Apuckshunubbee facts for kids

Apuckshunubbee (born around 1740, died October 18, 1824) was an important leader of the Choctaw Native American tribe. He was one of three main chiefs in the early 1800s. He led the western part of the Choctaw lands, known as the Okla Falaya (meaning "Long People").

His fellow chiefs were Pushmataha and Mushulatubbee. They led the southern and northeastern parts of the Choctaw nation. Apuckshunubbee and the other chiefs signed several agreements, called treaties, with the United States. They hoped these treaties would stop new settlers from moving onto Choctaw lands. In 1824, while traveling to Washington, D.C., Apuckshunubbee died after a fall. His name was spelled in a few different ways, like Puckshenubbee.

Apuckshunubbee's Early Life

Apuckshunubbee was probably born into a powerful family or clan. The Choctaw people had a special system where property and leadership passed down through the mother's family. This is called a matrilineal system.

In this system, children belonged to their mother's clan. Their mother's brothers were often more important in raising them than their own father. This is because their father belonged to a different clan. People described Apuckshunubbee as a "large man, tall and bony." He was also known for being thoughtful and religious.

Working with the US Government

By 1801, Apuckshunubbee was one of the three main chiefs of the Choctaw in Mississippi. He was the leader for the western part of the Choctaw, known as the Okla Falaya (Tall People).

As a leader, he signed many treaties with the United States government. These treaties included the Treaty of Mount Dexter, the Treaty of Fort St. Stephens, and the Treaty of Doak's Stand. Through these agreements, the Choctaw gave up some of their land. They hoped this would stop European-American settlers from moving onto their territory. However, new settlers kept coming, and the US government did not always make sure the treaties were followed.

Journey to Washington D.C.

In 1824, when he was almost 80 years old, Apuckshunubbee traveled to Washington, D.C. He went with the other main chiefs, Mushulatubbee and Pushmataha. Their goal was to protest how settlers were breaking the Treaty of Doak's Stand. The Choctaw group also included other important people like Talking Warrior and Robert Cole.

The chiefs wanted to talk about settlers moving onto their lands. They hoped the government would either remove the settlers or pay the Choctaw for the land. The group planned to travel a long distance. They would go from the Natchez Trace to Nashville, Tennessee, then to Lexington, Kentucky, and on to Maysville, Kentucky. From there, they would cross the Ohio River and head to Chillicothe, Ohio. Finally, they would travel east to Washington City, which is now Washington, D.C..

Apuckshunubbee's Death

Apuckshunubbee died in Maysville, Kentucky. Reports say he fell from a hotel balcony and broke his neck. Other stories suggest he fell from a cliff. Some historians believe his body was brought back to Mississippi and buried near his home.

A newspaper report from the Maysville Eagle said that Apuckshunubbee fell after dinner. He missed his way in the dark and fell, getting badly hurt. He passed away a few nights later. His home was likely in a place called Lost Rabbit in Madison County, Mississippi.

The deaths of Apuckshunubbee and Pushmataha (who died in Washington, D.C., that same year) were a big loss for the Choctaw. Both had been leaders since around 1800. Robert Cole became Apuckshunubbee's successor.

Later, when Andrew Jackson became president in 1828, the Choctaw knew they would face more pressure to move. They decided they could not fight back with an army. In 1830, the three division chiefs stepped down. The Choctaw National Council then chose Greenwood LeFlore as the single Principal Chief. He was a wealthy and educated Choctaw leader who spoke both English and Choctaw. He believed that moving was unavoidable.

LeFlore worked to get the best deal for his people. He helped sign the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. This treaty gave the US government the rest of the Choctaw land in Mississippi and Alabama. In return, the Choctaw received a large area of fertile land in Indian Territory (now part of Oklahoma). The treaty also allowed some Choctaw to stay in Mississippi as US citizens, but the US government did not always keep this promise. Starting in 1831, most of the Choctaw people began moving to Indian Territory over three years.