Old Trails on the Niagara Frontier Trivia Quiz Questions and Answers

What early missionary was likely the first white man to see Niagara Falls?

  • Father Joseph de la Roche Dallion
  • Étienne Bruslé
  • Father Jean de Brébeuf
  • Father Melithon Watteaux

Correct Answer: Étienne Bruslé

Correct Answer Explanation: Étienne Bruslé was a French interpreter who was known for his adventurous life. While he was later captured by Native Americans and burned at the stake, he survived the ordeal.

What indigenous nation inhabited the Niagara Frontier before the arrival of Europeans?

  • Iroquois
  • Huron
  • Neuter
  • Seneca

Correct Answer: Neuter

Correct Answer Explanation: The Neuter nation was a powerful group of Indigenous people who lived in the Niagara Frontier until they were wiped out by the Iroquois in the mid-17th century.

What fort served as a strategic stronghold for both the French and British in the Niagara Frontier?

  • Fort Erie
  • Fort Stanwix
  • Fort Ticonderoga
  • Fort Niagara

Correct Answer: Fort Niagara

Correct Answer Explanation: Fort Niagara was a crucial location for both the French and British during their respective periods of control, playing a vital role in the fur trade and military operations.

Who built the first Fort Niagara in 1687?

  • La Salle
  • Father Dallion
  • The Marquis de Denonville
  • Father Brébeuf

Correct Answer: The Marquis de Denonville

Correct Answer Explanation: The fort was originally named Fort Denonville, after the Marquis who ordered its construction. It was built quickly to secure the region and was strategically located near the Niagara River.

What military obstacle was used to defend Fort Niagara during the American Revolution?

  • Chevaux-de-frise
  • Minefield
  • Moat
  • Palisades

Correct Answer: Chevaux-de-frise

Correct Answer Explanation: Chevaux-de-frise were a type of defensive obstacle composed of sharpened stakes used to deter cavalry charges. The British used these extensively at Fort Niagara to bolster their defenses against potential attacks.

What was the name of the French military engineer who rebuilt Fort Niagara in 1725?

  • Chaussegros de Léry
  • La Salle
  • Father Watteaux
  • Sir William Johnson

Correct Answer: Chaussegros de Léry

Correct Answer Explanation: Chaussegros de Léry was responsible for rebuilding Fort Niagara with more substantial and enduring structures, laying the foundation for the current fort that still stands today.

What major event marked the end of French control of the Niagara Frontier?

  • The Treaty of Paris (1783)
  • The capture of Fort Niagara by the British in 1759
  • The French and Indian War (1754-1763)
  • The Battle of Fort Ticonderoga (1777)

Correct Answer: The capture of Fort Niagara by the British in 1759

Correct Answer Explanation: In 1759, British forces under the command of Sir William Johnson captured Fort Niagara from the French. This marked a significant turning point in the control of the region and paved the way for British dominance in the area.

Which British governor of Canada prioritized the defense of Fort Niagara?

  • Sir William Johnson
  • Sir Frederick Haldimand
  • Guy Johnson
  • Major Butler

Correct Answer: Sir Frederick Haldimand

Correct Answer Explanation: Sir Frederick Haldimand, the governor of Canada during the American Revolution, recognized the strategic importance of Fort Niagara and invested significant resources in strengthening its defenses, ensuring its role as a key stronghold for the British.

What was the name of the British officer who commanded Fort Niagara during the American Revolution?

  • Sir William Johnson
  • Colonel Mason Bolton
  • Major Butler
  • Guy Johnson

Correct Answer: Colonel Mason Bolton

Correct Answer Explanation: Colonel Mason Bolton was known for his effectiveness in commanding Fort Niagara during the Revolution, maintaining order and control amid challenging circumstances and wartime pressures.

What American family was captured by a British-backed Indian raiding party in 1780 and brought to Fort Niagara?

  • The Gilbert family
  • The Ogden family
  • The Moseby family
  • The Brown family

Correct Answer: The Gilbert family

Correct Answer Explanation: The Gilbert family’s story highlights the brutal realities of the American Revolution and the hardships faced by American prisoners captured by British forces and their allies.

Which American soldier was captured near Fort Stanwix in 1781 and brought to Fort Niagara?

