The early history of the Lake Champlain region is marked
by conflict between the French and English. Explorations by Verrazano and
Cartier for the French and the Cabot’s for the English gave both sides claim to
the Champlain Valley. The French gave this place the
name “Pointe a la Chevelure” which designated the 2 points facing each other on
either side of the lake (now known as Crown
Point on the western shore and Chimney Point on the
eastern shore).
During King Williams War, the peninsula of Crown Point was used as a staging area
for military campaigns. First by the French and Indians, who using Lake
Champlain for transport, attacked and burned the settlement at Schenectady. In
retaliation, British forces plan an invasion of Canada. British forces, commanded
by Philip Schuyler used Crown Point as an advanced base in their attack on La
Prairie, south of Montreal (Furness 1998).
As
early as the summer of 1700, the French established a trading post at the
Pointe a la Chevelure for commerce between the French and the English. Doubtless they built a simple fortification on
the point, a blockhouse or fortified storehouse (Coolidge 1979). At the resolve of queen Anne’s War , the
Treaty of Utrecht was signed which established Split Rock (18 miles north of
Crown Point) as the border between French and British territories. The French,
in direct defiance of the treaty, built a small wooden stockade on Chimney
Point known as fort de pieux (fort of posts). With French control of the area
now established, the French government moved forward on plans for a more
permanent and substantial fortification (Furness 1998).
MM. de Beaucharnois and Hocquart
recalled to his majesties attention, November 14, 1731 (when the fort had
scarcely been completed) that it should only be a temporary establishment, and
proposed to him construction of a redoubt “a machicoulis” of which the design
was enclosed. This redoubt was contemplated as much for the safety of the post
as to avoid the considerable expense to construct a regularly designed fort
(Coolidge 1979).
Chaussegros de Lery, The king’s engineer
in New France, drew up plans and began
construction on the new, stone fortification, this time on the western shore of
the point in 1734. Construction of the fortification was completed in November
of 1737. It was named Fort St. Frederic, in honor of the minister of the
department de la marine, Frederic Maurepas. When the redoubt is finished the
governor suggests a permanent garrison of 120. This redoubt became the citadel,
the central stronghold of the post of St Frederic. A list of the French
Commanders who served at Crown Point
follows (Coolidge 1979).
These Officers held
the rank of Captain
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COMMANDER |
TENURE |
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Pierre Hertel de Montcour1
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1731-1732
|
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René Boucher de la Perriére
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1732-1733
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Claude Hertel de Beaulac2
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1733-1734
|
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Pierre-Jacques Payen de
Noyan
|
1734, 1736
|
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Daniel Migeon de la
Gauchetiére
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1735-1736
|
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Pierre de Saint-Ours
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1736-1739
|
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Paul-Joseph Lemoyne de
Longueil
|
1739
|
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François Duplessis Faber
|
1739-1741
|
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Antoine-François Pècaudy de
Contrecour
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1741-1743
|
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Paul Bécard de Grandville-Fonville
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1743-1746
|
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Charles le Gardeur de
Croizille
|
1746
|
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Pierre Joseph de Céloron3
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1747
|
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Charles de Sabrevois
|
1747-1749
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Paul Louis Dazemard de
Lusignan4
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1749-1756
|
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Ignace-Phillipe Aubert de
Gaspé
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1756-1757
|
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Louis Herbin
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1757-1759
|
A quarry of limestone had been
discovered nearby. Little by little the high, thick walls had risen, the
redoubt had become the citadel- so solid that it was used for the storage of
bombs and other war munitions’; within the enclosure of the Fort, a church and
stone barracks for officers and men had been constructed (Coolidge 1979).
A chapel occupied the bastion opposite
the Guard House, serving the needs of the garrison and settlers alike. The
Parish Records note French as well as Native American baptisms, marriages, and
burials. Two interments took place within the chapel: Pierre St. Ours (1736)
son of the Fort's Commander, and Genevieve leTendre, Madame Radisson (1740)
(Furness 1998).
The earliest map dates to 1737, the date of
the forts completion, but it represents probably what was planned and not
necessarily what was actually built. Shown within the south side of the fort is a
single building labeled “powder magazine”. Visitors to the fort in later years
mentioned the powder room as being in the citadel located at the other side of
the fort (Feister 1999).
 |
| 1737 French Map |
A stone windmill was built at government
expense in 1740 to grind locally produced grain. It was located on the point of
land south of the Fort where the Champlain Memorial now stands. Several cannon
were mounted on its upper floor so it could serve as a defensive work. Judging
from deLery's plans for this mill, it was almost identical to one still standing
on Ille Perrot, near Montréal (Furness 1998).
