Treaty of Grouseland facts for kids
The Treaty of Grouseland was an important agreement made between the United States government and several Native American tribes. This treaty was negotiated by Governor William Henry Harrison of the Indiana Territory. Key Native American leaders like Little Turtle and Buckongahelas were involved. The treaty was about buying large areas of land in what is now Southern Indiana, northeast Indiana, and northwestern Ohio. It was signed on August 21, 1805, at Harrison's home, called Grouseland, in Vincennes, Indiana. This agreement happened a year after another land deal, the second Treaty of Vincennes. It was the second big land purchase in Indiana since the Northwest Indian War ended and the Treaty of Greenville was signed in 1795.
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| Type | Land purchase |
| Signed | August 21, 1805 |
| Location | Grouseland estate at Vincennes, Indiana Territory |
| Condition | Transfer of money and goods to natives |
| Signatories |
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| Parties | |
| Language | English |
Why the Treaty Was Needed
The Miami Tribe, led by Little Turtle, had the main claim to most of the land that was being bought. However, many other tribes also lived in this area. Before this treaty, people from the United States could only legally settle in a few specific places in Indiana. These places included a small area around Vincennes, a piece of land called Clark's Grant, and the area around Fort Wayne.
Many settlers, or new residents, started moving outside these approved areas. This caused problems and increased tension with the Native American tribes. The tribes saw these new settlers as people who were entering their land without permission. Governor Harrison wanted to make peace with the tribes. He also wanted to pay them for their lands. The treaty also aimed to fix problems that were still unresolved from the 1804 Treaty of Vincennes. It also made sure that the settlers had the right to move into the region.
Land Purchased in the Treaty
The Treaty of Grouseland set up a special boundary line. This line started at the northeast corner of the Vincennes land, a spot called Freeman's Corner. From there, it went northeast for about 68 miles. It ended when it met the Greenville Treaty line near Brookville. This new boundary was named the Grouseland Line.
All the land north of the Ohio River, west of the Wabash River, and south of the Grouseland Line was bought by the United States. A second boundary line was also created. This line started at the northwest corner of Fort Wayne. It then went southeast towards Brookville. It also met the Greenville Treaty line there. All the land east of this second line, including a small part of Ohio, was also purchased as part of this treaty.
After the Treaty
Soon after the treaty was approved, many new settlements began to appear on the land that was now open. One of these new towns was Madison. In 1995, the Indiana Historical Bureau placed a monument where the Grouseland and Greenville lines meet. This monument remembers the early pioneers, or first settlers, of Indiana.
