Fort Venango facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Venango |
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| Near Franklin, Pennsylvania, United States | |
 Fort Venango
Former location of the Fort Venango in Pennsylvania
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| Coordinates | 41°23′22″N 79°49′20″W / 41.38932°N 79.82217°W |
| Type | Fort |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | United Kingdom |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1760 |
| In use | 1760-1763 |
| Materials | Wood |
| Battles/wars | Pontiac's Rebellion |
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Pennsylvania Historical Marker
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| Designated: | October 10, 1972 |
Fort Venango was a small British fort built in 1760. It was located near what is now Franklin, Pennsylvania. This fort was important during a time when different groups were fighting for control of the land in North America.
Contents
What Was Fort Venango?
Fort Venango was built by the British army in 1760. It was made of wood and was not very large. The fort was built to replace an older French fort called Fort Machault. The French had burned down Fort Machault in 1759. This happened near the end of the French and Indian War.
Why Was It Built?
The British built Fort Venango to help protect their claims in the area. They wanted to control important trade routes and territories. Building forts was a common way to show control and defend land during this period.
The Attack on Fort Venango
Fort Venango was only used for a few years. Around June 16, 1763, the fort was attacked. This attack happened during a conflict known as Pontiac's War. Native American warriors from the Seneca and Mingo tribes led the attack.
What Happened During the Attack?
There were only about 12 to 16 British soldiers at Fort Venango. Most of these soldiers were killed during the attack. The fort's commander, Lieutenant Francis Gordon, was captured alive. The warriors forced him to write a letter. This letter explained why the Native Americans were fighting against the British.
The Reasons for the Uprising
Lieutenant Gordon's letter listed two main complaints from the Native Americans:
- There had not been enough gunpowder for them for the past two years. Gunpowder was important for hunting and defense.
- The British were keeping forts and building new ones on Native American land. This was happening even though the British had promised not to.
After writing the letter, Lieutenant Gordon was killed. The warriors then burned Fort Venango completely to the ground.
Where Did the Name Come From?
The name "Venango" came from a nearby Native American village. This village belonged to the Delaware/Munsee Indian people. It was common for forts and settlements to be named after local Native American places or features.
