Snippets of the 18th Century: French & Indian War and Colonial & Native Daily Life

Please join us for the 2018 CTHS Summer Program on Sunday May 6, 2018 at 2:00 pm in the Council Chambers of the Cranberry Township Municipal Center at 2525 Rochester Road, Cranberry Township, PA 16066.

The French and Indian War was a series of battles that began on our front door and continued around western Pennsylvania and the colonial western frontier.  The war spanned the period of 1754 to 1763 and was an important part of our country’s history. It was a battle between two European Empires: the British and the French. However, as the Americas had two million British colonists compared to France’s sixty thousand colonists, the French needed help and sought out the Native Americans. Some joined the French but others didn’t want to tangle with the British as they were good trading partners. The war started just 80 miles southwest of here at a place now known as Jumonville Glen, near Ohiopyle, in May of 1754 when George Washington, leader of the British forces, surprised a French scouting party.

One of the French killed was their commanding officer, Joseph Coulon de Villiers de Jumonville.  Following the skirmish, Washington pulled back several miles and was forced to build Fort Necessity for defense. The French attacked under the command of Jumonville's brother at the Battle of Fort Necessity on July 3rd. The war was now on.

The battles were in this area as both colonies wanted to control the point where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers met. You have heard of Fort Duquesne, Fort Pitt, General Braddock and General Forbes, but what about the lives of the individuals who lived in those times? Also think of the Indian tribes thrust into this conflict.

Join us and our speaker Joey Hamilton for a brief overview of the French & Indian War, and step back in time to learn about Colonial and Native American life and material culture in the 1700's. There will be lots to see and experience! We are so fortunate to have many local French & Indian War sites and reenactments to visit. Hopefully this program will pique your interest to check them out!

This free talk will be held May 6, 2018 at 2:00 pm in the Cranberry Township Municipal Building’s Council Chambers. Light refreshments will be served at the meeting.

Joey Hamilton was a resident of Cranberry Township for 30 years and has been a member of the Cranberry Township Historical Society for more than 20 years.  After attending a program presented by CTHS, she joined the organization and got involved. She eventually became President of our Society, had the privilege of being a part of moving Sample School and worked with both Rowan and Haine Elementary Schools to make Cranberry History a continued part of third grade curriculum. Her interest in history grew to include the French & Indian War and she has been a living historian/reenactor for over 15 years.