Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-05-24

Morrow and DIR. McMechei, me former
of whom was 10 take the helm and the
latter to assist RumSey in attending to the
machinery When, therefore, It was
time to start. the ladies were escorted on
board 10 seats provided for them aoaitihe
boiler, which, with the rest OF the ma
chinery, occupied the forward part OF the
boat, about two-thirds OF IFS length from
the stern. When they had showed the
boat off short distance from the shore
Rumsey Startedhef engine, and she moved
slowly out to the middle OF the river
where, rounding TO, in obedience to her
helm, and with her Prov pointing up the
stream, she paused for moment; then
by sudden impulse steamed of up
stream against the current OF the river,
amid the shouts of the excited multitude
upon the shore.
"The boat, after going for a half mile
or more above the town, 10 point oppo-
site what is known asSwearingen's Spring,
rounded to and returned, going for some
little distance below town. beyond where
the Shenandoah Vallsy Railroad bridge
spans the Potomac. Thus she continued
to 90 up and down the river for about
two hours. The average rate OF speed TO
which the boat attained on this occasion
was three miles an hour; but on second
trial, which took place on Thursday,
December II, 1857. in the presence oil
numerous spectators, speed was increas-
ed TO an average OF four miles an hour.
In pursuance OF his determination TO
bring his invention to the attention OF The
people at the centers OF population. Rum
sey left ShepherdStowu and journeyed to
Philadelphia. He found that his fame
had preceded him, and he was received
with honor by the most eminent men OF
that city Benjamin Franklin was deeply
interested IN the new power for boats,
and, with 27 other distinguished gentle
men, organized the Rumseyan Society,
OF which franklin was president. Aided
by the members OF this society, Rumsey
decided to 90 TO England TO introduce his
invention, and, armed with letters OF in
PRODUCTION and Endorsement from General
Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Patrick
Henry and others, he set sail in May,
l7SS.
Arriving in England, Rumsey immedi-
ately sought to protect by patents his
several inventions in engines, pumps,
boilers and mill machinery He secured
The attention OF the members OF the So
ciety OF Arts aud Sciences. The heavy
cost OF his patents had reduced his funds
10 an embarassirg stlte, in consequence
which he was ul.cIe 10 begin his boat Tor
public exhibition until 1870 This boat
was 100 feet long. with proportionate
breadth OF beam and depth oi hold, and
was by far the most ambitious effort o.
Rumseys career, as II proved 10 be the
last. Struggling under the greatest diff
cultieS, owing TO the lack Of funds, Rum
sey remained loyal to his work. exper-
iencing much the same condition OF affairs
during the next two years as had char
acterized his four years work in Shep-
herdstown.
RumseYs boat was nearing completion
and The time OF trial was almost at hand
when he was robbed OF the enjoyment OF
his triumph by the hand OF death. expir-
ing suddenly on The evening oi Decem-
Der 81, 1892, in the Adelphi Hotel, in
London.
A letter written by K. L. Wakefield
on December 26, 1892, speaks OF Rum
sey's interment and his affairs thus
every respect has been paid TO his
remains by his friends, several OF whom
attended al his interment al ST. Margaret's,
Westminster, where had him conveyed
on Monday evening last. fear his al
fairs will be loo intricate 10 make II safe
for anyone 10 administer. as he has lett
no will, at least in England"
Rumsey's will, written in Philadelphia,
on May Is, 1888, just prior TO his de-
parture for England, witnessed by Ben
jamin Wynkoop and Joseph Wynkoop.
was found amonghis papers and admitted
10 problte in Philadelphia few months
after his death. A certified copy OF this
document is now on file ia The Berkeley
county courthouse, at Mahinsburg, w.
Va. The total value OF the estate was
about s., 600, one-third Of which he left
to his wife; the remaining iwo-thirds
was divided into four parts. two OF which
were devised TO his son, James Rumsey.
IT,, the residue being equally divided
between the two daughters, Sussnnah
and Clarissa. Edward Rumsey, Jr,
younger brother OF the inventor, was
named as administrator. and his bondsmen
were Nicholas Orick and Smith Slsugh-
ter, who gave bond in $4,000.
Though the master mind relinquished
the work upon the eve OF the consum-
nation Of his most cherished dream, The
project was yet left in such shape that IL
was easily carried to a successful con-
cIusion by others. and in short time The
boat upon which Rumsey had spent the
later years of his life was tested with the
most favorable results.
rhe honors and rewards so well earned
by the great inventor and which formed
the chief inheritance of his only son,
James RumseY, Jr, drifted into other
hands through the physical disability OF
his heir.
When James A. Garfield was president