Ohio History Journal

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INDIAN BOUNDARY LINE

INDIAN BOUNDARY LINE.

 

 

W. S. HANNA, MILLERSBURG.

The Indian Boundary Line, sometimes known as the Green-

ville Treaty Line, or Wayne's Treaty Line, had its origin in the

closing events of the Revolutionary War. As an historical land

mark it has no equal in the early history of this country. Around

its history cling many of the most stubborn and sanguinary con-

flicts and border outrages, that so distinctly marked the closing

of the eighteenth century.

On every good map of Ohio it will be noticed that a line

starts on the northern boundary of Tuscarawas county, and passes

in a south of west direction through the county of Holmes and on

across the State to the counties of Shelby and Mercer. What is

this line? Why is it there? Who established it, and when, are

the frequent inquiries made, and which have not been heretofore

answered in such form as to come within reach of the general

reading public. To briefly answer these questions, in such form

as will reach the general public, is the sole apology for the prep-

aration of this article.

At the close of the Revolution, by the treaty of Paris com-

pleted on September 3, 1783, Great Britain relinquished all her

rights to the territory claimed by the thirteen original colonies,

and recognized the sovereignty of the United States of America.

The treaty of Paris did not extinguish whatever title the Indians

claimed to have within the colonies. And in order to establish per-

petual peace with the Indian tribes the Continental Congress

appointed Oliver Wolcott, Richard Butler and Arthur Lee as

commissioners to make such treaty with the Indians as would

extinguish their title to the lands in the Northwest Territory.

The commissioners proceeded to Fort Stanwix, New York, and

there met the representatives of the Iroquois or Six Nations, who

claimed to have conquered all the western tribes and on October

22, 1784, entered into a treaty whereby the Iroquois relinquished

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