Fort Pelham

Fort Pelham (1744-1754) - First established in 1744 by Captain Moses Rice in Rowe, Franklin County, Massachusetts. Named after Henry Pelham, British prime minister (1743-1754) under King George II. The fort was ordered abandoned in 1754.

King George's War (1744-1748)

Sited according to the survey to be 5.5 miles west of Fort Shirley (1) and 2 miles south of Hazen's line. Built as a large palisaded stockade with 12' square elevated watch boxes at each corner. The stockade encompassed almost an acre and a half and was surrounded by a ditch. The garrison usually numbered about 20 men.

This fort was one of a line of forts along the northwest corner of Massachusetts built during King George's War at the direction of Governor Shirley.

French & Indian War (1754-1763)

Ordered abandoned at the beginning of the French & Indian War.

Current Status

Site archeologically excavated in 1971-72, marked with granite monument in 1956.

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Location: Rowe, Franklin County, Massachusetts. Maps & Images Lat: 42.6903611 Long: -72.9037088 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 1,211'

Sources:

• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 407

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Pelham

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Fort Pelham Picture Gallery

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