English exchanged prisoners, and Capt. John Smith burned a Paspahegh village.[20]
Jun 1608 – Capt. John Smith arrested two more residents of Paspahegh on charges of stealing, and Paspahegh arrested two more English settlers in retaliation. Chief Wahunsenecawh sent messengers, including “his dearest daughter Pocahontas,” to Capt. John Smith at Jamestown Fort “to ask that any injuries be forgotten.” In response, both sides released their prisoners.[21]
aft. Jun 1608 – Pocahontas married Kocoum in Werowocomoco.[22]
Fall 1608 – Capt. John Smith and others visited chiefdom after chiefdom (Chickahominy, Nansemond, Quiyoughcohannock, Weyanock, Appamatuck, and Paspahegh), demanding that the chiefdoms exchange trade goods for corn. The chiefdoms were reluctant, because drought had reduced their harvest, but Smith repeatedly pressured the chiefdoms to hand over their winter supplies of corn.[23]
12 Jan 1609 – Chief Wahunsenecawh invited Capt. John Smith to visit Werowocomoco to discuss increasing tensions in Powhatan-English relations. Capt. John Smith and others sailed to Werowocomoco, stopping along the way at Warraskoyak, Tackonekintaco, Chowanock, and Kecoughtan, pressuring each chiefdom to trade for corn. When Capt. Smith arrived at Werowocomoco, Chief Wahunsenecawh explained that the harvest was poor, so corn was scarce. Capt. Smith threatened to “take what they wanted” if Chief Wahunsenecawh “behaved badly.” Chief Wahunsenecawh responded that: “Many do inform me that your coming hither is not for trade but to invade my people and possess my country.” Chief Wahunsenecawh relented and traded with Capt. Smith, but good faith between the two men was broken.[24]
Jan 1609 – Capt. John Smith sailed up the York River demanding chiefdoms along the way exchange trade goods for corn. At Menapacute, Capt. Smith threatened Opechancanough, brother of Chief Wahunsenecawh, at gunpoint.[25]
Jan 1609 – War broke out between Powhatan and English settlers. Powhatan chiefdoms refused to trade with English settlers, and both sides began to shoot at each other.[26]
Jan-Feb 1609 – Chief Wahunsenecawh moved the capital of the Powhatan Paramount Chiefdom from Werowocomoco to Orapax (37°30’53”N, 77°12’15”W).[27] Orapax was about thirty miles, as the crow flies, west-northwest of Werowocomoco. Pocahontas and Kocoum moved to Kocoum’s hometown Passapatanzy.[28]
1609 – Ka-Okee, daughter of Pocahontas and Kocoum, was born in Passapatanzy.[29]
Oct 1609 – Capt. John Smith was injured and returned to England.[30]
1607-1610 – Since the arrival of the first English settlers at Jamestown Island, fifteen “supply” ships in three fleets had delivered food, tools, weapons, and additional settlers to the Virginia colony. Nevertheless, these food supplies were insufficient to maintain the colonists who could not feed themselves.
Apr 1610 – Receiving no food from alienated Powhatan chiefdoms, disease, starvation, and warfare reduced the number of English settlers at Jamestown Fort from 500 to 60 individuals.[31]
10 Jun 1610 – The arrival of an English supply ship repopulated Jamestown Fort.[32] Fighting between the English settlers and Powhatan chiefdoms continued. Over time, more frequent arrival of supply ships with food and additional settlers gradually enabled the English settlers to prosper and overwhelm Powhatan chiefdoms.[33]
Dec 1610 – Capt. Samuel Argall established a trade relationship with the Patawomeck chiefdom.[34]
bef. Apr 1613 – Chief Wahunsenecawh moved the capital of the Powhatan Paramount Chiefdom from Orapax to Matchcot (37°35’00”N, 76°58’00”W).[35] Matchcot was about fourteen miles, as the crow flies, east-northeast of Orapax.
Apr 1613 – Capt. Samuel Argall lured Pocahontas, Iopassus – brother of Kocoum, and others aboard his ship at Passapatanzy, and kidnapped Pocahontas.[36] English settlers killed Kocoum as he tried to save Pocahontas.[37] From this point forward, Ka-Okee was raised by her Patawomeck relatives, Iopassus and his wife, in Passapatanzy.[38]
1613-1614 – English settlers assigned Pocahontas to the care and instruction of Rev. Alexander Whitaker at Henrico, aided by John Rolfe.[39] Matachanna and Uttamatomakkin, sister and brother-in-law of Pocahontas, were allowed to stay with Pocahontas during her captivity at Henrico.[40] In time, Pocahontas “confessed the faith of Jesus Christ, and was baptized.”[41]
5 Apr 1614 – With the consent of her father, Chief Wahunsenecawh, Pocahontas married John Rolfe at the Jamestown church.[42] Their marriage brought an end to the four-year-long First Anglo-Powhatan War.
