# Fort Norris

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18th century fort in colonial Pennsylvania

Fort Norris Monroe County, Pennsylvania (near Kresgeville, Pennsylvania)[1] Site information Type Military fort Location Fort Norris Location of Fort Norris in Pennsylvania Coordinates 40°53′49″N 75°30′11″W / 40.89694°N 75.50306°W / 40.89694; -75.50306 Site history Built 1756 In use 1756–1758 Battles/wars French and Indian War Garrison information Past commanders Captain Jacob Orndt Captain George Reynolds Ensign Jacob Schneider Lieutenant Andreas Engel Garrison 30-50 men plus officers Pennsylvania Historical Marker Designated 1945

**Fort Norris** was a stockaded fort built at the orders of [Benjamin Franklin](/source/Benjamin_Franklin) in early 1756 in what is now [Monroe County, Pennsylvania](/source/Monroe_County%2C_Pennsylvania), following a series of attacks on local communities by Native Americans in December 1755. Construction was initiated in late January, at the same time that neighboring forts [Allen](/source/Fort_Allen_(Carbon_County%2C_Pennsylvania)), [Hamilton](/source/Fort_Hamilton_(Pennsylvania)), and [Franklin](/source/Fort_Franklin_(Schuylkill_County%2C_Pennsylvania)) were being built. The fort was named for [Isaac Norris](/source/Isaac_Norris_(statesman)), speaker of the [Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly](/source/Pennsylvania_Provincial_Assembly), who was a member of the planning committee charged with designing defenses in preparation for the [French and Indian War](/source/French_and_Indian_War).[2] Located about fifteen miles east of [Fort Allen](/source/Fort_Allen_(Carbon_County%2C_Pennsylvania)), it was one in [a chain of defensive posts](/source/Pennsylvania_forts_in_the_French_and_Indian_War) running from the New Jersey border, southwest to the Maryland border, when attacks on settlements were frequent at the beginning of the French and Indian War.[3] The fort never saw military action and was abandoned in late 1758.[4]: 138

## Background

At the beginning of the [French and Indian War](/source/French_and_Indian_War), Braddock's defeat at the [Battle of the Monongahela](/source/Battle_of_the_Monongahela) left Pennsylvania without a professional military force.[5] [Lenape](/source/Lenape) chiefs [Shingas](/source/Shingas) and [Captain Jacobs](/source/Captain_Jacobs) launched dozens of [Shawnee](/source/Shawnee) and [Delaware](/source/Lenape_people) raids against British colonial settlements,[6] killing and capturing hundreds of colonists and destroying settlements across western and central Pennsylvania.[7] In late 1755, [Colonel John Armstrong](/source/John_Armstrong_Sr.) wrote to Governor [Robert Hunter Morris](/source/Robert_Hunter_Morris): "I am of the opinion that no other means of defense than a chain of [blockhouses](/source/Blockhouses) along or near the south side of the [Kittatinny Mountains](/source/Kittatinny_Mountains) from the [Susquehanna](/source/Susquehanna_River) to the temporary line, can secure the lives and property of the inhabitants of this country."[4]: 557

In December 1755, [a series of attacks](/source/Northampton_massacre_1755) on people in the area east of what is now Stroudsburg had terrified the population, who then demanded that the Pennsylvania government provide military protection. On 10 December, a war party of about 200 Native American warriors attacked the Hoeth family farm and killed Frederick Hoeth, his wife, and seven of their eight children.[8]: 226 The next day, warriors set fire to [Daniel Brodhead](/source/Daniel_Brodhead)'s Plantation, and attacked and burned farms belonging to the Culvers, the McMichaels, and the Hartmanns.[2] The [Moravian mission at Dansbury](/source/Moravian_Historical_Society) was also destroyed.[9]: 450 A number of settlers died when they were trapped inside burning buildings. Over 300 people fled to [Bethlehem](/source/Bethlehem%2C_Pennsylvania) and [Easton](/source/Easton%2C_Pennsylvania).[4]: 138

