Nine Generations: The Family History of Thomas Dell Lesnett Iii 1752-2008

By Scott A. Lesnett

The book is a unique combination of authentic family stories blended with Americas most memorable historical events starting in 1752 with George Washingtons arrival to western Pennsylvania and Christian Lesnetts landing at Baltimore harbor. The reader will follow the Lesnett family as it participates in the last battle of The French & Indian War through The Whiskey Rebellion, The Revolutionary War, The Battle of 1812, The Civil War, The Great Depression and World War II. Scott Lesnett, the author, personalizes these epic times with passed down stories that alter certain historic events while providing the reader with a fresh perspective on the formation of the United States. Tales and opinions of each lineage character are told from the colorful viewpoint of the authors father, Thomas Dell Lesnett III. This is truly an American story, which spans NINE GENERATIONS of struggle and achievement.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 10, 2010
• ISBN: 9781449087838

Scott A. Lesnett

Scott A. Lesnett resides in New Smyrna Beach, Florida with his wife, Diane.  His youngest daughter, Katherine, is a student at Florida State University.  His oldest daughter, Elizabeth, and son, Adam, attend the University of Nevada.  His oldest son, Christian, resides in the Pittsburgh area with his wife Kathryn.  Scott has owned and operated MidAtlantic Financial, Inc, an equipment financing and leasing company, since 1989.  Realizing the value of his heritage, Lesnett has dedicated himself to the preservation of his rich family lore.  

Book preview

© 2010 Scott A. Lesnett. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 7/29/2010

ISBN: 978-1-4490-8783-8 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4490-8781-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4490-8782-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4490-8783-8 (ebk)

Printed in the United States of America

Bloomington, Indiana

Contents

FORWARD (BY CHRISTIAN LESNETT)

PREFACE (BY SCOTT LESNETT)

PART I

THE PIONEER DAYS (1728-1799)

CHAPTER I

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

PART II

CIVIL WAR DAYS UNTIL TURN OF THE CENTURY (1850-EARLY 1900’S)

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

PART III

PAP’S YOUTH (1919-EARLY 1930’S)

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 30

CHAPTER 31

CHAPTER 32

CHAPTER 33

CHAPTER 34

CHAPTER 35

CHAPTER 36

CHAPTER 37

CHAPTER 38

CHAPTER 39

CHAPTER 40

CHAPTER 41

CHAPTER 42

CHAPTER 43

CHAPTER 44

CHAPTER 45

PART IV

PAP’S TEENAGE YEARS

CHAPTER 46

CHAPTER 47

CHAPTER 48

CHAPTER 49

CHAPTER 50

CHAPTER 51

CHAPTER 52

CHAPTER 53

CHAPTER 54

CHAPTER 55

CHAPTER 56

CHAPTER 57

CHAPTER 58

CHAPTER 59

CHAPTER 60

CHAPTER 61

CHAPTER 62

CHAPTER 63

CHAPTER 64

CHAPTER 65

PART V

PAP’S ADULTHOOD 1940-2008

CHAPTER 66

CHAPTER 67

CHAPTER 68

CHAPTER 69

CHAPTER 70

CHAPTER 71

CHAPTER 72

CHAPTER 73

CHAPTER 74

CHAPTER 76

CHAPTER 77

CHAPTER 77

CHAPTER 78

CHAPTER 79

CHAPTER 80

CHAPTER 81

CHAPTER 82

CHAPTER 83

CHAPTER 84

CHAPTER 85

CHAPTER 86

CHAPTER 87

CHAPTER 88

CHAPTER 89

CHAPTER 90

CHAPTER 91

CHAPTER 92

CHAPTER 93

CHAPTER 94

CHAPTER 95

EXHIBITS

CONTRIBUTORS

FORWARD (BY CHRISTIAN LESNETT)

Few people today can trace their family history beyond their grandparents or great grandparents. Even fewer can trace their family history back through nine generations. I was lucky enough to be one of those few who knew their family’s story. I grew up on stories of my ancestor, Christian Lesnett, coming to the new world from Germany in the days before this country was known as the United States of America. Christian was always a source of interest for me since I derived my name from him.

