For genealogists the Ohio valley is an area rich with family history. Many historical family records show migrations through or into Ohio in the 18th century. Ohio was known for its fertile soil and considered the gateway to the West. The history of that area may be of interest to any family history researcher.
In the 18th century the Ohio River valley was a territory disputed by the French and the English. Eventually this led to the French and Indian War as we shall see.
The French were already participating in the fur trade in the Ohio River Valley in the early 18th century. As the British caught on, they saw this valley, which was west of the Appalachian Mountains, as a potential source of their own wealth. At the time this area was sparsely populated with American Indians and French fur traders. In the 1740’s Irish and English traders and business men were moving into the Ohio River Valley to compete in the fur trade. Two prominent fur trading businessmen competing with the French were George Croghan and William Trent. Word spread of the potential of this valley and eventually land speculators wanted to acquire lands there so they could resell them to immigrants.
In 1747 the Ohio Company of Virginia was organized by several prominent men for the purpose of land speculation in the Ohio River Valley. The company was composed of Virginians such as Thomas Lee, Nathaniel Chapman, John Mercer and his son George, the Duke of Bedford (England), Virginia governor Robert Dinwiddie, Londoner John Hanbury and two of George Washington’s brothers Lawrence and Augustine Washington Jr. Thomas Lee was the president and upon his passing Lawrence Washington became president.
Around the same time yet another land speculation company out of Virginia was formed by Thomas Walker and Peter Jefferson, father of Thomas Jefferson. Their company was called the Loyal Company.
The British Crown approved the first Ohio Company’s petition for a 200,000 acre grant, in 1748. This grant was actually around present day Pittsburgh Pennsylvania at what they called the forks of the Ohio River. The actual grant was approved in the summer of 1749 by the legislative body of Virginia and the governor. But it was approved under the condition that the Ohio Company build a fort there and settle 100 families there within 7 years. As well, a regular trade with the Native Americans was ordered to take place in order to keep relations friendly.
Christopher Gist was hired by the Ohio Company in 1750 to explore the Ohio River Valley land grant area and identify lands for potential occupation. Gist was a known skilled woodsman as well as a surveyor. Gist traveled into present day Ohio up to present day Piqua. There was a Miami Indian village there called Pickawillany. His final conclusions were for the settlement of a spot in present day western Pennsylvania and a part of West Virginia. In 1750 the Redstone Creek settlement was built in present day Brownsville Pennsylvania. In 1752 a road (or path) was developed between Redstone Creek and Wills Creek, present day Cumberland Maryland. This area was become increasing settled by pioneer British families.
This British activity in the Ohio River Valley disturbed France. The territory called New France partially included this valley area, at least in their mind. For the French it was a time of panic because they had hoped to settle the Ohio River Valley area in order to attract their own immigrants coming down from French Canada, looking for milder climates and better soil. The French also knew the Ohio River watershed connected Canada and the current French Louisiana.
In 1753 the French started constructing forts in the Ohio River Valley. Virginia governor Robert Dinwiddie was not happy and sent troops to stop the French. These troops were under the command of George Washington. This eventually led to the outbreak of what we now call The French and Indian War.
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