In the 1750s, the western woods of Pennsylvania became a battleground for seven long and bloody years, as the British and French struggled to build their empires. The ultimate British victory reshaped the political and cultural landscape of North America and forever shattered the fragile peace that once had existed between colonists and Native Americans in Pennsylvania.
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Bring this subject into focus through the following chapters. These stories take exploration of the main story further by providing more detail for you to learn and explore.
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1720 - 1740 |
Throughout the 1720s-40s: Migration of Delaware, Shawnee, and Seneca Indians into the Ohio Country, establishing new communities and diplomatic relations with British and French. |
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1737 |
Walking Purchase: land fraud perpetuated by Penn family and its agents dispossesses Delaware Indians in the Lehigh Valley and sours intercultural relations in the colony.
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1749 |
Céleron Expedition reasserts French claim to the Ohio Country |
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1753 |
In the fall of 1753, Washington undertakes journey to French posts in Ohio Country on behalf of Virginia governor to order French to leave |
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1753 |
In the spring, French begin fortifying route between Lake Erie and Forks of the Ohio |
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1754 |
French take over the Forks of the Ohio and begin building Fort Duquesne |
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1754 |
Washington engages French party, resulting in murder of Jumonville |
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1754 - 1754 |
Albany Congress: intercolonial treaty conference with the Iroquois in Albany, New York fails to secure Iroquois alliance against the French or intercolonial cooperation in Indian and military affairs; agents for Penn family negotiate purchase of western Pennsylvania lands from Iroquois |
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1754 - 1754 |
Battle of Fort Necessity: Washington surrenders to the French and retreats from Ohio Country
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1755 |
Braddock's March to Ohio Country from Fort Cumberland, Maryland |
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1755 |
Braddock's Defeat at Monongahela River crossing
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1755 - 1758 |
French and Indian raids along Pennsylvania frontier, involving Delaware, Shawnee, and Seneca from the Ohio Country, supplied from Fort Duquesne; many Pennsylvania colonists killed or taken captive |
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1756 |
Armstrong raid destroys Delaware village of Kittanning
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1758 |
Easton Treaty: acting with the assistance of the six Iroquois nations of New York, royal and colonial agents negotiate peace with Delawares, in exchange for restoration of lands purchased at Albany Congress of 1754 and promises of Ohio Indians' security in their homelands |
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1758 |
French destroy Fort Duquesne as they retreat to Canada; Forbes Expedition occupies the Forks of the Ohio
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1758 |
In the summer and fall, the Forbes Expedition builds a road from Carlisle to the Forks of the Ohio |
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1759 - 1761 |
Construction of Fort Pitt |
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1763 |
Pontiac's Rebellion begins with attack on Fort Detroit |
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1763 - 1763 |
British posts in Ohio Country, including Fort Pitt, are attacked by western Delaware, Shawnee, and Seneca Indians angered at British Army's failure to withdraw from the region after defeating the French, as previously promised |
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1763 - 1763 |
Bouquet engages Ohio Indians at Bushy Run and lifts siege of Fort Pitt |
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1763 |
Proclamation of 1763: British Crown promulgates a dividing line between Indian and colonial populations, running roughly along the Allegheny Mountains |
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1763 |
Paxton Boys destroy the Indian village of Conestoga and murder its inhabitants, including those who sought refuge in Lancaster, then march on Philadelphia. |
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1764 |
Fall: Bouquet expedition to Ohio Country to force capitulation of remaining hostile Delaware, Shawnee, and Seneca and to secure return of captives |
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1768 |
Treaty of Fort Stanwix (New York): Iroquois cede to the British substantial portions of Ohio Valley |
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Historical Markers In the Story
Original Documents