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HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN

DANSKE DANDRIDGE
Author of " George Michael Bedinger :
A Kentucky Pioneer," etc.

"TeU ye yonr children of it, and let your
children tell their children, and their
children another generation." — Joel i, 3.

THE MICHIE COMPANY, PRINTERS
Charlottesville, -Vir^nia
1910

Copyright 1910
BY
Danske Dandridgb

TO THE FORGOTTEN HEROES OF
THE REVOLUTION WHO LAID DOWN
THEIR LIVES IN BRITISH PRISONS
RATHER THAN FIGHT AGAINST THEIR
COUNTRY,, I DEDICATE THIS BOOK.

CONTEXTS

chapter page
Foreword  1
I. The Beginnings of Mecklenburg. . 5
II. Growth of the Settlement —
THE French and Indian "Wars . . 19
III. Growth of the Town — Some Old
Wills  39
IV. Formation of Berkeley County . . 60
"V. The Beginning of the Revolution . 75
"VI. The Muster Roll of Captain Hugh
Stephenson's Company .... 87
VII. "j\Iy Ride to the Barbecue" ... 91
VIII. Journal of Henry Bedinger — Rox
bury Camp  97
IX. In Camp at Roxbury — At Staten
Island  105
X. Henry Bedinger's Journal of 1776
Continued  132
XI. Conclusion of the Journal of
Henry Bedinger  139
XII. Captain Shepherd and His Men . 145
XIII. The Battle at Fort "Washington . 156
XIV. The Prison of New York .... 163
XV. Captain "William Morgan and His
Company of Volunteers — Colonel
Van Swearingen, the County
Lieutenant  176
XVI. More Contents of the Old Scrap
Book  185
XVII. The War in the West  192

VI CONTENTS
chapter page
XVIII. The Expedition to Kentucky . . 200
XIX. The Berkeley County Militia in
THE Revolution  212
XX. Prisoners in Shepherdstown — The
Surrender of Cornwallis . . 228
XXI. The End of the Revolution . . . 232
XXII. Shepherdstown in the Olden Time . 242
XXIII. General William Darke .... 254
XXIV. Shepherdstown after the Revolu
tion  262
XXV. James Rumsey, the Inventor of the
Steamboat  267
XXVI. A Summary — The Highest Ambi
tion OF Shepherdstown .... 278
XXVII. The Early Printers and Newspa
pers OF Shepherdstown .... 283
XXVIII. The Meeting at the Spring of 76 . 293
Appendix A  298
Appendix B  360

FOREWORD
THE Hon. A. R. Boteler, in a speech made at Mor
gan's Spring on the fourth of July, 1878, thus
spoke of our ancient village of Shepherdstown : "When
the savages were massacring the early settlers on our
frontiers, she sent her handful of men to the aid of the
helpless. Later, in our victorious struggle with Great
Britain for independence, Shepherdstown sent across
the Potomac Hugh Stephenson's famous company on
their 'bee-line for Boston.' * * * j^ the war of
1812 a Shepherdstown man was the first to enter Fort
George on the Canada line, and tear down the British
flag, shouting, as he waved it around his head, 'Hurrah
for Shepherdstown!'
"She was not derelict when our war with Mexico
needed men; one of her citizens, Colonel Hamtramck,
commanding the Virginia Regiment there. And then,
in that awful struggle between the States, she hesitated
not, but the best and bravest went forth to yield their
lives, if necessary, in defending their principles. Com
pany B, as part of the Stonewall Brigade, left such a
record behind it as to effectually silence any thought
that they were fighting for aught else than honest con
viction of right."
Mr. Boteler might have said further that it is the
proud boast of Shepherdstown that she sent more sol
diers to the field at the time of the Revolution than any
other town of her size in Virginia. Her citizens have
always been "the bravest of the brave," and we may
safely challenge any other town in the Union to show a
more honorable record for courage, patriotism, and
fidelity to principle.
Like so many other undertakings of men and women

