Re: Pettis/Pettus - Pocahontas connection?
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In reply to:
Re: Pettis/Pettus - Pocahontas connection?
William Pettus 11/07/12
Bill – Many thanks for letting me know! This is spectacular news and surely an interesting addition to your book. For too long, the descendants of Pocahontas by her first marriage to Kokoum have not been recognized. I felt quite uneasy about the “Theodore connection” and Pettus in general.
As you know, their presumed daughter, Christian Pettus, married John Martin (to be confirmed), and I would be very grateful for any information you can get from Bill Deyo or elsewhere re. the source of that Pettus-Martin marriage. Among their children were Stephen (Richard?) and Rebecca Martin (note that Rebecca was Pocahontas’ baptized name) – see my earlier message, but I am sure you have the children’s names already.
“Powhatan” (Wahunsenaca / Wahunsunacock) was Pamunkey. My understanding is that the name “Powhatan” just refers to the Powhatan Confederation of tribes. Pocahontas’ presumed mother was Mattaponi. According to Mattaponi oral tradition, her name was also Pocahontas (or possibly Nonoma or Winganuske).
Kokoum (Patawomeck, aka Potomac) was the first husband of Pocahontas before she was abducted after ca. 3 years of marriage, taken and held hostage at Jamestown (see note below). Kokoum is presumed to be the younger brother of Chief Japasaw (Iopassus) of the Patawomeck Tribe based primarily at Passapatanzy village, which was in present-day Stafford Co, Virginia. Recently, the Patawomeck tribe was given official state recognition as a Virginia tribe, along with Mattaponi, Pamunkey, Chickahominy, Nasamond and Monacan (any others?).
More in next message.