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NOON
on
Wednesday,
April 2

Andrew Montour
(ca. 1710 - 1774) Mediator/Scout
"History Alive" Presentation

On April 2nd, 2008, at 12:00 noon, Andrew Montour will appear in the Commons area of New River Community and Technical College as a part of the Literary Series presented by Ivy & Stone, Council for the Arts and New River Community & Technical College.

Born of Franco-Iroquoian heritage, Andrew Montour served the interests of Virginia and Pennsylvania against the French in the upper Ohio Valley. He was a master of complex frontier diplomacy who could speak French, English, and at least seven native tongues. In 1752 he accompanied William Trent down the Ohio River, exploring large areas in present-day West Virginia between the Kanawha and Monongahela rivers. Montour is portrayed by William Hunt, Jr. Charleston in this History Alive! presentation.

Montour’s influence, especially over the Ohio Indians, was so great that the French put a price on his head. During the French and Indian War, he led Indians in the British service. He organized a company of Indian scouts for Washington in 1754 and was in the battle for Fort Necessity. In 1755 he served with Braddock at the Monongahela.

For his services to Pennsylvania as soldier, interpreter, and Indian agent he received several grants of land. For some years after 1752 his home was on Montour Creek near its junction with Sherman Creek, about twelve miles northwest of Carlisle.

Join Ivy & Stone to step back in time with this fascinating and FREE History Alive! presentation at New River Community and Technical College. History Alive! is supported with financial assistance from the West Virginia Humanities Council, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendation expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.