Sign In

The First Printed Map of the Route From Albany to Lake Ontario

This map illustrates the route from Albany and to Lake Ontario, a critical early communication for British troops during the French & Indian War.  This is the earliest printed map to illustrate this route and is almost certainly drawn directly from detailed manuscript maps prepared by the British forces in New York during the early years of the War, between 1756 and 1759.

Details include the primary roads and rivers along the route, as well as a number of British Forts and small frontier settlements in New York, as well as several "Carrying Places," where travelers would be required to portage between rivers or around rapids and waterfalls.  Based upon the names of the forts shown, the map likely reflects the state of affairs as of 1759, the year in which Fort Brewerton was constructed.  Previously, Fort Stanwix had been built in August 1758.

As illustrated by the following two British manuscript maps from the collection of King George III, an effective route from Albany to Lake Ontario was of great strategic importance to the British, as a means of countering the more direct access which the French had to the interior parts of North America via the St. Lawrence River.  Francis Pfister's A Map of the Province of New York and Part of New Jersey with a Part of New France, A Map of the Province of New York & Part of New England With a Part of New France, and Thomas Abercrombie's . . . Map of the Scene of Action . . . , frame the emphasis placed upon this route.  

The present map is likely drawn in large part from the this untitled map of the route between Albany and Oswego, which was formerly in the collection of King George III and was drawn in about 1756.

The route from Albany to Lake Ontario was of critical importance to the British during the French and Indian War (1754–1763) because it provided a direct corridor for military movements, supplies, and communication between the British colonies and the strategic western frontier.   This route served as a vital connection to the Great Lakes and the Ohio Valley, areas contested between the British and French. Control of Lake Ontario allowed the British to project power into the interior of North America and challenge the French stronghold at Fort Niagara and other key positions in the Great Lakes region. 

The British established or strengthened several forts along this corridor—Fort Albany, Fort Herkimer, Fort Stanwix, Fort Oswego, and Fort Ontario—to protect the route and secure the Mohawk River Valley, a natural passageway through the rugged terrain.  The Mohawk Valley and the road to Lake Ontario were frequent targets of French and Native American raids. Maintaining control of the route enabled the British to protect settlements in New York’s interior and prevent French advances toward Albany, the key supply and logistics hub for British operations. 

The British used this route to launch major offensives against French forts in the Great Lakes region, particularly the 1759 campaign against Fort Niagara.  Fort Oswego was the staging ground for the British Troops from the 44th, 46th and a portion of the 60th regiment and militias from Rhode Island and New York, who traveled by way of the Mohawk River in the late Spring of 1759, where the combined forces met with Sir William Johnson and 600 Iroquois warriors, before attacking Fort Niagara on July 6, 1759. Taking control of the western terminus of the route at Lake Ontario cut off French access to the interior and helped solidify British dominance in North America.   The Mohawk Valley was home to the Iroquois Confederacy, who played a crucial role in the conflict. Control of the route allowed the British to maintain diplomatic relations with the Iroquois and reinforce alliances that were vital to their success against the French.  

Thomas Mante

Thomas Mante’s History of the Late War in North America (1772) is a detailed account of the French and Indian War (1754–1763), focusing on military campaigns and geopolitical developments. Mante, a British army officer and historian, offers a firsthand perspective on key events and battles, including Braddock’s defeat, the capture of Louisbourg, and the pivotal Battle of Quebec. His narrative emphasizes British strategy and leadership while critiquing colonial and military mismanagement.

The book is notable for its inclusion of detailed maps illustrating the theaters of war, providing essential context for military operations. Mante’s work is one of the earliest comprehensive histories of the conflict, blending analysis with firsthand observation, and remains a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of the struggle for dominance in North America.

Rarity

Mante's History of the Late War in North America is rare on the market, and the maps almost never appear separately.

This is the first example of this map we have seen on the market.