Tellico Blockhouse and the Treaties of Tellico

Blockhouses on the frontier served several purposes, including defense for local Settlers.  They were also centers of trade and could be meeting places for treaty parleys with local tribes.  Tellico Blockhouse, on the Little Tennessee River in what is now Monroe County, Tennessee served as the focal point for four treaties with the Cherokee.  The blockhouse was named for one of the principal Overhill Cherokee towns, Great Tellico.

The period of 1775-1794 saw continual skirmishing between the Cherokee, particularly the Overhill Cherokee and White Settlers who were coming into the Tennessee Valley.  Cherokee leader Hanging Maw opened talks with North Carolina Governor William Blount, who had control over what is now Tennessee, to build a blockhouse and fort in the area and appoint an agent to treat with the Cherokee.  Hanging Maw donated the land and construction began in 1794.  In 1795, Congress passed what was known as the factory act, formalizing relations with Native tribes through what they called factories, what we now know as agencies or trading posts.  Each factory was headed by an Indian Agent, or factor in the language of the time, whose job it was to serve as a liaison with the local tribe. 

The Blockhouse was surrounded by a palisade and quickly became the focal point for the surrounding community, both Natives and Settlers.  It even made the itinerary for foreign visitors, such as Louis-Philippe, Duc of Orleans and future King of France, who was one of many royal dignitaries to visit the frontier.  The fort remained in operation until 1807, when it was abandoned.  Modern archaeologists have uncovered the fort site and even artifacts from the people who lived and passed through it.  An outline of stones gives the blockhouse and palisade dimensions and layout.  Tellico Blockhouse is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The four treaties concluded at Tellico Blockhouse included:

Treat of 1794, which brought an end to the Cherokee-American Wars.  Hanging Maw represented the Overhill Cherokee and John Watts was the signatory for the Chickamauga Cherokee.

First Treaty of Tellico of 1797, dealt with the problem of forcing squatters from Cherokee lands.  The Cherokee agreed to a cession of land in exchange for financial compensation. 

Second Treaty of Tellico of 1804, the Cherokee ceded land in Northern Georgia in return for financial compensation.

The Third and four Treaties of Tellico, signed on October 25 and October 27, 1805, acquired the area between the Cumberland and Duck Rivers.  The Cherokee leaders who signed were later accused of having done so for personal financial gain.