DOCSLIB.ORG

•Œjohnson Forever!•Š Revisiting a Hero of the Seven Years

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
•Œjohnson Forever!•Š Revisiting a Hero of the Seven Years Canadian Military History Volume 11 Issue 2 Article 3 2002 “Johnson Forever!” Revisiting a Hero of the Seven Years War Mark Eaton University of Western Ontario Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh Part of the Military History Commons Recommended Citation Eaton, Mark "“Johnson Forever!” Revisiting a Hero of the Seven Years War." Canadian Military History 11, 2 (2002) This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Canadian Military History by an authorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Eaton: “Johnson Forever!” Revisiting a Hero of the Seven Years War "Johnson Forever!" Revisiting a Hero of the Seven Years War Mark Eaton 'illiam Johnson moved to New York from the Iroquois Confederacy and his familiarity with Whis ancestral homeland Ireland in 1738 and the region which could facilitate the supply of soon became one of the most influential and an army led the British colonial government to prosperous colonists of his time. As a trader, commission him to lead a military expedition land developer, speculator and government against the French in 1755. official, he co-operated extensively with the tribes of the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy. However, as the commander of the Crown Considered a fair and honest man by these Point expedition force in 1755, and later as the people, Johnson developed close personal and interim commander of the siege against Fort economic relationships with many of them, Niagara in 1759, Johnson failed to attract and especially within the Mohawk tribes. So when maintain significant military support from the the British and French clashed between 1744 Iroquois nations. Although historians have and 1748 (King George’s War), the New York consistently portrayed Johnson as a great colonial government turned to Johnson. military leader based on his performance in these two battles against French forces Through his work as the official agent in descending from Canada, his inexperience in charge of supplying the trading post at Oswego military affairs and his inability to obtain the and as the government’s Indian agent, Johnson full support of Britain’s Iroquois allies raise became known as an influential entrepreneur doubts about his ability as a military leader.1 In and broker of Indian affairs. Indeed, Governor the final analysis, Johnson’s close relationship George Clinton of New York did not delegate with the Iroquois nations during the Seven Years authority to Johnson based on his promise as a War (1755-1763) did not result in their effective military leader; Johnson’s actual military role or consequential participation in two of the most during King George’s War was minimal. On the significant British victories against the French. contrary, his duties included supplying Oswego Therefore, his legacy as a great military leader with stores and manpower, sending, but not rests on dubious foundations. accompanying, infrequent and often unsuccessful Iroquois raiding parties against the By 1754 it was clear that another major French, and acting as a conduit between the conflict between the British and the French Iroquois and the British colonial government. would soon erupt. Attempting to unite the colonies and gain the allegiance of the Iroquois, When the final clash between the British and colonial officials organized meetings in Albany French in North America began in 1755, colonial in June and July 1754. The British agreed to officials once again turned to Johnson - this time fortify the Iroquois frontier against future French to gather Iroquois support for the British war incursions and “the Indians agreed to furnish effort. Despite his lack of formal military at least one thousand braves to be used for training, his apparently unrivaled influence with general service.” In addition, 600 more would © Canadian Military History, Volume 11, Number 2, Spring 2002, pp. 17-28. 17 Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2002 1 Canadian Military History, Vol. 11 [2002], Iss. 2, Art. 3 Portrait of William Johnson in the years immediately prior to the start of the Seven Years War. (By John Wollaston Jr., circa 1751). all others whatsoever are strictly required and enjoined to cease and forbear acting or intermeddling therein.”7 On the same day Braddock’s second-in- command and Governor of Massachusetts William Shirley informed Johnson of his new commission as commander of the planned expedition against the French fort at Crown Point. Johnson initially proposed destroying the fort with a force composed entirely of Iroquois, an indication of his belief in his extraordinary influence over the Indian nations.8 According to the battle plans devised at Alexandria, however, Johnson would lead an army of approximately 4400 men raised by the governments of New York, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, as well as any A sketch of Fort Johnson (originally named Mount Johnson), Sir William’s home and the site of many meetings between number of Indians he could recruit.9 Johnson Johnson and his Iroquois friends. (By Guy Johnson, William Johnson’s nephew, published in the Royal Magazine, invited members of the Iroquois Confederacy to London, 1759) Mount Johnson between 21 June and 4 July be raised for the protection of Oswego.2 This 1755, where they discussed issues related to the British cause Johnson moved his expedition Fort Edward served as a staging point for promise of strong Iroquois support was made upcoming British campaign. According to the forward, supervising initial preparations in operations against Crown Point. Johnson arrived in spite of the fact that only 150 Iroquois minutes of the conference 1,106 Indian men, Albany. there on 14 August and departed soon after, attended the meeting, with Mohawk women and children attended, “a greater travelling north another eleven miles until he representation dominating.3 Unfortunately for number...than were ever before known at any Thus far Johnson’s only military experience reached the southern shore of Lake St. the British the small and unrepresentative public meeting.”10 After delivering a speech “was as paymaster of Indian warriors who lived Sacrament on the 28th. With 1500 men he began Iroquois delegation seemed to indicate that the intended to revive memories of past French off the land, struck suddenly at vulnerable and to construct a camp on the shore of the lake majority of the Iroquois nations had adopted a atrocities perpetrated against the Indian nations unsuspecting targets, and then melted into the “which he rechristened Lake George, in honour neutral stance.4 of the region, Johnson stated: woods, defending nothing.” However in the of his Majesty and to assert his right of dominion upcoming campaign Johnson’s objective “was there.”17 With the arrival of the rest of Johnson’s Soon after his arrival in North America as My war kettle is on the Fire, my Canoe is ready derived from conventional European warfare; men the force included 3500 colonials.18 to p u t in th e w ater, m y G u n is loaded, m y sw ord the means had to be conventional, and the men the new Commander-in-Chief of Britain’s is by my side, and my axe is sharpened. I desire However “disappointingly few Iroquois” colonial forces, General Edward Braddock5 and expect you will now take up the Hatchet and must try to be like regulars.”14 To compensate answered Johnson’s call to arms, estimates of recognized Johnson’s potential value in the join us, your Brethren against all our Enemies.11 for his lack of military training Johnson the total number of Iroquois at Lake George upcoming campaign against the French. On 16 recruited highly skilled officers. One such officer, ranging from just over 200 to 400 warriors.19 April 1755 at the Alexandria military conference, Five days later the Indian nations answered Captain William Eyre, was designated as artillery Neither estimate seems to correspond with the Braddock Johnson’s call to arms by promising to join the engineering head, quartermaster, and adjutant.15 apparent enthusiasm expressed by the Indian British campaign against the French.12 However, On 17 July, as soldiers and supplies poured into nations at Mount Johnson earlier that summer. appointed Colonel Johnson to be Sole within a week the alliance started to show cracks. Albany, Johnson ordered his second-in- Rather, the pessimism expressed by the Cayuga Superintendent of the Indians of the Five On 3 July the Cayuga Sachems told Johnson command, Major-General Phineas Lyman, to and Mohawk tribes during and after the Mount Nations, with Instructions to engage as large a that they wished to avoid meeting their Canadian move up the Hudson River approximately forty Number of them as he could for his Majesty's Johnson meeting seemed to spread to the other Service in the Expedition against Crown Point, cousins, the Caughnawaga Indians, in the miles and establish a fort, later named Fort members of the Confederacy.20 Niagara, and the French Forts upon the Ohio.6 upcoming expedition against Crown Point.13 Edward in honour of the brother of King Johnson promised to send representatives to George.16 Johnson relied heavily on his much In the following weeks the Lake George camp Braddock ordered Johnson to “treat and confer meet with the Caughnawaga Indians and request more experienced subordinates like Lyman and teemed with activity. Soldiers cleared the land with them [Iroquois] as often and upon such they remain neutral. Even Johnson’s most Eyre. However, while he should be commended and set up shelters, and a continuous stream of matters as you [Johnson] shall judge necessary.” reliable Indian allies, the Mohawks, ignored his for practicing sound judgement by relying on wagons filled with supplies, guns and bateaux Indian affairs in the northern British colonies initial request for warriors.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Stephen Oetken Power Point Script: “The Warpath Of
    Stephen Oetken Slide 1: TITLE SLIDE (INTRODUCTION) Good evening, thank you for coming. Walking along the misty shores and white pines of Lake George, New York, surrounded by the splendor of the Adirondack Mountains, it is hard to imagine that 250 years ago this area was the scene of a brutal struggle for control of an empire between the French, the English, and the Iroquois Confederacy known as the French and Indian War. In an era when waterways were the modern equivalency of super highways, the Lake George – Hudson River corridor became vital to this war effort. A fourteen-mile overland route called the Military Road was cut through the wilderness in 1755, linking British fortifications on Lake George and the Hudson River. Sites along the Military Road played significant roles in two campaigns during the war. Despite the historical importance of these sites, few people visit them, or even know that they exist. The original trace of the Military Road has vanished from the landscape, and metal wayside markers modestly signify the presence of historic sites. This project examines the preservation and interpretation of French and Indian War sites along the Military Road, concluding with a recommendation for a Military Road Trail that would facilitate a better visitor experience in Lake George, New York. Power Point Script: “The Warpath of Empire” 1 Stephen Oetken Slide #2: OVERVIEW OF PRESENTATION The following is an overview of my presentation this evening. • We’ll begin with identifying the Research Problem and Research Questions • Describe
    [Show full text]
  • Pdf Historic Preservation 3Rd Workshop
    FORT GEORGE AND ABPP Grant GA-2287-16-005 Analysis of Military Campaigns ENVIRONS Town of Lake George, NY ARCHEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS .Primary and secondary historical research .Historical map analysis .Field mapping .KOCOA .GPS and GIS data collection HISTORICAL RESEARCH: MAPPING THE PAST Today 1757 1757 1757 1757 GROUND TRUTHING ARCHEOLOGICAL SIGNATURES HISTORICAL TIMELINE 1755- Battle of Lake George-Fort William Henry built 1756- Improvements to Fort William Henry 1757-French Siege –destruction of Fort William Henry 1758- General Abercromby and his Army- failed attack at Ticonderoga 1759- General Amherst and his Army- Fort George started RESOURCE INVENTORY FORMS 1. Historical map-based resources =56 2. Burials = 1 3. Battle engagement areas = 5 4. Total 62 resources SUMMARY OF RESOURCES Year Resource Battlefield(s) s 1755 9 1 1756 7 0 1757 16 2 1758 12 0 1759 11 0 1760-1783 1 2 56 5 Hadden 1777 Gridley 1756 SUMMARY OF RESOURCES Year Acres 1755 55 1756 8 1757 398 1758 95 1759 22 1760-1783 15 Totals 593 1755 Number Name 1 William Johnson Encampment 2 Military Road 3 Bloody Pond 4 Johnsons’ Picket Fort 5 Magazine, Marquee, Artillery Park, 6 Fort William Henry 7 South Ravelin 8 Diamond Island and Dick’s Islands 9 Causeway over swamp 1755 BATTLE OF LAKE GEORGE Approx. state park lands 1757 Number Name 1 Montcalm’s Camp 2 English Camp before Siege 3 Wharf and Magazine at Montcalm’s Landing 4 Col. Young’s Retrenchment 5 Montcalm’s Right Flank 6 Native Camps during Siege 7 French Marines and Infantry above West Brook 8 Scouting Parties, Grenadiers
    [Show full text]
  • The Fight for Canada
    CLASH OF EMPIRES: THE BRITISH, FRENCH & INDIAN WAR 1754 - 1763 CHAPTER 6 The Fight for Canada )M 1755 To 1760, British, French, and American Indians engaged in some of rgest and most dramatic military operations of the American war. Campaigns ic Canada and the St. Lawrence Valley involved joint operations between and forces, as well as large-scale European-style sieges employing heavy dl tll l y llLL tlplX exenginleering earthworKs. I ie contrast between tnese operations and f the campaigns in the American interior reveal both the remarkable military power that 18th-century empires could project far from Europe and also the limits of that power. The dominance of regular European troops and fleets in these campaigns reinforced the contempt shared by most Europeans toward native and colonial fighters. This perspective shaped profoundly the fate of Britain's American empire after the fall of Canada. DEFENDING NEW FRANCE French settlement in Acadia (now western Nova Scotia, eastern New Brunswick, and northeastern Maine) began in the early 1600s. France ceded Acadian territory to the British in 1713, but by 1750, more than 13,000 French-speaking inhabitants were living along the region's extensive coastline. The boundaries were still in dispute when conflict broke out in the Ohio Country in 1754. Most Acadians living in British territory had remained neutral during previous conflicts, but in 1755, fear of insurgency and desire for the Acadians' lands and fishing grounds led New England and British forces to ruthlessly expel the inhabitants. This ethnic displacement scattered Acadians across the British colonies and the larger Atlantic world.
