Ephraim Vause, appointed Captain of Horse in 1753 and considered a man of considerable influence, built a simple palisaded fort nearby on his farm to protect his family and neighbors. In June 1756, during the French and Indian War, Indians attacked and burned the fort, and a relief party led by Maj. Andrew Lewis arrived too late to save most of the occupants. Capt. Peter Hogg quickly rebuilt the fort as a composite earth-and-palisade structure. George Washington inspected Fort Vause in October 1756 during his tour of Virginia's frontier defenses.