In 1607, the English colonist establishes a settlement at Jamestown. The Chickahominy Indians lived in towns and villages along the Chickahominy river, from the fall line of the river to its mouth. The Chickahominy people spoke the dialect of the Algonquian. They also practice the culture similar to the Tesenacomoco people, who also spoke the dialect of the Algonquian. A paramount chiefdom ruled in 1607 by Powhatan. Instead of being ruled by a single chief like some tribes, they governed themselves through a council of elders. Because of their proximity to Jamestown, the Chickahominy Indians had early contact with the English, trading with John Smith on his several voyages up the Chickahominy River in 1607 and teaching the colonists how