Fort Wentworth facts for kids

Fort Wentworth was an important fort built in 1755 in what is now Northumberland, New Hampshire. It was located at a key spot where the Upper Ammonoosuc River meets the Connecticut River. This fort played a role in protecting the area during two major wars in American history.

Building Fort Wentworth

Fort Wentworth was built in 1755 during a time of conflict known as the French and Indian War. This war was fought between Great Britain and France, along with their Native American allies. The fort was ordered by Benning Wentworth, who was the governor of New Hampshire at the time.

Soldiers from Colonel Joseph Blanchard's New Hampshire Provincial Regiment constructed the fort. A provincial regiment was a local army unit made up of people from the colony. Among these soldiers was a famous frontiersman and military leader named Robert Rogers.

A Tough Return for Rogers' Rangers

In 1759, Robert Rogers and his special group of soldiers, known as Rogers' Rangers, had a difficult experience at Fort Wentworth. They were returning from a dangerous mission, a raid on St. Francis, Quebec. They had hoped to find fresh supplies and help at the fort.

However, when Rogers' Rangers arrived, the fort was empty. There were no soldiers guarding it (no "garrison"), and there were no supplies for their hungry men. This meant Rogers had to keep going. He traveled further down the Connecticut River to another fort called Fort at Number 4 to get the help and supplies his men desperately needed.

Fort Wentworth During the American Revolution

Years later, during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), Fort Wentworth became important again. From 1776 to 1778, a group of rangers led by Jeremiah Eames' Company took over the unused fort. They repaired it and stationed soldiers there.

Their main job was to protect northern New Hampshire from attacks by the British forces, who were nearby in Canada. Other units of the New Hampshire Militia also helped guard the fort until the war ended in 1783.

Fort Wentworth Today

Today, you can find a stone monument near the village of Groveton. This monument is located on U.S. Route 3 and marks the general area where Fort Wentworth once stood. It serves as a reminder of the fort's history and its role in protecting the early settlements of New Hampshire.