In 1740 the War of Austrian Succession or King
George’s War in North America Broke out between England
and France and their ally Spain. Although
most of the major campaigns took place in Europe, Canada
and the West Indies, Fort St. Fredric served as the launching point for raids on
English held territory in New York and New England. In
1745, the French and their Native American allies raided the northern most
English settlement in Saratoga
established by the Schuyler family. The
raid destroyed the fort, 20 houses. A total of 30 settlers were killed. The English rebuilt the fort. The French raids continued in 1746 as far
south as Albany
where the Van Iverson Farm house, located across the Hudson River from the English fort
in the city was burned and four members of the family were killed. In 1747, the French once again attack the
fort and settlement at Saratoga, forcing the British and settlers to retreat
to Albany. In 1748, Peace between France and England was
reestablished by the Treaty Aix-La-Chapelle where England returned Louisburg in
Nova Scotia to France in return for receiving Madras in the Indies from
France.
Two different British maps, versions of
which are sometimes called “British Spy Maps", appear to be next in the map sequence.
Both maps showed three buildings, a long one between two small ones, along the
south side of the fort, and they are labeled “Store Houses” on the “PLAN OF
FORT FREDERIC” version of the map. Important to the dating of these maps is the
lack of a chapel in the nearby southwest bastion. Although the maps are
regarded as generally unreliable as to scale, they do indicate what buildings were
present in the fort’s interior. The maps date probably sometime prior to 1749,
the date of the first map to show the chapel. Peter kalm, visited the fort in
1749, and mentioned the ‘well built little church' being located in the bastion
where maps drawn after that date place the chapel (Fiester 1999).
 |
| pre-1750 British Spy Map |
A description of the Fort by Professor
Peter Kalm as he saw it in 1749 sheds light on it's appearance at this time:
“July 19th- Fort St. Frederic is a fortification on the southern
extremity of Lake Champlain, situated on a neck of land, between that lake and
the river which arises from the union of the River Woodcreek and lake St.
Sacrament. The fort is built on a rock, consisting of black lime-slates, it is
nearly quadrangular, has high and thick walls, made of the same limestone, of
which there is a quarry about half a mile from the fort. On the eastern part of
the fort is a high tower, which is proof against bomb shells, provided with
very thick and substantial walls, and well stored with cannon from the bottom
almost to the very top: the Gov. lives in the tower. In the terre-plein of the
fort is a well built little church, and houses of stone for the officers and
soldiers. There are sharp rocks on all sides towards the land, beyond cannon
shot from the fort, and very near them….To the east of the Fort is a windmill
built of stone, with very thick walls, and most of the flour that is wanted to
supply the Fort is ground here. The windmill is so contrived as to serve the
purpose of redoubt, and at the top are 5 or 6 small pieces of cannon” (Kalm
1972).
When comparing the “British Spy Maps”
with a map dated to 1749 or 1750, several changes have taken place in number
and arrangement of buildings as well as the addition of the aforementioned
chapel (Fiester 1999).
 | |
| 1949/50 map |
At the dawn of the French and
Indian War, in 1755, a meeting of colonial Governors at Alexandria, Virginia identified
four main objectives for the coming military campaign: Fort Duquesne (PA), Fort
Niagara (NY), Fort Beausejour (Nova Scotia) and Fort St. Frédéric. In response
to escalating aggression by the British in their campaign against Fort St.
Frédéric, the French began construction in October 1755 of Carillon (later
called Fort Ticonderoga) to serve as a buffer between the British
position of Fort William Henry at Lake George
and Fort St. Frédéric. The new timber fortification was not completed until the
fall of 1758. (Furness 1998).
The British, with the largest standing
army every assembled in the Americas at the time,
began their advance on Fort Saint Frederic with in initial ill-fated attempt on
the Carillon. They were forced to withdraw and the then commander General James
Abercromby was replaced by General Jeffry Amherst.
A British force of 12,000 individuals
continued to advance on French positions led by General Jeffry Amherst in 1759.
