Naples daily news this books sweep is broad, its story is provocative, and the human saga it evokes is compelling. Black seminole scouts, also known as the seminole negro indian scouts, or seminole scouts, were employed by the united states army between 1870 and 1914. The seminoles tried to live a peaceful life in their own territory but georgia militias were preparing to raid florida looking for african slaves many whom had already sought refuge with the seminoles and blended in perfectly since both africans and seminoles were black. They built their own settlements on the florida frontier, fought a series of wars to preserve their freedom, and were scattered across north america. Black indians book by william loren katz, native american have a rich history that often goes ignored, unnamed, and abused. Lee the black seminoles history of a freedomseeking people por kenneth w. The black seminoles was one of the more interesting books i read as part of that research. During the american civil war, most oklahoma seminole allied with the confederacy, after which they had to sign a new treaty with the u. Black seminolesgullahs who escaped from slavery the black. And so, following the seminole, most of the black seminoles made the terrible journey of more than a thousand miles to this strange land west, beyond the mississippi river.
The purpose of the exhibit is to illuminate the history of the black seminoles and their struggle for freedom, dignity and selfdetermination. This story of a remarkable people, the black seminoles, and their charismatic leader, chief john horse, chronicles their heroic struggle for freedom. Ccny librariesthe black seminoles long road to freedom. Black seminolesgullahs who escaped from slavery the black seminoles are a small offshoot of the gullah who escaped from the rice plantations in south carolina and georgia. Black seminoles and the second seminole war 18351842 dixon, anthony e on. The black seminoles were celebrated for their bravery and tenacity during the three seminole wars. I am still researching to find more of my people and even more about them. Porter the negro in the american frontier, 1973, a historian and expert in black seminole history, died in 1981. Many have seminole lineage, but due to the stigma of having dark skin, they all have been categorized as slaves or freedmen. To correct misconceptions of the historical relationship between.
It is a fascinating book that tells the littleknown story of the black seminoles fight for freedom during the seminole wars in florida. There are several excellent books that go into this subject in depth. The black seminoles by belinda noah is a blockbuster. The black seminoles surrendered on major general thomas s. Among the topics examined are the seminoles arrival in florida in the 1700s, the place of black seminoles in their society, their struggles to protect their territory from landhungry americans, and 21stcentury reservation life.
The first seminole war erupted over forays staged by u. Porter spoke directly with chief horses descendants and with older black seminoles who either knew him or had heard firsthand stories about him. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the black seminoles. Theyre relying on that 100year old census, which separated the black seminoles from the rest of the tribe in determining. Among the topics examined are the seminoles arrival in florida in the 1700s, the place of black seminoles in their society, their struggles to protect their territory from landhungry. The seminoles creation story, information about their leaders, wars, clothing, and housing is included. The history is pieced together from military records do most of the book, especially the early part is good through the lens of the military. These people represented part of the mixedblood seminole and black population that had. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. History of a freedomseeking people 1996 by kenneth wiggins porter, edited by thomas senter and alcione amos.
Beginning with the early 1800s, small groups of fugitive slaves living in florida joined the seminole indians an association that thrived for decades on reciprocal respect and affection. He spoke a number of languages and later on acted as interpreter for the us army as well as for the seminoles. Explore the story of john horse and the black seminoles, the first black rebels to beat american slavery and leaders of the largest slave rebellion in u. Engraving, gopher john, seminole interpreter, 1858, n. Having been born in mexico and visiting germany, poland, ukraine, and canada, i read about the sacrifices generations made migrating to new lands. Its indepth exploration of seminole history begins with prehistoric times and continues to the present. For black seminoles, removal also meant the beginning of the dispersal of their people to oklahoma, mexico, and texas. Presented here are the text panels and citations of books, government documents and journal articles of an exhibit displayed in cohen library of the city college during black history month, february 1998. Some of the black seminoles, led by chief john horse, left with other seminoles, transported by the u. May 21, 20 the black seminoles is a powerful and stirring story that will appeal to readers interested in black history, indian history, texas borderland history and u. Paulina del moral, 2 books kevin mulroy, 2 books doug sivad, 1 book johnson, dolores. Black seminole scouts the handbook of texas online texas.
