USA > Pennsylvania > Venango County > History of Venango County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, including > Part 4
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R. aux Pommes. Lac Tjadikoin.
Chautauqua Creek. Lake Chautauqua.
R. Kananougon.
Conewango Creek.
Broken Straw Creek.
La Paille Coupèe. Village de Loups.
Village of Loup Indians.
43
82
80
's
3ª
15
10
15
KS
30
15
45
POINTE AUX PINS
R AUX POMMES
10
9
+
LAC TJADIKOIN
CEURES
R AUX
AU
4
POINTE PELLEE
LA PAILLE COUPÉE *
20
VIBLES AUX SERPENTES
LAC
TOUTE CETTE PART DE LAC CI EST INCONNUE
VILLAGE DE LOUPS +$
5
R AUX BŒUFS * *
VILLAGE DE LOUPS
/*
IL FORT DES MIAMIS
R AU FIEL
IR AU VERMILLION
5
5
ANCIEN VILLAGE
CHAOUANONS
20 -8
20
VILLAGE DE CHININGUE
15
* VILLAGE DE LOUPS (6)
LA DEMOISELLE
10
10
R KANOUDUARA
5
ROCHE
20 -40
10
20
R YENANGUAKONAN
15
15
CARTE DUN VOYAGE FAIT
R BLANCHE
ØR CHINODAICHTA .
DANS LA BELLE RIVIÈRE EN LA NOUVELLE FRANCE MDCCXLIX.
R DE SINHIOTA
20
35
39-20
15
15
4.5
30
15
10
30
15
45
30
79
5
+5
R AUX CION
RAISIN
ERIE
KANANOUCON
20
+2
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10
ATTIQUE
PORTAGE DE LA DEMOISELLE
.
LONGITUDE OCCIDENTALE
PAR LE REVEREND PERE BONNECAMP, JESUITTE MATHEMATICIEN
10
41
THE FRENCH POSSESSION.
R. aux Bœufs.
French Creek.
R. au Fiel.
Clarion River.
R. au Vermillion.
Mahoning Creek.
Attique.
Kittanning.
Ancien Village de Chaouanons.
Ancient Village of Shawanese.
Village de Loups (b).
Site of Pittsburgh.
Village de Chiningue.
Logstown.
R. Kanououara.
Wheeling Creek.
R. Yenanguakonan.
Muskingum River.
R. de Sinhiota.
Scioto River.
R. Blanche.
White River.
R. de la Roche.
Great Miami River.
La Demoiselle.
Site of Fort Laramie.
Portage de la Demoiselle.
Portage from the Miami to the Maumee.
Fort des Miamis.
Site of Fort Wayne.
Isles aux Serpentes.
Sister Islands.
R. aux Raisins.
Raisin River.
R. aux Cignes.
Huron River.
R. aux Cedres. Pointe Pellèe.
Cedar River.
Point Pellee.
Pointe aux Pins.
Point aux Pins.
Lac Erie.
Lake Erie.
The English translation of Toute cette part de lac-ci est inconue is "All this part of the lake is unknown."
The exploration of this territory was soon followed by preparations to maintain possession of it by building forts at the most convenient and eligi- ble locations. Abandoning the Chautauqua lake route they came up to Erie, called by them Presque Isle, thence across the country to French creek, and so down to the Allegheny. The first and second forts were con- structed in 1753, and called respectively Presque Isle and Le Bœuf. The former was at what is now the city of Erie, the latter at Waterford. In the fall of 1753 a small force under the command of Captain Chabert de Jon- caire was sent down French creek to what is now Franklin, to erect a third fort. This was called Machault after Monsieur Machault, who was minister of finance of the home government. Joncaire was a half-breed with the smooth polish of a Frenchman and the fiery eloquence of an Iroquois warrior. When he arrived at the mouth of French creek he found a deserted cabin, previously occupied by John Frazier, an Indian trader; of this he at once took possession and made it his headquarters, with the French flag flying from the ridge pole.
John Frazier was undoubtedly the first white man who settled in this county. The spirit of trade and traffic was developed quite early in this
.
R. Chinodaichta.
Great Kanawha River.
42
HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
region. The Indians were comparatively independent, yet there was occa- sion for trade amongst them. They could furnish their own subsistence, and the trophies of the chase furnished skins for clothing. But they could manufacture neither arms nor ammunition. These must be furnished by the pale faces. And thus in the capacity of mechanic and trader, Frazier took up his residence at the site of Franklin. He was a Scotchman; how long from "the land o'cakes" we do not know. But that he was a man of courage and energy and enterprise we believe. Without these traits he would never have ventured alone into the wilderness.
