The Treaty of Easton was significant in the context of colonial and Native American relations during the mid-18th century, particularly amid the turmoil of the French and Indian War. In 1758, representatives from various tribes convened to negotiate terms with colonial officials in a bid to maintain peace and rectify conflicts arising from settler encroachments on Native lands. The Lenape, feeling the pressure from both colonial expansion and rival tribes, were especially motivated to reach an agreement to safeguard their community's future. The location of Indian Mills was preferred as a designated reservation area reflecting a new phase of Native American governance and land-use patterns in the face of European pressures.

This historic treaty facilitated the establishment of a designated land area specifically for the Lenape, wherein they could reside free from the threat of further encroachment by settlers. The agreement symbolized a shift in colonial policy, signaling a recognition of Native sovereignty albeit under the pressure of ongoing conflict. Notably, the reservation represented one of the earliest formal national acknowledgments of Native land rights within the framework of colonial relations. The impact of this treaty rippled through local demographics, altering power dynamics and emphasizing the complexities of cultural exchange and resistance in American history.

Despite its intent, the Treaty of Easton did not ultimately protect the Lenape from future dispossessions or conflicts. As European settlement continued to expand, Indigenous communities found their lands increasingly threatened, often leading to further negotiations and conflicts. However, the treaty remains a pivotal document reflecting the attempts of Native tribes like the Lenape to assert their rights and maintain their presence amid colonial expansion, illustrating the profound and often challenging interplay of diplomacy, resistance, and survival within Indigenous communities.