    [Show full text]
  • The Many Deaths of General Braddock: Remembering Braddock, Washington, and Fawcett at the Battle of the Monongahela, 1755-1855
    Matthew Cheser University of Maryland The Many Deaths of General Braddock: Remembering Braddock, Washington, and Fawcett at the Battle of the Monongahela, 1755-1855 “The old English Hero was once bravely slain but your dull Doggerel murders him again” P.M. to C.W in The Boston Gazette, August 18, 1755 Braddock’s Grave: On the morning of July 17, 2005, British Colonel Patrick Reese Davis of Countess Mountbatten's own Frontiersmen, Legion of Horse, prepared to speak in rural Farmington, Pennsylvania. Behind him stood a tall granite monument marking the grave of General Edward Braddock, who had been defeated and mortally wounded at the Battle of the Monongahela (also known as Braddock’s Defeat) in 1755. While cars whizzed by on Route 40 to Colonel Davis’s right, a steep depression to his left hid the remnants of the road that Braddock’s army had cut through the forested wilderness. Braddock’s original resting place lay in the middle of that segment of road, where the remnants of his retreating army marched over the spot to conceal it from the enemy. Davis’s remarks would conclude the observance of the 250th anniversary of that day. With a line of colorfully outfitted re-enactors in the background and a crowd of comfortably attired spectators before him, Colonel Davis began his remarks. “Americans,” he quoted Winston Churchill, “always do the right thing, after they have exhausted every other possible alternative.”1 After this short introduction, Davis shared the contents of a letter written by his countryman Captain Jones on behalf of his 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglican Regiment 1 Col.
    [Show full text]
  • British Soldiers and Indian Warriors from Braddock's
    "MAKE INDIANS F DUR WHITE MEN": BRITISH SOLDIERS AND INDIAN WARRIORS FROM BRADDDCK'S TO FORBES'S CAMPAIGNS, 1755-1758 David L. Preston The Citadel rnMay of 1757, fivemiles outside of Fort Loudoun in south-central Pennsylvania, a lone frontier settler was scouring the woods in search of his stray horses. Fort Loudoun was situated near a gap in the Kittatinny Mountain ridge to defend the Pennsylvania frontiers against combined French and Indian war parties from the Ohio country. Instead of horses, this frontiersman unluckily stumbled upon an Indian war party and immediately fled back to the fort and notified the Pennsylvania forces, perhaps running at a slightly faster gait than his lost horses. The fort commanders men quickly sent out a war party of their own numbering sixty who soon discovered the Indians holed up in a house at Black's Mill. The officers "thought it expedient to postpone the Attack until the Break of Day" and during the night they divided their force into three columns and stealthily surrounded the Indian encampment. Daybreak, however, brought surprise to both the near to provincials and the Indians: When the soldiers "drew . came begin their Fire someWhite Men who with the Indians PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY: A JOURNALOF MID-ATLANTIC STUDIES, VOL. 74, NO. 3, 2OO7. Copyright ? 2007 The Pennsylvania Historical Association This content downloaded from 128.118.152.206 on Mon, 2 Feb 2015 11:19:27 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions BRITISH SOLDIERS AND INDIAN WARRIORS sprang out and hollow'd to our People that those were our Friends, the Cherokees, come for our Assistance." The meeting of colonial soldiers and Indians at Black's Mill was a peaceful one, though it could have easily ended in bloodshed.