1615 – Thomas Rolfe, son of Pocahontas and John Rolfe, was born at Henrico.[43]
bef. Jun 1616 – Pocahontas, John Rolfe, their son Thomas, and ten to twelve Powhatan men and women, including Matachanna and Uttamatomakkin, sister and brother-in-law of Pocahontas, sailed to England.[44]
Feb 1617 – Pocahontas and John Rolfe moved from London to Brentford, on the outskirts of London.
Feb 1617 – Capt. John Smith visited Pocahontas and John Rolfe at Brentford. Pocahontas reminded Smith of the kindness she had shown him in Virginia and rebuked him for repaying her father’s generosity with threats, deception, and lies.[45]
10 Mar 1617 – The Virginia Company granted Pocahontas and John Rolfe £100 to establish a mission for native children in Virginia, “upon promise made by the said Mr. Rolfe on behalf of himself and his said Lady his wife, that both by her godly and virtuous example in their particular persons and family, as also by all other good means of persuasions and inducements, they would employ their best endeavors to the winning of that People to the knowledge of God, and embracing of true religion.”[46]
Mar 1617 – As Pocahontas and her family began the journey home, contagious and deadly hemorrhagic dysentery broke out among the ship’s passengers. Pocahontas died and was buried under the chancel of St. George’s Church in Gravesend on 21 Mar 1617.[47] John Rolfe placed their son Thomas in the care of his family, since their child was “not fully recovered of his sickness,” and sailed on to Virginia.[48] When the ship arrived in Jamestown, residents contracted hemorrhagic dysentery and died from exposure to the ship’s passengers.[49] John Rolfe died in Virginia in 1622.[50] Thomas Rolfe recovered, was raised in England, sailed to Virginia in 1635, and died in Virginia before 1681.[51]
Apr 1618 – Chief Wahunsenecawh died in Passapatanzy.[52] He was succeeded as Chief of the Powhatan Paramount Chiefdom first by his brother, Opitchapam, then by another brother, Opechancanough.
1621 – Ka-Okee married Thomas Pettus in Passapatanzy.[53]
1622 – Stephen Pettus, Sr., son of Ka-Okee and Thomas Pettus, was born in Passapatanzy.[54]
22 Mar 1622 – English settlers continued to arrive in Virginia, establishing more and more plantations and pushing Powhatan chiefdoms from their lands. In response, Chief Opechancanough led an attack on English settlers up and down the James River, leading to the ten-year-long Second Anglo-Powhatan War.
Conclusion
Kocoum was faithful to his wife, Pocahontas – sacrificing his life for her when English settlers kidnapped her; and Pocahontas was faithful to her father, her people, and both her husbands (first Kocoum, and then John Rolfe) – and, in the end, she also was faithful to the English settlers and to her newfound faith in Jesus Christ. Throughout her life, Pocahontas wanted to be a force for good, and she was.
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[1] William L. Deyo, Pocahontas and Kocoum Their Early Descendants and Indian Ancestors (Colonial Beach, Virginia: Dejoux Publications, 2025), 24, 147-148. https://billdeyo.com/ See also Linwood Custalow and Angela L. Daniel, The True Story of Pocahontas: The Other Side of History from the Sacred History of the Mattaponi Reservation People (Golden, Colorado: Fulcrum Publishing, 2007), 70-71.
[2] David Stick, Roanoke Island: The Beginnings of English America (Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina Press, 1983), 80.
[3] Helen C. Rountree, Pocahontas Powhatan Opechancanough: Three Indian Lives Changed by Jamestown (Charlottesville, Virginia: University of Virginia Press, 2005), 171.
[4] Stick, 122-127.
[5] Stick, 138-140.
[6] Stick, 175-176.
[7] Martin D. Gallivan, E. Randolph Turner III, Justine Woodard McKnight, David A. Brown, Thane Harpole, Danielle Moretti-Langholtz, The Werowocomoco Research Project: 2004-2010 Field Seasons (Williamsburg, Virginia: College of William & Mary, 2016.
[8] Rountree, 85. “The island (Jamestown Island) was in Wowinchopunck’s territory, but nothing in the records indicates that his permission was sought first.”
[9] Rountree, 87.
[10] Rountree, 92.
[11] Rountree, 93.
[12] Rountree, 97-100, 153.
[13] Rountree, 99.
