Fort Massachusetts (Massachusetts) facts for kids
Fort Massachusetts was a fort built by British colonists in 1745. It was one of the forts protecting the northern border of Massachusetts from French and Native American forces. It was built near the Hoosac River in what is now North Adams, Massachusetts. Captain Ephraim Williams and his soldiers built it. The fort had strong wooden walls (a stockade) with a guard tower at each corner. Inside, there was a main building called a blockhouse. This building was extra safe if enemies broke through the outer walls.
The Siege of Fort Massachusetts
In 1746, Fort Massachusetts was attacked during a conflict called King George's War. This event is known as the Siege of Fort Massachusetts. About 21 British soldiers were defending the fort. They faced nearly 1,000 French and Native American soldiers. The battle ended with the fort being burned down. All the British soldiers and their families were captured.
Twenty-nine people were taken as prisoners to Quebec. They were later exchanged as part of a prisoner swap. Only 14 of them survived to return to the British a year later. This group included ten men and four children. Reverend John Norton was one of those who returned. He wrote a book about his experience called "The Redeemed Captive."
According to Norton, Captain Williams was away when the attack happened. Also, about half of the soldiers were sick. The British held the fort for 36 hours. They surrendered to the French captain because they ran out of gunpowder and cannonballs. The British asked to be prisoners only of the French. They also asked for children to stay with their families and for a quick exchange. The first request was not fully followed. However, Norton said they were not treated cruelly. Native American troops even carried those who were too sick or hurt to walk.
After the War: Fort Rebuilt
The fort was rebuilt ten months later in June 1747. Captain Williams was again in charge. The watchtowers were made stronger with bigger guns. However, no major attacks happened again at the fort.
After the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748, the threat from French forces lessened. Many soldiers who had been at the fort became farmers. Soldiers and officers could choose to receive 190 acres of land instead of their unpaid wages. This land was in the new town of West Hoosac. Today, this town is known as Williamstown, Massachusetts. These former soldiers became important founding members of Williamstown.
Fort Massachusetts was made strong again in 1754. This was when the French and Indian War began. The fort became an important stop for troops moving through the area. After this war ended, the fort was no longer used. It slowly fell apart.
Rebuilding and What Remains Today
In 1895, a group called the North Adams Women's Club started raising money. They wanted to rebuild the fort as a memorial. The new fort was completed in 1933. It was a historical site for tourists until the 1960s. Eventually, it was sold and torn down. This happened because there wasn't enough money to keep it up, and it was damaged by vandals.
Today, only the reconstructed chimney remains at the site. There is also a rock with a special plaque to remember the fort. This spot is now in the parking lot of a former grocery store in North Adams. In 2017, the land was given to the City of North Adams.
