At the time of the founding of Jamestown in 1607, the (English named) Nansemond Indians lived in several towns and villages along both sides of the Nansemond River, in what is today the city of Suffolk. Their "werowance" (chief) lived near Dumpling Island, not far from Indian Creek, on the Nansemond River in the vicinity of Chuckatuck.  

The name "Powhatan" refers to the Algonquian-speaking tribes of the Virginia tidewater or coastal plain. By 1607, many of the villages in the area had been brought under one rule by the powerful Chief Wahunsonacock (called "Chief Powhatan" by the English), to form the Powhatan empire. This paramount chief came from the town of Powhatan, near the falls of the James River and he used his hometown name to refer to himself and his chiefdom of over 30 tribes. At the time of English contact the native Tidewater population numbered around 14,000. There were hundreds of settled towns and satellite villages built near the Chesapeake Bay or in the inlets and rivers which flow into it. Each tribe was lead by it's own chief who paid tribute to Powhatan. The towns and villages were placed along sites that allowed a commanding view of the water and the people (especially enemies), traveling on it. Waterways were the central avenues of transportation for the natives; they provided the necessary water for farming, and were a major source of their food. Because of the abundant source of fish, oysters, clams and waterfowl, the Powhatans did not have to move around as much as tribes further inland or to the north. Over the centuries they settled into agricultural communities, growing corn and other vegetables to supplement the fishing, hunting and foraging of plants for their food and medicines. The Powhatan Nation of 14.000, included approximately 1,200 warriors, at least 300 of those being accomplished bowmen.

The early English ignored the fact that the natives had resided in the area for generations and their raids on the Nansemond villages instigated the hostilities between the natives and the colonists which continued on different levels of intensity, for the next forty years. The ongoing battles were often extremely violent and quite fierce. Unlike the tribal warriors, the English didn't hesitate to kill women, children, and the elderly, in their raids upon the native villages. These actions were totally against the customs and ethics of the native warriors and the barbarism of the acts only escalated the hatred of the English by the native warriors. Although the natives had fought under an unspoken code of battle amongst themselves for centuries, the shocking acts of the English now forced them to reevaluate their proud heritage. At the early period of Jamestown's settlement, there were no women or children among the English colonists. When that changed over the next few years, the native warriors adopted the policies employed by the "savage white intruders".

 At one time the Jamestown settlement was almost totally destroyed with few scattered settlers remaining alive. The English now rebuilt with an emphasis on defense. The men who at first were 'country gentlemen' unprepared for war, began to train for their survival. Fortunately for the colonists, Chief Powhatan had built his alliance of more than thirty tribes through diplomacy and negotiation and recognized the importance of such strategies. Additionally, he respected the firepower and armaments of the English and felt they would be strong allies to defend against the other tribes who still coveted the strategic and fertile territory along the river. In an attempt to avoid conflict, many tribal chiefs relinquished their lands along Indian Creek (the English name) and the Nansemond River. Unfortunately, even these concessions weren't enough to satisfy the English and their confiscation of any lands they found desirable. Conflicts and skirmishes continued, despite Powhatans' efforts. After the capture of his daughter, Pocahontas, and her subsequent marriage to John Rolfe, Powhatan and the colonists reached a peaceful alliance which was relatively respected between the opposing sides (and most of the other tribes) for many years. The alliance weakened somewhat after Pocahontas' early death in England, but Powhatan did his best to preserve a modicum of peace and avoid a full scale war with the "White Man".  Upon his death in 1618, the hostility within the tribes and their warriors returned and the region again became rife with violence.

Throughout the years of peaceful coexistence with the tribes, an increasing number of Europeans poured into the Nansemond River area to appropriate the rich farmland. The new arrivals came prepared to fight, if necessary, to secure the lands which the King of England and the Governor of Virginia, had granted to them. In addition, the Powhatan Indian Princess, Pocahontas, had been embraced by English society and many English citizens felt that the "Indian Menace" had been grossly exaggerated by the unprepared early Jamestown settlers. The situation also attracted a contingent of the European population that welcomed battle and found the conquest of the "native savages" alluring. Consequently, the colonists were now much better prepared for battle.

The death of Powhatan resulted in the loss of the strong alliance of tribes within the "Powhatan Nation" and it's powerful leader. After a short period of disorganization, a warrior named Opechancanough rose to the leadership of the Indian nation. Unlike Powhatan, Chief Opechancanough was enraged by the White Man's seizure and rape of their native lands and villages and vowed to return them to their rightful ancestral owners. He assembled an alliance of warriors that remained throughout the allied tribes and launched a fierce raid against the English colonists in April 1644. His warriors killed hundreds of settlers, but the English were so numerous by then they were able to retaliate quickly. The brutal raids continued for over two years but ultimately, the Powhatans were unable to hold the English off and Chief Opechancanough was finally captured and taken to Jamestown to accept defeat and sign a peace treaty. Refusing to accept defeat, he was shot in the back by a guard under the guise of escape and the violence between the warring factions came to a close.