A gripping account of a peoples struggle both for identity and freedom. Originally published in 1996, his book remains the definitive work on the subject. Once in the west, many black seminoles adapted to the lifestyle of the plains. List of books and articles about seminole indians online. Jan , 2016 kim rated it really liked it an incredible history told via the story if one man. Amos is librarian at the world bank in washington, d. Howard sums it up best, stating that her book, hopefully, provides a point of departure for future research into the unwritten stories of african and native american encounters in the new world p. The history of the black seminoles is available in several recent books, but rebellion presents a unique treatment, depicting the story within the national context of the struggle for black liberty, while presenting events in a format specifically designed for the web, augmented by the latest research, a wealth of original materials, and hundreds of archival images.
The black seminoles the littleknown story of the first seminoles tells the true story of the black and indian seminoles struggle to exist in florida. As part of her research, howard lived for a year in this small community, recording its oral history and analyzing the ways in which that history informed the evolving identity of the people. A excellent book to use for researching or just for a good read. Seminole, the book, is a true story of faith, hope and persevearance. History of a freedomseeking people porter, kenneth w. Readers discover seminole history and culture in this richly designed, and wellresearched volume.
Explore free books, like the victory garden, and more browse now. Captures the distinct identity and history of the seminole maroons popularly known as black seminoles, descendants of the seminole freedmen of indian territory are a unique american cultural group. Read the black seminoles history of a freedomseeking people by kenneth w. Black seminole indians the handbook of texas online texas. Jan 20, 2020 over 500 black seminoles took up the offer. In 1818, major general andrew jackson was dispatched with an army of more than 3,000 soldiers to florida to punish the seminole. History of the second seminole war, 18351842 by john k. History of a freedomseeking people 1996, hardcover, revised at the best online prices at. Aug 01, 2012 its indepth exploration of seminole history begins with prehistoric times and continues to the present. Aug 09, 2009 historian adam wassermans account of angola, a largely unknown free black maroon settlement in tampa bay, florida that was destroyed by a covert excursion of prowhite creeks under the orders of andrew jackson. They gradually grew in strength, absorbing many runaway black slaves and some members of the apalachee tribe. The black seminoles or afroseminoles are black indians associated with the seminole people. Porter was professor of history at the university of oregon. Beginning with the early 1800s, small groups of fugitive slaves living in florida joined the seminole indians an association that thrived.
History of a freedomseeking people 1996, hardcover, revised at the best online prices at ebay. Smith, 1 book porter, kenneth wiggins, 1 book daniel f. They are mostly blood descendants of the seminole people, free blacks and of escaped slaves called maroons who allied with seminole groups in spanish florida. Black seminoles, a group of free blacks and runaway slaves maroons that joined forces with the seminole indians in florida from approximately 1700 through the 1850s.
Historians familiar with the historiography on floridas black seminoles will certainly welcome howards attention to the bahamian community. I had known of him and his role in the second seminole war, especially after the death of osceola, but this book expands and deepens. Popularly known as black seminoles, descendants of the seminole freedmen of indian territory are a unique american cultural group. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. Negroindian relationships in the southeast laurence foster read. The black seminoles were free blacks and fugitive slaves who forged a strategic alliance with seminole indians in spanish florida during the early 1800s. Mulroy adds new material on his life out west, while canter browns research has. This book is a worthy monument for them and to kenneth porters lifelong quest. A major consequence of the second seminole war was the deterioration of relations between seminoles and black seminoles. The book is dedicated to the thousands of black seminoles who gave their lives in pursuit of.
