West Point in King William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Indians Poisoned At Peace Meeting

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 28, 2009

1. Indians Poisoned At Peace Meeting Marker

Inscription. In May 1623, Capt. William Tucker led English soldiers from Jamestown to meet with Indian leaders here in Pamunkey territory. The Indians were returning English prisoners taken in March 1622 during war leader Opechancanough’s orchestrated attacks on encroaching English settlements along the James River. At the meeting, the English called for a toast to seal the agreement, gave the Indians poisoned wine, and then fired upon them, injuring as many as 150, including Opechancanough and the chief of the Kiskiack. The English had hoped to assassinate Opechancanough, who was erroneously reported as having been slain; they succeeded in 1646.

Erected 2008 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number OC-3.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1622.

Location. 37° 32.289′ N, 76° 47.68′ W. Marker is in West Point, Virginia, in King William County. It is at the intersection of 14th Street (Virginia Route 33) and Chelsea Road, on the right when traveling east on 14th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Point VA 23181, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Middle Peninsula.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Indian Treaty of 1646 (within shouting distance of this marker); King William County / King and Queen County (within shouting distance of this marker); Lt. Gen. Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller (approx. ¼ mile away); Home of Signer (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mt. Nebo Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Grove Hotel (approx. 0.4 miles away); L. E. Mumford Banking Company (approx. 0.4 miles away); Col. John West II (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Point.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on Opchanacanough. (Submitted on March 23, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 28, 2009

2. Indians Poisoned At Peace Meeting Marker

John Smith taking the King of Pamunkey (Opechancanough) prisoner. image. Click for full size.

Public domain (Public Domain)

3. John Smith taking the King of Pamunkey (Opechancanough) prisoner.

The image of Opechancanough is based on a 1585 painting of another native warrior by John White.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 19,104 times since then and 240 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 3, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on March 23, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.