Abiaka

Abiaka
The only depiction of Abiaka during his lifetime in 1839
Seminole-Miccosukee leader
In office
1837–1866
Preceded byMicanopy
Principal Chief of the Florida Seminoles
Personal details
Bornc. 1781
Near Flint River, Georgia, United States
Diedc. 1866 (aged 84-85)
Big Cypress Swamp, Florida, United States
ChildrenAt least 4
Known forFought in the Seminole Wars, resulting in the continued existence of the Seminole tribe in Florida.
Mother tongueMikasuki
NicknameSam Jones
Military service
Battles/wars
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Abiaka, also known as Sam Jones,[1] (c. 1781 – c. 1866) was a Seminole-Miccosukee chief, warrior, and shaman who fought against the United States during the Seminole Wars. He was born among the Miccosukee[2] people of Georgia, who would migrate south into Florida and become part of the Seminole tribe. He initially rose to prominence among the Seminoles as a powerful shaman. Abiaka became the principal chief of the Seminoles in 1837 during the Seminole Wars.[3] He was a guerrilla warfare tactician and he led the Seminoles at the Battle of Lake Okeechobee, the largest battle of the conflict. Abiaka successfully resisted the United States and its policy of Indian Removal, and his leadership resulted in the continued presence of the Seminole people in Florida.

  1. ^ "Treaty With The Seminole, May 9, 1832. | 7 Stat., 368. |Proclamation, April 12, 1834.Indian Affairs: Laws And Treaties Vol. II, Treaties, compiled and edited by Charles J. Kappler. Washington : Government Printing Office, 1904. page images: 344, 345". Archived from the original on October 5, 2006. Retrieved October 27, 2006.
  2. ^ archaic: Mikasuki, Mickasooke
  3. ^ West, Patsy (2022-05-05). "Abiaka, or Sam Jones, in Context: The Mikasuki Ethnogenesis through the Third Seminole War". Florida Historical Quarterly. 94 (3).