In response to these attacks, which occurred within a month of the [Great Cove massacre](/source/Great_Cove_massacre) and the [Gnadenhütten massacre](/source/Gnadenh%C3%BCtten_massacre), the Pennsylvania provincial government decided to construct [a chain of forts](/source/Pennsylvania_forts_in_the_French_and_Indian_War) across the western frontier, running from the New Jersey border, southwest to the Maryland border. [Fort Hamilton](/source/Fort_Hamilton_(Pennsylvania)) in Stroudsburg and [Fort Dupuy](/source/Fort_Dupuy) near [Smithfield Township](/source/Smithfield_Township%2C_Monroe_County%2C_Pennsylvania) were built in December and Fort Norris, Fort Allen and Fort Franklin were built in early 1756.[4]: 138

## History

### Construction

Map showing the location of Fort Norris, upper right quadrant, northeast of [Fort Allen](/source/Fort_Allen_(Carbon_County%2C_Pennsylvania)).

In January 1756, Franklin sent Captain Jacob Orndt to assist Captain Adam Trump and Captain George Aston (Ashton) in building Fort Norris.[1] Trump and Aston had selected a site on land owned by Johann Philip Serfas, a local farmer. Years later Samuel Preston, a surveyor, wrote that the colonial officers "took all they had for the soldiers, and sent [the Serfas family] off empty-handed to seek their fortunes. They were gone eight years, during which time all their buildings were burned as well as fences."[10][8]: 233

Construction was delayed repeatedly by lack of tools and boards, so that soldiers had to strip boards from the barns and outbuildings of local settlers, leading to numerous complaints. On 14 January 1756, Franklin wrote to Governor Morris from Bethlehem: "Trump and Aston had made but slow Progress in building the First Fort [Fort Norris], complaining for want of Tools, which it was thought the People in those Parts might have Supply'd them with...Capt. Wayne tells me that Trump expects the first Fort will be finished next week."[8]: 221

Captain Orndt completed construction in early February,[4]: 138 and became the fort's commander with a garrison of 50 men.[11]

### Description

1780 map of Pennsylvania showing Fort Norris on the center right of the page.

Major William Parsons visited the fort on 11 June and wrote that "it is a well built Fort and kept very clean, Commanded by Captain Orndt, who appears to be a very good Officer. He complains for want of Boards to finish his Scaffold, etc...There is a large Hill to the Southward of the Fort from whence I imagine an Enemy might discover most that passes at the Fort."[8]: 228

[Commissary General](/source/Commissary_General) James Young inspected Fort Norris on 23 June 1756, and reported:

- "Came to Fort Norris, found here a Serjeant Commanding 21 men, he told me the Ensign with 12 men was gone out this morning to Range the Woods towards Fort Allen, the Cap'tn was at Philadelphia since the 16th for the peoples' pay...This Fort Stands in a Valley ab't midway between the [North mountain](/source/North_Mountain_(Pennsylvania)), and [the Tuscorory](/source/Tuscarora%2C_Pennsylvania), 6 miles from Each on the high Road towards the [Minisink](/source/Minisink), it is a Square ab't 80 ft Each way with 4 half [Bastions](/source/Bastions) all very Completely [Staccaded](/source/Stockade), and finished and very Defenceable, the Woods are Clear 400 yds Round it, on the Bastions are two [Sweevel Guns](/source/Swivel_gun) mount'd, within is a good Barrack, a Guard Room, Store Room, and kitchin also a Good Well."[4]: 138

Historians believe that Fort Norris was located about one mile southeast of [Kresgeville, Pennsylvania](/source/Kresgeville%2C_Pennsylvania), just south of [Pohopoco Creek](/source/Pohopoco_Creek), and to the north of a road passing east towards the [Minisink](/source/Minisink) (present-day Mountain View Drive) near its intersection with Silver Spring Boulevard. A 19th-century map shows a well and a cemetery to the east of the fort.[4]: 225

