About this time Josias had also become influential in northern Virginia among sympathizers of Nathaniel Bacon and associated with John Coode Jr. (c. 1648–1709), who a few years later was the principal leader in the overthrow of the proprietary government. Josias had heard that the Papists (Roman Catholics) and Indians were joining together to do battle with the Protestants. This was confirmed by Capt. John Dent Sr., Gent. (c. 1645–1712). He claimed that Lord Baltimore was responsible, and wanted to destroy all the Protestants. The massacre of five men and a woman at St. Mary's was pointed to as evidence that Lord Baltimore's policy toward the Indians was adequate. Fendall gathered planters in Charles County, to discuss these rumors, which coupled with the fear of the Indian raids that had engulfed their neighbors in Stafford County, Virginia, this developed into a panic. The Governor assured them that all the Indians in the area had recently signed treaties of peace. However, the days when isolated settlers fell to the tomahawk lived in their recollections as a reality more potent than paper with marks, or tokens. The threat of the Indians remained a factor in the suspicions directed toward Lord Baltimore and his administration. As a result, it is said that Fendall and Coode organized troops to stop Lord Baltimore.