Fort Vause (Montgomery County, near Shawsville, Virginia)

Montgomery County, near Shawsville · Virginia · French and Indian War

Quick BriefFort Vause was built in 1753 in Montgomery County, Virginia, by Ephraim Vause near Shawsville. It was attacked by French troops and Native American warriors in 1756, and most of the inhabitants were killed or taken prisoner.

History & Significance

The original fort was built on the Great Wagon Road leading from Philadelphia to North Carolina, to protect the home of Ephraim Vause and his neighbors. Privately built fortified homesteads of this period were typically stockades surrounding the farmhouse and outbuildings, in some cases including a crude two-storey blockhouse.

Between 17 and 25 Virginia militia troops were stationed there in 1756, under the command of Captain John Smith. On 25 June 1756, the fort was attacked by French troops and Native American warriors.

The attack involved 25 French soldiers together with 205 Miami, Ottawa and Shawnee warriors under the command of François-Marie Picoté de Belestre. At least 3 settlers were killed, and 22 were taken prisoner, including Ephraim Vause's wife, his three daughters, a slave he owned and two of his servants.

George Washington inspected Fort Vause in October 1756 during his tour of Virginia's frontier defenses. The fort was rebuilt in 1757 but abandoned by 1759.

Fort Vause is a National Landmark, file #060-0017. A brass plaque mounted on a stone plinth was placed at the fort's site on 2 December 1969.