    [Show full text]
  • Military Leadership and War in the New England Colonies, 1690-1775/ Seanegan P
    University of Massachusetts Amherst ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014 2007 Men of the meanest sort :: military leadership and war in the New England colonies, 1690-1775/ Seanegan P. Sculley University of Massachusetts Amherst Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/theses Sculley, Seanegan P., "Men of the meanest sort :: military leadership and war in the New England colonies, 1690-1775/" (2007). Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014. 1946. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.umass.edu/theses/1946 This thesis is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014 by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. For more information, please contact [email protected]. MEN OF THE MEANEST SORT MILITARY LEADERSHIP AND WAR IN THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES, 1690-1775 A Thesis Presented by SEANEGAN P. SCULLEY Submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Massachusetts Amherst in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS 4 May 2007 : ^ History — MEN OF THE MEANEST SORT: MILITARY LEADERSHIP AND WAR IN THE NORTHERN COLONIES, 1690-1775 A Thesis Presented by SEANEGAN P. SCULLEY Approved as to style and content by ^ ^ Barry Leevyfthair Bruce Laurie, Member Kevin Sweeney, Member Audrey Altstadt, pepartn* History - • ii CONTENTS Page CHAPTER INTRODUCTION , 1. THE BRITISH OFFICER 5 2. THE PROVINCIAL OFFICER 19 3. NEW ENGLAND'S EXPECTATIONS OF LEADERSHIP 32 4. LEADERSHIP IN ACTION 46 CONCLUSION 67 BIBLIOGRAPHY 74 iii INTRODUCTION On February 3, 1758, the entire company of Captain Ebenezer Learned from Massachusetts deserted their posts at a fort in Stillwater, New York.
    [Show full text]
  • FORT WILLIAM HENRY 1755–57 a Battle, Two Sieges and Bloody Massacre
    FORT WILLIAM HENRY 1755–57 A battle, two sieges and bloody massacre IAN CASTLE ILLUSTRATED BY GRAHAM TURNER © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com CAMPAIGN 260 FORT WILLIAM HENRY 1755–57 A battle, two sieges and bloody massacre IAN CASTLE ILLUSTRATED BY GRAHAM TURNER Series editor Marcus Cowper © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 5 Origins of the French and Indian War CHRONOLOGY 7 OPPOSING COMMANDERS 9 British commanderstFrench commanders OPPOSING ARMIES 12 British ArmytFrench Army OPPOSING PLANS 17 British planstFrench plans THE CAMPAIGN OF 1755 19 Johnson prepares – Dieskau strikestA change of plantThe ‘Bloody Morning Scout’tThe battle of Lake GeorgetBuilding the new forttFort William Henry – the waiting game THE FIRST SIEGE OF FORT WILLIAM HENRY 41 Rigaud’s attack, March 1757tThe attack beginstThe weather takes a handtTaking stocktStorm clouds gather THE SECOND SIEGE OF FORT WILLIAM HENRY 59 Montcalm makes his movetThe noose tightenstThe siege – Day 1 – the garrison stands alonet The siege – Day 2 – Montcalm’s trump cardtThe siege – Day 3 – Webb waitstThe siege – Day 4 – ‘Relief is greatly wanted’tThe siege – Day 5 – the end draws neartThe siege – Day 6 – surrendert Abandoning the forttThe ‘massacre’tFrench troops regain control AFTERMATH 88 Summary THE BATTLEFIELD TODAY 92 FURTHER READING 94 INDEX 95 © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com British planned military operations, 1755 British plannedmilitaryoperations, St Lawrence River Québec Île St-Jean Cape Breton Island Trois-Rivières Fort Gaspereau Fort Beauséjour Louisbourg Fort Lawrence © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com Montréal NOVA MAINE Lake Huron SCOTIA (MASS.) Annapolis Halifax Lake Royal Fort Frontenac Champlain Fort St Frédéric NEW Lake Ontario Fort Oswego Lake George HAMPSHIRE Mohawk River Fort No.
