Near Birchwood in Meigs County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Remaking a Nation

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011

1. Remaking a Nation Marker

Inscription.
Upon arrival in the western territory, the Cherokee emigrants settled among several thousand Cherokee Old Settlers. Relations proved rocky and a generation of conflict followed. Despite the tensions the Cherokee began to rebuild their lives and Nation. They reestablished their communities, they persisted in preserving their cultural heritage, they reconstructed their schools and churches, and they looked to the future with hope and confidence. They also continued to build on the laws and governing forms they had begun to establish in the early 19th century.

"The people elect the members of the Committee and Council for two years; they elect the sheriffs also, two committees and council and one sheriff for each of the 8 districts. The people elect the principal chief and assistant principal chief. They have a Supreme Court and Circuit Courts and other inferior Courts. the present committee and council is the first under the new constitution."
Ethan Allen Hitchcock, Journal, Cherokee Nation, November 24, 1841

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Indigenous Peoples and Communities

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• Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Trail of Tears series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 24, 1841.

Location. 35° 24.423′ N, 85° 0.383′ W. Marker is near Birchwood, Tennessee, in Meigs County. It can be reached from Blythe Ferry Road 2 miles north of Hiwassee Highway (Tennessee Highway 60), on the right when traveling north. Marker is part of the Cherokee Removal Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Birchwood TN 37308, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: General Winfield Scott (here, next to this marker); "Orders No. 25"

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011

2. Remaking a Nation Marker

(here, next to this marker); "To Learn and not Forget" (here, next to this marker); "Your Fate is Decided" (here, next to this marker); "Chains of Friendship" (here, next to this marker); "Given by the Great Spirit above" (here, next to this marker); "A Desire to Possess" (here, next to this marker); "Not a treaty at all" (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birchwood.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 514 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 7, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.