A group of so-called "freeholders" or yeomen farmers on the Virginia frontier, in outlying locations such as those in Henrico and the Northern Neck (the northernmost of three peninsulas on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay), have had frequent conflicts with natives.
They had demanded in 1674 that those living on treaty-protected lands be driven out or killed.
A group of Doeg had in September 1675 'stolen' some hogs from planter Thomas Mathews, in retaliation for his failure to pay them for trade goods, after which colonists had killed several natives in the raiding party.
Doeg warriors killed Mathews' herdsman Robert Hen in another round of retaliation.
Two Virginia militia captains (both with a history of aggression toward the natives) go after the Doeg, but with little discrimination, also kill fourteen friendly Susquehannock in the process; a series of retaliatory raids ensues.
