Ogdensburg in St. Lawrence County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Aka Se We':Ka Tsi (Oswegatchie)
Cultural & Economic Crossroads
— Iroquois Settlement 1749-1759 —
Iroquois Village
In 1751, approximately 3,000 Iroquois lived in villages on both sides of the Oswegatchie River and the small islands in between, with the most influential families living in the three villages neighboring the fort. Together their homes numbered nearly 50 longhouses, each between 60 and 80 feet long and housing three or four families.
1752 Map of The Mouth of the Oswegatchie River
Map derived from a French drawing, distortions resulted from the incomplete data available at the time.
After Fort de la Présentation was built a village began to develop outside the fort walls.
As a result of the French defeat, Abbé Picquet was forced to flee Fort de la Présentation in 1759 with the help of his Iroquois friends and converts.
Strategic Partnership
During the French and Indian War, the French fort and the Oswegatchie Iroquois villages were of strategic concern to the British. By 1754 more than half of the Onondagas had moved to the Iroquois villages near Fort de la Présentation. The Oswegatchie Iroquois also maintained strategic trading relationships with the Palatine German settlers living to the south in German Flatts (Herkimer), NY and the British feared they might use the Germans as a supply source in their war against them.
The Oswegatchie Iroquois distinguished themselves in battle and diplomacy. Beginning in 1756, they appeared before the leaders of the Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Tuscaroras and Oneidas to argue the usefulness of siding with the French.
This 1760 drawing shows Fort de la Présentation and some of the buildings of the Iroquois village during a skirmish between the British and French on the river shortly after the fort was abandoned.
Erected by Fort de la Présentation Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Native Americans • Patriots & Patriotism • War, French and Indian. In addition, it is included in the Great Lakes Seaway Trail National Scenic Byway series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1751.
Location. 44° 41.667′ N, 75° 30.073′ W. Marker is in Ogdensburg, New York, in St. Lawrence County. Marker is on the Downtown Arterial (New York State Route 68) west of Commerce Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ogdensburg NY 13669, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort la Présentation (here, next to this marker); Fort de la Présentation - 1749-1759 (here, next to this marker); Fort Lévis - 1760 (here, next to this marker); Fort Oswegatchie 1760-1796 (here, next to this marker); The Battle of Ogdensburg (here, next to this marker); Fort de la Présentation (here, next to this marker); Abbe Picquet 1708 -1781 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mission Fort (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ogdensburg.
Also see . . .
1. Iroquois History. First Nation entry (Submitted on August 3, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Iroquois Indians. Marianopolis College Quebec History entry (Submitted on August 3, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Ogdensburg NY. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation entry (Submitted on August 3, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Iroquois History. Warrior Society entry (Submitted on August 3, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 22, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 595 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 3, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on July 28, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on May 22, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.