United States Department of the Interior

National Park Service Fort Necessity National Battlefield

1 Washington Parkway Farmington, PA 15437

The French and Indian War:1754-1763 Primary Documents and Artifacts

Artifact Biographical Card Page Number in Teacher’s Education Kit

George II Victory Medal Guyasuta Pg. 101

Map of Bushy Run Battlefield

Guyasuta Pg. 101

Captain Snow’s Sketch Andrew Montour Pg. 105

Pontiac’s Capitulation Pontiac Pg. 109 Map of Kittanning Shingas Pg. 113

Tomahawk Tanaghrisson- The Half King

Pg. 115

Officer’s Gorget Captain de Beaujeu Pg. 117

Céloron’s Lead Plate Captain Céloron de Blainville

Pg. 123

Fort Necessity Capitulation Captain de Villiers Pg. 125 Captain Legardeur de Sainte-Pierre’s Letter

Captain Legardeur de Sainte-Pierre

Pg. 131

Charlotte Browne’s Diary Charlotte Browne Pg. 139 Map of Fort Ligonier General John Forbes Pg. 143

Benjamin Franklin’s Advertisement

Benjamin Franklin Pg. 145

Captain Stobo’s Map Captain Robert Stobo Pg. 151

George II Victory Medal From Guyasuta’s Card

Pg. 101

Victory medals with the face of George II, reigning monarch of Great Britain during the French and Indian War, were made in 1759 to commemorate British victories of the year. 1759 was the year that guaranteed victory for the British, after General James Wolfe’s army conquered Quebec. The medal was used to commemorate the victory at Quebec, Fort Niagara, the construction of Fort Crown Point, among other accomplishments of that year.

Map of Bushy Run Battlefield From Guyasuta’s Card

Pg. 101

This map shows the battle of Bushy Run, which took place during Pontiac’s Rebellion in May of 1763. The battle was a turning point in Pontiac’s Rebellion. The battle occurred when Colonel Henry Bouquet led a force to Western Pennsylvania to relive Fort Pitt, which had been under siege for two months. The battle took place between the British under Colonel Bouquet and a party of Delawares, Shawnees, and Mingos. The Battle was a victory for the British but Colonel Bouquet lost many of his own soldiers.

Captain Snow’s Sketch From Andrew Montour’s Card

Pg. 105

Sometime between 1754 and 1763 Captain Snow made this sketch of Western Pennsylvania and Maryland that details the locations of French Forts, British Forts, and historical notes. For instance at Logstown, it talks of the treaty signed with the British there in 1752 by Colonel Lomax, Fry, and Patton. It also shows where the French make their portage from Lake Erie to the Alleghany River. While the map is not drawn to scale, it could be useful for understanding the layout and activities on the Western Pennsylvania Frontier.

Pontiac’s Capitulation From Pontiac’s Card

Pg. 109

Pontiacs Rebellion began in 1763 after the British changed the trading customs that American Indian tribes were accustomed to. The war ended with the surrender of Native American tribes in 1765. Pontiac himself was chief of the Ottawa Tribe, and he was one of the leaders behind an anti-British campaign among American Indians in the Western Frontier. The military campaigns of Pontiac’s Rebellion were mostly over by 1764, after the victory at Bushy Run and the relief of Fort Pitt (See Guyasuta’s Card). The treaty with Pontiac was signed in New York at Fort Ontario in July of 1766. A transcription of Pontiac’s surrender is provided below, courtesy of Joseph Peyser, Professor Emeritus of French at the Indiana University South Bend. My brother, The words that my brother sent to make peace, I accept them. All my young Men have buried their tomahawks. I think that you will forget the bad things that have occurred some time ago. In the same way I shall forget what you may have done to me in order to think only of good things. I, the Chippewa, the Hurons must go to speak with you when you ask us. Give us the answer. I will send you the Council in order for you to meet with them. If you feel at ease as I do, you will answer me. I wish you a good day. Signed Pondiak

Map of Kittaning From Shingas’s Card

Pg. 113

Kittanning was an 18th century American Indian village in the Ohio River Valley. Delaware and Shawnee Indians inhabited the village. At its height the village had an estimated population of 300-400 people, making it one of the largest villages in the area. The map shows the layout of the village, including Shingas’s home, a cornfield, and “a long house where “frolicks and War Dances are held”. During the French and Indian war the village was used as a place to launch attacks on British soldiers operating in the area. Since it posed a threat to British control, an expedition in September of 1756 destroyed the town. As a result of this raid, many American Indians sought peace with the British, which helped the British weaken the French.

Tomahawk Tanaghrisson- The Half King’s Card

Pg. 115

Tomahawks were common items throughout Colonial America and they were multipurpose tools. Early tomahawks were ball headed clubs that were used as a blunt weapon of war. These types of club were common in the Ohio River Valley, especially among the Iroquois and the Huron tribes. Many of these clubs were richly decorated. After European contact iron tomahawks became a common trade good. Tomahawks could be used for warfare or as general everyday items. Below is an example of an original tomahawk.

