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Compiled, written by Jim Moyer 4/11/2017, 4/13/17, 7/22/17
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We are looking for anyone in the Middletown VA area who might know the exact spot of this building and if this building still exists?
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“It purportedly served as headquarters for Maj. Gen. Wesley Merritt, a Union cavalry division commander, and artifacts found suggest that to be true, running to the right in the image and behind where the image was taken, “ comes from an anonymous source who is interested in the history of this area.
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This building is no longer there but its foundation outline still exists. The spring still runs through it.
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The building was still there at least in 1941.
https://cdn.loc.gov/master/pnp/habshaer/va/va0400/va0454/data/va0454data.pdf
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Stone House, Middle Marsh Brook,
Middletown, Frederick County, VA .
Also known as Nisewanger’s Fort.
Click here on source for these photos.
Click on photo to enlarge.
The enlarged photo will appear in a new tab.
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Historical Sign is at 7800 Main Street Middletown VA.
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Click on star in the center of map.
That is not the exact location,
just the general area.
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Nisewanger’s Fort
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Also known as Old Stone Fort according to a 1927 historical sign on 7800 Main Street Middletown:
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Google car by the historical sign
https://goo.gl/maps/CaVhjJu2SHv
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From Norman L Baker’s book:
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French and Indian War in Frederick Co VA, original printing 2000, published by Winchester Frederick Co Historical Society who can order printings from Amazon. Orginally they used a local press on 946 Baker Lane Winchester VA called Buckley’s Printing.
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Hereafter called Baker’s Forts. Following is excerpt from Baker’s Forts page 175.
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One of a chain of 5 settler forts located along the Cedar Creek southwest boundary of present Frederick Co VA.
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On May 1, 1749, Nisewanger purchased from Lewis Stephens (whose fort nearby still exists) 355 acres on the west side of the Long Meadow on the waters of the Middle Marsh Run which flows into Cedar Creek about 1.5 miles northwest of the present town of Middletown.
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At his settlement, 1/4 mile southwest of the present Capon Springs (Route 627) on the west bank of the Middle Marsh Run. Nisewanger built in 1755 a small substantial stone fort whose ruins continue to be a landmark in the area.
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[My note. Not sure what is right here. The picture of the house designated as the fort by others looks substantial]
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The Nisewanger family were early settlers in the area. Christian Nisewanger, a first frontiersman, was in the area before October 1734, when another first frontiersman, Joist Hite was granted a 3395 acre patent on that date.
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The patent referred to “Nisewanger’s Hunting Path.”
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Nisewanger acquired 435 acres from Hite’s patent in March 1736.
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Maria Magdalina, widow of Christian Nisewanger, married Joist Hite in 1741, after his first wife, Anna Maria DuBois died in 1738.
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John Nisewanger, 35 years of age at the time he built the fort, was the son of Jacob and the grandson of Christian Nisewanger.
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End of Excerpt from Baker’s Forts
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GOOGLE CAR at the Historical Sign
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Google car by the historical sign
Found on 7800 Main Street Middletown VA
https://goo.gl/maps/CaVhjJu2SHv
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Historical Sign Web sites
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OLD STONE FORT
VA-37 SIGN
N 39° 01.760 W 078° 16.670
Text on this Historical Sign”
One mile west is the old stone fort, built about 1755. The northern end is loop-holed for defense against indians.
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http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMNA2D_Old_Stone_Fort
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This site gives address of where sign is:
7800 Main Street Route 11 Middletown VA
http://www.markerhistory.com/old-stone-fort-marker-a-37/
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This site states who put up the sign and what year they did it:
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Conservation & Development Commission 1927
http://photos.historical-markers.org/Virginia/Frederick-County/VA-A37-Old-Stone-Fort
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5 pictures showing Old Stone Fort
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Middle Marsh Brook, Middletown, Frederick Co VA
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https://www.loc.gov/item/va0454/
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Nisewanger’s Fort. A small stone settler’s dwelling, designated a refuge at the settlement of John Nisewanger, on Middle Marsh Run which flows into Cedar Creek, 12 miles southwest of Fort Loudoun, and 2.6 miles southeast of Stephens’ Fort. It was one of the five settler forts along the Cedar Creek corridor. Apparently acquiring its identification as a shelter for local settlers during times of incursions, there is no evidence of troop utilization. The fort site is located about one-fourth mile south of Route 627 about 1.5 miles northwest of Middletown.
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http://www.pleacher.com/fiwar/forts.htm
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Notes for further research
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French and Indian War in Frederick Co VA, original printing 2000, published by Winchester Frederick Co Historical Society who can order printings from Amazon. Orginally they used a local press on 946 Baker Lane Winchester VA called Buckley’s Printing.
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Hereafter called Baker’s Forts
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Google car by the historical sign
https://goo.gl/maps/CaVhjJu2SHv
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OLD STONE FORT
VA-37 SIGN
N 39° 01.760 W 078° 16.670
One mile west is the old stone fort, built about 1755. The northern end is loop-holed for defense against indians.