  • David Ogden
  • Moseby
  • John Lay
  • Robert Marsh

Correct Answer: David Ogden

Correct Answer Explanation: David Ogden was a young soldier captured by the British and taken to Fort Niagara. His experiences there, including running the gauntlet, highlight the harsh treatment of American prisoners and the impact of war on individuals.

What was the name of the runaway slave who was arrested in Niagara in 1837?

  • Moseby
  • William Wells Brown
  • David Ogden
  • Robert Marsh

Correct Answer: Moseby

Correct Answer Explanation: Moseby’s arrest and the ensuing conflict between pro-slavery forces and abolitionists highlight the tension surrounding slavery and the growing abolitionist movement in the Niagara Frontier.

Who was the Governor of Canada West who refused to extradite Moseby?

  • Sir Frederick Haldimand
  • Guy Johnson
  • Sir William Johnson
  • Sir Francis Bond Head

Correct Answer: Sir Francis Bond Head

Correct Answer Explanation: Sir Francis Bond Head’s decision to refuse the extradition of Moseby underscored the growing tension between the British government and abolitionists in Canada, and his stance against the enforcement of slavery laws.

What was the name of the village located near present-day Geneva, New York, inhabited by the Seneca people?

  • Kanadasaga
  • Cataracouy
  • Niagara
  • Buffalo

Correct Answer: Kanadasaga

Correct Answer Explanation: Kanadasaga was a major Seneca village located in present-day upstate New York. This village held strategic importance and was often used by the Seneca for their political and cultural gatherings.

What was the name of the large covered wagon used for freight transport in the early American West?

  • Conestoga wagon
  • Prairie Schooner
  • Covered Wagon
  • Stagecoach

Correct Answer: Conestoga wagon

Correct Answer Explanation: Conestoga wagons were a common sight in the early American West, transporting goods and families across vast distances. They were named after the Conestoga Valley in Pennsylvania, where they were initially developed.

What term is used in Australia to refer to the wilderness, often referring to dense forest areas?

  • Bush
  • Prairie
  • Outback
  • Scrub

Correct Answer: Bush

Correct Answer Explanation: Bush is a term used in Australia to refer to wild, uncultivated land, often characterized by dense forests and scrubland. It is a prominent part of Australian landscape and is often depicted in Australian literature and art.

What was the name of the French term for a type of plant or herb used to treat scurvy?

  • Herbe de scorbut
  • Herbe de la mer
  • Herbe de la terre
  • Herbe de la vie

Correct Answer: Herbe de scorbut

Correct Answer Explanation: Herbe de scorbut was a French term that was used to refer to plants and herbs that were believed to have medicinal properties and were used to treat scurvy, a common illness among sailors and those who lacked access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

What was the name given to Kingston, Ontario, by the French?

  • Cataracouy
  • Fort Niagara
  • La Salle
  • Kanadasaga

Correct Answer: Cataracouy

Correct Answer Explanation: Cataracouy was the French name for Kingston, Ontario, a strategically important location on the St. Lawrence River and was a focal point for the French fur trade in the region.

What was a common Native American dish made from pounded corn?

  • Samp
  • Pemmican
  • Succotash
  • Frybread

Correct Answer: Samp

Correct Answer Explanation: Samp was a staple food for many Native American tribes. It was made from coarsely ground corn and was often boiled or cooked with other ingredients.

What was the name of the schooner that Colonel Mason Bolton boarded that sank near Golden Hill in 1780?

  • Ontario
  • Niagara
  • Erie
  • St. Lawrence

Correct Answer: Ontario

Correct Answer Explanation: The schooner Ontario was commanded by Colonel Bolton and was lost at sea near Golden Hill, resulting in his tragic death. This incident was one of many tragic events during the American Revolution, highlighting the dangers faced by military personnel during that period.

How many Indians were at Fort Niagara in 1759?

  • 2300
  • 1000
  • 500
  • 100

Correct Answer: 2300

Correct Answer Explanation: The presence of 2300 Indigenous people at Fort Niagara in 1759 shows the significance of the fort as a center for Native American activity and interaction with British forces.

How many British soldiers were stationed at Fort Niagara in 1778?

  • 349
  • 500
  • 1000
  • 2000

Correct Answer: 349

Correct Answer Explanation: This number of British soldiers at Fort Niagara in 1778 gives a sense of the military presence that was maintained at the fort during the American Revolution.

What was the total number of people, including Indians and refugees, dependent on Fort Niagara for provisions after Sullivan’s raid in 1779?