Officer’s Gorget Captain de Beaujeu’s Card

Pg. 117

Gorgets were originally part of a suit of armor that protected the throat. As heavy suits of armor were no longer needed on a battlefield, the gorget was used for decorative purpose and as a symbol of authority. Officers from all European armies would wear a gorget as part of their uniform and the gorget would usually be emblazoned with royal markings of a country. The Fleur-de-lis on the gorget below signifies that it was part of a French uniform. Among American Indians, a gorget could be used to signify an alliance or a chief’s own authority.

Céloron’s Lead Plate Captain Céloron de Blainville’s Card

Pg. 123

The French had previous land claims to the area of the Ohio River Valley and they were fearful of the growing British influence in the area. The Ohio River Valley was a valuable source of pelts in the global fur trade, in addition to being fertile farmland. Contrary to French claims of ownership, British fur traders had moved into the area. British goods were cheaper than French goods, causing American Indians to prefer British traders over French traders. As a result the Governor of New France sent Céloron on his expedition to reassert French control in the Ohio River Valley. Part of this expedition was to bury lead plates like the one shown to legitimize French claims. Céloron’s mission also included persuading American Indians to reestablish trade with the French. To help this end, whenever the expedition came across British traders, they were removed from the territory under threat of violence. Though the plates provided physical evidence of French ownership of the land, Céloron’s report stated that the French would not be able to control the Ohio River Valley without a system of fortifications along with the river systems. These fortifications would increase the hostility between the French and British.

Transcription of one of the lead plates dropped by Céloron on his expedition: “In the year 1749, of the reign of Louis the XV, King of France, we Céloron, commander of a detachment sent by Monsieur the Marquis de la Galissoniere, Governor General of New France, to reestablish tranquility in some Indian villages of these cantons, have buried this Plate of Lead at the confluence of the Ohio and the Chatauqua, this 29th day of July, near the River Ohio, otherwise Belle Riviere, as a monument of the renewal of the possession we have taken of the said river Ohio and of all those which empty into it, and of all the lands on both sides as far as the sources of the said rivers, as enjoyed or ought to have been enjoyed by the kings of France preceding and as they have there maintained themselves by arms and by treaties, especially those of Ryswick, Utrecht and Aix la Chapelle.”

Fort Necessity Capitulation Captain de Villiers’s Card

Pg. 125

This is the document that ended the Battle of Fort Necessity. After a full day of fighting, both the French and the British were ready to surrender. The French offered the British a chance to surrender with the honors of war, and after a lengthy negotiation the terms of the surrender were written down. The document was in French, which George Washington did not speak. Washington had to rely on his translator, Jacob Van Braam, to read the document. The surrender document claimed that Washington assassinated de Villiers’ brother at Jumonville Glen. Van Braam translated the word “assassin” as “to kill”. Washington signed the surrender under this impression. Below is the original surrender document.

Captain Legardeur de Sainte-Pierre’s Letter Captain Legardeur de Sainte-Pierre’s Card

Pg. 131

In the 1750s both the French and the British claimed the land area west of the Appalachian Mountains includeing the Ohio River Valley. The French claimed the land to act as a connection between their colonies in Canada and the colony of Louisiana; while the British claimed the land as an area for settlement. When news of British settlement plans reached the French, they responded by building a series of forts in the region in order to strengthen their claims to the area. A young George Washington was chosen in October of 1753 to deliver a message to the French. The message, written by Virginia Governor Dinwiddie, stated “the Lands upon the River Ohio, in the Western Parts of the Colony of Virginia, are so known to be the property of the Crown of Great-Britain.” The letter continues on to demand the departure of the French from the Ohio Valley. After a 900 mile round trip, George Washington returned to Williamsburg and delivered the French response to Governor Dinwiddie. The French Captain Jacques Legardeur de Sainte-Pierre promised to send Governor Dinwiddie’s demands to the French Governor, but the French Captain saw no reason to obey the demand. The refusal of the French to abandon their forts, along with the British claims on the area increased tension until George Washington was ordered in mid 1754 to lead an expedition to the Ohio River Valley. His goal was to remove the French, using force if necessary. This expedition ended with the Battle at Fort Necessity, which marked the beginning of the French and Indian War. A transcription of Legardeur de Sainte-Pierre’s letter is provided below. Sir, As I have the Honour of commanding here in Chief, Mr. Washington delivered me the Letter which you writ to the Commandant of the French Troops. I should have been glad that you had given him Orders, or that he had been inclined to proceed to Canada, to see our General, to whom it better belongs than to me so set forth the Evidence and Reality of the Rights of the King, my Master, upon the Lands situated along the River Ohio, and to contest the Pretensions of the King of Great-Britain thereto. I shall transmit your Letter to the Marquis Duguisne; his Answer will be a Law to me, and if he shall order me to communicate it to you, Sir, you may be assured I shall not fail to dispatch it to you forthwith. As to the Summons you send me to retire, I do not think myself obliged to obey it; whatever may be your Instructions, I am here by Virtue of the Orders of my General; and I intreat you, Sir, not to doubt one Moment, but that I am determin’d to conform myself to them with all the Exactness and Resolution which can be expected from the best Officer. I don’t know that in the Progress of this Campaign any Thing has passed which can be reputed an Act of Hostility, or that is contrary to the Treaties which subsist between the two Crowns, and the Continuation whereof as much interests, and is as pleasing to us, as the English. Had you pleased, Sir, to have defended to particularize the Facts which occasioned your Complaint, I should have had the Honour of answering you in the fullest, and, I am persuaded, most satisfactory Manner. I made it my particular Care to receive Mr. Washington, with a distinction suitable to your Dignity, and his Quality and great Merit, I flatter myself he will do me this Justice before you, Sir, and that he will signify to you as well as I, the profound Respect with which I am,