When I was ten years old, my great-uncle, Duke, gave me a great gift. It was a family heirloom passed down through the generations. He told me, As the namesake of Christian Lesnett, I think you should have this. It is a gold coin that served as a button on Christian’s dress coat. It has been passed down through the generations and I now pass it on to you. It felt heavy in my hand as I ran my fingers across the ridges that seemed to be carved by the ages of time.

At the time, I thought it was a pretty thing and knew it was a special gift, but was unable to fully grasp the gravity of such a present. As I grew older, my appreciation of the coin and the other heirlooms grew. Influenced by the stories of great Lesnetts before me and tales of my family’s history, I began to feel that I was part of a greater story. I learned of my ancestors’ roles in the great wars of our Nation’s history. I grew up knowing that I had a legacy to uphold and an expectation to add my own chapters to the Lesnett saga.

In an era of individualism and rapid change, it is ever more important to hold fast to one’s family history. Knowing where your family came from and who your ancestors were is vital to having a more in-depth understanding of who you are and who you will be. Without the stories of those who laid the foundations of your family, the picture is unclear. It is undeniably true that those who came before us set the stage for the drama of our lives. That is why we must seek to know as much as we can about our family’s history. That is why this book was made, to tell the story of the Lesnett family and to open the window to the past so as to illuminate the path for the future.

By: Christian Scott Lesnett, (Thomas Dell Lesnett III, Pap’s, grandson, age 29)

MY GRANDFATHER (By KATHERINE LESNETT)

Poem (by Katherine Lesnett)

When he walks into a room, he fills everyone with smiles.

As he sits down, you can smell the tobacco he just finished chewing.

When I look at him, I can taste the candy he usually gives me.

He tells the best stories of this life, from wartime to working in the mine.

If you ever talk to him, you’ll appreciate his dry sense of humor.

His hands are wrinkled, real soft and brown from working.

His name is Thomas Dell Lesnett III and he’s one of the most important people in my life.

He is my grandfather!

By: Katherine Diane Lesnett,

Thomas Dell Lesnett III, Pap’s granddaughter, age 14 (8th grade poetry project).

PREFACE (BY SCOTT LESNETT)

I was inspired to write this story about my father after one of our many lazy Saturday afternoon days sitting on the chairs next to his dog kennel in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania. Many subjects over the years were discussed and stories told right there under the pine tree next to his hunting dogs. That’s where Pap seems to have done most of his major thinking and resting after he retired. As a dog trainer, he always felt a closeness and unusual respect for his dogs (but never an affection or desire to have them live inside with the family or sit on his lap). If it was a nice day, you could bet you’d find him sitting there like it was his throne, spitting or chewing tobacco while overlooking the backyard, which he always considered to be his estate.

I cherished those unexpected conversations with Pap, catching-up on family affairs or arguing the day’s political events. His insight was direct, and above all, colorful. You always knew where Pap stood on a subject. There was never a gray area. He was black or white on every issue. As he aged, he became more open-minded. Time definitely mellowed Pap and rounded off many of his rough edges. It’s funny how we each change through the progression of life. As I aged from my teenage years to my mid-fifties, I grew more conservative while Pap grew more moderate. What a wonderful situation…we met in the middle. Thank God! It’s amazing after all our earlier differences that we became so much alike later in our lives.

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Chillin’ with Pap!

Thomas Dell Lesnett III (Pap) and his granddaughters, Katherine (Kate) Lesnett and Elizabeth Lesnett sitting at Pap’s favorite wood seat next to his dog kennel (1995).

I was fortunate to have a father with such strong convictions toward family, work and God. Even though I saw him only once or twice a week during my adulthood, he always gave me direction, commitment and strong purpose for my life.

I recall the time when we moved from the dog kennel to the garage as Pap’s internal temperature gauge was changing from chills to sweating. He was unzipping his sweatshirt as we moved to the garage to continue talking. I asked him how he was feeling. Moving very deliberately, he slowly leaned forward while gazing toward the yard. After a moment of silence, he said I really don’t think it’s worth it anymore, living with these damn chills and sweating spells all day and night. He had been suffering with this chronic medical condition since his early 50’s. It was finally changing his resolve.

