Totopotomoi facts for kids

Totopotomoi (born around 1615, died 1656) was an important Native American leader. He lived in what is now Virginia a long time ago. He was the chief of the Pamunkey people. He also led a larger group of tribes called the Powhatan Paramount Chiefdom. He was a leader from about 1649 until he died in a battle in 1656. This battle was called the Battle of Bloody Run.

What's in a Name?

Totopotomoi's name can be spelled a few ways. It is pronounced "To-to-POT-omy." English settlers often wrote his name as Totopotomy. A creek in Hanover and Stafford counties in Virginia, Totopotomy Creek, is named after him.

His Family Life

We don't know exactly when Totopotomoi was born. We also don't know for sure who his parents were. He became chief after a leader named Necotowance. Many people thought he was Necotowance's son.

However, the Pamunkey and other tribes in Virginia were matrilineal. This means leadership passed down through the mother's side of the family. Often, a chief's brother would become the next chief. Because of this, many historians now believe Totopotomoi was Necotowance's younger brother.

Totopotomoi married a woman named Cockacoeske. After he died, she became the female chief of the Pamunkey. The English settlers knew her as "Queen Cockacoeske of the Pamunkey."

His Role as a Leader

Totopotomoi became the werowance (a type of chief) of the Powhatan Paramount Chiefdom around 1649. This chiefdom was a group of Native American tribes in Virginia that worked together. He took over after Necotowance died.

Totopotomoi's people lived on lands that are now part of New Kent County, Virginia. After a powerful chief named Opechancanough died, the Powhatan Chiefdom became weaker. Many tribes were taken over by the colonists or joined other tribes. Totopotomoi saw that fighting the colonists was not working. He decided to become a strong friend and ally of the Virginia colonists. He often helped them in their conflicts.

The Powhatan people were often at war with other tribes. These included the Monacan and Manahoac groups. The powerful Haudenosaunee Confederacy from the north also fought southern tribes. This caused some tribes to move or join together for safety.

His Military Service

Around 1654, a group of about 600 or 700 people moved near the James River. These were the Shackoconian tribe, part of the Manahoac group. The colonists in nearby Richmond were worried about this new group.

In 1656, the Virginia government asked Colonel Edward Hill to remove the Native American presence. Hill was told not to use force unless it was absolutely necessary. The government also asked Chief Totopotomoi for his help. Totopotomoi agreed to assist them.

Colonel Hill led the Colonial Rangers. He was joined by 100 Pamunkey warriors led by Chief Totopotomoi. They met near the James River, close to where Richmond is today. Five chiefs from the "Richahecrian" tribe came to talk. But Colonel Hill went against his orders. He had the chiefs taken and killed.

This led to one of the bloodiest battles in Virginia's history. It was the last major fight between the Siouan-speaking and Algonquian-speaking peoples. It is known as the Battle of Bloody Run.

During the battle, Colonel Hill and his men retreated. This left their Native American allies, including Totopotomoi, to fight alone. Almost all the Pamunkey warriors died, along with many Colonial Rangers. So many people died that the creek there was said to have run red with blood. This is how the place got its name, Bloody Run.

After this terrible defeat, Colonel Hill was punished by the Virginia government. He lost his military rank. He also had to pay for the battle's costs himself. The Pamunkey Tribe was never paid back for their losses. They also did not get anything for the death of their leader, Totopotomoi. Twenty years later, Totopotomoi's widow, Cockacoeske, reminded the Virginia government of this. This happened when they asked for her help during another conflict called Bacon's Rebellion.

Who Came Next?

After Totopotomoi died, his wife, Cockacoeske, became the Weroansqua (female chief) of the Pamunkey. She led her people for 30 years. She worked with the English colonial system. She tried to bring back some of the power the Powhatan Chiefdom once had. She also worked to keep peace among the tribes she controlled.

The Powhatan Paramount Chiefdom eventually broke apart. Its tribes were either taken over or joined other groups. The Treaty of Middle Plantation, signed on May 29, 1677, made the tribes subjects of the British Crown. This meant they gave up their claims to their old lands. In return, they were promised protection from other hostile tribes. They were also given a limited amount of reserved land. These were some of the first Native American reservations in America.