Micanopy: Seminole Chief

Micanopy- was the Seminole chief from 1780 through 1843 (okhistory.org). He was known as the “Chiefs of Chiefs” and the “Pond Governor”. He welcomed around one hundred of escaped African Americans to his land, and gave them the job of managing his livestock, and to take care of his soil. During his chieftainship, America bought Florida from Spain. When European settlers started to settle on their land, the Seminole Tribe was furious and refused to leave. That would soon to be lead to the signing of the Treaty of Payne's Landing (the Treaty of Payne’s Landing was signed on May 9, 1832). Which would move the Seminoles to Indian territory. Soon after that, Micanopy backed another leader, called Osceola who opposed the removal. Osceola then killed the Seminole agent, General Wiley Thompson (December 1835). Micanopy fired back and destroyed Maj. Francis L. Dade’s troops, starting the Seminole wars. A year and a half later, Micanopy prepared his tribe to Indian territory. Unfortunately, he was deceived General Thomas S. Jesup. Here, he was taken Charleston, South Carolina, then sent to Indian territory a year later. He died in December in 1848 at Fort Gibson.

He lead the Hvteyievike band to Indian territory during the Third Seminole War (which lasted from 1855 through 1858). Due to the rejection of treaty of alliance, between the Seminole Nation and the Confederate States of America his tribe and himself joined the Loyal Creek leader Opothleyahola. During this time Chupo fought in the Civil war battles of Round mountains (November 19, 1861), the Chusto-Talasah war (December 9, 1861), and the Chustenahlah war (December 26, 1861). During the war, he became the “Northern” Seminole chief. He represented the Loyal Seminole at the Fort Smith Council of 1865. Here, he signed the Seminole Reconstruction Treaty of 1866. Then, he became recognized as the principal chief of the Seminole Nation. He held this position until his death in