2 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
this book is not what it was intended to be. The au
thor's hope was that she would be able to write an ac
count of Shepherdstown, the "Old Unterrified," as our
village used to be called, that would stir the patriotic
feelings of every native of the place, filling them with
a glow of pride in her record, and that might awaken a
spirit of emulation, and a determination that Shep-
herdstown's future history should be as creditable as
her past.
But when I came to search for records of that past I
found that they no longer exist. I greatly desired to
give the muster rolls of all the companies raised in old
Berkeley County, of which Shepherdstown was then
the largest settlement, during the Revolution. But,
after having spent years in the search, I have been able
to obtain only two of these muster rolls. One of these,
the muster roll of Captain Hugh Stephenson's com
pany, was sent me from North Carolina, by a descend
ant of Major George Michael Bedinger. The other is
the property of Henry Davenport, of Clay, West Vir
ginia. Had I been able to obtain copies of the muster rolls
of the companies commanded by Captains Isaac Beale,
William Darke, Joseph Swearingen, William Morgan,
Josiah Swearingen, and others, my record would have
been more complete, but, so far as I can ascertain,
these are no longer in existence.
My principal source of information has been the
Bedinger MSS. I must therefore apologize for the
fact that the name of this family recurs constantly in
the pages of this book. I have also consulted a number
of books named in the bibliography in the appendix to
this volume, and many old newspapers and other docu
ments. My thanks are due to many who have kindly

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 3
aided me in my task, especially to Miss Gibson, of
Charles Town, Jefferson County, West Virginia; to
Mr. Henry B. Swearingen, of Louisville, Ky. ; to Mr.
Henry Bedinger Davenport; Mrs. Asa Lewis; Mrs.
Phillips; and many more who have assisted me with
books or manuscripts. Dr. Miller and his wife of New
York obtained for me the rent roll of Berkeley County
before the Revolution, a very important document.
And I have found the Draper MSS., which are pre
served in the library of the Historical Association of
Wisconsin, of great assistance.
Danske Dandridge,
Rose Brake, West Virginia.
Shepherdstown, July 4th, ipio.

Hi^oric Shepherdstown

CHAPTER I
The Beginnings of Mecklenburg
THE first settlers of the Valley of Virginia were
more handy with the rifle than the pen, and have
left us few written records. The forms of that sturdy
band of German emigrants who settled on the banks of
the Potomac, near the Packhorse Ford, loom faintly
through the mists of time, and their deeds have come
down to us more as tradition than history.
When did the first white man make his appearance
in the Valley, and over what road did he come ? I am
unable to answer this vexed question. Yet it seems ex
tremely probable that this first settler found his way
into the "garden spot of Virginia," as the Valley of the
Shenandoah has been called, by way of the Packhorse
Ford, from older settlements in Maryland and Penn
sylvania. Long before the coming of the white men
that ford had been known to the Indians, and it formed
a part of their great highway, connecting north and
south: the war-path used by the Catawbas from the
south, and their stern enemies, the Delawares, of the
north, "who would go hundreds of miles for the sake
of scalping each other."
There were many bloody fights between these untir
ing foes. One of the most famous of these took place
at the Packhorse Ford itself.
There is an old tradition that the Catawbas buried a
noted Delaware chief alive, after one of these combats,
at Swearingen's Spring, which is on the Potomac about

