Fort Ohio
Encyclopedia
Fort OhioFort Ohio (also known as the "New Store" was a stockade fort erected by Job Pearsall in 1749 on the present site of Ridgeley, West Virginia
. The building was of log construction, 45 feet (13.7 m) long and 25 feet (7.6 m) wide, with two stories. Its name comes from the Ohio Company
which had a trading post at that location.
A few years later another building, much of the same structure, was built near the original storage building, also with a garret and cellar. A stable, meat house and dairy were also constructed close to the main building, all fortified by Governor Dinwinddie of Virginia.
Fort Ohio was one of a chain of four forts protecting the frontier. Fort Ohio was the first in the chain with Fort Sellers
next, then Fort Ashby
and Fort Cocke
as the outermost forts.
Fort Ohio was abandoned when Fort Cumberland
was erected about 1754, directly across the river in Maryland
. Fort Cumberland was, for its time and type, a large, elaborate fortification
. Although originally built as a storage building for furs, it was converted to a blockhouse on September 7, 1754.
However Fort Ohio was never formally garrisoned by troops from the Virginia regiment. Because of the fact that it was only 400 yards (365.8 m) away from Fort Cumberland
, although separated by the river, it did not seem necessary that it should be garrisoned. The Ohio Company had employed many frontiersmen to trap the fur animals, and these riflemen were expected to defend the fort if it was to be attacked by Indians. Soldiers from Fort Cumberland spent time at Fort Ohio when not on duty, therefore it was deemed not necessary to place regular troops at the fort.
Ridgeley, West Virginia
Ridgeley is a town in Mineral County, West Virginia, United States, and part of the Cumberland Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 762 at the 2000 census but has fallen to 575 with the 2010 census....
. The building was of log construction, 45 feet (13.7 m) long and 25 feet (7.6 m) wide, with two stories. Its name comes from the Ohio Company
Ohio Company
The Ohio Company, formally known as the Ohio Company of Virginia, was a land speculation company organized for the settlement by Virginians of the Ohio Country and to trade with the Indians there...
which had a trading post at that location.
Buildings
The building contained a garret and dry cellar, used for the storage of furs, the size of the structure itself. The building also contained living quarters for a trader by the name of Hugh Parker.A few years later another building, much of the same structure, was built near the original storage building, also with a garret and cellar. A stable, meat house and dairy were also constructed close to the main building, all fortified by Governor Dinwinddie of Virginia.
Fort Ohio was one of a chain of four forts protecting the frontier. Fort Ohio was the first in the chain with Fort Sellers
Fort Sellers
Fort Sellers was a small stockade on the east side of Pattersons Creek at the conflunce with the Potomac River, in Franklin District, in present day Mineral County, West Virginia. Thisfort was erected by Colonel Washington....
next, then Fort Ashby
Fort Ashby
Fort Ashby is a historic stockade fort located in Fort Ashby, West Virginia. A military installation constructed during the French and Indian War, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
and Fort Cocke
Fort Cocke
Fort Cocke was a stockade, made of wooden palisades up stream from Fort Ashby. It was a square ninety feet on a side and enclosed about 1/5 acre. Blockhouses were built at each of the four corners. A barracks to house fifty men was constructed within the stockade.It was built by Captain William...
as the outermost forts.
Fort Ohio was abandoned when Fort Cumberland
Fort Cumberland (Maryland)
thumb|380px|Fort Cumberland, 1755 Fort Cumberland was an 18th century frontier fort at the current site of Cumberland, Maryland, USA...
was erected about 1754, directly across the river in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. Fort Cumberland was, for its time and type, a large, elaborate fortification
Fortification
Fortifications are military constructions and buildings designed for defence in warfare and military bases. Humans have constructed defensive works for many thousands of years, in a variety of increasingly complex designs...
. Although originally built as a storage building for furs, it was converted to a blockhouse on September 7, 1754.
Military involvement
New Store became an important role for the military on operations regarding the French and Indians early in the conflict. On September 7, 1754, Governor Dinwiddie wrote to Governor Sharpe of Maryland that he had ordered Colonel James Innis at Fort Cumberland to take possession of the Ohio Company’s storehouse and to make a magazine out of it. Dinwiddie also reported that he had directed the building of a breastwork on the company property and had authorized cannon to be mounted for its defense.However Fort Ohio was never formally garrisoned by troops from the Virginia regiment. Because of the fact that it was only 400 yards (365.8 m) away from Fort Cumberland
Fort Cumberland
Fort Cumberland can refer to:*Fort Cumberland *Fort Cumberland also known as Fort Beauséjour*Fort Cumberland Fort Cumberland is located in Cucumber Land, Cumber is short for Cucumber. Fort Cumberland was founded by Johnson Merrell, a moonshiner in 1687...
, although separated by the river, it did not seem necessary that it should be garrisoned. The Ohio Company had employed many frontiersmen to trap the fur animals, and these riflemen were expected to defend the fort if it was to be attacked by Indians. Soldiers from Fort Cumberland spent time at Fort Ohio when not on duty, therefore it was deemed not necessary to place regular troops at the fort.