Major William Trent (1715 – c.1787), born in Western Pennsylvania, was a soldier and merchant who played an important role in the early stages of the French and Indian War. He was a key local figure in the westward expansion across the Appalachian Mountains in the 1700s. He started his pioneer life being a soldier-of-fortune during the various local Indian wars in Pennsylvania and present day Maryland and West Virginia, and the French and Indian War.
Commanded a company in the defense of Saratoga, NY in 1747.
He was the commander of the militia at Fort Pitt during Pontiac's Rebellion.
Brother-in-law of George Croghan.
During the siege of Fort Pitt, Trent recorded in his journal that blankets from Fort Pitt's smallpox hospital had been given to besieging Indians during a parley. His motives were ambiguous in his journal, but in his account book, Trent explained that the blankets had been handed over in an attempt "to Convey the Smallpox to the Indians".[1]
Some credit Trent with being among the founding fathers of Pittsburgh. In later life he became a land speculator in the western Pennsylvania region.
Trent was the son of William Trent, founder of Trenton, New Jersey.
Trent's journal of his trip from Logstown to Pickawillany during the Treaty of Logstown conference is here. This link also contains his biography beginning at page 57
