Bryan C. Rindfleisch - George Galphins Intimate Empire: The Creek Indians, Family, and Colonialism in Early America

How does one do justice to everyone who has given of themselves to this project? I hope they all know they have made an incredible impact on my work and, more importantly, my life.

My mentors have been (and still are) many. And I dont even know where to begin to describe how important Josh Piker has been to this project. Adviser, confidant, sage, friend; these are only a few of the words I use to describe this teacher and mentor, who has shaped me and my project from beginning to end. I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today without him. The same can be said of Cathy Kelly. I count her example, wisdom, confidence, and friendship among the most important influences in my life, and I consistently strive to emulate her in my teaching, research, and relationships today. And then theres Robbie Ethridge, whose generosity in time, counsel, criticism, and friendship is incalculable. Rarely do you meet your idols, and they not only live up to everything you have built them up to be in your head, but they exceed those expectations. Thats Robbie. At Marquette University, I have had the pleasure to call three of my colleagues my mentors and friends: Alison Efford, Kristen Foster, and Jenn Finn Palmer. They havein their own waysshaped everything about me and this project. I cant even begin to thank this trio for their friendship. I would also be remiss if I did not thank two more recent mentors in my life, Andrew Frank and Kris Ray. As editors for this book series, they have obviously influenced this project, but more than that, they have become two important confidants. Whether its a phone call to Andrew about worklife balance, or Skyping with Kris about this work or life in general, they have guided me and this project. As for Paul Gilje, I would not be the scholar that I am today without him. His consummate professionalismand his tough love approach to teaching and mentoringwas critical in my graduate career, and he transformed this project time and again. Finally, theres Richard St. Germaine (Ojibwe), who opened my eyes as an undergraduate to NativeAmerican history and then turned my world upside down. He challenged me to be a better human being and made me the person I am today. You cannot put that into words.

I am beyond fortunate to call the Department of History at Marquette my home. My chair, James Marten, has been supportive of this projectand my careerfrom the beginning, and I am grateful that his door has always been open. I must also reserve special thanks to my office mates on the third floor of Sensenbrenner HallLezlie, Phil, Alison, Kristen, Jenn, and Alanwhose advice, encouragement, and friendship helped me retain my sanity over the past three years. Other colleagues whose friendship has been invaluable include Laura Matthew, Mike Wert, Rob Smith, Sergio Gonzalez, Fr. Avella, Tim McMahon, Mike Donoghue, Dave McDaniel, Dan Meissner, Tom Jablonsky, Carla Hay, and Peter Staudenmaier. And, of course, nothing would get done without Jolene Kreisler, who not only runs the history department, but my day would not be complete without talking to her. There are also colleagues, friends, and mentors outside of the department. First and foremost is Jacqueline Schram (First Nations) and her husband, Ron. Jacqueline has made Marquette a more welcoming and beautiful place, and not enough can be said of her gentle yet commanding personality. She is a force of nature. Similarly, Eva Martinez-Powless makes Marquette a better place (literally), and she offers continual doses of much-needed reality, while her husband Mark Powless (Oneida) has become one of my closest friends. Who else could sit with me through a Bucks basketball game and spend the entire time talking rather than watching the game? Last but not least, my game-group: Mike, Sam, John, Jesse, Kevin, Ben, and Chandler.

It is also my pleasure to recognize those institutions and individuals who provided the resources and knowledge critical to this project. I am grateful especially to Brian Dunnigan, Cheney Schopieray, Jayne Ptolemy, and Terese Austin at the University of Michigans Clements Library; Scott Manning Stevens, Diane Dillon, John Aubry, and Matthew Rutherford at the Newberry Library; Meg McSweeney, Brian Graziano, and Katherine A. Ludwig at the David Library of the American Revolution; Martha Howard, Meg Musselwhite, Holly White, Virginia Chew, and Kelly Crawford at the Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture; Chuck Barber, Katherine Stein, and Melissa Bush at the University of Georgias Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library; Friedrich Hamer and Graham Duncan at the University of South Carolinas South Caroliniana Library; and Patrick McCawley and Brent Holcomb at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. I also want to thank the staffs of the Georgia Historical Society, South Carolina Historical Society, National Archives (Kew), British Library, and Public Records Office of Northern Ireland.