The histories of Indigenous people are often isolated in public discourse from the “mainstream” history of the United States. Treaty signers link these parallel narratives. In the story of most major U.S. historical events – the Revolution, the Battle of Fallen TImbers, the Civil War, the Aaron Burr conspiracy, the California Gold Rush – clusters of treaty signers appeared in important roles. In the famous Dred Scott case, for instance, two treaty signers were owners of Dred Scott; another leased his labor; another owned Dred Scott’s wife, Harriet; another was the attourney of a Dred Scott owner. In the murder trial of Palemon Winchester the victim, defendant, and prosecutor were treaty signers; another owned the house where the murder took place; and yet another posted bail for the defendant. 

But the connections among U.S. treaty signers run deeper than their presence at singular events. Treaty signers were connected to one another through business partnerships, family ties, and often surprising social networks. They forged voluntary associations that included ​fraternal organizations, missionary efforts, military orders, and membership in cultural institutions. Through these networks, treaty signers secured social positions, forged business partnerships, and promoted their own cultural perspectives. Some of these networks also served to further the financial and political interests of their members.