Choctaw Corner
Encyclopedia
The Choctaw Corner is a former Native American
boundary location near the modern border
between Clarke
and Marengo
counties in Alabama
, United States. It was established as the northernmost terminus for a mutually agreed upon boundary line between the Choctaw
and Creek peoples during the Mississippi Territory
period. This boundary line, now known as the “Old Indian Treaty Boundary,” starts at the Alabama River
cut-off in southernmost Clarke County and follows a northward path through the county along the drainage divide between the Tombigbee
and Alabama rivers to the Choctaw Corner, then turns ninety degrees to the west and follows the modern county-line between Clarke and Marengo to the Tombigbee River.
, the Choctaw Corner had its roots in white settlement of territory that the Creek saw as encroachment upon their western lands. They had already experienced white encroachment on their eastern lands in Georgia
. The Choctaw claimed the lands in modern Clarke County from the Tombigbee River eastward to the watershed as theirs. Although the Creek had traditionally claimed the lands from the Alabama River westward to the watershed, as early as 1802 the Alibamu people, as the closest members of the Creek Confederacy to the new settlers, claimed that their territory reached all the way across to the Tombigbee.
After much persuasion, veiled threats, and a payment of $50,000 plus an annuity in goods of $3000, the Choctaw signed the Treaty of Mount Dexter
with the United States on November 16, 1805 that ceded 4,142,720 acres (16,765.0 km2) of their territory, including the disputed land east of the Tombigbee, to the Americans. In about 1808 the two peoples decided to let the argument over ownership rights to the strip of land between the two rivers be settled by a traditional ball game. The game was played between men from each group, with the Choctaw winning. However, the Creek were not satisfied with the result, so it was suggested that they let the woman play. The Choctaw women also won the game, which settled the dispute.
Possibly disappointed that the treaty did not include the fertile lands on the east bank of the Mississippi River
, President Thomas Jefferson
had delayed ratification of the treaty in the Senate
for over two years after the signing. The boundary line was finally surveyed in 1809, with both Creek and Choctaw assisting.
Several years after the Indian removal
, a new town named Choctaw Corner
was established a few miles southeast of the old boundary marker.
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
boundary location near the modern border
Border
Borders define geographic boundaries of political entities or legal jurisdictions, such as governments, sovereign states, federated states and other subnational entities. Some borders—such as a state's internal administrative borders, or inter-state borders within the Schengen Area—are open and...
between Clarke
Clarke County, Alabama
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*54.5% White*43.9% Black*0.4% Native American*0.3% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*0.7% Two or more races*1.0% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
and Marengo
Marengo County, Alabama
Marengo County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is named in honor of a battlefield near Turin, Italy, where the French defeated the Austrians on June 14, 1800. As of 2010 the population was 21,027...
counties in Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, United States. It was established as the northernmost terminus for a mutually agreed upon boundary line between the Choctaw
Choctaw
The Choctaw are a Native American people originally from the Southeastern United States...
and Creek peoples during the Mississippi Territory
Mississippi Territory
The Territory of Mississippi was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from April 7, 1798, until December 10, 1817, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the state of Mississippi....
period. This boundary line, now known as the “Old Indian Treaty Boundary,” starts at the Alabama River
Alabama River
The Alabama River, in the U.S. state of Alabama, is formed by the Tallapoosa and Coosa rivers, which unite about north of Montgomery.The river flows west to Selma, then southwest until, about from Mobile, it unites with the Tombigbee, forming the Mobile and Tensaw rivers, which discharge into...
cut-off in southernmost Clarke County and follows a northward path through the county along the drainage divide between the Tombigbee
Tombigbee River
The Tombigbee River is a tributary of the Mobile River, approximately 200 mi long, in the U.S. states of Mississippi and Alabama. It is one of two major rivers, along with the Alabama River, that unite to form the short Mobile River before it empties into Mobile Bay on the Gulf of Mexico...
and Alabama rivers to the Choctaw Corner, then turns ninety degrees to the west and follows the modern county-line between Clarke and Marengo to the Tombigbee River.
History
Beginning a decade prior to the eruption of the Creek WarCreek War
The Creek War , also known as the Red Stick War and the Creek Civil War, began as a civil war within the Creek nation...
, the Choctaw Corner had its roots in white settlement of territory that the Creek saw as encroachment upon their western lands. They had already experienced white encroachment on their eastern lands in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. The Choctaw claimed the lands in modern Clarke County from the Tombigbee River eastward to the watershed as theirs. Although the Creek had traditionally claimed the lands from the Alabama River westward to the watershed, as early as 1802 the Alibamu people, as the closest members of the Creek Confederacy to the new settlers, claimed that their territory reached all the way across to the Tombigbee.
After much persuasion, veiled threats, and a payment of $50,000 plus an annuity in goods of $3000, the Choctaw signed the Treaty of Mount Dexter
Treaty of Mount Dexter
The Treaty of Mount Dexter was signed between the United States and the Choctaws. The treaty was signed November 16, 1805. The area ceded was from the Natchez District to the Tombigbee Alabama River watershed, mostly in present-day Mississippi.-Terms:...
with the United States on November 16, 1805 that ceded 4,142,720 acres (16,765.0 km2) of their territory, including the disputed land east of the Tombigbee, to the Americans. In about 1808 the two peoples decided to let the argument over ownership rights to the strip of land between the two rivers be settled by a traditional ball game. The game was played between men from each group, with the Choctaw winning. However, the Creek were not satisfied with the result, so it was suggested that they let the woman play. The Choctaw women also won the game, which settled the dispute.
Possibly disappointed that the treaty did not include the fertile lands on the east bank of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
, President Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
had delayed ratification of the treaty in the Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
for over two years after the signing. The boundary line was finally surveyed in 1809, with both Creek and Choctaw assisting.
Several years after the Indian removal
Indian Removal
Indian removal was a nineteenth century policy of the government of the United States to relocate Native American tribes living east of the Mississippi River to lands west of the river...
, a new town named Choctaw Corner
Choctaw Corner, Alabama
Choctaw Corner is a former town in Clarke County, Alabama, United States. It gained its name from the nearby Choctaw Corner, which helped mark the border between the native Choctaw and Creek peoples prior to the Indian removal. The community was one of the earliest settlements in the...
was established a few miles southeast of the old boundary marker.