Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1910-10-13
NEW VOL. 45-No. AZ.

peStered the peace and security OF your
forefathers. This class OF business was
very remunerative to the hunters for a con-
siderable time.
Al the beginning OF the latter half OF
that century the Indians beyond the pale
of settlement along the border grew very
menacing, and haraSsed the settlers at
every opportunity. They descended up
on the villages, raiding, scaiping, killing
or taking captive many ofthe inhabitants,
beside devastating their crops and proper
ty.
The French, whowere beyond the Nor
thern Lakes, were largely responsible for
this villainy, and in seeking TO take pos
session OF the Ohio Valley and its outlet
to the sea, had induced the Indians TO be-
come their allies, and in their attempts to
accomplish the conquest of the border
brought about the French and Indian War
with its terrible tales OF torture, hatred
and revenge. The pioneers along the
border organized bands OF rangers or
joined the provincial militia. Stockades
were hastily constructed and places OF
refuge built and fortified. Thomas Shep-
herd had probably been alert 10 the situ-
alton for some time before the Indian out
break, and foreseeing the danger had
erected stone tort in the centre OF Neck
liuburg, which afforded protection TO the
deienceless families while the men OF the
settlement were out with their companies.
There is no doubt that, as commandan'
of this little post, and his guardianship
over the safety of the village, gained tor
Shepherd the title OF captain by which
early border historians speak OF him.
This action was, OF itself, sufficient to
merit that distinction, inasmueh as he had
perhaps trained the villagers and supplied
them with arms, ammunition and stores
during times OF danger and peril.
Among the men OF Mecklinburg who
organized and took out companies ot
rangers during the war period or between
the years l754-l75S. were Captain Rich
ard Morgan and his son William, who at
terward also became a captain, and many
OF the citizens OF the village served un-
them.
Il was among your people In this early
time that Col. George Washington gained
such an intimate knowledge OF the Indian
character and learned OF the endurance,
courage aud adaptability OF your hardy
forbears for the service they were 10 rem
der then and later to this young eom-
mander, and other military leaders In
those heroic struggles Washington was
but q years OF age when Governor Din
widdie commissioned and gave him COM
mand over the provincial forces In the
western counties Of Virginia. In III: ex-
pedition he led over the AlIeghanies TO
the Ohio where he was sent TO observe
the operations and learn the designs OF
the French, and in the campaign under
General Braddock in which Washington
was the hero-the men from Frederick
county and those OF this locality shared IN
the honors. General Braddock passed
through this village in 1855; on his wayto
the Ohio and while his troopers were
on the march up the Potomac, Capt.
Richard Morgan was recruiting cont
pany here and then led them TO join The
English General al Fort Cumberland.
Among the officers and men OF that COM
pany were: William Chapline Francis
Dorset; Benjamin Saunders; Jacob and
Henry VanMeter; William Morgan;
Robert Buckles; William Spurgeon; Da-
vid Osboume; John Dixon; Anthony
Worley; John Lemen; Henry Darke;
Thomas Swearingen and many more from
this neighboriood. Captain Robert
Rutherford took out company OF rangers
in 1851 andthey served under Washington.
From time to time as have looked
over old documents and consulted the
references 10 the ancient annals OF this
valley for the period after 1850 TO the end
OF the Revolution, noted the names OF
individuals who were most frequently
mentioned. Some were Of persons very
prominent in Mecklinbufg and vicinity
and included veterans OF many an Indian
skirmish and those Of Brsddock's expe-
dition and OF the French and Indian Wars
men who lived TO enter the rank and
file OF the continental army, where they
performed glorious service for their home
and country. That roll Of honor is far
from complete, but mention lew names
10 start the roster: The William Chap
lines, Sr. and Jr., Joseph. Benjamin and
Abraham Col. Thomas Swearingen,
Thomas, j., Van, Joseph, josiah, Benoni
and Andrew; the SIaughters; David
Crockett; James Foreman John Bayiis;
Jacob, George and John Hiie; the Lu-
cast; Richard and Edward Mercer; John
and Samuel Taylor; The McIntyres
Browns; Darkes, Stocdons morgans;
PendIetons GIenns; Monows; Mich
ellis; Bedingers shepherds yanmetefs;
Dukes and a host Of others from whose
families there arose to distinction a grand
array Of officers and men.
On the 5th Of August. 1852, Thomas
Shepherd purchaIed from Capt. Richard
Morgan 80 acres Of the Ianefsland which
abutied his own, and then plans were
formed for organizing town. This
ground, in addition TO some Of Shepherds
original tract. was laid OUT in quarter and
haIf-acre lots fronting on streets. A
great many were sold, one purchaser be-
| ing Samuel Washington brother OF
Colonel George. Ofthis period a curious
document survives which throws some
| light on the conditions OF sale before the
days Of the towns Incorporation: