Nemattanew first appears in English colonial records in 1611, when George Percy mentioned "Munetute" as being sent by paramount chief Wahunsunacawh to lead resistance to the colonists' expansion in the upper James River region.
[4][5] George Wyatt of Kent (father of governor Francis Wyatt) was convinced that Nemattanew had instilled his tribesmen with: "[A] strong perswation [sic] of an Ointment that could secuere them from our [Gunshot]..."[6]In the more peaceful times following war, Nemattanew continued to play a prominent role.
[8][9] A short time (a few weeks) before the Indian massacre of 1622, in which the Powhatan attacked Henricus, Nemattanew appeared at the home of settler Morgan.
[citation needed] In England, John Smith, who had not been in Virginia since 1609, wrote in his 1624 Generall Historie of Nemattanew's death as occurring two weeks before the Henrico massacre.
But 20th-century historian Rountree says, based on contemporary documents, particularly Council in Virginia, that it occurred no later than November 1621, while George Yeardley was still governor.