Abstract
From 1635 to 1654, Fort Pentagoet defended private commercial investments in Acadia against English enemies and French rivals. The extensive refuse associated with the armorer’s workshop shows evidence of highly diversified maintenance and fabrication covering a wide variety of technologies. Competence in complex forge related work is apparent, particularly in gunsmithing. Gunspalls were regularly and expertly made here although they were later replaced by ready-made blade-type gunflints. Requiring less sophistication was the salvage of scrap copper, brass and other materials, which were remanufactured into various makeshift everyday objects and trade items. The services provided by Pentagoet to the aboriginal population in support of the fur trade became crucial to Indian survival. The elimination of these services with the destruction of Fort Pentagoet in 1674 is suggested to have been a major factor in the spread of “King Philip’s War” to Maine in 1676.
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Faulkner, A. Maintenance and fabrication at Fort Pentagoet 1635–1654 products of an Acadian armorer’s workshop. Hist Arch 20, 63–94 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03374062
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03374062