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The Seminoles of Florida

Chapter 39: NANCY OSCEOLA.
By Minnie Moore-Willson
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History - American

About This Book

This book traces the Seminoles' nineteenth-century struggles and survival, recounting early conflicts and forced removals, episodes of resistance and the capture of leaders, then shifting to close observations of the small Florida bands who remained. It describes daily life in the Everglades, seasonal pursuits such as hunting and alligator and bear hunting, social customs, kinship, religious practices, and relations with missionaries and reformers, and includes a vocabulary of Seminole words and names. Supplementary essays examine land questions, visits to camps, and reflections on changing conditions and preservation efforts.

NANCY OSCEOLA.

A short time ago, the press chronicled the news that the old Seminole squaw, Nancy, living at the Big Cypress camp, was dead. The account stated that Nancy was the widow of the famous chieftain (Osceola), and that she was survived by seven children. The associated press took up the story and many accepted it as true.

It is the desire of the writer to say that Osceola’s wives (for he had two) went into captivity and were with him when he died, a captive of the United States Government, and it is safe to suppose they, with his children, were taken with the other Seminole captives to the West.

Old Nancy was the squaw of a half-brother of Osceola—hence a sister-in-law. A few years ago she consented to have her picture taken amidst a group of her great-great grandchildren. Chief Tallahassee quickly recognized the picture and said, “Old too much—eyes no see, blind ojus.” When questioned as to her identity, with the suggestion that she might be Osceola’s widow, Tallahassee showed marked disdain, “No, no, Osceola, big chief. Squaw no got one in Florida. Old Nancy Osceola’s brother’s squaw.”