6 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
half a mile above Shepherdstown. The water from
this spring is said to jut out in spurts, and this, the In
dians declared, was caused by 'the heart beats of the
imprisoned Indian chief buried at its source. It is cer
tain that there was a time when the Red Men possessed
all our fertile and beautiful valley. Here they hunted
the buffalo, deer, elk, and each other. Here, by the
side of cool and abundant springs, they built their vil
lages, and here also, for many years, they lived in
peace with the good Friends, Germans, and other first
settlers, who began to appear, in ever increasing num
bers, early in the Eighteenth Century.
The names Shawnee Springs and Tuscarora Creek
remain to this day to remind us of these Indian dwel
lers in the Valley. It is no longer thought that Gover
nor Alexander Spottswood and his brave array of Vir
ginia gentlemen were the first white men to overlook,
from the mountains that environ it, this famous "Valley
of the Shenandoah. Parties of explorers had been be
fore the Governor, such as John Lederer, in the serv
ice of Sir William Berkeley, who, in company with ten
other white men and five Indians, proceeded along the
north side of the Rappahannock to its source; and
thence to the Blue Ridge, "from the crest of which,"
says Dr. Virgil Lewis, "near* Harper's Ferry, on the
26th of September, 1669, they looked down upon the
Shenandoah Valley." In 1671 Captain Thomas Batts,
with a party of white men and Indians, crossed the
Blue Ridge, and went as far as the Kanawha River.
Where Indians went there also went Indian traders,
a set of adventurous fellows, who often pointed out the
way for permanent settlers. We also hear of white
*The exact spot reached by this party is a matter of dis
pute, but that it was somewhere along the Blue Ridge is are
uncontested fact.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 7
men accompanying the savages on their war parties,
and fighting with them against their enemies. On their
return from such expeditions they would describe, in
glowing terms, the fertile and desirable lands through
which they had passed.
It is a mistake to consider the Valley as, in early
days, one unbroken, primeval forest. It was not so.
Large prairies were interspersed between the moun
tains, where the grass is said to have been so tall that
a man passing through it on horseback could tie it
across his saddle-bow. These "barrens," as they were
called, are said to have been caused by the Indians,
who, on their great annual hunts, used to burn over
large areas of land for the purpose of forming open
spaces, into which they would drive the game from the
mountains, and kill them at their convenience.
The poor persecuted pilgrims from the Palatinate,
and other parts of Europe, are just as worthy of our
interest and admiration as the much vaunted Pilgrim
Fathers of New England. They left all for the sake of
their religion, and, like the Puritans, sought freedom to
worship God in the new land across the seas. They
began to come in the Seventeenth Century, and in the
Eighteenth every ship brought them in such numbers
that they soon took up all the best lands in the more
settled parts of Pennsylvania, and began to spread out,
in all directions. Some penetrated, no one knows ex
actly how soon, into the Valley of Virginia. What
shall we say of the little grave in the wilderness that
has been the subject of so much controversy?
Five miles south of Shepherdstown, on Elk branch,
is the old Ronemous graveyard, and there is the last
resting place of Katerina Beierlin, a young woman
who was buried there in 1707. The tombstone, now in

8 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
the possession of the West Virginia Historical Society,
was carefully carved, and shows no little skill in the art
of the stone cutter. It is said that the date of her in
terment is now illegible. The stone is sandstone, and
is the sole relic remaining of some little venturesome
band of whites who vanished long ago into the mists of
tradition. Old settlers, whose forefathers lived in the
neighborhood, declare that this young woman was, with
her party, only passing through the country. But the
stone bears no marks of haste. Whoever carved it did
so lovingly, and recorded upon the stone that Katerina
Beierlin was a Christian woman.
That scholarly gentleman, the Rev. James R. Gra
ham of Winchester, Va., writing in 1894, says of this
stone before it was removed : "The German inscription
upon the stone, until within a few years past, was quite
legible, though now, since it has fallen, and been
trampled over, the inscription is partially effaced. It
was erected to the memory of Katerina Beierlin, a
Christian woman, and states that she died in 1707.
The correctness of these figures can hardly be disputed.
The Rev. Dr. John A. Scott, pastor of the Elk Branch
Church in 1869, says that, in company with three other
persons, he had the old stone cleaned of lichen and
washed, and was then able, very satisfactorily, to read
the inscription and date of death, 1707. He further
testified that three intelligent persons had previously
examined the stone, and their reading agreed with his.
Persons residing in the neighborhood have known of
the existence of this stone for more than fifty years,
and their understanding has always been that the date
of the woman's death is 1707. This must be taken as
certain proof that white people resided there at least
as early as that date. The grave of a woman, care
fully marked, can mean nothing else."

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 9
Dr. Graham also says; "It is certain there were
settlers on the Maryland side of the Potomac as early,
probably, as 1720. Dr. Cameron, of Princeton Uni
versity, has the deed for mill property lying opposite
Shepherdstown, purchased by his ancestors in 1726.
The mill had been used for some years before the
purchase was made. Of course there were people there
whose wants the mill was intended to supply. And
with only a narrow and fordable river to be crossed,
we know of no reason why the settlement should have
been confined to the Maryland side.
"But there is additional proof that there were white
inhabitants in this Valley previous to about 1733.
Governor Spottswood, the ablest of all colonial Gov
ernors of Virginia, signalized his term of office by
earnest efforts to secure settlements on his western
frontier, and thereby afford protection to Eastern Vir
ginia against the incursions of the Indians. His suc
cess was probably not commensurate with his efforts.
And yet his letters show that as early as 1712, twenty
years before Hite crossed the Potomac, there were
settlers west of the Blue Ridge; and before the
Knights of the Horse-Shoe crossed the mountains no
inconsiderable number of people had made their homes
along the Potomac River, and 'in the mountains of the
Northern Neck,' and even in the 'fforks of the Poto
mac' The Baron de Graffenreid, on his visit to the
'fforks of the Potomac,' had informed the Governor
(see Letters of Governor Spottswood, pp. 152-3 and
161-2, 168), that he had obtained important infor
mation as to the resources of that country from the
people whom he met; and that one man, particularly,
Mr. Mitchell, a Swiss gentleman, who had travelled
through all that country some years before, was con-

