Bolek facts for kids

Bolek (died 1819) was an important Seminole leader, also known as Bowlegs by European Americans. He belonged to the Alachua line of chiefs. Bolek was the younger brother of King Payne, who became a main chief after their father, Cowkeeper. When King Payne died in 1812, Bolek took his place as the principal chief.

Bolek's Early Life

Bolek was one of several children born to Ahaya, also known as Cowkeeper, and his wife. He and his older brother, King Payne, were taught by their mother's brother to become chiefs. This was because the Seminole people followed a matrilineal system. This means leadership roles and family lines were passed down through the mother's side of the family. Their mother's family was part of the Alachua chiefly line.

Becoming a Village Chief

As a young man, Bolek became a village chief, known as an itwála chief. His village was located near the Suwannee River in western Florida. In the early 1800s, he started to disagree with the growing influence of the United States in Spanish Florida.

Bolek worked to stop people from Georgia from entering Seminole lands. These people were often looking for enslaved people who had escaped from plantations. Many of these escaped individuals found safety with the Seminole. Some even married into the Seminole families. Others formed their own independent communities nearby, becoming allies of the Seminole. These groups were known as Black Seminoles. They kept much of their unique Gullah culture and even developed their own language, Afro-Seminole Creole.

Border Conflicts

In 1812, Bolek and his brother, King Payne, began to raid settlements along the border between Florida and Georgia. Seminole groups fought several battles with local militia forces. King Payne was killed in 1812 during one of these fights. Bolek himself was seriously hurt in the same battle against Georgia militia led by Daniel Newnan.

The next year, an expedition led by Colonel John Williams destroyed many Seminole villages. They also captured many horses and cattle. These border conflicts between the Seminole and Georgia settlers played a part in the United States getting involved in the Creek War of 1813-1814.

The Seminole Wars

The First Seminole War began in 1818. During this time, American forces led by General Andrew Jackson moved into northern Florida. They captured Kinache's village of Miccosukee. They also took over the British settlement of St. Marks. From there, they reached Bolek's village, which had been left empty.

The American forces captured two Englishmen, Robert Ambrister and Peter Cook. They were taken back to St. Marks. These men were accused of helping the Seminole people. They were then executed by the American forces. This event caused a big international problem. Despite this, General Jackson continued his attacks and recaptured Pensacola.

In 1819, the United States bought Florida from Spain. The Seminole people expected that they would have to work even harder to keep Americans from taking their land. Bolek died that same year. His maternal grandnephew, Micanopy, became the new principal chief.

After Bolek

Micanopy led the Seminole people as they moved into central Florida. He was also the principal chief during the Second Seminole War. Eventually, he realized that fighting the stronger US forces was not working. He led the Seminole to Indian Territory (which is now Oklahoma). In the West, Micanopy worked to get separate land and independence for the Seminole. He wanted them to be free from the oversight of the Creek people. Micanopy died in 1849.

After Micanopy, his sister's son, John Jumper, became chief. John Jumper died in 1853. His younger brother, Jim Jumper, then became the principal chief. He led the Seminole in Indian Territory until after the American Civil War. At that point, the United States government started to interfere with how tribes chose their leaders.

Another important leader from the Cowkeeper family line was Billy Bowlegs.