Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-08-01
Written by John P. Smith. of Sharpsburg, for the
Hagerstown Herald.l
HISTORIC OLD ShEPHERDSTOWN.

Having had occasion come four
weeks ago TO visit this ancient historic
place, and after having completed my
business, l took a stroll around the vii
lage, ostensibly for the purpose of
learning its historical worth, and IN
this l was amply repaid.
Shepherdstown, Jefferson county,
w. Va, is situated in romantic and
picturesque spot overlooking the broad
Potomac, forever memorable N story
and in song. The town is situated In
the northwestern part of the county,
FIVE miles north of the Baltimore and
Ohio R. R., and about twelve miles
northwest of Harper's Ferry. 1t was
established by law in l772. Zone year
prior to the laying out Of Sharpsburg)
it was laid out by Capt. Thomas Shep-
herd, and named Mecklenburg, after
wards Shepherdstown. The town is
remarkable as being the place where
the first steamboat was constructed and
navigated. From Howe's Historical
Collections of Virginia, published by
Henry Howe in 1916, we CLEAN the
following in regard to this remarkable
parsonage. James Rumsey, who is
believed to be the first person that
ever succeeded in propelling boat by
steam, was a native of Maryland.
When young man he removed to
Shepherdstown, where he devoted
much of his time to mechanics. In
September, 1881, he was employed by
the Potomac company, ofwhich Wash
ington was a member, to improve the
navigation of the Potomac river. In
the summer of the year 1888 he de-
voted his attention to the subject OF
steam boats, and in the autumn of
1884 succeeded in private but very
imperfect experiment In order to test
some of the principles of his invention.
In the October session Of that year,
he obtained the passage Of an Act from
the Virginia Assembly guaranteeing
to him the exclusive use of his inven-
ton in navigating the waters of that
State for the space of ten years from
date. In January, 1885, he obtained
patent from the General Assembly
of Maryland for navigating their wa
tiers. Through the whole of this year
he was engaged in working at bis boat,
but was not ready for public trial
until 1885, the year following. In this
experiment he was eminently success
full. He succeeded in propelling his
boot by steam alone at Shepherdstown
against the current of the Potomac at
the rate of four or FIVE miles an hour.
Washington, it is said, was on the
boat when the trial was made, for In
a letter written by him to Hugh Will
hanson, NJ. c., dated Mount Vernon,
dated March Is, 1885, Washington
says, in abiding to Rumsey's boat !:
IF model of a thing, in miniature,
is just representation Of greater
object in practice, there is no doubt
ofthe utility of the invention. A view
of his model, with the explanation,
removed the principal doubt l ever
had Of the practicability of propelling
against a stream by the aid of mechan-
ical power, but as he wanted to avail
himself of my introduction of it to the
public attention, l chose, previously,
to see the actual performance of the
model in a descending stream, before
l passed my certificate, and having
done so all my doubts are satisfied. :"
In shepherdstown Mr.. Rumsey
dwelt in a small house on the outskirts
of the village. He was supplied with
funds for the undertaking by his
brother-in-law, Charles Morrow. The
boat was built upon the banks Of the
Potomac about half mile above the
town. A portion of the boiler of his
boat was for long time in possession
of the late Hon. A. r. Boteler. Con-
gress in the year 1889 ordered a medal
to be struck in Rumseys honor, COM
memorative of this brilliant achieve
ment. DR.. Christopher Coruss, one
of the first settlers of Sharpsburg, also
contributed funds towards the erec-
ton of the boat.
Shepherdstown not only enjoys this
reputation, but her record is replete
with scenes and incidents OF histor-
ical character that transpired during
the Revolutionary struggle, War Of
1912 and Civil War. Many other
sons poured out their hearts blood in
defence of the principles of justice and
right in the Revolutionary struggle.
The first Episcopal church. veneer
able structure (now used by the col
ored people as place of worship, is
still standing and was the first one
erected in this section of the country
and was built by Col. Van Swearingen,
the great grandfather of Mrs Elizabeth
Swearingen Markell, an intelligent,
refined and courteous lady and con-
scientious member of that faith, now
residing in that place. After some
years it was remodeled by Mrs. Mar
kell's grandfather, William Morgan,
at his own expense. William Morgan
was made captain of a company in the
war of the Revolution at the age of l9.
In the graveyard adjoining the church
are buried a number Of important
personages. Conspicuous among them
is one enclosed by stone wall three
feet in height on which rests pom
derous marble slab, containing the fol-
lowing inscription: Sacred to the
memory of Major Henry Bedinger,
,pho ,voo horn the 9Th dow Of 0ntohar