Chota (Cherokee town)

Chota (Cherokee town). Chota was a paramount Overhill Cherokee town and the de facto capital of the Cherokee Nation for much of the 18th century. Located on the Little Tennessee River, it served as the primary political and diplomatic center, housing the tribe's principal council house and the revered Sacred Fire. Its influence waned following the American Revolutionary War and the Treaty of Hopewell, leading to its eventual abandonment.

History

Chota rose to prominence in the early 18th century, succeeding Tanasi as the most influential town among the Overhill Cherokee. It became the central hub for diplomatic negotiations with European powers, including the Colony of Virginia, the Province of South Carolina, and later the British Empire. Key events at Chota included the 1730 visit of Sir Alexander Cuming and the 1776 negotiations with Virginia agent William Christian during the Cherokee–American wars. The town's authority was symbolized by leaders like Attakullakulla and Oconostota, who often negotiated with figures such as John Stuart and Henry Timberlake. The Treaty of Long Island of the Holston in 1777 further eroded its autonomy, and the town was largely abandoned after the Treaty of Hopewell in 1785.

Location and description

Chota was situated on a peninsula along the south bank of the Little Tennessee River, within the modern boundaries of Monroe County, Tennessee. The town's layout was typical of major Cherokee settlements, centered around a large, circular council house and an adjacent plaza used for ceremonies like the Green Corn Ceremony. Surrounding this central complex were numerous domestic dwellings and cultivated fields. Its strategic position placed it near other important Overhill towns like Toqua and Tomotley, and along vital trade and communication routes connecting Cherokee territory with settlements in Knoxville and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Role in Cherokee society

As the "Mother Town" of the Cherokee, Chota held unparalleled spiritual and political significance. It was the permanent home of the Cherokee Sacred Fire, a symbol of the tribe's unity and continuity. The town's council house was the primary venue for the Cherokee National Council, where representatives from the Lower Towns, Middle Towns, and Valley Towns gathered to deliberate on matters of war, peace, and alliance. Renamed leaders, including Old Hop and Kanagatucko, presided over councils that engaged with colonial officials from Williamsburg and Charleston. This central role made Chota the focal point for implementing major policies like the alliance with the British during the French and Indian War.

Archaeological significance

Major archaeological investigations at Chota were conducted from 1969 to 1974 by the University of Tennessee ahead of the impoundment of Tellico Lake by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Excavations, led by archaeologists including Jefferson Chapman, revealed the town's precise layout, including the posthole patterns of the massive council house and numerous domestic structures. These findings provided critical material evidence of 18th-century Cherokee architecture, trade goods from Fort Loudoun, and daily life. The site's importance was recognized with its listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. A memorial featuring stone pillars now marks the location, which lies submerged under the lake.

Decline and legacy

The decline of Chota was precipitated by the geopolitical aftermath of the American Revolutionary War. Cherokee military defeats, such as those inflicted by expeditions from the Washington District and the Sullivan County militia, forced the tribe into a series of land-cession treaties. The Treaty of Hopewell, signed at Hopewell on the Keowee River, formally placed the Cherokee under the protection of the United States and accelerated the dispersal of the Overhill population. By 1788, Chota was deserted. Its legacy endures as a symbol of Cherokee sovereignty and political cohesion, remembered in historical narratives by James Mooney and commemorated at the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum and the Fort Loudoun State Historic Park.

Category:Cherokee towns Category:Archaeological sites in Tennessee Category:Former populated places in Tennessee Category:National Register of Historic Places in Monroe County, Tennessee