Chief Powhatan (c. 1545 – 1618) is the name given to a historical Native American leader by the English settlers. Actually his name was Wahunsenacawh and the man was leader of the tribe Powhatan of Virginia. Originally the leader of a a number of allied tribes, through both diplomacy and war the Chief managed to unite 30 tribes to the Powhatan Confederacy. An Native American state with about 15,000 people. Â
He had early contact with the settlers of Jamestown in 1607. Initial efforts for a peaceful relationship ended with the territorial conflict known as the First AngloâPowhatan War (1610 -1614). The War ended with the marriage of Pocahontas to settler John Rolfe. Peaceful relations continued to the death of Powhatan in 1618.