Today in Wheeling History: August 13--Celeron de Bienville buries a lead plate at the mouth of the Wheeling Creek, claiming the Ohio Valley for France (1749).
In 1749, the governor of Canada, Marquis de la Galissonnière, dispatched Pierre-Joseph Celoron de Blainville (1693–1759) on an expedition to strengthen France’s position in the Ohio Valley. Celoron led a contingent of 230 Canadian militia and Indian guides down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers. On August 13, 1749, the expedition reached the mouth of Wheeling Creek, marking the beginning of the recorded history of Wheeling, West Virginia.
The primary objective of Celoron's expedition was to reassert French claims to the Ohio Valley in the face of increasing British encroachment. To this end, Celoron and his men buried lead plates at various strategic locations along their route, including the mouth of Wheeling Creek. These plates bore inscriptions asserting French sovereignty over the territory. The burial of the plates was a ceremonial act, with the officers and men drawn up in battle array, proclaiming "Vive le Roi!" and affixing the royal arms to a tree.
Father Pierre Bonnecamps, a Jesuit mathematician, accompanied the expedition and documented their journey. His maps and journals provide valuable insights into the geography and indigenous settlements of the region at the time. The expedition's interactions with Native American tribes were crucial, as the French sought to counteract British influence and secure alliances with the local populations.
The Celoron expedition's landing at Wheeling Creek is a significant event in the history of Wheeling, as it marked the first recorded European presence in the area. This event set the stage for subsequent European exploration and settlement, ultimately shaping the development of Wheeling and the surrounding region. The legacy of Celoron's expedition is preserved in historical records and commemorated by the community of Wheeling.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/iKrhz) (https://shorturl.at/2f6Sj) (https://shorturl.at/7FEUy) (https://shorturl.at/EFBAk)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
In 1749, the governor of Canada, Marquis de la Galissonnière, dispatched Pierre-Joseph Celoron de Blainville (1693–1759) on an expedition to strengthen France’s position in the Ohio Valley. Celoron led a contingent of 230 Canadian militia and Indian guides down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers. On August 13, 1749, the expedition reached the mouth of Wheeling Creek, marking the beginning of the recorded history of Wheeling, West Virginia.
The primary objective of Celoron's expedition was to reassert French claims to the Ohio Valley in the face of increasing British encroachment. To this end, Celoron and his men buried lead plates at various strategic locations along their route, including the mouth of Wheeling Creek. These plates bore inscriptions asserting French sovereignty over the territory. The burial of the plates was a ceremonial act, with the officers and men drawn up in battle array, proclaiming "Vive le Roi!" and affixing the royal arms to a tree.
Father Pierre Bonnecamps, a Jesuit mathematician, accompanied the expedition and documented their journey. His maps and journals provide valuable insights into the geography and indigenous settlements of the region at the time. The expedition's interactions with Native American tribes were crucial, as the French sought to counteract British influence and secure alliances with the local populations.
The Celoron expedition's landing at Wheeling Creek is a significant event in the history of Wheeling, as it marked the first recorded European presence in the area. This event set the stage for subsequent European exploration and settlement, ultimately shaping the development of Wheeling and the surrounding region. The legacy of Celoron's expedition is preserved in historical records and commemorated by the community of Wheeling.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/iKrhz) (https://shorturl.at/2f6Sj) (https://shorturl.at/7FEUy) (https://shorturl.at/EFBAk)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
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