Crotwell Family History
Philemon Waters II - French and Indian Wars - Ft. Necessity Mystery
Philemon Waters II - French & Indian Wars and Mystery of Fort Necessity
Philemon Waters II served in the Virginia Militia under Col Joshua Fry & Lt Col George Washington and as part of army under British Gen. Edward Braddock attempting to drive the French from the Ohio Valley during the French & Indian Wars.
General Braddock was wounded in Jul 1755 and Philemon Waters II was one of four Virginians who carried the General's stretcher away from the battlefield. General Braddock died during the trip and was buried near Ft. Necessity. Each of the men who carried the General's stretcher received a gold-laced uniform with silver buttons from Braddock's sister in Ireland. Philemon Water's uniform remained in the family for many years.
In 15 Jul 1756 Philemon Waters II re-enlisted in the Company of Capt Adam Stephen, under George Washington, which repelled the French & Indians from Shenandoah Valley, Virginia.
Mystery of Fort Necessity
Philemon Waters II was involved in the Battle at Fort Necessity, also known as Battle at Great Meadows, in the summer of 1754. This battle is considered by some historians as the first battle of the French and Indian War. This was George Washington’s first military battle and his only surrender. The French & Indian War became a world wide war known as the Seven Year War in Europe with Britain versus France. It would lead eventually to the Revolutionary War in the Colonies.
So who fired the first shot at Fort Necessity has been an important question and mystery. As Horace Walpole said:
"The volley fired by a young Virginian in the backwoods of America set the world on fire."
There is some proof that Philemon Waters II was that person. This was reported by the New York Times over a century after the battle in an article dtd 28 Jan 1891 describing the controversy and letters that had been found in Virginia. Philemon Waters II had moved to South Carolina after the French & Indian Wars and was not aware that land grants were given for service in the wars until much later.
Letter One: Letter dtd 3 Jun 1772 was written by Philemon Waters II to Col Adam Stephen of Virginia about fighting with Col Washington & requesting information about a claim to the land grants.
Letter Two: Reply from Col Adam Stephen of Virginia dtd 17 Jul 1773, says Philemon was entitled to 600 acres for being at Battle of Great Meadows and acknowledging that he had fired the first gun at the enemy on 3 Jul 1754.
Letter Three: Letter from Gen. George Washington dtd 20 Apr 1775 states Philemon Waters had been a soldier at Battle of Great Meadows in 1754 and had applied for his land, but the acres to be granted had all been distributed to those who had filed claims before Nov 1773.
