Josiah Francis
Josiah Francis was a prominent figure in the early 19th-century interactions between Native American tribes and American forces, primarily associated with the Red Stick Creeks and the Seminoles. His ancestry reflects a blend of Indian and white heritage, which influenced his complex identity and leadership roles. Notably, Francis was involved in significant historical events such as the First Seminole War, during which he grappled with the challenges of tribal alliances and American expansionism.
Francis gained recognition for his involvement with Tecumseh, as he traveled through the Mississippi Valley to recruit tribal support for a pan-Indian alliance. During the Creek War of 1813-1814, he opposed General Andrew Jackson's forces and was referred to as the "prophet." Following the conflict, he became part of the group of Creeks who settled among the Seminoles in Florida after losing vast tracts of land due to the Treaty of Fort Jackson. Additionally, Francis sought international support for Native American rights, even traveling to England for this purpose.
His legacy is intertwined with significant historical moments, including his participation in the First Seminole War and his eventual capture, leading to his execution ordered by Jackson. The story of Josiah Francis represents the broader struggles and resistance of Native American tribes during a transformative period in American history.
Josiah Francis
- Born: Unknown
- Birthplace: Unknown
- Died: c. 1818
- Place of death: St. Marks River, Florida
Category: Leader, shaman
Tribal affiliation: Creek, Seminole
Significance: Josiah Francis traveled the Mississippi Valley with Tecumseh, seeking allies for Tecumseh’s rebellion
Although Francis’ ancestry was an unknown mix of Indian and white, his affiliation was with the Red Stick Creeks and with the Seminoles. Francis’ daughter was Milly Hayo Francis, best known for saving the life of a Georgia militiaman, George McKinnon (also known as Duncan McKrimm), whom Francis was about to order executed during the First Seminole War.
When Tecumseh attempted to recruit the Creeks for his pan-Indian alliance, most of the Creek White Sticks from the lower Creek villages were unresponsive. The traditional Creek warriors, the Red Sticks, including Francis, joined Tecumseh. In 1811, Francis traveled with Tecumseh throughout the Mississippi Valley, recruiting tribes for the new confederacy.
In the Creek War of 1813-1814, Francis fought against General Andrew Jackson, who referred to him as the “prophet.” In 1814, Jackson forced the defeated Creeks to sign the Treaty of Fort Jackson, by which the Creeks lost twenty-three million acres of their land. Afterward, many Creeks, including Francis, settled among the Florida Seminoles. In 1815, Francis journeyed to England to solicit aid for Indians against the Americans. He participated in the First Seminole War in 1817-1818 and was captured in 1818, after being lured onto a gunboat in the St. Marks River. There Jackson ordered his execution.