George Mayfield
Encyclopedia
George Mayfield was an interpreter and spy for General Andrew Jackson
during the Creek War
of 1813 – 1814. He was most notable for his adventurous life and dual existence between the white and Native American nations of North America
at a pivotal moment in the history of the United States
.
For the next 11 years, Mayfield lived among the Creek and became naturalized to their ways. He lost the ability to speak English and purportedly contracted a fondness for their mode of life.
Upon his return, Mayfield found himself heir to a sizeable estate which had been left to him after the death of his father 11 years earlier. He would end up ceding almost all of this property to his mother and sisters. The influence of the Creeks who adopted him had taught him to put little value in land holdings. He kept only 80 acres (324,000 m²) on the family homestead.
, and the general whom Madison put in charge of the war effort was Andrew Jackson, who would parlay his success in removing the Creek from their ancestral homes into two terms of his own presidency.
Mayfield was recommended to Jackson by the commanding general of the Tennessee troops for to his unique knowledge of the Creek language and territory. Mayfield proved to be a very valuable asset to General Jackson. He performed heroically as a guide, interpreter and spy. He was wounded at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.
of surrender that ended the war, the Creek chiefs recognized not only Mayfield's bravery, but also his integrity in his dealings with them during negotiations. As a result, they stipulated that he be granted 1 square mile of the land they forfeited. Unfortunately for Mayfield, the U.S. government refused to allow this, forcing him to petition Congress for the grant. Congress finally complied; however the grant was never enforced by the government.
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
during the Creek War
Creek War
The Creek War , also known as the Red Stick War and the Creek Civil War, began as a civil war within the Creek nation...
of 1813 – 1814. He was most notable for his adventurous life and dual existence between the white and Native American nations of North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
at a pivotal moment in the history of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Early life and capture by the Creek
Mayfield's father, Southerland Mayfield lived on a Tennessee homestead on the frontier between the United States and Creek nation. On 10 March 1789, the Mayfield farm was attacked by a party of 10-12 Creek Indians leaving all of the males of the Mayfield family dead with the exception of George's younger brother and 10-year old George who was held captive by the Creek.For the next 11 years, Mayfield lived among the Creek and became naturalized to their ways. He lost the ability to speak English and purportedly contracted a fondness for their mode of life.
Reintroduction into American society
The attack at Southerland Mayfield's homestead had left much of George's family dead, but George's mother and sister had survived and resettled in Nashville. Although Mayfield lived contentedly among the Creek, he retained memories and affections for his mother and sister. In 1800, at the age of 21, Mayfield left his adopted people to return to his mother and sister.Upon his return, Mayfield found himself heir to a sizeable estate which had been left to him after the death of his father 11 years earlier. He would end up ceding almost all of this property to his mother and sisters. The influence of the Creeks who adopted him had taught him to put little value in land holdings. He kept only 80 acres (324,000 m²) on the family homestead.
Creek War
The United States was growing and its need for new lands was pushing colonists west, creating pressure with the Creek residing in the budding empire's path. One outcome was the Creek War of 1813-1814. The president was James MadisonJames Madison
James Madison, Jr. was an American statesman and political theorist. He was the fourth President of the United States and is hailed as the “Father of the Constitution” for being the primary author of the United States Constitution and at first an opponent of, and then a key author of the United...
, and the general whom Madison put in charge of the war effort was Andrew Jackson, who would parlay his success in removing the Creek from their ancestral homes into two terms of his own presidency.
Mayfield was recommended to Jackson by the commanding general of the Tennessee troops for to his unique knowledge of the Creek language and territory. Mayfield proved to be a very valuable asset to General Jackson. He performed heroically as a guide, interpreter and spy. He was wounded at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.
Later life
In the treatyTreaty of Fort Jackson
The Treaty of Fort Jackson was signed on August 9, 1814 at Fort Jackson near Wetumpka, Alabama following the defeat of the Red Stick resistance by United States allied forces at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. It occurred on the banks of the Tallapoosa River near the present city of Alexander City,...
of surrender that ended the war, the Creek chiefs recognized not only Mayfield's bravery, but also his integrity in his dealings with them during negotiations. As a result, they stipulated that he be granted 1 square mile of the land they forfeited. Unfortunately for Mayfield, the U.S. government refused to allow this, forcing him to petition Congress for the grant. Congress finally complied; however the grant was never enforced by the government.