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http://www.waymarking.com/
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7800 MAIN STREE ROUTE 11 middletown va
http://www.markerhistory.com/
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One mile west is the Old Stone Fort, built about 1755. The northern end is loop-holed for defense against Indians.
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Conservation & Development Commission 1927
http://photos.historical-
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5 pictures saying Old Stone Fort
Middle Marsh Brook, Middletown, Frederick Co VA
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https://www.loc.gov/item/
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Nisewanger’s Fort. A small stone settler’s dwelling, designated a refuge at the settlement of John Nisewanger, on Middle Marsh Run which flows into Cedar Creek, 12 miles southwest of Fort Loudoun, and 2.6 miles southeast of Stephens’ Fort. It was one of the five settler forts along the Cedar Creek corridor. Apparently acquiring its identification as a shelter for local settlers during times of incursions, there is no evidence of troop utilization. The fort site is located about one-fourth mile south of Route 627 about 1.5 miles northwest of Middletown.
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http://www.pleacher.com/fiwar/
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Nisewanger’s Fort
Nisewanger’s Fort, a small but substantial stockaded stone dwelling, was built 1.5 miles southwest of Middletown in 1755 by John Nisewanger. He had purchased 355 acres on the west side of Long Meadow (Jost Hite’s property) from Captain Lewis Stephens in 1749.
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John’s grandfather, Christian Nisewanger, was in the Shenandoah Valley as a hunter before Jost Hite. He acquired 435 acres of land from Hite’s patent in 1736. Christian Nisewanger’s widow, Maria Magdalena, married Jost Hite in 1741, three years after the death of Hite’s first wife, Anna Maria DuBois.[i]
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more or less a straight line …. Stephen’s Fort. Nisewanger’s Fort.
[DOC]Cedar Creek and the French and Indian War
https://www.nps.gov/…/Cedar-
1. Cached
Neither fort was attacked during the French and Indian War nor did the forts deter … It was about 3.5 miles south ofNisewanger’s Fort, which was located on …
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Digested Summary and Alphabetical List of Private Claims which Have …
https://books.google.com/
1853 – United States
… Fort Towson. sage to Fort Towson. Nisewanger, Christopher, und Wm. S. Sullivant. Nisewang» r, David, etal. .Nisewanger, Joseph, ren., and Joseph, jr., el al.
Digested Summary and Alphabetical List of Private Claims which Have …
https://books.google.com/
1853 – United States
… Fort Towson. sage to Fort Towson. Nisewanger, Christopher, und Wm. S. Sullivant. Nisewang» r, David, etal. .Nisewanger, Joseph, ren., and Joseph, jr., el al.
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Nisewanger’s Fort
Nisewanger’s Fort, a small but substantial stockaded stone dwelling, was built 1.5 miles southwest of Middletown in 1755 by John Nisewanger. He had purchased 355 acres on the west side of Long Meadow (Jost Hite’s property) from Captain Lewis Stephens in 1749.
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John’s grandfather, Christian Nisewanger, was in the Shenandoah Valley as a hunter before Jost Hite. He acquired 435 acres of land from Hite’s patent in 1736. Christian Nisewanger’s widow, Maria Magdalena, married Jost Hite in 1741, three years after the death of Hite’s first wife, Anna Maria DuBois.[i]
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more or less a straight line …. Stephen’s Fort. Nisewanger’s Fort.
[DOC]Cedar Creek and the French and Indian War
https://www.nps.gov/…/Cedar-Creek-and-the-French-and-Indian-War-Barbara-Magill….
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Neither fort was attacked during the French and Indian War nor did the forts deter … It was about 3.5 miles south ofNisewanger’s Fort, which was located on …
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Digested Summary and Alphabetical List of Private Claims which Have …
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… Fort Towson. sage to Fort Towson. Nisewanger, Christopher, und Wm. S. Sullivant. Nisewang» r, David, etal. .Nisewanger, Joseph, ren., and Joseph, jr., el al.
Digested Summary and Alphabetical List of Private Claims which Have …
https://books.google.com/books?id=0Sk7AQAAMAAJ
1853 – United States
… Fort Towson. sage to Fort Towson. Nisewanger, Christopher, und Wm. S. Sullivant. Nisewang» r, David, etal. .Nisewanger, Joseph, ren., and Joseph, jr., el al.
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https://books.google.com/books?id=0Sk7AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA589&lpg=PA589&dq=Nisewanger%E2%80%99s+Fort&source=bl&ots=KlD6rqQI-h&sig=B8w_SEKGK-tNweo8SlG394xV7as&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwif6riO5ZzTAhVs5YMKHX9DAVsQ6AEIOjAG#v=onepage&q=Nisewanger%E2%80%99s%20Fort&f=false
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