William Abraham Hicks (1769 - 1837?, age 68) became Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation in October 1827. He succeeded his older brother Charles Hicks, who died in office in January that year. He served until October 1828.
Contents |
Charles and William's parents are believed to have been Nan-Ye-Hi, a half-blood Cherokee woman, and Nathan Hicks, a Scottish trader. Nan-Ye-Hi was the daughter of a Cherokee woman and Jacob Conrad, a Swiss immigrant. As the Cherokee had a matrilineal system, she and her children belonged to her mother's clan.
William Hicks was elected by the national council to succeed his older brother, Charles R. Hicks. The elder Hicks, the longtime Second Principal Chief, died on 20 January 1827, just two weeks after assuming office as Principal Chief. William Hicks served until October 1828.
In 1827 the tribe changed to a constitutional republic, and in 1828 John Ross was elected as principal chief. He was of European and Cherokee ancestry, and had been educated in American schools.
In 1832, Hicks became a figurehead for the faction advocating a treaty for emigration west of the Mississippi River. In December 1833, members of the Treaty Party elected William Hicks as their Principal Chief (with John McIntosh as his assistant), though Major Ridge and his son John Ridge were widely recognized as the true leaders of this faction. Hicks died at age 68 at Oothcaloga Creek, Georgia before the Removal.
William Hicks married Sarah Bathia Foreman. They had 14 children.
| Preceded by Charles R. Hicks |
Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation 1827–1828 |
Succeeded by John Ross |