Seminole

Seminole, a tribe of American Indians, originally (1750) a vagrant branch of the Creeks, whose name Seminole signifies 'wild' or 'wanderer.' In 1817 they joined with the Creeks and some negroes who had taken refuge with them, ravaged the white settlements in Georgia, plundering plantations, and carrying off slaves, whom they refused to surrender. General Jackson was sent to punish them, and his expedition hastened the negotiations which ended in the cession of Florida to the United States (1819). By a treaty of 1823 the Seminole, who numbered some 4000, gave up most of their lands for an annuity, and agreed to return fugitive slaves; but in 1832, to satisfy the settlers, the chiefs were deluded into signing a treaty agreeing to the removal of the whole tribe west of the Mississippi. This treaty was repudiated by the tribe at the instigation of Osceola (q.v.), one of their chiefs; and a war commenced against a handful of savages which lasted seven years, and cost hundreds of lives and millions of dollars. In the end the remains of the tribe were removed to the Indian Territory, where (except some 200 who are still left in Florida and some few in Texas and Mexico) all the Seminole are now settled; they number 3000, receive an annuity of $25,000, have eight churches, besides government schools, and are under the training of Presbyterian missionaries.