### Command

Captain Orndt was considered to be a capable officer,[12] and following the [mutiny](/source/Fort_Allen_(Carbon_County%2C_Pennsylvania)#Mutiny,_1756) at Fort Allen in August 1756, Lieutenant Anthony Miller, who was held partially responsible, was transferred to Fort Norris, where he was to serve under Orndt's command. Miller, still angry over the events at Fort Allen, objected to being placed under Orndt's command, stating that "he had as good a Commission as his Capt. and he would not submit to him."[8]: 197 On 26 August, a man who refused to serve his turn at sentry duty was supported by the men of the company. The same day, Orndt's company sent to Colonel [Conrad Weiser](/source/Conrad_Weiser) and to Major Parsons a petition complaining about their food and pay.[8]: 229 On 8 October, Orndt was reassigned to command Fort Allen, and Captain Reynolds and the entire Fort Allen garrison were transferred to Fort Norris, while the Fort Norris garrison was sent to Fort Allen. After conflicts with other officers, Reynolds resigned in February 1757, and was replaced temporarily by Ensign Jacob Schneider.[8]: 230 In May 1757, Lieutenant Andreas Engels was transferred from [Fort Franklin](/source/Fort_Franklin_(Schuylkill_County%2C_Pennsylvania)) to take command of Fort Norris. The garrison at that time was still 50 men.[4]: 138

### Abandonment, 1758

The fort was still in use as of 28 February 1758, with a reduced garrison, when Major [James Burd](/source/James_Burd) visited, writing that he "Arrived at Lieu't Ingle's at 4 P.M., ordered a Review Immediately, & found here Lieu't Ingle and 30 good men in a very good Stockade, which he is just finishing, 15 miles from Fort Allen." Burd noted that Engels was completing some repairs to the fort, suggesting that it was expected to remain in use.[4]: 225

On 27 September, [Deputy Governor William Denny](/source/List_of_colonial_governors_of_Pennsylvania) ordered Colonel Weiser to abandon Fort Norris and to transfer its garrison to the blockhouse at [Wind Gap](/source/Wind_Gap%2C_Pennsylvania).[8]: 233

## Memorialization

A stone monument, placed in 1945 by the Monroe County Historical Association,[2] is located east of Kresgeville, at the intersection of [US Route 209](/source/US_Route_209) and [Pennsylvania Route 534](/source/Pennsylvania_Route_534).[13] The inscription reads:

