In February 1644 Opechancanough, then Paramount Chief of the Powhatan Confederacy (Tsenacommacah), made a final attempt to drive English colonists from Virginia.
By 1646 Opechancanough, elderly, decrepit, and in ill health, but still with a fighting spirit, had to be carried into battle on a stretcher.
Determined to end the war, Governor Sir William Berkeley attacked Opechancanough's village, captured the old chief, and imprisoned him at Jamestown.
After surrendering to the English, Necotowance signed a peace treaty with the General Assembly of Virginia which ended the Third Anglo-Powhatan War(1644-1646).
During this time various Acts were passed by the Assembly to benefit and protect the Indians who were often the victims of land grabs and other unscrupulous activities.
According to Dr. Helen C. Rountree (the leading researcher and writer on Virginia Indians), the Powhatans practiced matrilineal descent—Wahunsenacawh to Opitchapan to Opechancanough (all brothers of the same mother), to Catataugh to 2 living sister (unnamed) having the same mother; but, not necessarily the same father (Leaving aside adoption practices) would be the line of succession.