  • 5,036
  • 1000
  • 2000
  • 10,000

Correct Answer: 5,036

Correct Answer Explanation: This significant number of people relying on Fort Niagara for provisions highlights the importance of the fort as a base of operations and a source of support for British forces and their allies during the American Revolution.

How many Americans were captured by Indians and brought to Fort Niagara in 1780?

  • 900
  • 500
  • 1000
  • 2000

Correct Answer: 900

Correct Answer Explanation: This significant number of Americans captured by Indians and brought to Fort Niagara underscores the brutality of warfare and the devastating impact on American civilians during the Revolution.

What was the population of Buffalo in 1810?

  • Over 400
  • 1000
  • 2000
  • 5000

Correct Answer: Over 400

Correct Answer Explanation: This figure indicates the early development of Buffalo and its growing population at the start of the 19th century. Buffalo was an important trading center and its growth was fueled by the development of the surrounding region.

How much freight was carried by John Lay on his steamboat in 1822?

  • $120,000
  • $50,000
  • $100,000
  • $200,000

Correct Answer: $120,000

Correct Answer Explanation: This amount of freight transported by John Lay highlights the growing importance of steamboats for transportation and trade in the early 19th century. The Niagara Frontier was a crucial location for trade and travel, and steamboats played a significant role in connecting different regions.

What was the name of the French explorer who established a fort on the site of present-day Fort Niagara in 1678-79?

  • La Salle
  • Father Dallion
  • Father Brébeuf
  • The Marquis de Denonville

Correct Answer: La Salle

Correct Answer Explanation: La Salle’s expedition was a significant moment in the exploration and development of the Niagara Frontier. His fort, known as Fort Conti, was strategically located near the Niagara River and served as a base for his explorations in the Great Lakes region.

Who was the first Catholic priest to minister to white settlers in New York State?

  • Father Dallion
  • Father Brébeuf
  • Father Watteaux
  • La Salle

Correct Answer: Father Watteaux

Correct Answer Explanation: Father Melithon Watteaux’s role as chaplain at Fort Niagara is a significant event in the history of religion and the early settlement of New York State. His ministry to the white settlers at the fort marks the spread of Christianity and the influence of religious institutions in the region.

How long did it take John Lay to sail from New Orleans to Liverpool in 1822?

  • 60 days
  • 30 days
  • 90 days
  • 120 days

Correct Answer: 60 days

Correct Answer Explanation: This length of time highlights the challenges and time required for long-distance travel by sea in the early 19th century. The voyage across the Atlantic Ocean was a significant undertaking, and steamboats were slowly revolutionizing transportation by sea, making such voyages more efficient and quicker.

What was the name of the fort that was initially built by the French in 1687 on the site of present-day Fort Niagara?

  • Fort Conti
  • Fort Niagara
  • Fort Denonville
  • Fort Stanwix

Correct Answer: Fort Denonville

Correct Answer Explanation: This original fort, named after the Marquis de Denonville, was strategically important for the French in their efforts to control the Niagara Frontier. It was built quickly to secure the region and was later rebuilt and expanded by the French and then by the British.

How many men were in the French army that built Fort Denonville in 1687?

  • Hundreds
  • Thousands
  • Dozens
  • Tens

Correct Answer: Hundreds

Correct Answer Explanation: The number of French soldiers involved in the construction of Fort Denonville highlights the scale of the project and the French commitment to securing the Niagara Frontier.

What was the major factor that led to the Seneca taking control of the Niagara Frontier?

  • The Treaty of Paris
  • The French and Indian War
  • The Iroquois conquest of the Neuter nation
  • The American Revolution

Correct Answer: The Iroquois conquest of the Neuter nation

Correct Answer Explanation: The Iroquois conquest of the Neuter nation, who had previously inhabited the Niagara Frontier, resulted in the Seneca becoming the dominant Indigenous group in the region. This conquest had a significant impact on the power dynamics and control of the Niagara Frontier.

What document was granted to convicts in Tasmania, allowing them to work freely in a designated area but subject to certain restrictions?

  • Ticket-of-leave
  • Parole
  • Pardon
  • Probation

Correct Answer: Ticket-of-leave

Correct Answer Explanation: Ticket-of-leave was a form of conditional release granted to convicts in Tasmania, allowing them to work and live freely within certain boundaries but still subject to certain regulations and limitations.

