Treaty of Lochaber facts for kids
The Treaty of Lochaber was an important agreement signed on October 18, 1770. It took place in South Carolina. This treaty helped set the western border for the British colonies of Virginia and North Carolina.
The treaty was signed by British representative John Stuart and leaders of the Cherokee people. It was a big step in trying to prevent arguments over land.
Why Was This Treaty Needed?
Before this treaty, there were often disagreements between colonists and Native American groups over land. Lord Shelburne, a British leader in London, wanted to stop these conflicts. He believed that clear borders would lead to more peace.
Even though Lord Shelburne left his job as a top government official in 1768, talks continued. Native American chiefs, who often represented their towns, worked with the British. Another treaty, the Treaty of Fort Stanwix, had already set borders north of Virginia in 1768.
The borders from an earlier agreement, the Treaty of Hard Labour, were confusing. This led to new discussions. About 1,000 Cherokee leaders met with Alexander Cameron at the Lochabar Plantation in South Carolina. This meeting helped create the Treaty of Lochaber.
What Land Was Agreed Upon?
Under the Treaty of Lochaber, the Cherokee gave up their claims to a large area of land. This land stretched from the old North Carolina and Virginia border. It went all the way to a spot six miles east of Long Island of the Holston River. Today, this area is near Kingsport, Tennessee.
The border then continued to the mouth of the Kanawha River. This is now near Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in Mason County. At the time, the border between North Carolina and Virginia was thought to be along a specific line (the 36° 30' parallel) in what is now Tennessee. Both colonies believed their land went far to the west.
The southern branch of the Holston River was chosen as the new southern boundary. This was because settlers were unsure exactly where the parallel line was. So, colonists living "North of the Holston" were considered to be outside of Cherokee lands. Through this treaty, the Cherokee also gave up their rights to the rest of the land in what is now southern West Virginia. This land had not been included in the earlier Treaty of Hard Labour from 1768.
