Clemson in Pickens County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Hopewell Treaty Site
The Hatchet Shall be Buried
The Hopewell Treaties were the first formal treaties after the battles between the United States and the Southern Native American tribes. Gen. Andrew Pickens, also known as "Skyagunsta" or "Border Wizard Owl," negotiated the treaties with Benjamin Hawkins, Joseph Martin and Lachlan McIntosh.
The Hopewell Treaties opened up western territories to settlement, provided for prisoner exchanges, established boundaries, and facilitated peace and perpetual friendship between the two sides.
The Cherokee negotiations took place with Great Chief Corn Tassel; 36 other chiefs; and nearly 1,000 men, women and children -- including Nanye-hi (aka Nancy Ward), a beloved Cherokee woman -- under Treaty Oak on the Hopewell property. The treaty was signed on November 28, 1785. The Choctaw treaty was signed January 3, 1786 with Chief Yockenahoma and 30 other chiefs. The Chickasaw treaty was last, concluding several days later on January 10 with Chief Head Warrior Piomingo, who shared white beads as a token of peace and friendship.
Each treaty ended with the same sentence. It begins, "The hatchet shall be forever buried, and peace given by the United States of America."
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Native Americans. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Heritage Corridor series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 3, 1786.
Location. 34° 39.367′ N, 82° 50.517′ W. Marker is in Clemson, South Carolina, in Pickens County. Marker can be reached from West Cherry Road (State Highway S39-149). Marker is located at the end of a trail about 1/4 mile from the Hopewell roadside marker. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pickens SC 29671, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Hopewell, Keowee (here, next to this marker); Hopewell Plantation (approx. ¼ mile away); Hopewell / Hopewell Indian Treaties (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Battle of Seneca Town / Fort Rutledge (approx. ¾ mile away); Site of Fort Rutledge (approx. one mile away); "Widowmaker’s” Drill (approx. 1.2 miles away); Cherokee Town of Esseneca (approx. 1.3 miles away); Fort Hill Slave Quarters / Clemson College Convict Stockade (approx. 1.4 miles away); Asbury F. Lever (approx. 1.4 miles away); Calhoun Plantation Cemetery (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clemson.
Also see . . .
1. Treaty of Hopewell. The Treaty of Hopewell may refer to one of three different treaties signed at Hopewell, (the plantation of Andrew Pickens on the Seneca River in northwestern South Carolina) between the United States of America and Cherokee (1785), Choctaw and Chickasaw (1786) indigenous nations. (Submitted on April 28, 2012, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
2. Andrew Pickens. Andrew Pickens (September 13, 1739 – August 11, 1817) was a militia leader in the American Revolution and a member of the United States House of Representatives from South Carolina. (Submitted on April 28, 2012, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
3. Benjamin Hawkins. Benjamin Hawkins (August 15, 1754 – June 6, 1816) was an American planter, statesman, and United States Indian agent. (Submitted on April 28, 2012, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
4. Lachlan McIntosh. Lachlan McIntosh (March 17, 1725 – February 20, 1806) was a British-born American military and political leader during the American Revolution and the early United States. (Submitted on April 28, 2012, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2012, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,728 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on April 28, 2012, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 11, 12. submitted on April 27, 2012, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 13. submitted on April 28, 2012, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.