Fort At No 4 - History of Castle No. ."
On placing No. 4 security in lieu of Fort Dummer, 1744, Provincial Papers, Vol. V, page 227 NH State Archives
Fort At No 4
In many ways, the history of Fort No. 4 in Charlestown, New Hampshire reflects the greater growth and development of the English colonies. This area in western New Hampshire was populated by pioneers characterized by their determination, work ethic and development of industrial skills. As the British colonies grew in the 18th century and immigration from England continued apace, the need for more farmland and economic opportunity pushed settlers westward. In New England, the colonial "west" included vast areas beyond established towns. It was a densely wooded area full of deer, beavers and fish. it was also home to several Native American tribes. Just as coming to North America provided economic, religious, and social opportunities, the westward expansion of the colonies represented the same freedoms.
Fort At Number 4
In 1735, the Massachusetts General Court created 26 land grants or "plantations" in the upper Connecticut River valley, facilitating the westward movement of settlers. This act reflects the geographical importance of waterways at the time: rivers served as highways for the transport of goods, people and ideas. Settlements were made along the Connecticut River so that settlers could access the rich lands of the river banks and use the river as a means of transportation. Flowing 410 miles north to Long Island Sound, the Connecticut means "Long River" in the local Algonquian language. Along with the Indians, the colonists also used it as a major trade route. European forces also used it to move troops during the French and Indian War. Land Grant No. 4 was about 60 miles north of Deerfield, Massachusetts, where the Black River enters Connecticut. It was at the junction of rivers and land routes No. 4 on the route traveled by the Indian hunters. A strategic location that would play a pivotal role in events from the founding of the settlement to the American Revolution.
The first purchasers of Plantation No. 4 received a grant in 1735, but did not settle the land themselves. As recently as 1740, several families received grants from the original land speculators and made the arduous journey from their hometowns, including Rutland, Lunenberg, and Groton, Massachusetts, to provide new opportunities for their families. Three brothers, Stephen, Samuel and David Farnsworth, were the first tenants of building 4. They were joined by others, including the Stevens, Hastings, Willard, Parker and Johnson families who would play a role in the town's history. development.
These early families were found in a remote part of New England. At the time, No 4 was the most northerly settlement in the British colonies. The nearest settlement to No. 4 was Fort Dummer, about 40 miles to the south. Across the Connecticut River to the west was a wilderness claimed by both New Hampshire and New York, but long inhabited by the western Abenaki tribe. Further west and north was New France. This territory, including what would become Canada, was claimed by England's rival, France. During this colonial period, the French claimed lands from Louisiana through the Ohio River Valley. The river St. Lawrence gave the French unrestricted access to the western frontier, allowing them to build a series of forts and trading posts. This placed the No. 4 on the edge of contested territory between the two leading international powers of his era.
The settlements of New France differed greatly from those of the English. Most French settlers were men who worked as traders and fur trappers. Their goal was to make a quick profit before returning home to France. While in the New World, these people assimilated closely with the Indian tribes, forming friendships and allies to conduct business. Both the French and their native allies wanted to drive the British eastward and often joined forces to raid settlements in the Indian homelands. Also, French missionaries established outposts specifically to introduce Catholicism to the local population. In contrast, New England settlers, mostly Puritans and Pilgrims, were more numerous and included all families trying to establish a home in North America. New England settlers established towns that incorporated local forms of government, schools, and businesses. The Puritan work ethic helped create an orderly society that flourished. The British did not deal with the indigenous people like the French. Although the British also wanted to accept the Native Americans, they did not make allies easily and did not accept Indian traditions. In addition, their main economic activity—agriculture—brought them into conflict with the Indians over land use issues.
Return To Number 4: Revolutionary War Weekend
The residents of Building 4 recreated this English system in settlements along the Connecticut River. They eventually provided a minister, a doctor, and a blacksmith—all essentials in a colonial settlement. No. 4 families taught their children using common instruments of the time, such as a horn book. Like most children in the colony, the girls and boys worked hard doing their daily chores. Girls usually helped their mothers with cooking, gardening, sewing and caring for young children. Boys often learned to cut wood and learn art. The children had little time for entertainment, but there were toys and games common to other colonial settlements. For example, they probably made corn husk dolls and played games of throwing marbles and rolling a large hoop with a stick.
The families of house No. 4 dealt with cooperative land, built houses and engaged in business. For example, in the mid-1740s, the Spafford family built a mill where grain was ground into flour and a sawmill that cut lumber to build houses. Both of these industries played an important role in building homes in the area and helping the population prosper. However, living on the frontier meant facing dangers such as Indian attacks. Several attacks on No. 4 described in diaries and other documents record the killing and capture of settlers, as well as the destruction of Spafford's mills, which were burned twice (and rebuilt).
The relationship between frontiersmen like No. 4 and Native Americans back home was complicated. In peacetime the inhabitants of No. 4 had the opportunity to communicate with the local population, mainly the Abenakis. This included establishing trade relations with the local Indians. The account book of Phineas Stevens, who established trading post #4, shows how often he traded with the Indians. This relationship was severed during the conflict. Relations were already strained when it spread from Europe to America in the early 1740s (King George's War 1744-1748). Located midway between the Indian trails and the river, No. 4 families experienced this conflict first hand. As they reached the settlement, they lived in fear of being attacked or captured by local warriors allied with the French soldiers. The inhabitants of No. 4 held a meeting in 1743 and decided to build a fort here to protect the families.
Most of our information about the layout of the fort comes from Private John Maynard's map. It depicts a plan showing the houses, outbuildings, wells and waterfalls of the Fort. The map also gives the names of some of those who lived in Fort No. 4 in the summer of 1746. It shows that the Fort was built in a square form with twelve point posts, five inches apart, and pointed enough to shoot. out, but not wide enough for anyone to enter. Inside this protective wall they brought the existing houses and connected them with lean. They built a "Great Hall" with an attached wooden tower to look out for miles up and down the Connecticut River. The great hall served as a function hall for church service, meetings or barracks. In addition, they eventually acquired a cannon, which was placed in the Parker House, to give the alarm of danger in case of attack. In case of danger, the inhabitants will abandon their fields and their large animals and take refuge inside the Fort.
These Dallas Fort Worth Cities Have Some Of The Fastest Growing Real Estate Markets In Texas, Report Says
The inhabitants of present-day Fort No. 4 also sought protection and assistance from the New Hampshire government. As early as 1743 and 1744, documents in the New Hampshire state archives show how No. 4 John Spafford and Josiah Willard petitioned Governor Benning Wentworth for military protection. They turned to New Hampshire for help because in 1741, King George II of England settled a border dispute with Massachusetts by moving it 50 miles south of the Fort, effectively giving New Hampshire a large swath of former Massachusetts territory. In
No gold at fort knox, 4 seasons fort lauderdale, at&t fort worth, fort at number 4, at&t spanish fort, hotels at fort lauderdale, fort no, at&t fort wayne, at home fort worth, w at fort lauderdale, at&t fort pierce, fort 4
0 Comments