1748
Washington's first trip to the frontier
In 1748, at the age of sixteen, George Washington ventured into the Western reaches of Virginia to survey lands in the Shenandoah Valley and along the South Branch of the Potomac River for Lord Fairfax.
Fairfax was the proprietor of millions of acres of land in the Northern Neck, which comprised of the land between the headwaters of the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers.
1749
Ohio Company granted royal charter
The Ohio Company formed as a land speculation company made up of planters from Virginia's northern Neck, including Lawrence Washington, George Washington's older half-brother.
On this date, King George II signed a royal charter granting the Ohio Company "two hundred thousand acres of land lying betwixt Romanettos and Buffalo's creek on the south side of the river Alligane otherwise the Ohio, and betwixt the two creeks and the Yellow creek on the north side of the river..." within the colony of Virginia.
An additional three hundred thousand acres were to be added to this grant when the Ohio Company erected a fort at the forks of the Ohio (modern-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) and settled the original grant with two hundred families.
Céloron Expedition
Pierre Joseph Céloron de Blainville set out from Montreal on a mission to mark the boundaries of French claims in the Ohio country. Lead plates were buried at the mouths of key tributaries and waterways, including at the forks of the Ohio River where modern-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is located.
1753
French fort building in the Ohio country
The Marquis de Duquesne oversaw the development of a series of French forts built at key strategic locations in the Ohio Valley meant to establish a connection between Lake Erie and the Allegheny River.
French goods and supplies were carried 15 miles from Lake Erie to Fort Le Boeuf, which was located on a tributary of the Allegheny River. There, they could be transported by canoe to the forks of the Ohio, near modern-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Washington becomes an emissary
Due in part to his experience surveying on the frontier, as well as his ties to the powerful Fairfax family, Virginia Governor Robert Dinwiddie selected George Washington to undertake an arduous journey to the French forts in the Ohio Valley.
Washington leaves Williamsburg, Virginia on this day, under orders to demand a French withdrawal from lands that were claimed by Virginia.
Washington hires a guide
Washington hired Christopher Gist as a guide near the Ohio Company storehouse on Wills Creek, close to modern-day Cumberland, Maryland. He also hired four men to serve as porters.
Gist wrote in his journal that Washington "...delivered me a letter from the council in Virginia, requesting me to attend him up to the commandant of the French fort on the Ohio River."
Tuesday 11. - We set out, travelled about fifteen miles to the French fort, the sun being set. Our interpreter gave the commandant notice of our being over the creek; upon which he sent several officers to conduct us to the fort, and they received us witha great deal of complaisance.
Diary of Christopher Gist, December 11, 1753
Washington reaches Fort LeBoeuf
Washington meets with Captain Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre at Fort LeBoeuf and presents Governor Dinwiddie's letter ordering the French to leave the region.
1754
Washington returns to Williamsburg
Washingtons' party leaves Fort LeBouef with St. Pierre's response on December 16, 1753. St. Pierre says he will forward Dinwiddie's letter to Duquesne. Washington and Gist embark on a dramatic journey back to Williamsburg.
I am surprizd from their Letters that the French are so early expected down the Ohio; which I think makes it necessary for You to march what Soldiers You have enlisted immediately to the Ohio, & escort some Waggons, with the necessary Provisions; Colo. Fry to march with the others as soon as possible.
Governor Robert Dinwiddie to George Washington, March 15, 1754
A surprise attack
Washington's troops, aided by allied Native American under the command of Tanacharison, attack a party of French soldiers led by Joseph Coulon de Villiers, Sieur de Jumonville. Washington's native allies killed the wounded, including Jumonville. The surviving French soldiers claim to be on a diplomatic mission.
I fortunately escaped without a wound, tho the right Wing where I stood was exposed to & received all the Enemy's fire and was the part where the man was killed & the rest wounded. I can with truth assure you, I heard Bulletts whistle and believe me there was something charming in the sound.
George Washington to John Augustine Washington, May 31, 1754
Washington completes Fort Necessity
On May 27th, 1754, one day prior to the attack on Jumonville's forces, George Washington wrote to Governor Dinwiddie that "We have with Natures assistance made a good Intrenchment and by clearing the Bushes out of these Meadows prepar’d a charming field for an Encounter...."
By early June, Washington's "charming field" was bolstered by a small stockade, ringed by several small cannons known as swivel guns. Washington update Dinwiddie of his situation on June 3rd, boasting that "We have just finish’d a small palisadod Fort in which with my small Number’s I shall not fear the attack of 500 Men,"
On the Death of Colo. Fry I have thot it proper to send You the enclosd Como. to Comd the Virga regimt, & another for Majr Muse to be Lieut. Colo.
Governor Robert Dinwiddie to George Washington, June 4, 1754
Washington surrenders
At 11 a.m. the French forces surrounding Washington's position attack Fort Necessity under the leadership of Captain Louis Coulon de Villiers, Jumonville's older brother. By 8 p.m. the French offer terms for surrender that Washington and his fellow officers agree to.
