Fort Hyndshaw, Pennsylvania — History & Visitor Guide

Fort Hyndshaw (Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania)

Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County · Pennsylvania · French and Indian War

Quick BriefBuilt in January 1756 to defend settlers in Upper Smithfield, Fort Hyndshaw was the northernmost outpost in Pennsylvania's French and Indian War defensive chain. Commanded by Captain James Van Etten with Lieutenant James Hyndshaw second in command, the fort held just 30 men but served as a crucial refuge until militiamen evacuated it in June 1757. Local settlers continued using it until Native American warriors captured it in June 1758, taking prisoners who likely included Moravian missionary families.

Open to visitors

History & Significance

Following Braddock's defeat at the Battle of the Monongahela in 1755, Pennsylvania lacked professional military forces. Lenape chiefs Shingas and Captain Jacobs launched dozens of raids against British colonial settlements, killing and capturing hundreds of colonists.

The Pennsylvania Legislature placed Benjamin Franklin and James Hamilton in charge to erect a chain of forts along the Blue Mountain in the Minisink region. Construction was initiated in January 1756 with a 70-foot square stockade built around Hyndshaw's home, with only eight men comprising the first garrison.

The fort stood about half a mile from the Delaware River and was square in shape, encompassing 4,900 square feet. In June, Captain Van Etten was ordered by Deputy Governor William Denny to evacuate the fort, with the garrison sent to Fort Hamilton on 19 June.

Lieutenant Hyndshaw returned with 10 men in July to remove stores before abandonment, though local settlers continued using the fort as refuge during the following year. Archaeologist Danny Younger proposed that captured prisoners were killed, and may be buried in the nearby Nazareth Moravian Cemetery containing 46 unmarked graves.

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🧳 Visiting

What you’ll see when you visit:

French and Indian War-era defensive stockade built around a colonial home
Ruins of 1756 frontier fortification and settler refuge
Located in remote Monroe County Pennsylvania landscape
Historical site of 1758 raid and siege

Best time to visitSpring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer mild weather for exploring outdoor ruins; avoid winter snow and muddy conditions.

Getting thereMorristown Municipal Airport (MMU) is approximately 59 km away; the fort is located in Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania.

From the nearest major airportNewark Liberty International Airport (EWR)🚗 81 mi by road⏱️ ≈ 1 hr 51 min drive

Fort Hyndshaw (Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania)

History & Significance

Key Facts

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Sources

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