Sir Your most humble, and Most obedient Servant Legardeur de St.Piere From the Fort fur La Riviere au Beuf, The 15th of December 1753

Charlotte Browne’s Diary Charlotte Browne’s Card

Pg. 139 Charlotte Brown was a hospital matron sent to the North American colonies with the Braddock Expedition in 1755. As Matron of the General Hospital, Charlotte Browne was in charge of tending to the sick and wounded during the expedition. To achieve these ends she was provided a budget of 1779£. Most of her time spent on the Braddock Expedition was spent tending to the ill, though she had other duties that included overseeing the work of cooks and nurses. Due to the large nature of the Braddock Expedition and the tough conditions on the Colonial frontier, there was no shortage of sick. Her journal also provides a good account of life in the army from a civilian’s perspective during the French and Indian War. She observes traveling conditions, morale of the soldiers, and makes general observations about what life in frontier outposts was like. Browne’s Journal is also significant because it provides insight to frontier living from a woman’s perspective. Her journal also illustrates the difficulties of moving a large army through uncharted territory, and the logistics necessary to support such an army.

Map of Fort Ligonier General John Forbes’s Card

Pg. 143

This map of Fort Ligonier was sketched by Colonel James Burd and sent to a Colonel Bouquet in September of 1758. Fort Ligonier was built during the French and Indian War to serve as a supply depot for an eventual attack on Ft. Duquesne. The fort was to be built on a site “not yet commanded”. The map shows the future location of Fort Ligonier, along the trading road to the Ohio country. After the capture of Fort Duquesne, Fort Ligonier was no longer a major outpost and it fell into disrepair. In 1766 the Fort was decommissioned.

Benjamin Franklin’s Advertisement Benjamin Franklin’s Card

Pg. 145

When General Edward Braddock was leading an army to capture Fort Duquesne in 1755, it was the largest army in North America at the time. The expedition required large amounts of supplies in order to stay in good shape. In order to move the supplies necessary for the army, Braddock required wagons. Benjamin Franklin put advertisments out to help obtain wagons and other supplies for the army. Benjamin Franklin himself declared that “not less than one hundred and fifty wagons” would be necessary for the army. Franklin’s advertisement offered good pay for the use of wagons, but it also claimed that those who did not support the army would be suspected of treachery. Franklin’s advertisement was successful and people from across Pennsylvania provided enough wagons to move Braddock’s army.

Captain Stobo’s Map Captain Robert Stobo’s Card

Pg. 151

Captain Robert Stobo’s first involvement in the French and Indian War is at the Battle of Fort Necessity in July 1754. After the surrender of the fort Stobo, along with Washington’s interpreter van Braam, was kept as a hostage to ensure the British would return the 21 French soldiers taken prisoner at the skirmish at Jumonville Glen. These first two events were part of an effort to remove the French from the Ohio River Valley. After his capture Stobo was kept as a captive in Fort Duquesne, though to call it captivity is an understatement. Stobo was allowed every freedom within the Fort except the freedom to leave. Using this freedom Stobo intended to continue his support of the British efforts against the French. With the help of a trusted American Indian ally, Stobo was able to smuggle out a letter detailing the strengths and weaknesses of the French fort, including a scale drawing of the fort and its defenses. Eventually Stobo was moved to Canada where he continued to enjoy his freedom in captivity. This was not to be long lived. Stobo’s treachery was discovered when the French captured his original letter and drawing in the aftermath of Braddock’s Defeat. After a trial Stobo was sentenced to death, though legal issues surrounding the sentence prevented it from being carried out. Stobo attempted escape twice before succeeding on the third time. Back in friendly territory Stobo was

useful to British General James Wolfe due to the information he had gained about the French during his captivity. Stobo experienced a brief period of fame after his exploits, but due to unfortunate circumstances, like the death of James Wolfe, he was never able to capitalize on his fame. During his later years Stobo fell into obscurity before committing suicide in 1770.