The French, well aware of the huge forces mounting against them decided to
withdraw from their positions in the Champlain valley to Isle aux
Noix. The French forces, then numbering about 2300 in the valley were reduced
to about 200. Civilians were evacuated and their homesteads were destroyed. The
British attempt another siege at the Carillon, this time resulting in the
French setting fire to the fort and retreating to Fort Saint Frederic. In July
of 1759 General Amherst’s forces reached Fort Saint Frederic. Upon their
arrival the French blew up the windmill and the redoubt and continued their
retreat (Furness 1998).
A discussion of the regimental history of the
British army, written by Lawrence Xinakes, from this period follows and serves
to further clarify British action and its effects on Crown Point.
 | |
| 1752 map, the last before the French withdraw and destroy the Redoubt. |
In 1731, Jeffry Amherst was
enlisted as an ensign in the foot guards. He served in the Austrian Succession
War (1740-1748) and years later in the European Theater during the French and
Indian War (Seven Years War 1755-1763). General Pitt chose Amherst
to lead the British assault on Louisbourg,
Canada in 1758.
Later, he became the Commander-In-Chief of British forces in the North American
Theater. In 1759, Amherst planned a three-pronged
attack into Canada.
This consisted of a westward push up the Saint Lawrence to Quebec,
a Northward invasion from Albany by ways of Lake
George and Lake Champlain, and in West Niagara.
All objects were completed and played a role in capturing and occupying Fort Ticonderoga
(Fort Carillon)
and Crown Point
(Fort Saint Frederic). In 1760, Amherst captured
Montreal.
General Amherst was than appointed Governor-General of British North America,
he held that post until 1763.
General Amherst commanded several
regiments while stationed at Crown
Point. These included the 27th
(Inniskilling), the 42nd (Black Watch), the 55th
Regiment, and the 1st of foot 2nd Battalion of Royal
Regiment among others.
The Inniskilling was formed by General
Zachariah Tiffin in 1689. The Inniskilling was designated 27th
Regiment in 1751. During the French and Indian War, they served in the
operations at Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point,
and afterwards Montreal.
In 1761, the 27th was removed to Nova Scotia
and engaged in the Capture of Martinique and Grenada
and Havana, Cuba,
after the West Indies, the 27th Regiment went to New
York and than back to Canada, where it served until 1767.
Dubbed the Black Watch, the 42nd
Highland Regiment of Foot was formed in 1739 by John, The Earl of Crawford. In
1758, the 42nd lost over half of the regiment during the 1st
battle of Fort Ticonderoga
(Fort Carillon). In 1759, they saw action at
the 2nd battle of Ticonderoga and in 1760, the surrender by the
French Governor of Canada in
Montreal. They
were then sent to the West Indies where they saw action in campaigns in Havana, Martinique and Guadeloupe.
In 1763, they went to relieve Fort Pitt (now Pittsburgh)a and helped to put down the Pontiac rebellion.
In 1755, the 57th Regiment (55th
Regiment) was formed in Stirling (Scotland) and George Perry was
appointed as Colonel. The 57th officially became the 55th
Regiment in 1757 by removing two corps from its line. They also fought in the
first battle of Ticonderoga and had many casualties
including their commander, General Howe. Under the direction of General
Amherst, the 55th was engaged in the second battle of Ticonderoga, Crown Point and other
operations in 1759. Like the 27th and 42nd, the 55th
Regiment was stationed at Crown Point
in the winter of 1759-1760. In 1760, they saw combat at Isle-Aux-Noix and Montreal. They were sent
to Florida at
the end of the French and Indian War to bring regiments who were there to
strength.
1st of Foot 2nd
battalion of the Royal Regiment was formed in 1633 by John Hepburn. In 1757,
the 1st Foot commanded by John Campbell and other regiments were
ordered to North America and landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia for preparation on
an attack of Louisbourg, Cape Breton Island. Due to the Royal navy not being
able to secure the surrounding areas, the attack on Louisbourg was put on hold
until 1758. Under General Amherst, the attack on Cape Breton
commenced on June 8, 1758. The British bombarded the fortified city of Louisbourg for nearly 2
months. On July 25 1758, Louisbourg surrendered. In 1759, 1st of
foot was involved with the 2nd Battle of Ticonderoga and Crown Point (Fort Saint
Frederic). They helped to erect the British fort at Crown Point. Later that year they were
ordered to New Jersey
for the winter. In 1760, the 1st was summoned to the Carolinas, to subdue the attacks on settlers by the
Cherokee. When peace was declared, the regiment went back to England.
