Powhatan Virginia is Rich in Indian History

Powhatan Virginia is a beautiful place to live. It is located in the central Piedmont area of Virginia, just 20 miles west of Richmond and is close to Colonial Williamsburg, Washington DC and the Atlantic Ocean. It is home to numerous state historical sites and offers a number of things to see and do for visitors. Learn more about Murray Painting. 

Residential-Commercial painting 22 years of experience located in Richmond Virginia area.

The Virginia Indians lived in this area for over 12,000 years before the English arrived in 1607. Before they were invaded, these tribes were quite sophisticated and had a very healthy economy.

In the past, they practiced a form of spirituality that included shamans and medicine men who were capable of healing people and creating new life. They used rattles and chanting to bring balance to the body, and sucked diseased areas of the patient's body to help draw out the illness. They also made a special powder from red puccoon root to use as a body paint and offered sacrifices to Okee, the chief deity.

These traditions were still very much alive and influential during the time of Powhatan. He was the paramount leader of the Indians in the region that would become Virginia and had a network of allied tribes throughout his territory, including his main town of Werowocomoco on the York River.

As the leader of this great empire, he marshaled vast resources, but they were limited by the energies of his people. His wealth was mostly in tribute, but he also produced his own food, hunted for pelts and made other necessities for himself and his family.

He had a large number of wives and children, and he had a number of scouts and bodyguards who traveled with him. He dwelt at his own capital, Werowocomoco, and also in the towns of his subject territories.

At Werowocomoco, he had a house and a great deal of land. He had other residences in the surrounding towns as well, where he often made visits. He was surrounded by advisors who were also his relatives.

During his rule, Powhatan was able to expand his lands and extend peace to his people. He aided them in the creation of tools and items that they could use in their trade with the English, such as clay pots, tobacco pipes and woven mats.

He also encouraged his people to become craftsmen so they could make and sell goods to the English in exchange for guns and other items they needed. These efforts helped them survive in a world that was becoming increasingly dominated by English people and institutions.

While these endeavors were successful, they did not stop the English from continuing to raid and steal from the Powhatan Indians. As a result, Powhatan was unable to continue his reign and died in 1618.

Powhatan's descendants are still living in this area and many have their own tribes that they are seeking state recognition of. There are currently 11 recognized Virginia Indian tribes, with more than 2,000 members.