Ohio Company

Ohio Company, organizations formed to settle the Ohio River Valley. For the Ohio Company formed by Virginians in 1747, King George II deeded 200,000 acres (80,000 hectares) around the forks of the Ohio River (now Pittsburgh) to colonists. They built roads, supply houses, a fort, and a settlement, but the French objected to the British development and destroyed it. After the last French and Indian war(1763), the company closed. The Ohio Company of Associates, formed by New Englanders in 1787, acquired title to 750,000 acres (300,000 hectares) elsewhere on the river. New settlements were established, beginning in 1788 with Marietta. This Ohio Company profited, remaining in business until 1796.

See also: Northwest Ordinance; Putnam, Rufus.