10 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
vinced that it abounded in valuable minerals. The
Baron, himself, who had experience in mining, was
p^uaded that the forks, where he had intended to
settle, was rich in mineral wealth, but he was dis
couraged from taking his colony there by the conflict
ing claims to the ownership of the land made by the
agents, respectively, of Lord Baltimore, the Lady
Fairfax, and the British Queen. Moreover, in 1722,
Governor Spottswood effected a treaty with the In
dians, which, while imposing no restrictions whatever
upon the movements of the whites, bound the Indians,
under the severest penalties, not to cross the Potomac,
or the Blue Ridge, in either direction, without special
permission. In the treaty itself the reason for making
it is given. It was for the protection of the Anglo-
Saxon race, which, as Charles Campbell, in his History
of Virginia, p. 433, says, had "gradually extended itself,
like a vapor, beyond the western base of the Blue
Ridge, and collisions with the native tribes had begun
to ensue.'
"Evidently there were white inhabitants west of the
Ridge, and south of the Potomac at that date. Further
evidence is furnished by the Act of Assembly of 1738,
forming the county of Frederick. In that act, the rea
son explicitly given for the erection of the new county
is that 'great numbers of people have settled themselves
of late * * * on the northwest side of the Blue
Ridge, whereby the strength of the colony, and its
security, and its revenues are like to be increased.' "
In another place Dr. Graham writes : "Beyond all
reasonable contradiction, then, there were white inhabi
tants in this lower Valley many years prior to the
settlement of Hite on the Opecquon, or of the Friends
around Hopewell Meeting House, or of Morgan Mor-

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 11
gan on Mill Creek. These inhabitants may have been
squatters, they probably were, but they were there. * '^ *
Against our contentions it is claimed that there are no
title deeds earlier than Hite's. This claim is disputed,
but, if it is true, it amounts to nothing. It is based
upon an entire misapprehension of the conditions then
existing. For fifteen years after Hite came there
were no land offices west of the Blue Ridge, from
which titles could be obtained; and the early pioneers
did not concern themselves about legal formalities,
where no officers were present to enforce them. With
out putting themselves to the trouble and expense of a
tedious journey to a distant court house, or to the Capi
tal, they just took possession of any unclaimed land that
suited them, and attended to securing a title afterwards.
For the present, what was called a 'tomahawk right'
was sufficient. This consisted in girdling a few trees
near a spring or stream, and cutting the claimant's
name in the bark. This, of course, was not right in law,
but it was generally respected by other settlers, and
deeds were usually given for what was claimed. When
a colony, like that of Hite, was about to migrate, re
quiring a large tract of land, the formalities of the law
were complied with, and a special grant secured, either
directly from the Crown, or from the authorities at
Williamsburg. But when the settlers were only a
family or two, no such expensive procedure was
thought of. In fact, the laws of the colony provided
that many classes of people could, without any expense
to themselves, claim a tract of 50 acres, and when that
was 'planted and seated,' — ^i. e., when any portion of
it was cultivated and a building erected, — ^they were
entitled to 50 acres more. Under these conditions no
very early title deeds could be expected."

