Treaty of DeWitt’s Corner

In May 1777 a delegation of roughly 600 Cherokees and representatives from South Carolina and Georgia met near this spot to engage in negotiations that would end fighting in the Second Cherokee War, 1776-77. On May 20, 1777 the parties signed The Treaty of DeWitt’s Corner, which provided for an end to hostilities, prisoner returns, and large land concessions by the Lower Cherokees.

The territory ceded included present day Anderson, Greenville, Oconee and Pickens Counties. The warfare ended by the Treaty of DeWitt’s Corner was part of the revolutionary struggle between American patriots and their British and loyalist opponents. The powerful southeastern Indian nations played an important role in the war and most sided with the British. By removing the Cherokee from the fight the treaty aided the American cause.