Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-01-14
Some Ancient History.

From an article by Mr.. John P.
Smith, of sbarpsburg, in the Hagers-
town Globe, we take the following bit
of local history:
Having completed my strollings Ger
this historic ground We crossed the
Potomac to the Maryland side and
roamed over the land now belonging
to the Potomac Cement Mill Co.,
which a few months ago was in active
operation, but now silent, perhaps to
remain go forever. The general Su-
perintendent, William E. Blundon, a
gentleman of scholarly attsinments
and fine reputation, showed us an
English rife that was fshed out Of
the Potomac near the ford. The stock
was we'll water worn, the barrel was
encrusted with rust and the trigger
cooked, showing that the party who
used it was in the act Of firing when
he was either shot or lost it. 1t iS
fine relic.
The original owner of the farm now
owned by the Potomac Cement Mill
Co. was a man by the name Of Shep-
herd, who occupied it in 1874. 1t
then passed into the hands Of Col.
John Blackford and from him to his
son, William NJ. Blackford, who sold
it to the Cement Mill Co. A number
of regiments of Federal troops occu-
pied it from time to time during the
Civil War. About half a mile from
the mill is an old stone and earth
works fort, about so feet in length,
from which cannon were placed to
guard the fording on the river oppo-
site the fort. The Federal troops en-
camped for some time on the farm OF
Mr.. Blackford. The view from the
old fort i, grand and inspiring.
About $50 yards east Of the Poto
mac Cement Mills is the ruins Of the
foundation walls of the Bedingsr
homestead. An old sandstone door
step and cluster Of rose bushes planted
over 100 years ago by some member
of the family are all that mark the
spot today. The Bedingers were
distinguished family and played
conspicuous part in the struggle for
Independence in the Revolutionary
War. From an old family record in
Bible that WAS presented to an an
cestor Of mine, who was named after
one of the members, Solomon Bedin-
ger, and which is now in my posses
sion, records the following:
Henry Bedinger, ST., came from
Dorstle, Lebztern Harshsft, Alsace;
was born there in the year l73O; died
June %, l772, in the AID year Of
his age, and is buried in the EpiSco-
pal burial ground at shephsrdstOwn,
W. Va.
Henry Bedinger, Jr., born October
16, 1853; died May IA lS43, is bur-
led in TIE old Episcopal graveyard at
Shepherdstown, W. Va. Entered the
service in June, ITS, in Capt. Hugh
Stevenson's company of rifemen and
was appointed sergeant before he left
the recruiting rendezvous at Shep-
herdstown, W. Va. He marched with
his company to the siege Of Boston,
and served until his company was
discharged in June, l776. He was,
July 9, 1776, made lieutenant in
Captain Abraham Shepherds compa-
ny in Col. Hugh StevensOn's regiment
of rihemen. In August, l776, Col.
Stephenson died and Colonel Moses
Rawlings assumed the command of the
regiment. Captain Bedinger was with
his regiment at the defence of Fort
Washington, November l6, l776. He
was captured and detained prisoner
of war four years wanting l6 days.
His service j. accredited to the end Of
the war and be received pension in
Berkeley county. W. Va, under Act
of May, Is, 1923, as captain, to
which he had been promoted while q
prisoner. Some years before his death
he was advanced TO the rank Of ma
jOr.
George Michael Bedinger, born De-
cember 10, 1856; served as captain
and Indian spy at BOonsbOrO, Nd,
from IT'S to 1871.
John Daniel Bedinger, born l76l !
died March II, 1915; was a lieuten-