werowancen.

1588 T. Hariot Briefe Rep. Virginia sig. E2 One onely towne belongeth to the gouernment of a Wiroans or chiefe Lorde.

1612 J. Smith Map of Virginia 36 This word Werowance which we call and conster for a king, is a common worde whereby they call all commanders.

a1619 E. M. Wingfield Disc. Virginia in Trans. Amer. Antiq. Soc. (1860) 4 101 Both these wyroaunces haue ever since remayned in peace and trade with vs.

1635 Relation Maryland 26 Their Government is Monarchicall, he that governes in chiefe, is called the Werowance.

1705 R. Beverley Hist. Virginia iii. xi. 57 A Werowance is a Military Officer, who of Course takes upon him the command of all Parties.

1757 P. Williamson French & Indian Cruelty Exemplified 26 They..made wise Conduct, Courage, and personal Strength, the chief Recommendations for War-Captains, or Werowances, as they called them.

1893 M. A. Owen Old Rabbit i. 3 She was accepted as a child of the Werowances.

1899 Atlantic Monthly June 725/2 The canoe of the Nansemond werowance.

1944 Virginia Mag. Hist. & Biogr. 52 105 The friendly reception tendered the English by the Moraughtacunds (Moratticos) and their ally, the powerful Werowance of Cuttatawomen (Corotoman), would incur the Rappahannocks' hatred.

2003 Jrnl. Southern Hist. 69 250 Each of these communities was governed by a lesser chief, called a werowance.