Fort Necessity
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Fort Necessity
National Battlefield
The Cherokee and the French and Indian War
“The friendship and assistance of the Cherokees are well
worth cultivating”
George Washington to Col. Stanwix
June 1757
The Cherokee Nation has been associated with the British
since 1674 when they exchanged deerskins and other furs for
European trade goods. In 1712 they allied with the British and
sent 200 warriors against the Tuscarora Indians. During the
French and Indian War, they were heavily recruited by the
British to fight against the French. At one time, the Cherokee
nation controlled 140,000 square miles in the southern
Appalachians. The English colonists needed Cherokee
presence and their warriors experience to help form a barrier
between them and any possible French incursions.
Battle at Fort Necessity
The first battle of the French and Indian War took
rd
place at Fort Necessity on July 3 , 1754. It would
also be George Washington’s first battle and the site
of his only surrender. Washington tried to obtain
Indian allies but was unsuccessful.
Although the Cherokee were recruited to fight, they
were not involved in this battle. Hundreds of
Cherokee participated in other engagements. The
war that started at Fort Necessity eventually evolved
into a world war with fighting in North America,
Caribbean, Europe, Africa and the Philippines.
Cherokee as Allies and
Enemies
Valuable Allies
As allies to the British, the Cherokee usually
concentrated more of their efforts in the southern
Appalachian Mountains. They also attended British
council meetings held in Virginia, Maryland and
Pennsylvania. Similar to today’s marathon runners,
both the Cherokee women and warriors could often
cover large amounts of territory.
When the Cherokee returned to receive the
customary compensation of trade goods, they were
asked to wait.
There are accounts that estimate the women could
run upwards to 50 miles in one day to be present at
treaties. The warriors were able to run up to 100
miles in one day. In 1756, William Gerald DeBrahm
wrote about one Cherokee, “An Indian once kept up,
running a-foot, for three hours, with the Author, who
kept his horse in a constant Gallop…and never left
him.” In 1761, British officer, Lt. Timberlake wrote
about a trip of 550 miles where they averaged 50
miles per day on foot. In 1762, an Irish trader named
James Adair remarked when they hunted deer they
walked 25-30 miles.
Cherokee in Pennsylvania
The ability of the Cherokee warriors to cover such
long distances made them perfect allies for the
British. The Cherokee scouted and skirmished
around French forts including Fort LeBoeuf
(present-day Waterford, PA), and Fort Duquesne
(present-day Pittsburgh). In June, 1758, at Fort
Littleton (near present-day Breezewood, PA), Hugh
Mercer wrote to Henry Bouquet, “A Party of Six
Cherrokee Indians Arriv’d Yesterday from the
Westward, they have been gone Six Weeks from
thence & have lost One of their Number in an
Engagement near Fort Priscisle…” (Presque Isle,
present-day Erie, Pa).
Troubled Relations
The British did not have the goods on hand and
encouraged them to wait for payment. The British
interpreter at the Fort, an Indian named “Antoine”
or “Anthony,” told the Cherokee they would not
receive the expected diplomatic gifts for their
efforts and they should go home and tell the rest of
warriors not to help the British. The British began to
be suspicious of Antoine. Eventually some of the
Cherokee believed Antoine and went home angry at
the loss of compensation for all of their trouble.
On their way home, Virginia farmers suspected
them of stealing horses and cattle, and in retaliation,
they killed some of the Cherokees. Avenging these
deaths, the Cherokee began to raid Carolina
settlements.
War and Peace
Afterwards, the diplomatic relationship between the
Cherokee and British spiraled downward and
resulted in the British/Cherokee war. Losses
occurred on both sides and it was not until 1761 that
the Cherokee and British signed a peace treaty at
present-day Kingsport, TN.
A junior officer named Henry Timberlake agreed to
go with the Cherokee as a symbol of good faith.
Although, he did not speak their language he stayed
with them recording their customs and eventually
travelled with them to England to meet King George
III.
Emissaries of Peace in
England
Three Cherokee leaders, Ostenaco, Cunne
Shote and Woyi, travelled with Lt. Timberlake
and Sgt. Thomas Sumter to meet with the
King of England. Unfortunately, their
interpreter died enroute and it became
Timberlake’s responsibility to try to translate
the Cherokee language. They landed in June
of 1762 but were unable to meet with King
George III until July. While waiting to meet
with the King, the emissaries were given new
clothes and their portraits were painted.
Huge crowds surrounded the group as they
Aftermath
By 1763, the French and Indian War was over and
King George III issued a Proclamation that
were taken to see many of the sites
including: St. James, Hyde Park
and Chelsea. Newspapers
advertised their itinerary and
10,000 people turned out to see
th
them at Vauxhall. On July 7 , in
spite of language barriers,
Ostenaco finally spoke with the
King. Even though conversation
was limited, the King sent back a
written response to the Cherokee
for later translation.
prohibited settlers from settling past the Blue
Ridge Mountains. The settlers ignored the
proclamation line and poured into this
restricted area to make land claims despite
American Indian protests.
During the American Revolution, the
Cherokees remained faithful to the treaty and
continued to ally with the British. In
retaliation, dozens of Cherokee towns were
burned by American soldiers and Cherokees
were taken and sold as slaves.
Emissaries of Peace, the 250th Anniversary Exhibit
This special exhibit at Fort Necessity reflects upon the Cherokee role in securing the peace between the British and the
Cherokee. Today, as you walk around this exhibit think also about the resilience of the Cherokee people. Despite
wars, European diseases, land grabs, acculturation, and forced west during the Trail of Tears, the Cherokee people still
stand strong. Today, they are one of the largest Indian nations in the United States with an overall population estimate
of 280,000. Presently, the Eastern Band of the Cherokee has 13,000 enrolled members.
For More information about the Eastern Band of the Cherokee: Visit the Museum of the Cherokee Indian website at:
www.cherokeemuseum.org
Read:
Emissaries of Peace, the 1762 Cherokee & British Delegations Exhibit Catalog, an Exhibit of the Cherokee Indian by Duane King, in
collaboration with Ken Blankenship & Barbara Duncan: Museum of the Cherokee Indian, 2006
Journal of Cherokee Studies, Volume II, No. 3 edited by Duane H. King & E. Raymond Evans. Museum of the Cherokee Indian: Hudson
Printing & Lithographing Co., Inc. Tennessee, 1977
Memoirs of Lt. Henry Timberlake- 1756-1765: edited by D.H. King. Museum of the Cherokee Indian Press, Cherokee, NC, 2007
The Papers of Henry Bouquet, Volume II, The Forbes Expedition, edited by Stevens, Kent and Leonard. The Pennsylvania Historical &
Museum Commission, Harrisburg, 1972
A Synopsis of the Indian Tribes within the United States East of the Rocky Mountains, and in the British and Russian Possessions in
North America –by Hon. Albert Gallatin. Cambridge, University Press, 1836
FONE Cherokee and the end of the FandI War.docx
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA
Apr-12