The forgotten rebellion of the black seminole nation. Black seminoles in the bahamas is sure to leave readers eager to learn more and generate further studies about these intriguing. By 1842, most seminoles and black seminoles had been removed to indian territory west of the mississippi river. Black seminoles in contemporary red bays number approximately 290, the majority of whom are descended directly from the original settlers. This book includes good information about the seminoles, who are the people of my greatgreatgrandmother. Culminating five decades of research by porter, this fascinating book, edited and released after the scholars death, relays the epic history of. The black seminoles history of a freedomseeking people by porter, kenneth w. Black seminoles were enslaved africans and african americans who, beginning in the late 17th century fled plantations in the southern american colonies and joined with the newlyformed seminole tribe in spanishowned florida. The black seminoles survived slave catchers, government betrayal, and attempts at extermination as they asserted their humanity and expressed their love of freedom. Faq on the black seminoles, john horse, and rebellion. The black seminoles history of a freedom seeking people.
Now kevin mulroy examines the long history of these people to show that this label denies them their rightful distinctiveness. The book should be read by everyone because after reading the book everyone will understand who the black seminoles really were and why they fought so hard to maintain their freedom. When he died in 1981, he was still editing the 700 pages of his lifes work. My research traced my ancestral roots to the 1500s.
The united states governments objective became to return as many black seminoles, if not all, to slavery. Most seminole, led by osceola, refused to go and prepared themselves for resistance. While still under spanish rule, the seminole became involved in several major confrontations with the united states, particularly in the war of 1812 and again in 181718. This site does not support the current version of your web browser. But in the early years he was one of the principal black seminoles leading the fight against removal. While porters black seminoles documents nearly all of the known facts of john horses life, a few details were unknown to porter at the time of his death in 1981. History of a freedomseeking people kindle edition by porter, kenneth w. Black seminolesgullahs who escaped from slavery the. Black seminoles highlights the importance of oral tradition in recalling the past and points to important questions concerning cultural adaptation and identity.
Black seminoles and the second seminole war 18351842. Black seminoles story still unfolding orlando sentinel. Black seminoles 14 works search for books with subject black seminoles. The principal sources for this overview of john horse are porter black and mulroy. A powerful and stirring story, the black seminoles will appeal especially to readers interested in black history, indian history, florida history, and u. Their ancestors reached florida through a variety of means, such as escape from american plantations, liberation by spanish masters, and possibly escapes from early slave ships or exploring parties. Black seminoles a historical overview by katarina wittich. San antonio expressnews entertaining to both military and social history buffs. The forgotten rebellion of the black seminole nation february 11, 2014 11. History of a freedomseeking people and over 8 million other books are available for amazon kindle. The seminoles were never defeated and to this day, technically and even though seminoles fought for the united states in the first and second world wars, a state of war exists between the united states and the seminole people.
How africans, seminoles, women, and lost tribes and promised lands. During the festivities, the community is visited by family members and black seminoles from brackettville, texas. Lasting for nearly eight years, it cost the lives of thousands of seminole and 1,500 u. John horse and the black seminoles african diaspora news channel. This war was a result of the american plantation societies relentless efforts to enslave the black seminole population. History of a freedomseeking people by kenneth w porter editor online at alibris. But another seminole population, much larger in numbers, lives in the prairie and scrub oak hill country of oklahoma. The second seminole war 18351842 was conducted under the indian removal policy of the 1830s. Many black seminoles accepted an offer from mexico to form a border patrol to combat comanche and apache raiders. Mention the name seminole and most americans think of the florida segment of the tribeindian men in colorful shirts poling dugouts through the black waters of the everglades and women sewing patchwork in palmettothatched chickees. In 1835 began the seminole war, which proved to be the most costly of the indian wars in which the united states engaged.
Black seminoles gullahs who escaped from slavery the black seminoles are a small offshoot of the gullah who escaped from the rice plantations in south carolina and georgia. Porter, former professor of history at the university of oregon, began researching black seminole history in the 1930s. Details of the relationship between the black seminoles, the indigenous seminole tribespeople, and the governments of the us, spanish florida, and mexico, especially during the lifetime of john horsejuan caballo. This story of a remarkable people, the black seminoles, and their charismatic leader, chief john horse, chronicles their. Despite the name, the unit included both black seminoles and some native seminoles. It is a true war story that chronicles the seminoles fight for freedom against tremendous odds.
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