[14] Rountree, 122. See also Edward Arber, Travels and Works of Captain John Smith President of Virginia, and Admiral of New England 1580-1631 (Edinburgh, Scotland: John Grant, 1910), 1:25-26. “This so contented him, as immediately with attentiue silence, with a lowd oration he proclaimed me Awerowanes (i.e., a Werowance, or subordinate Chief) of Powhatan, and that all his subjects should so esteeme vs, and no man account vs strangers nor Paspaheghans, but Powhatans, and that Corne, weomen and Country, should be to vs as to his owne people.”
[15] Rountree, 124.
[16] Rountree, 124.
[17] Rountree, 127.
[18] Rountree, 127-143.
[19] Rountree, 146.
[20] Rountree, 147-148.
[21] Rountree, 150.
[22] Rountree, 200. “Pocahontas was ‘now married to a private captain called Kocoum some 2 years since.’ Rountree cited William Strachey as follows “Strachey 1953 [1612]: 62; Haile 1998: 620; brackets mine.”
[23] Rountree, 165-167.
[24] Rountree, 168-176.
[25] Rountree, 176-182.
[26] Rountree, 189.
[27] Rountree, 186.
[28] Custalow and Daniel, 73.
[29] Deyo, 35. See also Custalow and Daniel, 73. See also Stuart E. Brown, Jr., Lorraine F. Myers, and Eileen M. Chappel, Pocahontas’ Descendants (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1994), 15. “William Strachey wrote, ca. 1612, that Pocahontas is ‘now marryed to a pryvate Captayne called Kocoum some 2. yeares synce’…. by the spring of 1613, when Pocahontas’s captivity by the English commenced, she may well have given birth to one or more children.” See also Frances Mossiker, Pocahontas: The Life and the Legend (New York: Da Capo Press, 1976), 148-149. “If Pocahontas had been married for three years (1610-1613) to a ‘private captain’ named Kocoum, it is not improbable that she had borne him a child – or children. What, then, would have been the fate of that child (or those children) when the mother was abducted?… It is possible – highly probable – that a child would have been left behind in the Patawomeke village when Pocahontas was lured aboard Argall’s ship… there is the possibility that some of the ‘first families’ of Virginia, the ‘red’ Virginia aristocracy, trace their lineage back to Pocahontas not through the son of her second marriage, Thomas Rolfe, but through the child – or children – of her first marriage, to Kocoum.” See also Philip L. Barbour, Pocahontas and Her World: A Chronicle of America’s First Settlement in Which is Related the Story of the Indians and the Englishmen, Particularly Captain John Smith, Captain Samuel Argall, and Master John Rolfe (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton Mifflin, 1970), 264. “Strachey’s reference to Kocoum is brief but explicit. If Pocahontas had lived with Kocoum from 1610 until her capture in 1613, the birth of a child is a distinct biological possibility. Such a child would have remained with the Powhatan people, and any descendants would have been absorbed into the tribe, lost to the English genealogical records which prioritize the Rolfe line.”
[30] Rountree, 198.
[31] Rountree, 204.
[32] Rountree, 207.
[33] Rountree, 211.
[34] Rountree, 214.
[35] Rountree, 187, 221.
[36] Rountree, 218, 232. See also Custalow and Daniel, 71.
[37] Deyo, 24, 147-148. See also Custalow and Daniel, 79.
[38] Deyo, 24, 36. Note: Iopassus was a brother of Kocoum and the wife of Iopassus was a sister of Pocahontas. See also Custalow and Daniel, 79.
[39] Rountree, 227. See also Custalow and Daniel, 90. See also Deyo, 27.
[40] Custalow and Daniel, 88.
[41] Rountree, Footnote: “Hamor 1957 [1615]: 56 (quoting Dale’s letter of June 18, 1614, 59-60 (quoting Whitaker’s letter of June 14, 1614); Haile 1998: 845, 848; brackets mine.”
[42] Rountree, 231.
[43] Rountree, 258.
[44] Rountree, 245.
[45] Rountree, 250-251.
[46] Rountree, 253.
[47] Rountree, 253.
[48] Rountree, 255.
[49] Rountree, 253-254.
[50] Rountree, 258.
[51] Rountree, 258. See also Deyo, 34. Frances Mossiker, Pocahontas, the Life and the Legent, noted that Chief Opechancanough of the Powhatan Paramount Chiefdom gave Thomas Rolfe more than 1,000 acres in present-day Surry County, Virginia, recorded by the English as “by Guifte of the Indian King.”
[52] Deyo, 30-33.
[53] Deyo, 36-37.
[54] Deyo, 41-55.