- "Erected 1756 one mile southeast across Pohopoco Creek, one of a line of frontier forts built under the direction of [James Hamilton](/source/James_Hamilton_(Pennsylvania_politician)) and Benjamin Franklin. Commanded successively by Captain Jacob Orndt, "an excellent officer", Capt. Reynolds and Lieut. Engell, located strategically for guarding the settlers north of the [Blue Mountains](/source/Blue_Mountain_(Pennsylvania)) during the French and Indian War."[12]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Franklin_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Franklin_1-1) ["From Benjamin Franklin to ——, 25 January 1756," Founders Online, National Archives, *The Papers of Benjamin Franklin,* vol. 6, April 1, 1755, through September 30, 1756, ed. Leonard W. Labaree. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1963, pp. 365–368.](https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-06-02-0149)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Leiser_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Leiser_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Leiser_2-2) [Amy Leiser,"Monroe County’s frontier forts: Fort Norris," Monroe County Historical Association, December 12, 2012](https://www.monroehistorical.org/articles_files/2012_1216_ftnorris.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Waddell, Louis M. "Defending the Long Perimeter: Forts on the Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Frontier, 1755-1765.” *Pennsylvania History,* 62:2(1995):171-195.](https://journals.psu.edu/phj/article/download/25219/24988/25058)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Montgomery_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Montgomery_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Montgomery_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Montgomery_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Montgomery_4-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Montgomery_4-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Montgomery_4-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-Montgomery_4-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-Montgomery_4-8) [Thomas Lynch Montgomery, ed. *Report of the Commission to Locate the Site of the Frontier Forts of Pennsylvania,* vol 1, Harrisburg, PA: W.S. Ray, state printer, 1916](http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/1pa/1picts/frontierforts/ff10.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Samuel J. Newland, *The Pennsylvania Militia: Defending the Commonwealth and the Nation, 1669–1870*, Annville, PA, 2002](https://books.google.com/books?id=-rxZAAAAYAAJ)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Matthew C. Ward, *Breaking the Backcountry: The Seven Years' War in Virginia and Pennsylvania, 1754–1765*, Pittsburgh, 2003](https://books.google.com/books?id=EFd2AAAAMAAJ)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Hunter2_7-0)** [William Albert Hunter, "Victory at Kittanning", *Pennsylvania History*, vol. 23, no. 3, July 1956; pp 376-407](https://journals.psu.edu/phj/article/view/22479)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Hunter_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Hunter_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Hunter_8-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Hunter_8-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Hunter_8-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Hunter_8-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Hunter_8-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-Hunter_8-7) [Hunter, William Albert. *Forts on the Pennsylvania Frontier: 1753–1758,* (Classic Reprint). Fb&c Limited, 2018.](http://libsysdigi.library.illinois.edu/OCA/Books2012-06/fortsonpennsylva00hunt/fortsonpennsylva00hunt.pdf)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [Margaretta Archambault, *A Guide Book of Art, Architecture, and Historic Interests in Pennsylvania,* Philadelphia: The John C. Winston Co., 1924](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/66410/pg66410-images.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["From Benjamin Franklin to ——, 25 January 1756," Founders Online, National Archives, *The Papers of Benjamin Franklin,* vol. 6, April 1, 1755, through September 30, 1756, ed. Leonard W. Labaree. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1963, pp. 365–368.](https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-06-02-0149)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Position of Troops in Northampton County, 23 February 1756," Founders Online, National Archives, *The Papers of Benjamin Franklin,* vol. 6, April 1, 1755, through September 30, 1756, ed. Leonard W. Labaree. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1963, pp. 408–409.](https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-06-02-0172)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Marker_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Marker_12-1) ["Fort Norris," Historical Marker Project, 2024](https://historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/HM1MPH_fort-norris_-PA.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [Pete Payette, "Fort Norris," *Pennsylvania Forts: Northeast Pennsylvania,* NorthAmericanForts.com, May 7, 2018](https://www.northamericanforts.com/East/pa-noreast.html#norris)

## External links

- Wesley Schwenk, "[Benjamin Franklin](http://frenchandindianwarforts.weebly.com/benjamin-franklin.html)," Forts of the French and Indian War, accessed August 20, 2023.

- [Map of Fortifications on the Pennsylvania frontier in 1756, showing Fort Norris in the center of the second page.](http://www.theamericanpatriotseries.com/uploads/7/1/5/6/7156763/fortifications_on_the_pa_frontier_in_1756.pdf)

v t e Pennsylvania during the French and Indian War 1754 Battle of Jumonville Glen Battle of the Great Meadows 1755 Braddock Expedition Battle of the Monongahela Penn's Creek massacre Great Cove massacre Kobel massacre Gnadenhütten massacre Northampton massacre 1756 Battle of Sideling Hill Kittanning Expedition 1757 Hochstetler massacre Bloody Springs massacre 1758 Battle of Fort Duquesne Battle of Fort Ligonier Treaty of Easton Forbes Expedition Frontier Forts Fort Allen Fort Augusta Fort Bedford Fort Bigham Carlisle Fort Fort Chambers Fort Depuy Fort Deshler Fort Duquesne Fort Franklin Fort Granville Fort Halifax Fort Hamilton Fort Henry Fort Hunter Fort Hyndshaw Fort Juniata Crossing Fort Lebanon Fort Le Boeuf Light's Fort Fort Ligonier Fort Loudoun Fort Lyttleton Fort Machault Fort Manada McDowell's Mill Fort McCord Mercer's Fort Fort Morris Fort Necessity Fort Norris Fort Northkill Fort Pitt Fort Presque Isle Fort Prince George Redstone Old Fort Fort Robinson Fort Shirley Fort Swatara Fort Venango Whitefield House Fort William Heinrich Zeller House

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Fort Norris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Norris) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Norris?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.