Snowshoes Sets and Fort William Henry (1 Viewer)

[Fraxinus]

The Snowshoe Sets have another use that allows them to be combined with many of the Raid on Saint Francis pieces. In March 1757, a large raiding party of 1,600 french/indians attempted to storm Fort William Henry. The British were heavily outnumbered. Hundreds of scaling ladders were brought by the french, but no cannon. This was not a spring raid, but a deep winter raid, when Lake Champlain was still frozen solid and in heavy snow. Ranger Huts, Outbuildings, Whaleboats, Docks, Sloops, Ranger Sorties, our beloved 44th regiment, and a Frozen Lake ....... Short fun read starting on page 447-451.

http://books.google.com/books?id=Vf...and+wolfe&hl=en#v=onepage&q=overcoats&f=false

Longer reads in Hughes (Siege of Fort William Henry, 2011) and Dodge (Relief Greatly Wanted).

 

[mestell]

The Lake George and Fort William Henry history from about 1752-1757 has become a recent interest of mine. I am currently researching my complete family tree. I have discovered that on my father's mother's (my paternal grandmother) side of the family, my 8th Great Grandfather Captain Joseph S. Clesson served in the military during the FIW. He was was killed in service on Lake George 4 June 1753 and was burried in the camp's burial ground. Here is a little of what I know about my ancestor:

Joseph Clesson (1683-1753) was a soldier in King William's war. At the age of 15, he was assigned to the Deerfield garrison and involved in the "Pomeroy pursuit." Joseph was a resident of Deerfield from 1705-1709 and of Northampton from 1712-1724. On 22 June 1709, he was captured, while on a scouting patrol, and taken to Canada by a party of French and Indians under the command of de Rouville. After returning to Massachusetts, he was later active in Father Rasle's war (Father Rasle was a French Missionary to the Abernakce Tribe) and eventually served as a lieutenant under Captain Thomas Wells in the French war. He died in service on Lake George, 4 Jun 1753, and was buried in the camp's burial ground near the location of Fort William Henry.

Joseph's son, Matthew, (a great great uncle of mine) was also in the military and died or was killed during an expedition to Lake George I beleive in 1756. It appars that he was also a Captain.

I am discovering that you just never know where your roots will lead you . . . . interesting to be able to read about American history through the life and experiences of your ancestors . . . .
Mike

 

[Fraxinus]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Clesson_Allen

http://books.google.com/books?id=Of...hl=en#v=onepage&q=Clesson Lake George&f=false

http://books.google.com/books?id=lH...hl=en#v=onepage&q=clesson lake george&f=false

http://books.google.com/books?id=YHyey7JoSKkC&q=clesson+lake+george&dq=clesson+lake+george&hl=

I think you already know about the third link. Seems several different pairs of brothers "Matt and Joe". A quick read of this gives 3 different Matt Clessons.

Last link may have the most information, but not full access, but you get an AUNT ABIGAIL!!!

 

[mestell]

Thanks for the info . . . . . very interesting . . . the third reference you listed was the most interesting to read. This source more clearly explains some of the mystery in my ancestral search which sometimes has deep but very tangled roots. It appears to me now that there were two Joseph Clesson's and that I have tried to make them one man. This explains my curiosity as to why a man of 70 years old would be on the frontier fighting French and Indians. The answer is clear, Joseph senior (who I thought was my 8th GG grandfather) wasn't, but his son Joseph junior (my actual 8th GG grandfather) was. Great info on Matthew Clesson, and although not a direct descendant, other than being the brother of my 7th GG Grandmother, it is still an intersting read. Again, thank you very much . . . .
Mike

 

[lenswerks]

Interesting stuff Mike, and a lot of work.

About 40 years ago three of my aunts spend many months in DC researching my mothers side of the family. My mother was Creek Indian. Their work produced 20 volumes of which I have a set. It's mind boggling reading. Their whole purpose for doing this was to provide proof of entitlement to funds our government paid back for the land that Jackson took from the Creeks. Pennies on the dollar of course.

I did get two checks which my first wife had spent while I was in Europe.^&grin

Donnie

 

[mestell]

Interesting stuff Mike, and a lot of work.

About 40 years ago three of my aunts spend many months in DC researching my mothers side of the family. My mother was Creek Indian. Their work produced 20 volumes of which I have a set. It's mind boggling reading. Their whole purpose for doing this was to provide proof of entitlement to funds our government paid back for the land that Jackson took from the Creeks. Pennies on the dollar of course.

I did get two checks which my first wife had spent while I was in Europe.^&grin

Donnie

It is interesting isn't it Donnie. Geneology research is very interesting, yet can also be very frustrating. This is especially true in researching ones Native American ancestry. Besides my family tree, I am also researching my wife's side of the family. Two separate branches of her family have deep Cherokee roots. We both fouond this part of her family history extremely interesting and at the same time learned a great deal about the Cherokee culture and their involvement in the history of our country . . . .
:smile2: Mike