Near here stood a fort first known as Crissman’s Fort, later called Carter’s or Rye Cove Fort, and by militia officers Fort Lee. Isaac Crissman, Sr. built it in 1774, and after Crissman was killed by Indians in 1776, Thomas Carter acquired it. Col. Joseph Martin and his militia troops rebuilt the fort in 1777 and occupied it until at least 1794. From 1792 to 1794, Captain Andrew Lewis, Jr. commanded it.