Roark’s Gap Incident

During the French and Indian War (1754-1763) and the American Revolution (1775-1783), European powers encouraged their Indian allies to attack frontier settlers as settlers moved into lands that once were Indian territory. During the winter of 1780, a food shortage caused hardship for people and animals. While James Roark, an early settler of this region, and two of his sons were away on a hunting trip, Indians, alleged to be Shawnee, attacked his home on 18 Mar. 1780 and killed Roark’s wife and seven of their children. The attack was unanticipated by the settlers because snow covered the ground.

Virginia · United States