Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1910-10-13

to the subscriber in his non-perfornlance.
The incorporation Of the town was &C
complished by Act OF Assembly IN Mo-
vember, l762, in the following form
"Whereas, it is represented that Thomas
Shepherd of Frederick county hath laid
off some fifty acres Of his land on the Po-
tonlac, in said county, with lots and
streets for town, and has disposed oil
many of said lots; the purchasers there
of have made their humble application
that the said land may be established a
town, being pleasantly and commodious-
ly situated for trade; and that the same
be established town by name OF Meek
linburg, and when the freeholders shall
have built upon and saved these lots ac-
cording to the conditions OF their deeds
shall be entitled to all the rights OF other
towns, &C., &C.
One OF the most important steps to-
ward the improvement OF the newly in
corporated town was the establishment
of a ferry. Capt. Thomas Swearingen
had one in operation near the town since
l755 for transportation between his prop
erty in Maryland and the Virginia shore
and Shepherds venture came in the way
of competition, and located at more
convenient point. The Assembly of Viz
ginia passed an act in October, l765, CIV
ing Thomas Shepherd authority to es-
tablish this ferry between Mecklinburg
and his land in Maryland; but it soon
became apparent that two ferries, so near
each other, could not be profitably or
amiably maintained, and upon certain
representations to the legislative powers
the assembly abolished Shepherds ferry
in the following year, because ''it was too
close to Thomas Swearingen's ferry"
Evidences Of the activity OF a thriving
and progressive business town were not
wanting TO distinguish Mecklinburg as an
important place. There were market
days which, for their commodities, gave
the town good reputation Throughout
the adjoining provinces - and the fairs,
which were held twice each year-two
days in June, and two in October, brought
closer together the citizen and the farmer
and attracted visitors from distant parts,
so that these were jolly occasions much
enjoyed and OF material commercial ad-
vantage TO the community. With its
growth and development its upward
progress was equal to that of any other
OF the thriving towns in the Old Dominion.
The outbreak OF the War of the Revo-
luton in ITS brought its excitement and
anxieties with its call to arms; and then
men foremost in her affairs, with NUM-
hers OF her humber citizens, FASTENED 10
obey the summons. That call was most
speedily answered by the patriots OF
Mecklinburg, who were. among the first
to respond; they gathered at Morgan's
Spring and under the leadership Of the
brave Stephenson fastened away on that
famous march Gin bee line to Boston, "
and there joined their old comrade-in-
arms-General George Washington, who,
as commander-in chief of the continental
army, was modifying his troops al Cam
bridge.
But | need not dwell upon those dark
days or relate the sacrifices of your peo-
pie upon the fields of battle or in British
priSons-abler pens than mine, among
you, have written the story and render
ed honor and praise to your heroes; it
will be sufficient for me to say that few
localities have produced such host OF
warriors as went forth to the front from
this town and its neighborhood, and, in
fact, the same may be said of those who
have won distinction in other avenues OF
life work and thus brought further dignity
and fresh lustre to the bright and endur-
ing fame OF your city.
Before the 18th century had run its cy-
Gle other important events occurred, two
of which shall mention, and one of them,
at least, was to link the name of this
town with the notable figures and places
in our national history, as the other was
only an episode in the story of its annals.
Here Rumsey first produced, and upon
the quiet waters before the town re-
vealed his genius in the success OF the
steamboat, in the year 1887, and long be-
fore Fulton or Fitch proclaimed their
inventions. The other instance con Germs
the effort which was made at or about the
same time to select this beautiful village
as site for the capitol OF the rising ma
ton. For time expectations ran high
as the scheme promised to be success
full, but, as 'the best laid plans of mine
and men gang aft aglee," so it proved
here; the capitol did not rise in this pic
turesque spot, but Virginians-and Amer
leans generally,-may be proud that the
city of Washington stands in stately
grandeur on the banks OF their beloved,
historic Potomac.
In the midst OF the strife OF '76 Thomas
Shepherd - the founder and patror OF
Mecklinourg-died; some years later the
citizens caused the name Of the town to
be changed to that of Shepherdstown, as
lasting tribute 10 its first citizen and
benefactor.
Such, my friends, is brief and incom-
plete relation of facts in the develop
ment OF this town from the days when it
was little colony on the banks of the
Upper Potomac, until the period when