Here was a man who had been charging hard for his whole life. His love of the world and the people surrounding him were unparalleled, yet his pain and suffering were now causing him to give up. He cleared his throat again and stated, When the good lord is ready for me, I’m ready to go. There was absolutely no fear in his words. He was ready and willing to accept the inevitable.

When I left him that day, I realized how different our world would be without him. He had made a significant impact on our entire family and his large network of friends. What a tragedy it would be if this man died and the future generation of Lesnetts never heard his story. I wasn’t sure that I knew his whole story. The stories that I’d heard, though, seem to be much more than one generation removed.

As I was driving home, it hit me. It isn’t about the genealogy. A family’s essence is about its stories. The family needed to record his words before it was too late.

I dialed his phone number. I asked Pap if he would be receptive to writing a family biography, one that would take us from the first Christian Lesnett through his life. Pap said, I’ll participate if you want to take the time. I met with Pap over a dozen times and asked very probing questions for two to three hours per session. I wanted to uncover his feelings as well as his recollection of specific events. I sat with my laptop computer and typed as he talked. I posed the questions and heard some bizarre tales.

My desire was to investigate and compile the best family stories from various knowledgeable people. Whenever possible, I confirmed with more than one family source. As I interviewed the storytellers and completed countless hours of research, I was captivated by how each Lesnett used his assets and abilities (and sometimes liabilities) to create a personal path to the next generation.

Daniel Bennett authored the only prior writings about our unique pioneer family in 1928 titled, The Family History of Christian Lesnett. It was completed in a genealogical format accompanied by several interesting character and frontier stories. I used many of Bennett’s facts and points of interest throughout the first half of this book.

In chronological order starting in 1752, I begin the story with Christian Lesnett’s arrival in America. The reader will follow Christian’s legendary path from the docks of Baltimore, Maryland to the turbulent forests of Western Pennsylvania. I tried diligently to uncover the Lesnetts’ involvement in the major historical events.

By painting the lay of the land prior to Christian Lesnett’s arrival to Western Pennsylvania, one can better understand the political motivation of the events that were about to unfold.

George Washington, soon to become the most famous and most influential American of his time, visited the new frontier in the Ohio River Valley under various legal capacities with mixed results. Without question, George Washington altered the course of history through his efforts in the Western Pennsylvania region.

Washington first came to the Ohio River Valley to confront the French on behalf of the British throne. The British needed control of the valley to finish their colonization of America. Christian Lesnett would soon participate in the British movement fighting in the last battle of the French and Indian War. After the inception of the United States, Christian would be pressured to join forces with the reluctant taxpayers in the Whiskey Rebellion. Although siding against his neighbors and with the new government’s whiskey tax position, he continued to support his neighbors on most every other issue until his death.

I begin with the several visits to our area by George Washington as a representative of the British Governor of Virginia. His Western Pennsylvania trips led to the start and final battle of the French & Indian War involving Christian Lesnett. Washington personally acquired various tracts of land while traveling in Southwestern Pennsylvania. His job titles included surveyor, land office employee, a scout (or Special Envoy) for the Governor of Virginia, British Commander of the Virginia Regiment and finally as first President of the United States. His last known trip was made as Commander in Chief and President of the United States to halt the insurrection and dispute with the Whiskey Rebellion. (I’ll address this story in greater detail later in the book on how he led the federal troops on horseback.)

I try to characterize each of the family members as I begin the lineage stories, progressing from Christian, Frederick, Wilson, Thomas D. I, Thomas D. II and Thomas D. III (Pap). I’ve included short stories involving nine generations of Lesnetts (including all those mentioned above, as well as many other direct relatives, neighbors and direct family members through young Jay Lesnett of our 9th generation).

