Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-06-04
sI.00 A YEAR.
The Founding of Harper's Ferry.

HIS Capture AT Harper feirv, Oclo-
Der Is, 1859" The story is interest
ing and of historic value, because as a
citizen Of the town, aud an eyewitness
to the capture, he gives the conditions
as enacted. We give herewith his ac-
count of the founding of the town
Harper's Ferry, with its reminis-
cences dating back to the early days
of Virginia, when Washington, Jetfer-
son and other prominent statesmen de-
lighted to revel in lis unuvaled seem
cry and frequently honored it with
their presence and favor, derived It's
name from Robert Harper, Of Oxford,
England, where he was born in the
year l7lS. In the yearl7S5 he sailed
in the Morning Star from London and
went to Philadelphia, where he loca-
ted and prospsred as an architect aud
builder Owing toa defective title TO
the property he had accumulated, he
met with reycrses involving serious pc
cuniary loss, aud in l747 resolved to
90 South, North Carolina being his OBJ
jective point
After "a week 5 soiourn on horseback,
with only such converiences as could
be stored in saddle-pockets he reached
the hamlet of Fredericktown in one of
the fertile manors Of Maryland, now
Frederick City, one OF the most attrac-
tive and cultured cities Of the State
While resting at Frederlcktown Mr..
Harper met a peddler from Baltimore
on the way 10 Virginia, who was iamil-
lar with the country He spoke Of a
more direct route, and mentioned a
wonderful place at the junction Of two
rivers called the Hole, where they
could cross the river with safety
Mr.. Harper decided to accompany
the travelling salesman, going through
a part Of Maryland, now valuable and
productive farms, reaching the river a
short distance below the forks When
opposite the meeting Of the rivers
marvellous scene presented itself IN all
its primitive grandeur. There was
seen the virgin forest with its grand
trees with the growth Of centuries jut-
ting from rocky points, protrudlng well
on and over the water Of the uvers,
presenting sight that beggars descrip-
ton, fairly enchanting Mr. Harper.
lie was deeply impressed with what
he saw, and resolved TO possess it.
Soon after crossing the river short
distance above the junction, he met
two squatters, one a German named
Peter Stevens, and the other an Indian
named "Gutterma Tom They had
lived on the point since 1888 and were
possessed of log cabin, canoe, hore,
boat and corn patch, which they sold
to Mr.. Harper for thirteen guineas.
Two years later, for sixty guincas, he
secured the legal title to l2j acres cx-
tending back from the forks Of The nv
ers, from Lord Fairfax, who owned by
grant all that portion Of Virginia.
Robert Harper thus became the own
er Of the beautiful gap and gateway
through the Blue Ridge, to the Valley
of Virginia, and was instrumental in
securing the right Of way and opening
the highway that from 1861 TO o5
became famous, and made permanent
the ferry that has since retained his
name
In l775 he built substantial resi-
dence, beautifully located, in the sight
Of his ferry, from the portico Of which
can be seen the passage Of the rivers
through the Blue Ridge, the sight Of
which was declared by Thomas Jefer-
son to be worth a trip across the At
lantic.
On October 2, 1882, Mr. Harper
died, leaving his property TO his niece,
Sarah, who thirty-6ve years previous
", when be left Philadelphia on his
trip for the South, had presented him
with a silk handkerchief, hemmed with
her own hair. She married John Wag.
ner, Sr.. whose descendants, two neph-
ews and a niece, Sarah a. Wagner, Of
cherished memory, married Noah IL.
Swayne, who was among the carly set
tlers Of Columbus, o., and who was
honored by President Lincoln in being
selected az Judge Of the United States
Supreme Court.
Mr. Harper was buried in tract Of
four acres, decided to the town for bur-
ial purposes, and his grave Is aPpro-
priately marked by monument erect
ed by his great-grand nephew, John
Wagner swsyns, son Of General Wsg-
ner Swayne.
From the site Of the grave can be
had a fine view Of the onrushiDg wa
ters that still seem TO glory in the over
Gaming Of the obsiructions Of the noun