Early Days Pittsburgh

1. Early Days Pittsburgh 1682 French laid claim to all the tributaries of the Mississippi and the territory through which they flowed. (result of LaSalle’s discovery)

2. John Frazier, a fur trader and blacksmith, was one of the earliest settlers. He operated a trading post in the area (near the Monongahela River by what we know as the Edgar Thompson Plant) and met George Washington while Washington was on a surveying trip

3. Dinwiddie • As governor, Robert Dinwiddie saw the beginnings of the conflict on Virginia's frontiers that would lead to the French and Indian War. He was a firm advocate of British expansion into the west. He sought the help of the Indians and the other British colonies in the struggle against the French, pressed the legislature for defense funds, and favored the use of regular armed forces in place of the less reliable militia. Dinwiddie made George Washington a lieutenant colonel.

4. The Iroquois • The people of the Six Nations, also known by the French term, Iroquois Confederacy, call themselves the Hau de no sau nee (ho dee noe sho nee) meaning People Building a Long House. Located in the northeastern region of North America, originally the Six Nations was five and included the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas. The sixth nation, the Tuscaroras, migrated into Iroquois country in the early eighteenth century.

5. 1744 Representatives of PA, VA, MD, met with the six nations and arranged the Treaty of Lancaster

6. 1749 Captain Celoron claims the Ohio valley for France • The French saw westward push of British as a threat. The French built a chain of forts Presque Isle (Erie), Fort LeBoeuf ( at Waterford between Lake Erie and French Creek), Venango ( Franklin) Forks of the Ohio ( where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers form the Ohio). This was considered the ideal place for the the capital city of New France.

7. Dec. 11, 1753 Major George Washington with Christopher Gist (a guide) and Abraham Jacob Van Braam (an interpreter) and several woodsman and Indians present letter from Dinwiddie to French Commander of Fort Leboeuf (St. Pierre). Letter expressed astonishment French built on Great Britain property and demanded that they leave

8. Washington Born the eldest son of Augustine Washington and his second wife Mary Ball Washington, in Va., on Feb. 22, 1732 George spent his early years on the family estate on Pope'Creek along the Potomac River. Although Washington had little or no formal schooling, his early notebooks indicate that he read in geography, military history, agriculture, deportment and composition. He showed an aptitude for surveying and simple mathematics.His father died in 1743, and soon thereafter George went to live with his half brother Lawrence at Mount Vernon Lawrence became something of a substitute father for his brother. Upon the death of Lawrence in 1752, George inherited the Mount Vernon estate

9. St. Pierre said he would forward his letter to the Marquis de Duquesne • On hiss return Washington twice escapes death ( Gist saves him) • Indian - Crossing the Allegheny

10. Gist

11. Washington recommends to Dinwiddie to build a fort at the “forks of the Ohio” • 1200 men from PA • 400 men from NC • 2 companies from NY • 1 company from SC • Recruits from Va • Capt William Trent ( 2nd in command) and Joshua Fry (1st in command) began the fort then left to join Washington. • Left Ensign Wood in command with 6 troops under his command

12. April 17th 1754 Ward surprised by 1000 Frenchmen • They built a larger, better fort called Fort Duquesne named after the governor of Canada • Washington’s detachment of ragged recruits 140 miles away at Will’s creek. No tents, scarcely armed

13. Washington ordered to advance but had to cut the road for the wagons and cannons( forest dense , mountain range, streams etc. • Reach “Great Meadows” 150 men by the end of May • While encamped there, Half King tells Washington French on their way to attack him. • Fight ensued Coulon de Jumonville the Commander was killed. All French taken Prisoner or Killed ( except one Canadian) l Beginning of the French and Indian War (7 years war)

14. Washington advance 12 miles past the Laurel Ridge, strong French reinforcement on the way • French Leader Capt. Louis Coulon de Villiers. (1/2 brother of Jumonville). • Had 1 day to strengthen fortification at Great Meadows ( Fort Necessity)

15. Fighting began at 11AM and lasted 9 hours • French contacted Washington twice offering terms for his surrender. 2 French interpreters 1 wounded the Capt. Van Braam. Rain, weak, bad interpreter, Washington young. • Articles signed by Midnight. Bad translation Washington signs so the English can leave, Van Braam and Major Stobe kept as prisoners. (Didn’t know he signed a statement saying he assassinated Jumonville).

17. Washington sick, carried back over the Allegheny Mountains This occurred July 4, 1754

18. Note Major Stobe escaped found Wolfe who was fighting the French in Quebec. His help will guide Wolfe’s troops to victory. “Strange that one prisoner in a far distance province, in a skirmish that began the war, should guide Wolfe to Victory at Quebec which virtually closed the War in America.”