He was a resident of Lancaster county in 1750, as evidenced by a depo- sition of two of his employers in that year. As early as 1748 he had been licensed by the state authorities as an Indian trader, and it is fair to pre- sume that his operations in the western part of the state were begun about that time. As he was the most advanced of the English traders on the northwestern frontier he was informed of the movements of the French earlier than others similarly engaged; and in the spring of 1753 he wrote a letter from Venango addressed to " all the traders " informing them that the French were making military preparations at Le Bœuf, and late in the month of May this was followed by another stating that some French- men had come down the river with a considerable present from the governor of Canada. In the following summer he removed to the mouth of Turtle creek on the Monongahela river at the present site of Braddock. A letter written from that point describes the escape of one of his men from the French at Venango, stating also that "he had only sold eight bucks' worth of goods, which Custaloga took from him, and all his corn when he was es- caping in the night." In 1754 he became a lieutenant in the British service, and from that time was engaged in the various movements on the frontier, probably until the close of Pontiac's war, and was frequently intrusted with important missions. Nothing is definitely known regarding the date, place, or manner of his death.
He had come here all alone, so far as civilized society was concerned, and had built a log cabin of some pretensions, for it was sufficiently capacious and comfortable to satisfy Joncaire when he came to build his fort. It would not be difficult to find the very location of that house. It was prob- ably about where Elk street now is, and just below the little runlet that is passed in going as far as Sixth street. It would necessarily be built by the side of the run and near the river. And in that house Washington had his interview with the French captain.
43
WASHINGTON'S MISSION.
CHAPTER IV.
WASHINGTON'S MISSION.
THE LOCAL INTEREST THAT ATTACHES TO WASHINGTON'S VISIT-HIS INTER- VIEWS WITH JONCAIRE AND ST. PIERRE-ROUTE TRAVERSED ON THE JOURNEY AND RETURN-HIS COMMISSION, INSTRUCTIONS, AND PASSPORT-INFLUENCE OF THIS MIS- SION ON HIS SUBSEQUENT CAREER.
J UST at this point in the progress of French operations, the episode of Washington's visit to Venango county occurred. Many towns and cities can boast the presence of the nurses of George Washington, more than even claimed the birthplace of Homer, but not many west of the Allegheny mountains can boast the presence of the hero himself. This "Nursery of Great Men" can commence its enumeration with the great Washingtion, and feel proud that its soil was once pressed by his footsteps.
It was a tangled web the French were weaving, and it behooved the English authorities to be on the alert if they did not wish a French empire to be formed in the West. Reports had gone abroad that military works were building on Lake Erie and the Ohio, and that forces were assembling to hold armed possession of the territory. Vigorous efforts were making by the French, and the English were comparatively quiet and unresisting. Governor Dinwiddie, of Virginia, at length took the alarm and resolved to send an agent to see what the French were doing and hear their intentions from their own mouths. But the embassy was a delicate if not a dangerous one. Who would be willing to go? Who had the necessary qualifications to undertake the journey through a wilderness swarming with Indians?
The choice fell upon George Washington, a surveyor of Virginia, who had had considerable experience in woodcraft, and who was reported to be a man of exceeding good sense, judgment, and prudence. But he had only passed his twenty-first year. He was a very young man to intrust with such a mission, and at such a time. But he was the man selected. With his commission and his instructions, the young man started for the West. At Logstown, on the Ohio, not far from Beaver, he made up his party. A few white men, scouts, and Indian traders, had been picked up on the way, and a few Indians, some of them of importance among their own people,
.
44
HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
formed the party, and in due time they reached Weningo, or as we call it now, Franklin.
They found Joncaire snugly sheltered in John Frazier's cabin with the French colors floating over it. Washington was kindly received, but soon discovered that Joncaire was not of sufficient importance to enter into nego- tiation with, as his superior officer was in command at Le Bœuf. But he spent a few days at Venango, and an evening with the French captain, who kindly provided him with an escort to Le Bœuf.
He went up French creek on horseback, held his interview with Legar- deur de St. Pierre, and then returned by boat to this place; thence across the country to Fort Pitt, and then home to render his account of his mission to the governor. This episode of our first great man is not to be forgotten as we recount our heroes and our prominent men in all coming time.
