Early Years: 1812 - 1832

The early years of John Horse chart the emergence of the Black Seminoles and the escalation of their conflict with the United States. Resisting American slavery, the maroons formed a fascinating partnership with Seminole Indians, adopting aspects of Indian culture and fusing it with African traditions. Life in Florida was far from idyllic, but in comparison with Southern-style slavery, it was a form of paradise. From the year of John Horse's birth, however, paradise was under threat as American slaveholders looked south with anger. The Americans were led by the most powerful man of their era, General Andrew Jackson.