    [Show full text]
  • Parrish Wells Papers, 1929-1951 MSS
    Parrish Wells papers, 1929-1951 MSS. COLL. NO. 042 Size: 8.75 linear feet Biographical Note Parrish Wells was born November 12, 1890 in Johnstown, New York. He was educated at the University of Rochester and graduated as a Civil Engineer. Mr. Wells worked as a hydraulic engineer in Rochester, New York and in 1946 he moved his family to Plattsburgh, New York where he remained until just before his death in October 1963. He had for many years a great interest in the French and Indian War and did research all over the state. He wrote and published "Dangerous Journeys" (see our libraries holdings for title) and also wrote two novels "50,000 Heroes" and "The Rocks Beneath Us" which were completed but not published Scope & Content This collection consists of Well's research materials and manuscript copies of his books and stories. Included are photocopies of excerpts from diaries of the period, magazine articles, a scrapbook which contains his story "Putnam Rangers" and his correspondence with publishers, libraries and newspapers. Many different stories are also included ("The Rangers"), "Soldiers' Story of Oswego", "Battle of Lake George", and "Johnson's March to Lake George") and numerous stories about the battles of the French and Indian War along the St. Lawrence River, in Montreal and Quebec. Historical note The French and Indian War was the American phase of a worldwide, nine-years' war (1754–63) fought between France and Great Britain. (The more complex European phase was the Seven Years' War [1756–63].) It determined the control of the vast colonial territory of North America.
    [Show full text]
  • Colonial Saratoga War and Peace on the Borderlands of Early America
    National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Northeast Region History Program COLONIAL SARATOGA WAR AND PEACE ON THE BORDERLANDS OF EARLY AMERICA DAVID L. PRESTON HISTORIC RESOURCE STUDY PRESENTED TO SARATOGA NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN HISTORIANS/ NATIONAL PARK SERVICE COLONIAL SARATOGA WAR AND PEACE ON THE BORDERLANDS OF EARLY AMERICA HISTORIC RESOURCE STUDY DAVID L. PRESTON PROFESSOR OF HISTORY THE CITADEL PRESENTED TO SARATOGA NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN HISTORIANS/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 2018 COLONIAL SARA TOGA: War and Peace on theBorderlands of Early America HISTORIC RESOURCE STUDY David L. Preston U.S. Departmentof the Interior NationalP ark Service/ In Partnershipwith the Organizationo f American Historians NortheastRegion History Program September2018 Recommended: Cover image: “Hudson River from Albany to Fort Edward, shewing the situation of the several Posts between those places, 1757,” Huntington Library, HM 15409. Huntington Library permission/no known restrictions: https://www.huntington.org/library-rights-permissions 3/26/2019 Disclaimer: The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of this author and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government. Shaun Eyring Date Chief, Cultural Resources NortheastRegion
    [Show full text]
  • The French and Indian War (Seven Years’ War) That Resulted in France’S Removal from the Continent France Finds a Foothold in Canada
    Chapter 6 King Louis XIV King William and Queen Anne The fight for North America Chapter 6 Theme As part of their worldwide imperial rivalry, Great Britain and France fought numerous wars for colonial control of North America, culminating in the British victory in the French and Indian War (Seven Years’ War) that resulted in France’s removal from the continent France Finds a Foothold in Canada • Like England and Holland, France was a latecomer in the race for colonies. – It was convulsed in the 1500s by foreign wars and domesAc strife. – In 1598, the Edict of Nantes was issued, allowing limited toleraon to the When King Louis XIV became king, French Huguenots he took an interest in overseas colonies. (Protestants). In 1608, France established Quebec, overlooking the St. Lawrence River. • Samuel de Champlain, an intrepid soldier and explorer, became known as the “Father of New France.” – He entered into friendly relaons with the neighboring Huron Indians and helped them defeat the Iroquois. – The Iroquois, however, did hamper French efforts into the Ohio Valley later. •Unlike English colonists, French colonists didn’t immigrate to North America by hordes. The peasants were too poor, and the Huguenots weren’t allowed to leave. •Also, unlike the English colonies, there were no popularly elected assemblies Samuel de . Champlain and an Iroquois warrior New France Fans Out • New France’s (Canada) most valuable resource was the beaver. • French fur trappers were known as the coureurs de bois (runners of the woods) and li]ered the land with place names, including Baton Rouge (red sAck), Terre Haute (high land), Des Moines (some monks) and Grand Teton (big breast).