Amherst,
noting the strategic position the fort held began constructing new
fortifications at the site in order to secure his position in the valley. The
Grenadiers redoubt became a focal point in reinvigorating the defensive
positions at Crown Point.
The Redoubt occupied almost the entire point of land where the windmill had
stood (Huey 1995).
 |
| 1759 map showing British improvements |
Clockwise around the interior from the
entrance were a Guard House, the well and Well House, the Officers Barracks,
the King's Bastion (or flag bastion) the Soldiers Barracks, the Magazine, the
wood-framed Armory, and the brick-fronted New Officers Barracks. The barracks
were laid out as multiple units of four rooms (two upstairs, two down, with
central entrance hallways containing stairs) joined end-to-end. Twenty enlisted
men shared a room; the number of officers sharing quarters was determined by
rank. Bomb-Proof rooms were located within the rampart around the inside
perimeter. Used for storage of supplies and provisions, they could also provide
shelter in case of bombardment. Three smaller forts, the Grenadier Redoubt, the
Light Infantry Redoubt and Gage's Redoubt, mounted ten cannon each and
protected the main fort at a distance of five hundred yards. Two and a half
miles south of Fort
Crown Point, a line of
three blockhouses across the base of the peninsula provided a first line of
defense against land attack (Furness 1998).
 |
|
1774 Montressor map showing position of Grenadiers
Redoubt at the location of the French windmill
|
The 10 years after The French
and Indian conflict proved to be fairly quiet. This period is marked by the
settlement of outlying areas by British civilians. A small town was founded and
including many of the typical businesses of the time. The fort fell into
disrepair since the British government was hesitant to spend money for
fortifications during peace time (Furness 1998).
The British Fortress burned accidentally in 1773 and in 1774 it was proposed to enlarge the Grenadiers
Redoubt to replace the recently burned fortress (Huey 1995).
Early in the American Revolution both Ticonderoga and Crown Point Fell under control of the
Americans due to campaigns led by Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen. In 1775 work
began salvaging what could be salvaged from the fire. After several failed
campaigns and the ravages of smallpox took their toll, the American Army’s
general officers made the decision to move the troops to Mount
Independence and the sick and wounded
to Fort George. When the British arrived in 1776
they found the Fort Largely abandoned (Furness 1998).
After the American Revolution, the property on which the Fort resides changed hands several times and was once held by Union College of Schenectady. Once peace was established and commerce grew on Lake Champlain, the need for a lighthouse at the point became evident. In 1853 Major William D. Fraser reiterated the need for a lighthouse at Crown Point, stating that those best acquainted with navigation on Lake Champlain felt a light to guide vessels through the narrow, one-half mile channel between Crown Point and Chimney Point was needed more than at any other point on the lake. In 1858 an octangular lighthouse 55 feet tall with a domestic dwelling attached to serve the lighthouse keeper was constructed. This structure served its purpose for 50 years. In 1909, in order to celebrate the tri-centennial of Champlain’s discovery, the existing lighthouse was modified into a monument. This monumental revamp included Doric columns and a bust by Rodin. A skeletal structure was erected near the water in order to take over the functional role of the lighthouse (Clifford 1999).
Clifford, George
1999 Lake Champlain Lighthouses. Clinton County Historical Association.
http://lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=672
Coolidge, Guy O.
1938 The French Occupation of the Champlain Valley from 1609 to 1759. Harbor Hill Books,
Harrison, NY. [1979 reprint].
Feister, Lois M.
1999 Archaeological Investigations at the Oven Ruins in the French Fort at Crown Point State Historic
Site, Essex County, New York. New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation,
Bureau of Historic Sites, Peebles Island, Waterford, NY.
Furness, Gregory T.
1997 Crown Point (Pointe a la Chevelure) An Outline History, American Historic Lakes, Lake Champlain
and Lake George Historical Site, South Hero, Vermont.
http://www.historiclakes.org/crown_pt/furness.html
Huey, Paul R.
1995 Preliminary Report on Rescue Excavations Near the Champlain Memorial Lighthouse and Site of
Grenadiers Redoubt at Crown Point, 1978. New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Bureau of Historic Sites, Peebles Island, Waterford, NY.
Kalm, Peter
1972 Travels into North America, Translated by John Reinhold Forster. The Imprint Society, Barre, Mass.
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