It was a stormy passage for the young messenger from the first. They were on horseback; the snow was falling; the streams were overflowing, and the way full of dangers. Although the French would not do bodily harm to an English embassador, they exerted themselves to the utmost to win from him by diplomacy the allegiance of the Indians.
We can, without much exercise of the imagination, see the scene of his labors at Weningo. Joncaire had his quarters near where he was building a fort, on what is now Elk street, or between Seventh and Eighth streets. His route up the creek would be along what is now Liberty street and across West park to the bank of the creek a litttle below West Park street, and across the creek, then up its channel, and the journey was commenced. But it was winter and the streams were full; how did they cross the river and creek? Washington does not tell us in his journal that is still extant. But it is evident that neither dangers nor exposures were permitted to turn them from the work upon which they had entered. Coming down French creek their canoes were upset and for two hours they were in the water, trying to save their baggage and canoes, and then in wet garments pursuing their voyage. Their horses gave out, and at Venango Washington resolved to leave his party and with Christopher Gist pursue his journey to Fort Pitt alone. He had attained the object of his mission and was anxious to report to Governor Dinwiddie. Joncaire had told him that they had come to hold the country, and would do so at all hazards. At Le Bœuf he learned the same thing, not, indeed, in such positive terms, but in the courtly man- ner of Monsieur Legardeur de St. Pierre, the commandant.
In the meantime his escort, under his direction, had made a census of the men, as nearly as possible, counted the boats that lay in the creek, and learned all the facts that could be obtained as they lay around the fort, and gathered the situation from the surroundings with scarcely a paper that would embarrass him if captured, and he was ready for the return journey.
The question may arise why Washington was commissioned by Governor
45
WASHINGTON'S MISSION.
Dinwiddie, of Virginia. The matter of colonial lines had not then been definitely settled. The governor of Virginia supposed that his colony ex- tended as far north as the scene of action, and so felt called upon to look after all his interests there, particularly as the Ohio Company, as it was called, had already sent emigrants into the disputed territory, who were preparing for settlement.
It is not easy to trace the pathway of Washington's party from Logs- town to Venango, as Washington has given us such a meager account of the points passed. His guide was no doubt familiar with the way, and the probabilities are that it was mainly on the old Venango path. This was tolerably well marked out, as one of the Montours speaks of bringing his inother, who was blind, over it on horseback. This would bring them in a somewhat angling direction over what are now Butler and Venango coun- ties. Four important streams were to be crossed on the journey: Conno- quenessing, Muddy creek, Slippery Rock, and Sandy creek. The question is all unsettled by which approach he entered the Venango valley. There were two, what are now known as the Bully Hill and the Pittsburgh roads; probably the former was his route, as that is nearer the river, and in case he came by that way, he would at once come upon Joncaire and his unfin- ished fort.
On the return the direction is not so easy to determine. Washington says little about it, but it seems to have been different from the first journey. He sent Jacob Van Braam with the horses and baggage by the road by which they had come, and with Christopher Gist set off through the forest. He passed a place he calls Murdering Town, believed now to be in Forward township, Butler county, where he was fired on by an Indian. From this point he took a southeasterly direction, intending to strike the Allegheny at Shannopin's Town. This point is now included in Pittsburgh. Then he hastened on to Virginia.
In this connection it is well to introduce the commission and instructions of Washington as they were received from Governor Dinwiddie, and at the same time notice how fully and minutely these instructions were carried out. The commission was as follows:
To George Washington, Esquire, one of the adjutants general of the troops and forces in the colony of Virginia:
I, reposing especial trust and confidence in the ability, conduct, and fidelity of you, the said George Washington, have appointed you my express messenger; and you are hereby authorized and empowered to proceed hence, with all convenient and possible dispatch, to that place on the River Ohio, where the French have lately erected a fort or forts, or where the commandant of the French forces resides, in order to deliver my letter and message to bim, and after waiting not exceeding one week for an answer, you are to take your leave and return immediately back.
To this communication I have set my hand, and caused the great seal of this Dominion to be affixed, at the city of Williamsburgh, the seat of my government, this
46
HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
30th day of October, in the twenty-seventh year of the reign of his Majesty, George the Second, King of Great Britain, etc., etc.
Annoque Domini, 1753.
ROBERT DINWIDDIE.
