Ar-pi-uck-i facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abiaca
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|---|---|
| Medicine chief and war chief, Miccosukee leader | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1760 Georgia |
| Died | c. 1860 (aged 99–100) Florida |
| Spouse | Itee (born c. 1790) |
| Children | Rebecca Jones (1817–1898), wife of Ephraim Miles Mitchell |
| Known for | Fought in Second Seminole War, resulting in the permanent Native American presence in Florida. |
| Nickname | Sam Jones |
Ar-pi-uck-i, also known as Abiaka or Sam Jones, was a very important leader of the Miccosukee people. He was born around 1760 and lived to be about 100 years old, passing away around 1860. He was both a spiritual leader, called an alektca (which means medicine chief), and a strong war chief.
Ar-pi-uck-i was part of the Seminole and Muscogee tribes in the southeastern United States. He famously stood up to the U.S. government. He refused to move his people from their homes in Florida to lands west of the Mississippi River. His powerful leadership during the Second Seminole War (1835–1842) was key. Because of him, Native Americans were able to stay in Florida permanently.
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Who Was Abiaka?
Abiaka's name has many different spellings. Some of these include Aripeka, Abiaka, and Sam Jones. The name comes from the Muscogee language word Abihka. This word refers to an old Muscogee town. It means "pile at the base" or "heap at the root."
Abiaka's Early Life
Abiaka was born in the state of Georgia. Not much is known about his very early years. However, he grew up to become a respected leader among his people.
Treaties and Resistance
The U.S. government tried to make treaties with Native American tribes. These treaties often aimed to move tribes off their lands. Ar-pi-uck-i signed two treaties: the Treaty of Payne's Landing in 1832 and the Treaty of Fort Gibson in 1833.
However, he signed these treaties only because his representative, Tokose Mathla, was forced to. Ar-pi-uck-i was strongly against moving his people. He believed their homeland was sacred and they should not leave it.
Fighting for Freedom: The Second Seminole War (1835–1842)
Ar-pi-uck-i played a huge role in the Second Seminole War. This war was fought because the U.S. government wanted to move the Seminole people from Florida. Ar-pi-uck-i was a brilliant military leader.
The Battle of Lake Okeechobee
On December 25, 1837, a major battle happened near Lake Okeechobee. Colonel Zachary Taylor led over 1,000 U.S. troops against the Miccosukee and Creek warriors. Ar-pi-uck-i was the main war chief for the Miccosukee.
He planned the battle very carefully. His warriors were hidden on dry, treed ground. They attacked the U.S. soldiers, who had to charge across open water. Colonel Taylor's forces lost many men. Ar-pi-uck-i's side lost far fewer. After the battle, Taylor's troops had to retreat. This battle was a big victory for the Seminoles. It is considered Florida's most important and bloody battle of the war.
The battlefield is now a National Historic Landmark. It is recognized as an important historical site.
The Battle of Jupiter Inlet
On January 15, 1838, another fight took place near Jupiter Inlet. Lieutenant Levin M. Powell of the U.S. Navy led soldiers and sailors to explore the Loxahatchee River. Ar-pi-uck-i and his group met them in battle. Powell's force lost several men and many were wounded.
The Battle of Pine Island Ridge
On March 22, 1838, Ar-pi-uck-i led Seminole warriors in the Battle of Pine Island Ridge. They fought against U.S. troops and Tennessee volunteers. The U.S. soldiers had to attack through waist-deep water. Meanwhile, the Seminoles fired at them from the cover of the island.
The Seminoles won this battle. This fight was a response to an earlier event. In 1836, a family's home was attacked. This led to the U.S. military seeking revenge.
By 1841, near the end of the war, Ar-pi-uck-i was living near the Kissimmee River and Lake Okeechobee.
Abiaka's Later Life
After the Third Seminole War (1855–1858), Ar-pi-uck-i moved to the Big Cypress Swamp area. His group included about 17 warriors, along with many women and children. He was very old by this time.
Ar-pi-uck-i was married to Itee. She was half Choctaw and half Irish. They had at least one child, a daughter named Rebecca Jones, born in 1817. Ar-pi-uck-i died in Florida around 1860.
Honoring Abiaka: Statues, Memorials, and Places
Ar-pi-uck-i is remembered in many ways:
- A sculpture showing Ar-pi-uck-i leading women and children to safety is at Pine Island Ridge, Tree Tops Park. A copy is also at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Seminole Indian Museum at the Big Cypress Indian Reservation.
- The city of Aripeka in Pasco County, Florida is named in his honor.
- A poem published in 1859 mentions him as Arpeik.
- The Ah-Tha-Thi-Ki Museum on the Seminole Big Cypress Reservation is near where Abiaka is thought to be buried.
- A large bronze statue group of Sam Jones and various animal clans (Bear, Panther, Eagle, Rattlesnake, Otter, Toad, Deer, and Wind) is at the Seminole Big Cypress Reservation. This is one of the biggest bronze statues in the southeastern U.S.
- On Mars, a rock outcrop area is called "Seminole." Two spots on this outcrop, named "Abiaka" and "Osceola," were studied by the Mars Exploration Rover, Spirit, in 2005.
See Also
