Billy Bowlegs III facts for kids
Billy Bowlegs III, also known as Billy Fewell or Cofehapkee (born 1862, died 1965), was an important Seminole elder and historian. He was also of African-American descent. He helped keep the history of the Seminole people alive in Florida.
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Who Was Billy Bowlegs III?
Billy Bowlegs III was a respected leader and historian among the Seminole people. He was born in 1862 and lived to be 103 years old! He was known for sharing the history and traditions of his tribe.
Early Life and Family
Billy Bowlegs III was born near Lake Istokpoga in Florida. His father was African-American, and his mother was Seminole. They named him Billie Fewell. He also had a Seminole name, Cofehapkee.
He learned a lot about Seminole culture from his mother's family and the older people in his tribe. His grandfather on his mother's side was Osceola, a famous Seminole leader. Billy Bowlegs III was part of the Snake Clan. Sadly, in 1889, his mother Nancy and other family members were killed by his uncle, Jim Jumper.
Later, Billy Bowlegs III lived on the Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation. This reservation is located near Lake Okeechobee in Glades County, Florida.
Working for His People
As an adult, he chose to rename himself after Billy Bowlegs (Holata Micco). This was a famous Seminole chief from the Seminole Wars. Billy Bowlegs III became an elder in his tribe. He spent his life learning and teaching about Seminole history.
He became friends with James Mallory and Minnie Moore Willson. They moved to Florida in the 1880s and became strong supporters of the Seminole people. The Willsons wrote about him in their book, The Seminole of Florida, in 1896. Billy Bowlegs III wanted to help them understand his tribe's culture better.
The Willsons helped the Seminole tribe a lot. In 1913, they helped get a large piece of land approved by the Florida state government. This land was about 100,000-acre (400 km2) in the Everglades and became a reservation for the Seminole. They also spoke up for the Seminole to the United States government in 1917. In the 1950s, Billy Bowlegs III even performed traditional dances at the Florida Folk Festival.
He was buried in Ortona Cemetery in Ortona, Florida.
Remembering His Legacy
Today, a special historical marker honors Billy Bowlegs III, also known as Chufi Hajo. You can find it near Moore Haven, Florida. It is located where U.S. 27 and State Road 78 meet. The marker was put there by the Polk County Historical Commission and the Seminole Tribe. It helps everyone remember his important contributions.
Images for kids
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Historical marker honoring Billy Bowlegs III
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Billy Bowlegs III at Brighton Reservation, around 1949
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Billy Bowlegs III in 1913
