Neamathla

Neamathla
Eneah Emathla
Copy of burned original by Charles Bird King (Smithsonian Institution)
Mikasuki (Muscogee/Creek) leader
Assumed office
1813
Leader of Red Stick Creeks
Personal details
Born1750s
Died1841 (about 90)
Indian Territory (modern Oklahoma)
Mother tongueHitchiti
Military service
Battles/warsBattle of Uchee Creek

Neamathla (1750s–1841) was a leader of the Red Stick Creek. His name, in the Hitchiti (or Mikasuki) language, means "fat next to warrior", "fat" being a reference to great courage.[1]: 11  The Hitchiti language had no written form, but modern scholars agree that Eneah Emathla is the "proper" spelling of his name in English; however, there were two other men also named Eneah Emathla, so the modern convention is to use the spelling Neamathla for the leader.[1]: 12 

He probably spent his childhood in or near Fowltown (Tutalosi Talofa), on the east bank of the lower Flint River (Georgia), where the Hitchiti were concentrated.[1]: 12  They had supported the British during the American Revolution, although participation by Neamathla is not documented. When the British returned in the War of 1812, he was "among the first chiefs to answer their call".[1]: 13 

  1. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Fowltown was invoked but never defined (see the help page).