Fort at Number 4 (Charlestown, New Hampshire)
Charlestown · New Hampshire · King George's War, French and Indian War, American Revolutionary War
History & Significance
Settlement began in 1740 when brothers Stephen, Samuel and David Farnsworth established the plantation; by 1743, ten families lived at Number 4. The fortification was established in 1744 when townspeople voted to move several homes to create a fortified section.
The "fort" comprised six houses connected by lean-tos, with a two-story southern structure housing a Great Hall and guard tower, a single gate below the Great Hall flanked by stable and guardhouse, and three sides enclosed by stockade extending to protect an existing well. During King George's War in 1744, French and Native raiders burned outlying farms; settlers largely abandoned the fort by fall 1746, though a small garrison remained until February 1747.
Captain Phineas Stevens and 30 militia reoccupied the fort in spring 1747; on April 7, French and Abenaki forces arrived and set fire to windward buildings, but defenders used trenches and water-passing brigades to extinguish flames. The fort successfully turned down surrender demands and prevented the besiegers from burning it down.
The town was subsequently named Charlestown in honor of Sir Charles Knowles, a Royal Navy officer impressed by the fort's spirited defense. Between 1757 and 1760, during the French and Indian War, the fort served as a staging area for regular and colonial troops from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut en route to Lake Champlain and Lake George operations. In 1777, Brigadier General John Stark gathered approximately 1,500 New Hampshire militiamen here before marching to the Battle of Bennington.
Key Facts
Map
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🧳 Visiting
What you’ll see when you visit:
- Reconstructed 1760s stockade fort with original colonial architecture
- Historical reenactments depicting daily life and 1747 siege defense
- Captain Phineas Stevens' leadership in French and Abenaki conflict
- Open-air setting showcasing northern frontier settlement conditions
- Museum exhibits covering King George's War through Revolutionary era
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_at_Number_4
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Fort_at_Number_4
- http://www.fortat4.org/history.php
- https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=298330
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