In order to add clarity to their lives, I’ve included various stories of their time as told to me by relatives and reliable sources. I write extensively about Richard Lesnett’s days in the Civil War after I uncovered his Civil War picture, letters he sent home from the battlefield and a complete diary of a neighboring compatriot who rode with him in every battle. Richard was Wilson Lesnett’s nephew and one of two Lesnetts discovered that fought in the Civil War (Dell Lesnett was the other).

I hope the reader is enlightened by our family’s role in some of the most important American events. The sacrifice made by the early Lesnetts for our family and nation was immense. The Lesnett story mirrors the history of the United States. Through the first six generations, the Lesnetts fought in all of the country’s wars starting with the French and Indian War and progressing through the Revolutionary War, The War of 1812, the Civil War, World War I and World War II.

My wish is that the future Lesnetts will realize the great struggles Pap and the prior generations endured to rise from near poverty to our comfortable lives today. Very few families have the honor of ascending from a first deeded landowner of an original colonial state (Pennsylvania).

If we’re lucky, many of these family traits that the first nine generations instilled will carry on to positively mold the Lesnetts of the 21st century and our continual effect on the United States of America.

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to my supportive wife and soul mate, Diane, and all of my children, Christian, Adam, Elizabeth and Katherine for allowing me the peace alone and countless hours of research time necessary to make this writing an accurate and believable account of our rich family history. Without their love and support, this five and half year journey would not have been possible.

PART I

THE PIONEER DAYS

(1728-1799)

CHAPTER I

Christian Lesnett (1st generation) arrives in America!

1752

Christian’s heart is pounding, his eyes are glued to the horizon and his hands firmly grip the ship’s wooden rail. The wind is blowing hard through his long hair as the ship’s sails are pulled away for their landing at the harbor of Baltimore. A new world is coming into focus!

Christian’s fellow passengers of ninety days cannot believe their arrival had finally come. The ship’s captain screamed his orders to the shipmates as they scurried back and forth adjusting the sails. Christian looked down and smiled at his new friend, Christianna. They had endured so much during the journey. Cramped conditions, poor toilet facilities and spoiled food had made the trip an arduous and disease-prone venture. Christianna was deeply saddened by the loss of her husband at sea. As deep as her sorrow was, she could not give up. She knew no one else on the ship or in Baltimore.

Perhaps she would take a chance on her new friend standing next to her. His strength of body and will were evident. He was tall, broad shouldered and full of adventure. And she sensed that he was a very good man. During the voyage, she first learned of her pregnancy; then, a bit later, came her husband’s passing. She didn’t know which way to turn. One day at a time, she continued to tell herself. Her dreams were now changing direction.

The land ahead looked quite different than their German homeland. With silent stares toward the harbor, they tried to envision the life before them. If they only knew what they were about to start…together!

baltimor-2.jpg

BALTIMORE TOWN IN 1752

By John Moale

John Moale sketched this original from memory as he witnessed Baltimore harbor in his youth during 1752. Permission to print both works was purchased from the Maryland Historical Society, 201 W. Monument Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.

Baltimor-f2.jpg

BALTIMORE TOWN IN 1752

By William Strickland (1817)

After further research, William Strickland expanded on John Moale’s work in 1817 by adding a few buildings, crop fields, Jones Falls to the right side of the picture, Pratt Street running east-west and Light Street running north-south from the home on top of the hill.

At Christian and Christianna’s landing, they saw about 25 buildings and a town of approximately 200 residents. The structures included a tavern, a church, a brewery and a tobacco inspection center. The town was surrounded by swamps and marshes and, at one end, a large meadow. The Patapsco River wound its way around the eastern end of town.¹

Christian was 24 years old and had made a life changing decision to leave the comfort of his home in Kassel, Germany for the adventure of a new beginning in the eastern Americas, the largest English colony.²

Christian’s true motivation for the trip is unclear to this day. However, it has been documented and widely discussed by historians that during the mid 1700’s, England had been actively recruiting mercenaries from Kassel and its surrounding areas to fight in the Americas. There was growing international strife between the French and English for colonial expansion. These constant ownership and occupation disputes created The Seven Years War throughout many of the European countries and the Americas. In the Americas, this war became known as the French and Indian War.

