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Fort
Augusta, built in 1756 
Fort
Augusta was
Pennsylvania’s stronghold in the upper Susquehanna Valley from the days of
the French and Indian War to the close of the American Revolution. This site, now within the limits of the City of Sunbury, is
an area the Indians called “Shamokin.”
First constructed as part of the British defense against the raids of
the French and Indians from the upper Allegheny region, it was later used as
an American fortress to aid in the protection of the settlers of the upper
Susquehanna from Britain’s Indian allies to the north.
It was named for the mother of King George III.
Fort
Augusta was built with:
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logs,
upright in the part facing the river, lengthwise in the rear, and was
about two hundred feet square.
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the
main wall of the fort faced or “revetted” to about half its
height by a dry ditch or moat.
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a
triangular bastion in each corner which permitted a crossfire that covered the
entire extent of the wall.
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the
main structure of the fort enclosing officers’ and soldiers’
quarters, a
magazine, and a well, the last two of which are still
preserved.
powder
magazine
well
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the
fort further protected by an outer stockade, which was flanked by
four blockhouses, two on each side.
The blockhouses in turn were connected by a stockade, forming a
“covered way” to the river.
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it
is said to have had sixteen mounted cannons, two of which are still
preserved in the Museum.
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Fort
Augusta was never forced to endure a siege.
Its strength and position discouraged attack.
Its existence limited the effectiveness of the French raids and
threatened French power in northwestern Pennsylvania.
It held the Susquehanna Valley for Britain.
During the Revolutionary War, Fort Augusta was the military
headquarters of the American forces in the upper Susquehanna Valley.
The activities of the Northumberland County Militia, the sending of
troops to serve in Washington’s army, and the support and protection of
smaller posts throughout the valley were all directed from the Fort, where
Colonel Samuel Hunter, the last commandant, resided.
After
the War,
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the Fort gradually
deteriorated
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Colonel Hunter was allowed to retain the Commandant’s Quarters as
his property.
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his descendants
continued to live there until 1848, when the log house burned.
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the present Hunter House was completed in 1852 by the
Colonel’s grandson, Captain
Samuel Hunter.
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both men are buried in the Hunter-Grant Cemetery across the street,
behind
The Hunter House.
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In
1930, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased the land on which the well
and magazine are located, and, in 1931, acquired the larger tract, which
included The Hunter House. This
combined Fort Augusta property is now the headquarters of the Northumberland
County Historical Society.
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