Opchanacanough
Powhatan Confederacy chief
Opechancanough (/oʊpəˈtʃænkənoʊ/; 1554–1646) was the main chief of the Powhatan People. He followed his older brother Powhatan. He captured Captain John Smith. Opechancanough led the Powhatans in the Second and Third Anglo-Powhatan Wars. His tactics were not that diplomactic. He was captured and killed by the British in 1646. His name means "He whose Soul is White". Nectowance replaced Opechancanough as chief of the Powhatan.
Opechancanough | |
|---|---|
 'John Smith taking the King of Pamunkey prisoner', a fanciful image of Opechancanough from Smith's General History of Virginia (1624). The image of Opechancanough is based on a 1585 painting of another native warrior by John White[1] (see below) | |
| Paramount chief of the Powhatan Confederacy | |
| Preceded by | Opitchipam |
| Succeeded by | Necotowance |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1554 |
| Died | 1646 (aged 92) Jamestown, Colony of Virginia, British America |
| Cause of death | Shot in the back while a prisoner |
| Resting place | Pamunkey Reservation, King William, Virginia, U.S. |
| Relatives | Chief Powhatan (brother) Pocahontas (niece) John Rolfe (nephew-in-law) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Powhatan Confederacy |
| Battles/wars | Anglo-Powhatan Wars |