Kassel hosted several battles between the two international giants (France and England). The French occupied Kassel during much of the Seven Years War. The French dominance of his hometown may have been the reason Christian Lesnett decided to fight for the English in the Americas.³

After the turbulent boat journey in 1752, Christian Lesnett arrived in Baltimore, MD. His thoughts of the New World were filled with excitement from the tales of cheap land, religious freedom and the endless opportunities for a young man. Whatever his reason for departure, it must have been extremely difficult to leave his safe surroundings for an unknown land across the ocean. His German family was never to see him again.

During the voyage, Christian endured much difficulty as the wooden ship was filled to capacity with a large cross section of German society. Christian Lesnett befriended a couple with the surname of Mdnmunk who would have a baby girl upon their arrival in America. Unfortunately, the husband became ill during the trip and died before landing in Baltimore, Maryland. ⁴

Although the Americas were foreign land to Christian, he had little trouble communicating or relating to most of the inhabitants. Approximately one third of the population through the later half of the 1700’s was German (Today more than 25% of all US Americans are either completely or partly of German descent).

While Christian Lesnett was arriving in 1752, America’s most famous citizen, Benjamin Franklin, was reporting his dissatisfaction with the Germans in the Philadelphia Gazette. Franklin wrote of his frustration with the bilingual street signs and his discontent for the consideration of German as the possible national language. Franklin joked that the Pennsylvania Parliament would soon need English-German interpreters to transact business. All parliamentary records of Pennsylvania were being published in both languages. Years later, Maryland’s parliament went as far as to publish a German version of the United States Constitution. The Declaration of Independence was actually printed in German before it was printed in English.

Five years later in 1757, Christian married his dear friend from the voyage, Christianna Mdnmunk. Christian was 29 years old (quite old in those days for a first marriage). Once he refined his cabinet making skills, Christian moved to Frederick, MD with his new wife and daughter, Nancy Agnes Vance. After losing his wood shop to a devastating fire, the young family relocated in Hagerstown, MD.

A three way struggle for dominance between the English, French and the Indians.

While Christian Lesnett was settling into a comfortable, new life in Maryland, the international crisis continued to accelerate in North America. The American race for dominance, however, included a third party, the American Indians. Although the Indians were here long before the first European visitor, the English and French never viewed the territory as Indian. They each realized the necessity of establishing relations, and the British and French continually jockeyed for the Indian support. The Indian tribes’ support drifted between uninvolved and siding with the most convenient party for many years. The Indians eventually sided with the French against the British.

Although the Indian decision making was centralized to some degree, the true strength lay with the local tribe and it’s chief. There were seven Indian tribes located in the Ohio River Valley at the time. The tribes were represented in many of the French and British negotiations by one central head of their Indian Nation. His name was Half King. Several times, Half King would agree to side with one of the powers then discover that one or more of the tribes would be supporting the other side. After all, they didn’t wish to deal with either party. They would have preferred for the Europeans to go home and let them have the territory as it had been for hundreds of years. The Indians never expected either power to be so brutal and aggressive in their immigration.

The river ways were critical to the transportation of goods and military supplies. All three groups knew that whoever controlled the rivers would ultimately control the western American territory. The French had made significant in-roads to the North (in what is now Canada) and the British had dominated the majority of the Central Eastern Americas (now the eastern United States). The last and largest piece of the land puzzle, the territory west of the Allegheny Mountain range, created the ultimate test for controlling North America (it should also be noted that Spain controlled some of the southern and western territories along with the central Americas. Spain had no interest in challenging England or France for their established eastern colonies).

The strategic point was at the intersection of the three rivers in what is now known as Pittsburgh (the Indian named rivers were the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio). Controlling the confluence of those rivers for trade and transportation became paramount for all three parties. This Ohio River Valley is where the French and Indian War would begin and end.

One would think the Indian allegiance would soon tip the balance of power. However, in the end, the British troops prevailed over the

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Map of Eastern Woodland Indian tribes during mid-1700’s.