What year did General John Sullivan lead an expedition against Iroquois villages, reaching within 80 miles of Fort Niagara?

  • 1779
  • 1780
  • 1778
  • 1781

Correct Answer: 1779

Correct Answer Explanation: This expedition, part of the American Revolution, aimed to disrupt and suppress Iroquois support for the British. Sullivan’s forces were close to attacking Fort Niagara, but ultimately withdrew, leaving the fort in British hands.

What was the major driving force behind European exploration and conflict in the Niagara Frontier?

  • The fur trade
  • Gold mining
  • Religious missionary work
  • Timber harvesting

Correct Answer: The fur trade

Correct Answer Explanation: The fur trade was a lucrative industry that fueled European exploration, colonization, and conflict in the Niagara Frontier. The competition for control of the trade routes and resources led to rivalry between European powers, shaping the region’s early history.

How many men were left to defend Fort Denonville after its construction in 1687?

  • 100
  • 200
  • 500
  • 1000

Correct Answer: 100

Correct Answer Explanation: The relatively small number of soldiers left to defend the fort highlights the vulnerability of the outpost and the strategic challenges faced by the French in maintaining control of the Niagara Frontier.

How many men in the garrison at Fort Denonville died due to scurvy in 1687?

  • More than 20
  • 10
  • 5
  • 1

Correct Answer: More than 20

Correct Answer Explanation: The high number of deaths due to scurvy at Fort Denonville underlines the health challenges faced by soldiers and settlers in the region. Scurvy, a vitamin deficiency disease, was common among sailors and those who lacked access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

How many men were left alive in the garrison at Fort Denonville after the winter of 1688?

  • 12
  • 20
  • 50
  • 100

Correct Answer: 12

Correct Answer Explanation: The severe winter conditions and lack of supplies led to a drastic reduction in the garrison’s strength, highlighting the hardships faced by soldiers and the challenges of survival in a remote and hostile environment.

What was the primary goal of the Underground Railroad?

  • To provide transportation for enslaved people seeking freedom in Canada
  • To transport supplies to rebel forces during the American Revolution
  • To smuggle goods between the United States and Canada
  • To help people escape from prison

Correct Answer: To provide transportation for enslaved people seeking freedom in Canada

Correct Answer Explanation: The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved people to escape to freedom in Canada. It was a crucial part of the abolitionist movement and played a significant role in the fight against slavery.

What was the name of the Seneca chief whose daughter married Rowland Montour, who adopted Rebecca and Benjamin Gilbert?

  • Sayenqueraghta
  • Red Jacket
  • Cornplanter
  • Brant

Correct Answer: Sayenqueraghta

Correct Answer Explanation: Sayenqueraghta was a powerful Seneca chief who played a significant role in the region’s history. His daughter’s marriage to Rowland Montour, a well-known figure in the region, led to the adoption of the Gilbert children, highlighting the practice of Indian adoption of prisoners during the American Revolution.

How many convicts were on the island of Tasmania in 1822?

  • Approximately 43,000
  • 10,000
  • 20,000
  • 50,000

Correct Answer: Approximately 43,000

Correct Answer Explanation: The high number of convicts on the island of Tasmania in 1822 reflects the British practice of using the island as a penal colony, a place to send convicted criminals. This practice had a significant impact on the island’s history and culture, shaping the region’s demographics and social dynamics.

Which of these figures was NOT a key figure in the history of the Niagara Frontier?

  • Father Joseph de la Roche Dallion
  • Father Jean de Brébeuf
  • Guy Johnson
  • Robert Marsh

Correct Answer: Robert Marsh

Correct Answer Explanation: While Robert Marsh was involved in the Patriot rebellion and faced consequences for his actions, his role in the history of the Niagara Frontier is not as significant as the other figures listed. Father Dallion and Father Brébeuf were important missionaries who played a crucial role in the region’s early history. Guy Johnson was a key figure in British military and political affairs during the American Revolution, while Robert Marsh’s actions had more of a local impact.

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Jessmyn Solana

Jessmyn Solana is the Digital Marketing Manager of Interact, a place for creating beautiful and engaging quizzes that generate email leads. She is a marketing enthusiast and storyteller. Outside of Interact Jessmyn loves exploring new places, eating all the local foods, and spending time with her favorite people (especially her dog).

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