John Stanwix

Who was John Stanwix?

John Stanwix was a British soldier and politician.

Stanwix entered the army in 1706, rose to a captain of the grenadiers in 1739, major of marines in 1741, and lieutenant-colonel in 1745, and was appointed equerry to Frederick, Prince of Wales, in 1749. In 1750, he was promoted to the government of Carlisle, which he represented in the British parliament in 1741.

In 1754, he became deputy quartermaster-general of the forces, and on 1 January 1756, he was made colonel-commandant of the 1st battalion of the 60th or Royal American Regiment. On his arrival in America he was given the command of the southern district. During 1757 his headquarters were at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and he was appointed brigadier-general on 27 December of that year. After his relief by General John Forbes in 1758, General Stanwix went to Albany, New York, whence he was ordered to the Oneida carrying-place, to secure that important position by the erection of a work which was called Fort Stanwix in his honor. In 1759 he returned to Pennsylvania, built and named Fort Pitt, and surmounted the works with cannon.