As illustrated in ‘Life of the Easter Woodland Indians’

By Dana Knezevich

French & Indian force, as they were able to recruit many colonists, including the hard fighting Prussians (Germans). Christian Lesnett would soon join the British cause. The British promised the recruits a better life and beautiful, inexpensive land if they served.

CHAPTER 2

George Washington’s 1st official trip to Western Pennsylvania

1753-1754

In the autumn season of 1753, Virginia’s Governor, Lord Robert Dinwiddie, recruited a twenty one year old surveyor, who had previously traveled the Ohio River Valley, to survey property for Virginia and the Ohio Land Company. This surveyor and now British Major would later become the first President of the United States. His name was George Washington. He was raised in privilege and later married into greater prominence and wealth. By the time of his death, Washington was regarded as the most influential person in the United States as well as one of the wealthiest. As a young man, he was very aggressive and constantly strived for self-improvement. He was a risk taker who was out to make his mark with the Virginia aristocrats. When given the opportunity to meet and pass word of the Governor’s intention of controlling the Ohio River Valley to the French, he greeted the assignment with open arms.

The French had built two forts between the headwaters of the Allegheny River and Lake Erie. Washington was to deliver Governor Dinwiddie’s order for the French to relinquish the territory to the British at Fort Leboeuf (now Waterford, PA).

The British were building forts every hundred miles or so along their perceived Virginian border (currently where the Pennsylvania turnpike is built). Small fort enclosures were erected in Cumberland, Bedford and Ligonier. Plans were being made for a British fort to be built at the intersection of the three rivers (Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio). Word had spread to Virginia of a French troop build up in the Ohio River Valley.

On October 31, 1753, Virginia Governor, Lord Dinwiddie, sent British Major George Washington from Williamsburg, VA along with his experienced guide (Christopher Gist,), an Indian interpreter (John Davison), a French interpreter (Jacob VanBraam), two servants (Maquire and Currin) and two Indian traders (Jenkins and Stewart) to the Ohio River Valley. ⁵ Their first destination was Logstown, as there was no formal settlement yet where Pittsburgh would be started. Logstown was the main trading site and Indian settlement on the Ohio River (approximately two miles south from current day Pittsburgh where Ambridge is today). Washington would first meet with the Iroquois confederation (Indian Nation) to discuss the Governor’s request. The request was very direct. The French were to immediately relinquish any rights to the territory or be prepared to defend against all the power of the British Empire. Washington’s orders were to recruit the support of the Indian Nation and then notify the French leaders of the British territory claim. Gist, being fluent in most Indian tongues, would lead the meeting as Washington’s interpreter.

According to trails studied in the area, Logstown had been a trading center since man first inhabited the continent. Even early pictures reflect a large cleared area in this vicinity. Logstown was an important location for the Indians as it had the lowest water level on the Ohio River. It was the easiest spot to cross the Ohio River and the most desirable location to gather falling timber for firewood. In the mid 1700’s the water level was approximately ten foot lower than today. One could actually wade across the river near Logstown. Logstown became known as the primary Indian trading center with the French and British trappers/traders.

Washington arrived in Logstown on November 24, 1753. Gist and Davison quickly requested a meeting with the Indian Nation leader, Half King (Chief Tanacharison) and the tribal council of chiefs, known as the Iroquis Confederation. Half King was the Seneca Chief and the principal representative of the Iroquois Confederation, which consisted of the Oneida, Delaware, Mohawk, Cayauga, Onondaga and the Tuscaroras. ⁶ The next afternoon, Half King and Chiefs Monacatoocha (Oneida), Shingas (Delaware) and Teskakake (Shawnee) met with Washington and his people. Washington and his people presented the Indians with wampum (gifts) at the start of the meeting. In most of the reported meetings, wampum would usually be comprised of liquor, clothing and occasionally firearms.

Half King pledged Washington his support and agreed to escort him to the French Fort LeBoeuf. The chiefs described their dissatisfaction with the French arrogance. They mentioned that the older French Commander had recently died and a new Commander Legardeur de St. Pierre had assumed authority. When the Indians confronted the French Commander to stop building houses and settlements on Indian lands, he harshly responded in no uncertain terms that they were going to

photo-0001.jpg

STORM CLOUDS GATHERING

by Andrew Knez, Jr.

