Bolek
Encyclopedia
Bolek also spelled as Boleck, and known as Bowlegs by European Americans, was a Seminole
chief. He was the younger brother of King Payne
, who succeeded their father Cowkeeper
(known to the Seminole
as Ahaya) as leading chief in Florida. Bolek succeeded King Payne in 1812 when he was killed.
) and his wife. He and his older brother King Payne were groomed by their mother's brother (in the matrilineal system) to become chiefs and take leading roles among the Seminole.
Bolek was designated as a village chief while a young man; he was based near the Suwanee River of western Florida, where he began to oppose United States influence in Spanish Florida
during the early 19th century. He prevented Georgian
slaveholders from pursuing runaway slaves into Seminole territory. Some of the fugitives married into the Seminole people; others created communities nearby as allies and were known as Black Seminoles
.
In 1812, Bolek and his brother King Payne
began raiding frontier settlements along the Florida-Georgia border. Seminole bands fought several engagements with militia forces; Payne was killed in 1812 and Bolek suffered serious wounds during the same skirmish against Georgia militia forces under Daniel Newman. An expedition by Colonel John Williams
the following year destroyed hundreds of Seminole villages and captured numerous horses and cattle. Border warfare between the Seminole and Georgia settlers contributed to US involvement in the Creek War of 1813-1814
.
advanced into northern Florida capturing Kinache
's village of Miccosukee
and occupied the British settlement of St. Marks
before reaching Bolek's abandoned village. They captured two Englishman, a Robert Ambrister and Peter Cook, who were marched back to St. Mark and, charged with assisting the Seminole, executed by American forces. Although this created an international incident, Jackson continued his offensive and recaptured Pensacola
.
The US purchased Florida from Spain in 1819, and the Seminole expected they would have more to do to try to keep the Americans from their territory. Bolek died that year and was succeeded as principal chief by his maternal grandnephew, Micanopy
, who led through the Second Seminole War
.
Another member of the Cowkeeper
dynasty was Billy Bowlegs
.
Seminole
The Seminole are a Native American people originally of Florida, who now reside primarily in that state and Oklahoma. The Seminole nation emerged in a process of ethnogenesis out of groups of Native Americans, most significantly Creeks from what is now Georgia and Alabama, who settled in Florida in...
chief. He was the younger brother of King Payne
King Payne
King Payne was a son of the Seminole high chief Cowkeeper and succeeded him as leading chief of the Seminoles upon his death in 1783. He led his people against the Spanish and Americans from Georgia and established a number of towns and villages, including Paynes Town in Paynes Prairie, both of...
, who succeeded their father Cowkeeper
Cowkeeper
Cowkeeper, also known as Ahaya in Mikasuki , was the first recorded chief of the Alachua band of the Seminole tribe. This was the name which the English used, as he held a very large herd of cattle.-Early life and education:...
(known to the Seminole
Seminole
The Seminole are a Native American people originally of Florida, who now reside primarily in that state and Oklahoma. The Seminole nation emerged in a process of ethnogenesis out of groups of Native Americans, most significantly Creeks from what is now Georgia and Alabama, who settled in Florida in...
as Ahaya) as leading chief in Florida. Bolek succeeded King Payne in 1812 when he was killed.
Early life and education
Bolek was one of several children born to Ahaya (CowkeeperCowkeeper
Cowkeeper, also known as Ahaya in Mikasuki , was the first recorded chief of the Alachua band of the Seminole tribe. This was the name which the English used, as he held a very large herd of cattle.-Early life and education:...
) and his wife. He and his older brother King Payne were groomed by their mother's brother (in the matrilineal system) to become chiefs and take leading roles among the Seminole.
Bolek was designated as a village chief while a young man; he was based near the Suwanee River of western Florida, where he began to oppose United States influence in Spanish Florida
Spanish Florida
Spanish Florida refers to the Spanish territory of Florida, which formed part of the Captaincy General of Cuba, the Viceroyalty of New Spain, and the Spanish Empire. Originally extending over what is now the southeastern United States, but with no defined boundaries, la Florida was a component of...
during the early 19th century. He prevented Georgian
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
slaveholders from pursuing runaway slaves into Seminole territory. Some of the fugitives married into the Seminole people; others created communities nearby as allies and were known as Black Seminoles
Black Seminoles
The Black Seminoles is a term used by modern historians for the descendants of free blacks and some runaway slaves , mostly Gullahs who escaped from coastal South Carolina and Georgia rice plantations into the Spanish Florida wilderness beginning as early as the late 17th century...
.
In 1812, Bolek and his brother King Payne
King Payne
King Payne was a son of the Seminole high chief Cowkeeper and succeeded him as leading chief of the Seminoles upon his death in 1783. He led his people against the Spanish and Americans from Georgia and established a number of towns and villages, including Paynes Town in Paynes Prairie, both of...
began raiding frontier settlements along the Florida-Georgia border. Seminole bands fought several engagements with militia forces; Payne was killed in 1812 and Bolek suffered serious wounds during the same skirmish against Georgia militia forces under Daniel Newman. An expedition by Colonel John Williams
John Williams (Tennessee)
John Williams was an American lawyer, soldier, and statesman, operating primarily out of Knoxville, Tennessee, in the first part of the 19th century. He represented Tennessee in the United States Senate from 1815 to 1823, when he lost reelection to Andrew Jackson. Williams also served as colonel...
the following year destroyed hundreds of Seminole villages and captured numerous horses and cattle. Border warfare between the Seminole and Georgia settlers contributed to US involvement in the Creek War of 1813-1814
Creek War
The Creek War , also known as the Red Stick War and the Creek Civil War, began as a civil war within the Creek nation...
.
Seminole Wars
During the First Seminole War, American forces under General Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
advanced into northern Florida capturing Kinache
Kinache
Kinache was a Seminole chieftain who commanded Seminole forces against the United States during the American Revolution and later during the First Seminole War...
's village of Miccosukee
Miccosukee, Florida
Miccosukee is a historical small unincorporated community in northeastern Leon County, Florida, United States. It is located at the junction of County Road 59 and County Road 151...
and occupied the British settlement of St. Marks
St. Marks, Florida
St. Marks is a city in Wakulla County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Tallahassee, Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 272 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 299 .-Geography:...
before reaching Bolek's abandoned village. They captured two Englishman, a Robert Ambrister and Peter Cook, who were marched back to St. Mark and, charged with assisting the Seminole, executed by American forces. Although this created an international incident, Jackson continued his offensive and recaptured Pensacola
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
.
The US purchased Florida from Spain in 1819, and the Seminole expected they would have more to do to try to keep the Americans from their territory. Bolek died that year and was succeeded as principal chief by his maternal grandnephew, Micanopy
Micanopy
Micanopy , also known as Micco-Nuppe, Michenopah, Miccanopa, Mico-an-opa and Sint-chakkee , was the leading chief of the Seminoles who led the tribe during the Second Seminole War...
, who led through the Second Seminole War
Second Seminole War
The Second Seminole War, also known as the Florida War, was a conflict from 1835 to 1842 in Florida between various groups of Native Americans collectively known as Seminoles and the United States, part of a series of conflicts called the Seminole Wars...
.
Another member of the Cowkeeper
Cowkeeper
Cowkeeper, also known as Ahaya in Mikasuki , was the first recorded chief of the Alachua band of the Seminole tribe. This was the name which the English used, as he held a very large herd of cattle.-Early life and education:...
dynasty was Billy Bowlegs
Billy Bowlegs
thumbChief Billy Bowlegs or Billy Bolek was a leader of the Seminoles in Florida during the Second and Third Seminole Wars against the United States...
.