Fort Coulter

1. Fort Coulter 1771-2010

2. 1771-1781 • Bedford County was established in 1771, the first reference of Thomas Coulter in Bedford, at which time he owned 1 slave and 40 acres. • Fort Coulter was a blockhouse built in 1781 as a shelter from hostile Native Americans after the Revolutionary war. The site was later improved and was the home of Thomas W. Coulter. Coulter served as a major in the Revolutionary war and was a member of the state convention that laid out public buildings in the town of Bedford, Pennsylvania . • The name “Thomas Coulter” and the year 1781 were carved on a stone on the chimney of the fort. The stone has since been misplaced. Elwood Williams being held by his father .

3. Thomas W. Coulter • The question “Where is Thomas Coulter’s grave?”, has popped up in recent years. • James Boor and Clyde Arnold discovered the grave in 1971 when walking along the bank of the nearby creek with the current owner, Robert Karns. • William Coulter, his wife, Sandy, and their son,Jonathan went to the grave of Thomas Coulter in 1995 to pay tribute to their ancestor. The Coulters donated a gravestone to honor their many great-grandfather.

4. Henry W. Smith • Henry W. Smith was the man who built the brick house that is now on the property. To build the barn Henry had to tear down the fort for the stones that the house was made offor the foundation. • When Henry W. Smith died he bequeathed his farm to his wife.

5. Thomas Coulter’s gravestone The originalgravestone

6. The view from the former site of the fort facing toward the gravesite.

7. Many people lived in the fort at many times. A person who lived in the fort named S. N. Wertz wrote this poem: Upon a rolling bluegrass knoll, The old stone fort did stand; And many were the stories told: By old folks sweet and grand.

8. Its walls were built of blue limestone, In style so long ago. It was my mother’s childhood home, That’s why I prize it so. Within its walls she first did see The golden light of day. And round their base she played with glee, When happy youth had away.

9. Poor folks do love their cottage home And love the joys it gives; Though some prefer the Carthage stone To make its stand to live. Palace or cabin, it matters not, in which you spend your youth; The memories are not forgot, If life is lived in truth.

10. Polished marble and granite walls, with hand-carved woods within, Can’t take away the love that falls, from memories falling wing. There’s scenes in life you can’t forget, no matter where you roam, The one to make the eyes grow wet, is mother’s childhood home.

11. While it has vanished from our sight, and placed with higher tone, My memories are still quite bright, of mother’s childhood home. If I should live to see the day, when she is called up home, The happy scene will ‘round me play, of mother’s childhood home.

12. And when my eyes grow dim with age, and close the book I own, Among the brightest on the page, is mother’s childhood home.

13. Review • What was the name of the original owner? • Thomas W. Coulter • Who found the grave of Thomas Coulter? • James Boor and Clyde Arnold • Why was Fort Coulter built? • To protect the settlers from Indian attacks. • What was the name of the poem? • “My Mother’s Childhood Home” • Who was the poet who wrote it? • S. N. Wertz

14. This power point is dedicated to all the people who made this country what it is and to all the people who gave their lives so we could have a free country.