Josiah Francis (Hillis Hadjo) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Josiah Francis
Hillis Hadjo
Self-portrait of Josiah Francis
Red Stick Creek leader
In office 1813–1818
Preceded by	None
Succeeded by	None
Traveled to England as representative of the Indian Nations (Creek and three other local tribes)
Personal details
Born	Hillis Hadjo 1770 (1770) near Montgomery, Alabama
Died	April 9, 1818 (aged 47–48) Fort San Marcos de Apalache
Cause of death	Hanging
Resting place	San Marcos de Apalache
Political party	Red Stick Creeks
Spouse	Hannah Moniac
Relations	David Moniac, Alexander McGillivray
Children	Polly, Milly, Earle
Parents	European-American father, Creek mother
Education	Illiterate. Sought education in England for his son.
Nickname	Francis the Prophet
Military service
Battles/wars	Battle of Burnt Corn, Battle of Horseshoe Bend (1814)
An ally of his was Neamathla.

Josiah Francis, also known as Francis the Prophet, had the native name Hillis Hadjo. This name means "crazy-brave medicine." He was born around 1770 and died in 1818. Josiah Francis was a powerful religious leader of the Red Stick Creek Indians.

He strongly believed that Creek culture was better than the culture of the white settlers. He became a major supporter of fighting against the expansion of the United States. Francis even traveled to London to ask for help from the British. He wanted their support against the growing American presence. However, his efforts were not successful. After returning to Spanish Florida, he was captured by General Andrew Jackson and sadly, was hanged.

Who Was Josiah Francis?

Josiah Francis was a respected leader among his people. His native name, Hillis Hadjo, was spelled in many ways by English speakers. Some common spellings included Hilis, Hildis, and Hidlis. His last name was also written as Hadgo, Hadsho, or Haya. The English often called him Hidlis Hadjo.

His Family and Early Life

Josiah Francis had a Muscogee Creek mother and a father of European background. In the Muscogee Creek culture, children belonged to their mother's family. This meant Francis was a full member of the Muscogee Confederacy.

He learned to be a metal artisan from his father, who was a blacksmith and silversmith. Francis lived near where the Cousa and Tallapoosa Rivers meet to form the Alabama, close to what is now Montgomery, Alabama. He became a trader, too.

Francis married Hannah Moniac, who was a Muscogee woman. She was related to important Creek leaders like William Weatherford and Alexander McGillivray.

How Tecumseh Influenced Francis

In 1811, a famous leader named Tecumseh traveled across Native American lands. He wanted to unite different Native American groups to stop American settlers from moving further west. Tecumseh had a big impact on the Creeks, especially on Josiah Francis.

Tecumseh left behind his partner, a prophet named Seekaboo. Francis spent a lot of time talking with Seekaboo. In late 1812, Francis became a prophet himself. People believed he was the most powerful prophet in the Creek Nation. He even started to train other prophets.

Francis as a Red Stick Leader

As a Prophet, Francis became a key leader of the Red Stick faction of the Creek Indians. The Red Sticks were against American expansion into their lands. Francis strongly disliked the ways of the white settlers. He even stopped raising domestic animals and burned his own house to show he was giving up white customs.

He began to have visions and preach with great passion. Francis founded a new village called Holy Ground along the Alabama River. The "Lower Creeks" wanted to get along with the white settlers, which led to a civil war among the Creeks.

Francis was seen as a main leader of this Creek War. He led attacks, and his Red Stick allies also attacked places like Fort Mims. The United States responded with more troops. The U.S. won a major victory against the Creeks at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend (1814).

After this defeat, Francis and about 1,000 other Red Sticks fled to northern Florida. They found safety in the wild areas of the Florida panhandle. Here, they joined forces with British soldiers and became known as Seminoles. They gathered at a strong new fort built by the British at Prospect Bluff.

Francis's Trip to England

After the War of 1812 ended in 1815, Colonel Edward Nicolls, a British commander, returned to England. Francis went with him, even though Nicolls tried to discourage it. Francis wanted to get the British to agree to a special treaty. This treaty would recognize Native Americans as British citizens.

Francis also took his son, Earle, hoping he could stay in England and get an education. Francis arrived in England in August 1815 and stayed with Colonel Nicolls near London. Nicolls even had to use his own money to support Francis and his son.

The British government's representative for American policy, Earl Bathurst, did not want to meet Francis right away. When they finally met a year later, Bathurst told Francis that the Creeks should make peace with the Americans. He said Britain could not help if another war started.

Earle, Francis's son, stayed in England, but there is no clear record of what happened to him later. Earl Bathurst gave Francis some gifts, including pistols and a title as a brigadier general. Francis also met other important people. His shoulder bag and some of his clothing, like a deer skin shirt and moccasins, are now in the British Museum.

Capture and Hanging

Francis returned to Florida in 1817 and settled near the fort of San Marcos de Apalache (now St. Marks, Florida). His daughter, Milly Francis, became famous in 1818 for rescuing a U.S. soldier named Douglas McCrimmon. McCrimmon had been captured by Native Americans.

After being freed, McCrimmon told General Andrew Jackson that Francis was nearby. Jackson used a trick to capture Francis. He flew a British flag on his ship, the Thomas Shields, to make Francis think it was a friendly British vessel. When Francis came aboard, he was immediately captured.

General Jackson had Francis hanged at St. Marks. This happened without a formal trial or any other legal proceeding. Francis's daughter witnessed this sad event.