    [Show full text]
  • Covers WOW French and Indian
    Waterways of War of War Waterways Waterways of War • The French & Indian War War & Indian The French The French & Indian War A Traveler’s Guide to the French & Indian War Forts, Battlefields and Historic Sites along America’s Byways in New York and Pennsylvania Lakes to Locks Passgae, Inc. to Locks Passgae, Lakes Revolutionary Byway A French map from 1755 shows New France, the English colonies and the Ohio country at the start of the French and Indian War. Courtesy Library of Congress. By Steve Benson and Ron Toelke • Published by Lakes to Locks Passage, Inc. Second Edition funding provided by a grant from Empire State Development. 1607 First permanent English settlement in North 1755 In July, British General Edward Braddock is 1759 In July, British General Jeffery Amherst America established at Jamestown, Virginia. mortally wounded and his army is defeated by captures Ticonderoga and Fort St. Frédéric Published by Lakes to Locks Passage, Inc. French and Indian forces near Fort Duquesne. on Lake Champlain. PO Box 65, Crown Point, NY 12928 1609 Champlain explores Lake Champlain and claims the War and Indian of the French Timeline 1755 In September, William Johnson’s provincials defeat 1759 In September, British General James Wolfe www.lakestolocks.org watershed for France; has a fateful battle in July with the Iroquois at Ticonderoga. French forces in the Battle of Lake George. defeats French General Louis-Joseph Montcalm in the Battle of Québec; both are mortally wounded. Copyright © 2016 Lakes to Locks Passage, Inc. 1689 King William’s War (War of the League of Augsburg 1755 In October, the British deport the French- in Europe) begins.
    [Show full text]
  • The Lake Between: Native and Imperial Contests for the Champlain Valley, 1675-1768 Christopher Thomas Whitehead Ashland, Massach
    The Lake Between: Native and Imperial Contests for the Champlain Valley, 1675-1768 Christopher Thomas Whitehead Ashland, Massachusetts B.A., History, Dartmouth College, 2012 A Thesis presented to the Graduate Faculty of the University of Virginia in Candidacy for the Degree of Master of Arts Corcoran Department of History University of Virginia December, 2018 On September 8, 1755, Hendrick Theyanoguin brought his party of 200 fellow Haudenosaunee warriors to a halt south of Lake George in the Champlain Valley. Along with British colonial troops, they had marched about four miles that morning in pursuit of a joint French and Native force. When they reached a portage road leading to the lake, a “French Indian” called out to them from behind the brush, demanding that they identify themselves. “We are the six confederate Ind[ia]n Nations [Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Tuscarora, Oneida, Mohawk],” Hendrick answered, come “to assist [our] Breth[re]n the English ag[ain]st the French.” The “French Indian” replied for the 700 Natives assembled with him, who included 100 Western Abenakis from the villages of St. Francis, Bécancour, and Missisquoi. He proclaimed, “We come in conjunction with our Father the King of France’s Troops to fight his Enemies the English.” After a tense moment, one of Hendrick’s fellow Mohawks broke the silence. He aimed and fired his musket at the brush obscuring the speaker. One observer described, “a hot running fight then began.” For British and French officials, the Battle of Lake George represented a contest between empires. Why, however, had 900 Haudenosaunee and Western Abenaki warriors joined the fight? They had their own contest over the borderland along Lakes George and Champlain.1 The Western Abenaki knew Lake Champlain as bitawbágw, the “lake between.” Since time immemorial its eastern shore served as the western border of their homeland, its western shore the eastern boundary of Mohawk country (see Figure 1).
    [Show full text]