William Hicks (Cherokee chief) facts for kids

William Abraham Hicks (born 1769 – died around 1837) was an important farmer and leader of the Cherokee Nation. During a difficult time, the Cherokee National Council chose Hicks to be the temporary, or interim, Principal Chief. This happened in October 1827. He served in this role until October 1828. Hicks took over after his older brother, Charles Hicks, passed away in January 1827. Charles had only been Principal Chief for two weeks.

William Hicks became a farmer in the Oothkalooga valley. This area is in what is now Georgia. He was of mixed heritage. He believed in European-American style education for his children and other Cherokee children. He also supported opening a mission and school in the valley. He and his family became members of the Moravian Christian faith.

Who Was William Hicks's Family?

William's father was Nathan Hicks (1740–1829), who was a trader. His mother's name is not known. William was the youngest child in his family. His brothers and sisters included Sarah Gosaduisga (born 1758), Elizabeth (born 1759), Mary (born 1760), Nathan Jr (born 1764), Elizabeth (born 1766), and Charles (born 1767).

How Did William Hicks Help His Community?

William Hicks created a successful farm in the Oothkalooga Creek valley. His neighbor was another important Cherokee leader, Major Ridge. Their farms became known as a "garden spot." This area is near what is now Calhoun in Gordon County, Georgia.

During these years, Hicks became good friends with Major Ridge. They both wanted their children and the Cherokee people to have good opportunities. They both sent their sons to study with the Moravian missionaries, the Gambolds. William Hicks and his wife also became Christians. Around 1822, Ridge and Hicks asked Father Gambold to open a mission and school at Oothkalooga (Ustinali). They wanted more children to get an education there.

Becoming a Cherokee Leader

William's older brother, Charles, was the assistant to Principal Chief Pathkiller. Pathkiller was chief from 1811 to 1827. However, after 1813, Charles was truly leading the Cherokee people. Charles officially became the Second Principal Chief of the Cherokee in 1823 or 1824. So, after Pathkiller died, Charles Hicks became the Principal Chief. But Charles died very soon after, on January 20, 1827, just two weeks into his new role.

At this time, Major Ridge was the Speaker of the Council. He took charge of the lower house of the government. John Ross continued to lead the National Committee, which was like the upper house.

The Cherokee government had been changing for almost ten years to be more organized. In 1827, the Cherokee created a new government with a constitution. This new system used many Cherokee traditions. The states bordering the Cherokee land were upset about this new constitution. They put a lot of pressure on the Cherokee to give up more land to Georgia and North Carolina.

To handle this difficult situation, the Council decided to set up a temporary government. At their meeting in October 1827 in New Echota, they named William Hicks as Principal Chief. John Ross became the Second Chief, and Elijah Hicks became the President of the National Committee. William Hicks served as Principal Chief until October 1828. This was a time of great stress for the Cherokee Nation.

Challenges During His Time as Chief

In December 1827, the state of Georgia asked President John Quincy Adams to agree that Cherokee land belonged to Georgia. The Cherokee Council dealt with this issue. U.S. federal treaty commissioners asked to meet with the Council at Hiwassee. The Council refused. They said those meetings were only about giving land to the United States. The Cherokee had no more land to give away.

End of His Term as Chief

John Ross became Principal Chief in October 1828. Ross had both European and Cherokee family. He had been educated in American schools and could speak two languages. He was one of the mixed-heritage leaders who had adopted more European-American customs. Most of the other Cherokee people did not speak English.

George Lowery was chosen as Second Principal Chief. Lewis Ross became President of the National Committee. Going Snake was chosen as Speaker of the Council. John Martin became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. William Hicks and Major Ridge were made advisors to the chiefs.

William Hicks's Later Life and Death

Hicks was disappointed that John Ross was chosen as Principal Chief instead of him. Some tribal members thought his actions became unusual. Ross did take him on a trip to Washington to talk about land issues. However, after that, Hicks's actions became even more unpredictable.

William Hicks died at age 68 in the Oothkalooga Creek area. This was before the forced removal of the Cherokee people, known as The Removal.

William Hicks's Marriages and Children

William Hicks married Lydia Qua-La-Yu-Ga Halfbreed. She was born around 1792 in Spring Place, Georgia. Their son, Chief George Augustus Hicks, helped lead a group of Cherokee people on the Trail of Tears. This journey passed through Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

In 1804, William married his second wife, Sarah "Sallie" Bathia Foreman. She was born around 1788 in Cherokee territory, in what is now Tennessee. Sarah died on September 1, 1839, in Fairfield, Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory. She passed away during the Trail of Tears.

See also

• Andrew Jackson