Treaty of Dewitt's Corner facts for kids
The Treaty of Dewitts Corner was an important peace agreement. It was signed between the Cherokee people and the colony of South Carolina. This treaty helped stop some early attacks by the Overhill Cherokee on colonial settlements. These attacks happened at the start of the American Revolution.
However, the treaty also set the stage for more conflicts. These conflicts were known as the Cherokee–American wars. They lasted for many years between the European-Americans and the Chickamauga Cherokee.
Why the Treaty Was Needed
Before the American Revolution, there were many disagreements over land. In 1773, the Treaty of Augusta was signed. In this treaty, the Cherokee and Creek Indians gave up over 2 million acres of land in Georgia. They did this to help pay off debts they owed to white traders.
Then, in 1775, another big land deal happened. This was the Treaty of Sycamore Shoals. Here, the Overhill Cherokee sold a huge area of land in what is now Kentucky. This land was sold to settlers from the colonies. Specifically, it went to the Transylvania Land Company. Even though these land sales went against British law, colonists still took over these areas.
Surprise Attacks Begin
The Cherokee felt that colonists were taking too much of their hunting land. So, in the spring and summer of 1776, the Cherokee teamed up with other tribes. These included the Shawnee, Delaware, and Mohawk. They launched attacks on frontier settlements. These attacks happened in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. Their goal was to make the settlers leave their lands.
By July 1776, Cherokee Chiefs Dragging Canoe and Ostenaco led a large group of warriors. About 600 to 700 Cherokee warriors attacked Eaton’s Station and Fort Watauga. These were surprise attacks, but both failed.
These raids were part of many attacks by the Cherokee and their allies. Their southern allies included the Muscogee and Choctaw tribes. They attacked all the "over mountain" settlements. These were colonial towns located west of the Appalachian Mountains. The widespread attacks caused a strong response. Soldiers and local militias from the southern colonies fought back. This happened mostly in September and October of that year.
Signing the Treaty
After being defeated in battles and with their towns destroyed, most Cherokee leaders wanted peace. Several important Cherokee leaders, called Beloved Men, traveled to Charleston. They went there to discuss peace terms.
In May 1777, Colonel Williamson led a group from South Carolina. They went to Dewitt’s Corner. This place is near modern-day Due West in Abbeville County. Delegates from Georgia also joined the talks.
As a result of the treaty talks, the Cherokee had to give up a lot of their land. This included large areas in North Carolina and South Carolina.
The Treaty of Dewitt’s Corner was different from earlier treaties. This time, South Carolina was the winner in the fighting. So, they told the defeated Cherokee what the terms of the peace would be. The victorious colonists set a new boundary line. This line ran along the top of Oconee Mountain. They also said that American law would be more important than Cherokee law. This applied to dealings between the two groups.
The Cherokee lost almost all their land in South Carolina. Most of what is now Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, and Pickens Counties used to be Cherokee land. In return, South Carolina promised to control trade and travel. This was for people going into and out of the remaining Cherokee lands.
What Happened Next
By the end of 1776, most of the Cherokee people wanted to make peace. After the Treaty of Dewitt's Corner was signed, Dragging Canoe and many of his followers moved. They went further down the Tennessee River. They moved away from the historic Overhill settlements. They wanted to continue resisting the colonists from a safer place.
They settled in the Chickamauga Creek area. This is near modern-day Chattanooga. Because of this, they were called the "Chickamauga Cherokee" for a while.
