According to Powhatan traditions, Pocahontas's mother died in childbirth. Within a few years both Powhatan and Pocahontas were dead. The tribes of the Powhatan confederacy shared mutually intelligible Algonquian languages. His death contributed to the decline of the Powhatan chiefdom. James is part Native American of the Powhatan tribe. Smith became the first Englishman to meet the paramount chief Powhatan. Some survivors of the Powhatan confederacy have relocated elsewhere. All of the Powhatan groups descend from the Powhatan Confederacy. His death began the death of the Powhatan Confederacy. Smith was brought to the paramount chief, Chief Powhatan. Smith's letter to Queen Anne refers to "Powhatan their chief King". They paid fealty to a paramount chief, known as the Powhatan. Wahunsenacawh came to be known by the English as "The Powhatan (Chief)". Werowocomoco was the site of several interactions between Powhatan and the English colonists. His death marked the beginning of the increasingly precipitous decline of the once-powerful Powhatan.