The following is the text of his instructions:
WHEREAS, I have received information of a body of French forces being assem- bled in a hostile manner on the River Ohio, intending by force of arms to erect certain forts on the said river within this territory, and contrary to the dignity and peace of our sovereign the King of Great Britain:
These are, therefore, to require and direct you, the said George Washington, forth- with to repair to Logstown, on the said River Ohio, and having there informed your- self where the said French forces have posted themselves, thereupon to proceed to such place; and being there arrived, to present your credentials, together with my letter, to the chief commanding officer, and in the name of his Britannic Majesty to demand an answer thereto.
On your arrival at Logstown you are to address yourself to the Half King, to Mon- acatoicha, and the other sachems of the Six Nations, acquainting them with your or- ders to visit and deliver my letter to the French commanding officer, and desiring the said chiefs to appoint you a sufficient number of their warriors to be your safeguard, as near the French as you may desire, and to wait your further directions.
You are diligently to inquire into the number and force of the French on the Ohio, and the adjacent country; how they are likely to be assisted from Canada; and what are the difficulties and conveniences of that communication and the time required for it.
You are to take care to be truly informed what forts the French have erected, and where; how they are garrisoned and appointed, and what is their distance from each other, and from Logstown; and from the best intelligence you can procure you are to learn what gave occasion to this expedition of the French, how they are likely to be supported, and what their pretensions are.
When the French commandant has given you the required and necessary dis- patches, you are to desire of him a proper guard to protect you so far on your return as you may judge for your safety against any straggling Indians or hunters that may be ignorant of your character and molest you.
Wishing you good success in your negotiation, and a safe and speedy return, I am, etc., ROBERT DINWIDDIE.
Williamsburgh, October 30, 1753.
His passport was as follows:
To all to whom these presents may come or concern, greeting:
WHEREAS, I have appointed George Washington, Esquire, by commission under the great seal, my express messenger to the commandant of the French forces on the River Ohio, and as he is charged with business of great importance to his majesty and the Dominion: I do hereby command all his majesty's subjects, and particularly require all in alliance and amity with the crown of Great Britain, and all others to whom this passport may comc, agreeably to the law of nations, to be aiding and assisting, as a safe guard to the said George Washington, and his attendants, in his present passage to and from the River Ohio, as aforesaid.
ROBERT DINWIDDIE.
In this mission of Washington to the French posts we have the opening chapter in a history that has been the admiration and astonishment of the civilized world. He was but a youth, just past his majority, intrusted with
47
FORT MACHAULT.
the command of a company of woodsmen and Indians, and with a commis- sion of the most delicate and dangerous nature, yet the whole business was carried through in the most admirable manner. There was a calmness, a prudence, a reticence in the pursuit of his mission that are most admirable. He knew when to speak and when to keep silence; when to be at ease and when to be on the alert. The mission was crowned with success.
It was the beginning of the rounding up of a character that bore him grandly through all his life scenes until he laid him down to sleep on the banks of the Potomac. And as the years roll by that character comes out more and more perfect in its manhood and more and more illustrious in its balance and grandeur, until he stands among the greatest of uninspired men, the anointed prince of all the ages.
CHAPTER V.
FORT MACHAULT.
CONSTRUCTION BEGUN-SOURCES OF INFORMATION-THE SHIPPEN MAP-ITS DESCRIPTION AND PROBABLE ORIGIN-STATEMENTS OF POUCHOT, LONG, JOHNSON, CHAUVIGNERIE, POST, AND MERCER-MILITARY PREP- ARATIONS AT FORT MACHAULT IN 1759-CONCENTRATION OF FRENCH FORCES FOR AN ATTACK ON FORT PITT- THIS PROJECT RELINQUISHED AND THE FORT EVACUATED-ITS DESTRUCTION-RETREAT OF THE FRENCH-TRADITIONS AND MEMORIALS OF THE FRENCH OCCUPATION.
TN the meantime the work on Fort Machault proceeded. A saw mill had been erected on the little runlet just above it near the site where Fort Venango was afterward erected by the English. The machinery of this mill was brought from Canada with great labor and enterprise and the oak and chestnut trees that adjoined were cut down and sawn into timber to erect quarters for the soldiers. About 1882, in repairing the street, the foundation timbers of the dam of this mill were found, strong and sound as though they had not been slumbering for nearly one hundred and thirty years. If further undisturbed they may remain until the end of time. As a proof of this, piles that were driven by Cæsar in the entrance to the har- bor of Brundisium, in Italy, in order to detain the fleet of Pompey, have been brought to light in late years, as sound as they were when driven, more than two thousand years ago. The work was finished in April, 1754,
48
HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
when John Frazier's house was vacated and Joncaire entered into more lordly quarters.
