Re: Pamunkey Indians of VA

The passage of the right to rule was first to the younger brothers, then to the children (preferably sons) of the oldest sister. So, rule passed from Powhatan to second brother Opitchapam, then third brother Opechancanough, before passing to the children of their oldest sister. Thus, Opechancanough was in the line of succession long before his neice (and wife?) Cleopatra was born. Cleopatra and her children were never in line to rule, nor did they.

Also, remants of Powhatan's own tribe, the Powhatans, merged with the Pamunkeys in the late 1600s.