This picture captures George Washington and his entourage’s first meeting with Chief Half King and the other Indian chiefs at Logstown in 1753.

continue to migrate into the area from the north (Montreal) to build settlements and live on the land as though it were their own. The Indians voted at their tribal conference during Washington’s presence to return the French gifts (wampum). Half King and several of his men would accompany Washington to the French fort and discuss their situation again with the French. Returning the French gifts would make the Indian position clearly known to the new French commander (and possibly insult). The Indian line would be drawn in the sand. Before turning north to the French fort, Half King and George Washington met briefly with Indian Chief Queen Alliquippa (Queen of the Senecas) to discuss the French, British and Indian positions. As wampum, Washington presented the Queen with a trimmed coat and a bottle of rum (He mentioned later that she favored the rum over the expensive coat). It is interesting to note that both Queen Alliquippa and Half King would die in 1754 after playing pivotal roles in these negotiations.

After several days on horseback, Washington and his men arrived at Fort LeBoeuf with the Indian contingent. The fort stood at the mouth of French Creek, approximately 40 miles south of Lake Erie. They were surprised to see the number of French men living at the fort. Estimates had been given to Washington from French defectors that there could be 1500 French now in the area. The British would have to move fast to counter this large French build up.

Finally after meeting with French commander, Legardeeur De St. Pierre, Washington was informed that the French had no intentions of relinquishing control of the three rivers to the British.

While Washington and his men waited outside during Half King’s meeting with the French officers, he directed his men to count the canoes present as well as the buildings and troop size. They counted 50 witch bark canoes and 170 pine canoes with several under construction. It is interesting to note that Half King invited Washington to attend his meeting with the French leader (There must have been trust between the two men). Washington decided to remain outside and not attend their meeting.

The new French Commander refused to accept the returning Indian wampum. He stated that he wished to live in peace with the Indians and offered his love and friendship. He offered to send further gifts to Logstown as a sign of his intentions. The next day the French Commander tried everything possible to detain and separate the Indians from Washington. Washington wrote in his diary, He (the French Commander) was exerting every Artifice that he could invent to set our own Indians at Variance with us. The French Commander convinced the Indians to stay an additional night with hopes of reducing the friction between them and increasing the distance between the Indians and the British. Washington wrote that he counseled Half King to refrain from dining and drinking with the Commander. Washington wrote that the Indians and the French downed much liquor that night.

The following day Washington realized what the trump card was that convinced Half King and the Indians to stay. It was liquor and more importantly firearms. Washington later witnessed the French loading the goods into the Indian canoes.

Washington had witnessed first hand the French style of lavish gift giving. Maybe it was time for the British to up the ante (increase their gift giving to the Indians to gain their allegiance).

The journey home to Virginia would now begin. Washington had delivered the Governor’s message and gained a first hand account of the French troop size and attitude. He also witnessed the volatile relationship between the French and the Indians. Washington would later report that he had been well received by the Indian Nation and had set the stage for a positive relationship with its leaders (especially Half King).

On the journey south after leaving Fort LeBoeuf, Washington and Gist decided to cut the corner and take the most direct route to the southeastern Virginia territory (avoiding another stop at Logstown). Half King took the southern route. On December 27, 1753, around current day Evans City, Washington was wounded by one of the Indian guides at a close range of about 15 steps away. He and Gist wrestled the Indian to the ground and took away his weapon. After tying his feet and hands, they were unable to assess whether it was an accident. They were hesitant to kill the guide, as it would most likely create ill will with the Indian Nation. Later that night, around 9:00 pm, they released the Indian and quickly proceeded down the Allegheny River.

Two days later near today’s Washington’s Crossing, Washington and Gist built a simple log raft using their only hatchet and preceded across the Allegheny River. While paddling the river, the raft gave way forcing them into the icy waters. They swam with every bit of energy they could muster to make it to the other side (this location