12 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Some writers have entirely lost sight of Governor
Spottswood's motives in the treaties that he made
with the Indians of the Valley. That able and wise
Governor, "the best that Virginia ever had," did all
that he could to encourage emigration to the newly
opened country. Yet we find one writer solemnly af
firming that the treaty made by him with the Shawnees
gave the Indians the right to massacre any white men
they found on the west of the Blue Ridge! This is
very absurd. And if the Indians were so dangerous that
they killed every white man they found after this
treaty made with them in 1722, how did it happen
that, a few years afterwards, emigrants were known
to pour into the Valley in such crowds that, in 1734,
there were already conflicting claims to the same tracts
of land? The same Indians were still there, yet no
one hears of Indian massacre, — except in a few isolated
instances, where, very probably, the white men were
the first aggressors, — until the time of the French and
Indian wars. What had so suddenly tamed such fierce
and implacable foes ? It is well known that the Friends
who settled around Hopewell Meeting House lived
in perfect amity with these same formidable Shawnees,
and were advised by one of their leading men, Mr.
Thomas Chaulkley, who lived in Philadelphia, never
to provoke them, but to remunerate them for all the
land they took up in that county.* We know no
instance where these peaceable settlers had any trouble
whatever from the "dangerous murderers," the
Shawnees. It may interest our readers, in connection with this
subject, to learn that when, on the 15th day of July,
1717, Sir WilHam Keith, Govemor of Pennsylvania,
*See Aler's History of Martinsburg, page 37.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 13
met the Indian tribes at Conestoga for a general treaty,
these Indians would not treat with him until they had
complained of the incursions of the white settlers "in
the woods behind Virginia and Carolina." "The Gov
ernor told them that the settlements of Virginia, Mary
land, and Carolina were subject to the same great King
of England, and had nations of Indians under their
protection. It was then related by the Indians that
the son of a Delaware chief had been killed by a large
company of 'Christians and Indians,' while hunt
ing. * * * j^ ^as then said to them that to hurt
or molest the Indians who were in friendship with any
English government was a breach of the league of
friendship, whereupon a treaty was made."
In 1721 Govemor Keith went to Virginia to consult
with Governor Spottswood, and on the 5th of July of
that year he again arrived at Conestoga, and went to
the cabin of the Indian interpreter, where four deputies
of the Five Nations and a few more Indians came to
him. These Indians are said to have been the Conesto-
gas, the Shawnees, the Ganawese, the Delawares, and a
few other Indians. He said to them: "I am but just
now returned from Virginia, where I wearied myself
in a long journey, both by land and water, only to
make peace for you, my children, that you may safely
hunt in the woods without danger from Virginia, and
any Indian nations that are at peace with that govern
ment. But the Governor of Virginia expects that you
will not hunt within the great mountains on the other
side of the Potomac River, being it is a small tract of
land which he keeps for the Virginia Indians to hunt
in, and he promises that his Indians shall not any more
come on this side of the Potomac, or behind the great
mountain this way to disturb your hunting, and this

14 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
is the condition I have made for you, which I expect
you will firmly keep, and not break it on any con
sideration whatever."
Now it is well known that Governor Spottswood
desired emigrants to settle in the Valley to protect the
rest of Virginia from these same tribes from Pennsyl
vania and other parts. And we know that they soon
began to pour into the fertile country in all directions.
The treaty the Indians made with Governor Keith, in
which they bound themselves not to invade the Valley,
had a great deal to do, no doubt, with the security the
first settlers felt, and their security was probably the
motive for the treaty, as far as Governor Spottswood is
concerned. The reader may find full accounts of these
treaties in the second volume of the Colonial Records
of Pennsylvania, beginning at page 19.
And now let us turn as a last argument for the early
settlement of Shepherdstown, to the "testimony of the
rocks." And first let me say that tombstones are not
traditions, they are hard facts.
In the upper part of German Street are two ancient
church-yards. No one knows when the first log meet
ing house was erected here. Tradition says it was
used as a union meeting house, by any denomination
fortunate enough to attract the attention of an itinerant
minister of the gospel. That there was one or possibly
two meeting houses here very early is proved by the
date on the old grave stones. People must have lived
in the neighborhood before they could die and be
buried in a pubhc place of burial. This every one will
concede. Let us go, then, to these old burial grounds,
and ask them what facts they can reveal. In what
has been called for more than a hundred years the
Lutheran burial ground, are many graves that were

