In 1622, Opechancanough coordinated a multinational military assault across fifty miles of the Virginia James River in a single morning — with no written orders, no telegraph, and no standing army. 347 English colonists died before noon.

He had been watching them for fifteen years.

Opechancanough is Courtney's (Sisi's) 11th great-grandfather — and his authority to lead came entirely through his mother, Amopotuske, her 12th great-grandmother from Episode 1.

This is Season 1, Episode 2 of The Free Man's Line — the story of the Powhatan war chief who was the direct ancestor of Manley Ray Bell's family, and whose authority to lead came entirely through his mother, Amopotuske, the woman we met in Episode 1.

His name was Mangopeesomon. He Whose Soul Is White. He was not treacherous. He was a sovereign military strategist defending his nation from an existential threat. He was nearly 90 years old when he led his final uprising in 1644 — carried on a litter by his warriors because he could no longer walk. Captured. Imprisoned. Shot in the back.

He was murdered. He was not defeated.

The line continued through his daughter, Pride — called "Shawnee Woman" — who carried it westward into Cherokee territory. 500 years later, his descendants are still here.

-- Website: Bloodline --

-- Watch: Video Library --

NOTE: This archive was built by courtney c, known as sisi in brasil. the family tree that made it possible was researched and maintained by p. pierson, a family member. genealogical reference material was drawn from the published work of angela walton-raji. neither was involved in the production of this archive.

Statement on LLM technology https://faafo.app/i-said-yes-and-i-would-do-it-again

born enslaved in 1790, chose that name deliberately when he walked free. we are the bell-franklin family.