Cincinnati in Hamilton County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
1749 French Claims to Ohio River Valley
In 1749, the French in North America perceived a threat by British expansion west of the Allegheny Mountains to the Ohio River Valley and beyond. The French commander, Pierre Joseph Celeron, sieur de Blainville, with 250 men, left Montreal, New France, to establish French claims. They buried inscribed lead plates at the mouths of six important tributaries to the Ohio River. Three lead plates have been recovered, one was sent to England, and two are in American historical societies. The final plate was buried just west of here at the mouth of the Great Miami River, before the detachment turned north. However, after the British captured Montreal in 1760, French claims east of the Mississippi River were ceded to Britain by the 1763 Treaty of Paris. British Parliament annexed to Quebec (now Canada) and controlled all lands north of the Ohio River until 1776.
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A translation of French inscription on lead plates:
In 1749, in the reign of Louis XV, King of France, we, Celeron, Commander of the detachment sent by Monsieur the Marquis de la Galissoniere, Governor General of New France, to reestablish tranquility in some uncivilized districts, have buried this plate at the mouth of the Great Miami River, 31st of August,
Erected 1994 by The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Ohio and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 12-31.)
Marker series. This marker is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection marker series.
Location. 39° 6.001′ N, 84° 29.928′ W. Marker is in Cincinnati, Ohio, in Hamilton County. Touch for map. Marker is along the Ohio River in Sawyer Point Park, about 60 feet southeast of the Cincinnatus statue, and about 150 feet east of the Newport Southbank pedestrian bridge (former Louisville & Nashville Railroad bridge). Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 East Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati OH 45202, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Irish in Cincinnati (here, next to this marker); The Sultana (here, next to this marker); Cincinnati's German Heritage The Black Brigade of Cincinnati (a few steps from this marker); Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus (a few steps from this marker); Bicentennial Commons at Sawyer Point (within shouting distance of this marker); Corporal Merrill Laws Ricketts Marine Corps Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Robert S. Duncanson (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cincinnati.
Also see . . . Celeron's Lead Plates. (Submitted on November 16, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Categories. • Colonial Era • Exploration • Government • Notable Events • Notable Persons • Patriots & Patriotism • Political Subdivisions • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels •
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on November 16, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 3,847 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 16, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.