We are now as well acquainted with the fort and its surroundings as with any of the forts in western Pennsylvania. We know its exact location, its dimensions, and all its appointments. This knowledge has come to us through a map and plan of the fort and its environs that has been brought to light within comparatively a late date. Whether this map is of French, English, or composite origin cannot now be said, but circumstances prove beyond all contradiction that it is a genuine document.
This light was long coming. The boys and girls knew of small mounds of sand and ashes and fire-stained stones, where they could go and gather strange looking beads and bits of glass. Evidently some kind of works had formerly existed there, but it was uncertain what kind of works these had been. There was a dim tradition that it was the remains of the French fort, yet public opinion generally held that the upper site, now known as the English Fort Venango, was the real French fort.
It was known, too, by a few persons, that a plan of the French fort was in the possession of William Reynolds, of Meadville. But it was not until 1875 that a copy of this plan or map, as it proved to be, was procured here. The result was that the plan and exact site of Fort Machault were located beyond a doubt.
A HILL 5 75" WEST, 220 YAROS FAOM THE PORT A NEAR 60 YARDS HIGH
4 H/LL N 50" WEST, 350 YAROS FROM THE FORT & ALMOST 75 YARDS HIGH,
EXPLANATION
p Magazine 3 feet tuck, breadth . b Barracks 2 story lugh with atons Chimney Door to Cellar
a ma Gate
e Rising ground that the fort stands on, 16 feet higher than the bell of the River f Bank of rives It fest high. & The Landing
h Agood fording 200 yards across the river 1 Abridge
KA hollow 15 feet deep & 60 feet broad with a. small stream of water
{ Scale of yards to measure distances
A Scale frands to measure the Fort & Houses
ROAD TO LE DZUF
CONRAÇAS FOR 501
VENANGO FORT
BARRACKS
BARRACKS
Tha Chio Runs
Fa Male
3 3 E obeut hof a
A Range about 50 yards high
FORT MACHAULT, 1754-59.
49
FORT MACHAULT.
This map shows the plan of the fort and its surroundings, and a ripple and fording in the river opposite to it that are now seen at low water at the present day. It has a drawing of the hills on the west, with two prominent peaks; the bearing of the compass to these peaks, and the distance to them by measurement. It also shows little runlets that are seen at the present, and a marshy piece of ground that can yet be traced. Any one can test the accuracy of the description of this fort by placing a theodolite on the site indicated and comparing observations with the map.
What is the history of this old map? No mortal man can tell. It is as mysterious as that of the Sibyl's books at Rome. We can trace it to the Shippen family, but not clearly beyond. So far as we have accurate know- ledge, it is this: In 1825 Henry Shippen was appointed judge of this judi- cial district, and located at Meadville. He came from Philadelphia, bring- ing with him a large number of papers, that were placed in the attic of his house and not opened until after his death. Some time after this event they were opened by the late J. C. G. Kennedy, when the map was brought to light after its long oblivion.
This map, or plan, for it is both, thus describes the fort:
Venango fort is situated on a rising piece of ground on a rich bottom, abounding with clover, sixty yards west of the Ohio. The north and south polygon is forty-five yards, and the east and west polygon thirty-seven yards. The bastions are built of saplings, eight inches thick, and thirteen feet in length, set stockade fashion. Part of the curtains are of hewed timber, laid lengthwise upon one another, which also make one side of the barracks.
The body of the work was in the form of a parallelogram, in size about seventy five by one hundred and five feet, with bastions in the form of polygons at the four angles. The gate fronted the river. In the interior were the magazine, fifteen feet by eighteen feet, protected by a thickness of three feet of earth, and several buildings for officers' barracks. Two of these were eighteen by fifty feet, with three others that were smaller. The barracks were two stories high and furnished with stone chimneys. A door in the northeastern bastion led to a large cellar. The soldiers' barracks consisted of forty-four separate buildings, disposed around the fort, chiefly on the north and east sides.
At the saw mill before spoken of, was prepared the lumber used for bar- racks, and perhaps for boats and barges to be used in conveying supplies for the camp and transportation down the river. Along the northern flank of the fort, and within fifty feet of it, there was a small stream of water that flowed from the neighboring hills and supplied the camp with water. On the present plan of the city of Franklin, Elk street passes through the site of the fort, whilst its southern side reaches nearly to Sixth street.
This old map places beyond question the location and character of the fort. Yet there are difficulties we cannot explain. The annotations are in the English language. The name Machault does not occur on it. The
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