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 15
marked simply by rough-hewn limestone rocks, which
now show no trace of any inscription whatever. In
deed most of them have been removed within the mem
ory of the writer. These were used by the very first
settlers. Limestone is the common rock of the neigh
borhood, and if there were any inscriptions upon these
rude tombstones, they have long ago disappeared un
der the sharp gnawing tooth of time.
Probably the next oldest of these mementoes of the
dead are those of sandstone. Sandstone is found in
great abundance in Maryland, and perhaps it was
brought from that State for the purpose of marking
the graves of the first settlers. Many of these sand
stones have had inscriptions, now obliterated; and it
seems only reasonable to suppose that these are older
than those whose inscriptions can still be plainly de
ciphered. Across the road from the Lutheran graveyard is
that of the German Reformed Church, where the union
meeting house formerly stood. Here any person who
chooses to take the pains can, at this day, find dates
on the stones that go back as far as 1720. Some have
the time of interment plainly marked 1720, 1725, etc.
One of the oldest stones that I have deciphered is
that of a certain Harina Schel, which states that she
was "begraben" (buried) in 1728, "war alt 85," which
means that she was 85 years of age. There is also a
partially buried stone, the name on which is George
Kuckus, and the date of interment is 1725.
These, and others which appear to the unaided eye
1720, but which the sceptical declare "may have been
tampered with," are plainly to be seen in this old grave
yard in Shepherdstown. Who would have tampered
with them I am unable to say. Profound neglect has

16 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
been their fate ever since I can remember. And as these
old and unique records of the past grow dimmer every
year, it seems a great pity that something should not
be done, before it is too late, to preserve and repair
them. It appears to every unprejudiced observer that
they have never been touched within the memory of
man. A year ago, when excavations were being made for
the new depot building, the fence, which had been the
boundary of the old Lutheran graveyard for genera
tions, and whose date of erection no man living can
guess, was removed. And there, outside of the hal
lowed precincts, the skeleton of an adult human being
was found. This does not prove anything, as it might
have been the remains of an Indian, though it is more
likely to have been a first settler, interred before the
boundary of the present graveyard was established.
We give this incident as an interesting circumstance
for the curious in such matters.
Some of the names on the oldest stones indicate who
the families were that settled Shepherdstown. It must
be remembered that the settlers who took up land in
the vicinity almost always had private burial grounds,
in many cases close to their cabins, to preserve them
from desecration.
The names of Hentzin, Cokus or Kuckus, Schel,
Kephart, Ronemous, Unseld, Barnhart, Shugart, and
Wisenall are on some of the earliest of these stones.
Descendants of nearly all of these are still living in the
county. Shepherdstown does not destroy all her old land
marks, as so many villages do, and some of her quaint
buildings plainly tell us that they were not built yester
day. There are houses on Princess, German, Mill,

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 17
and High Streets that carry back our thoughts nearly
two hundred years, so antiquated is their appearance.
The architecture of some of these venerable domiciles
reminds one of pictures of old German towns built
centuries ago.
The town is partly built upon a cliff which overlooks
the Potomac. The German emigrant who sought a
site for his home in the early part of the Eighteenth
Century, often selected the side of a hill, perhaps be
cause it reminded him of the mountains of his father
land. Here he erected his abode with a very substan
tial, high, stone basement, the door of which usually
opened upon the street. A flight of steps led to the
upper door, and there was often a high porch with a
pent-house roof. As a rule, there were dormer win
dows in the sloping roof. The almost invariable back
building, possibly added at a later date, was two
stories in height, with an upper balcony, running the
length of the house. The materials used were stone
and logs. Some of the dwellings had hip roofs.
The log cabin, said to have been the first dwelling
of Richard Morgan, who, at one time, owned part of
the site of Shepherdstown, is still standing on High
Street, though the front has been weather-boarded,
and thus its appearance is greatly changed.
Limestone was the most convenient building mate
rial, and was largely used by the first settlers. On the
"barrens," as they were called, stone was more plentiful
than wood. Many very old stone houses are still to be
found throughout old Berkeley County, which, be it
remembered, contained Jefferson and Morgan Coun
ties, also, from 1772 to 1801. Therefore, when in the
course of this book Berkeley County is mentioned, it
will be understood that we are speaking of the tract

18 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
now divided into Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan
Counties. Shepherdstown, through all changes of name and
county, has remained the same staunch and patriotic
village, the "Old Unterrified," as her neighbors called
her in days of old. At first she belonged, what there
was of her, to Spottsylvania County. Next, in 1734, to
Orange County. Then, in 1738, she passed into Fred
erick, and her citizens had a court of their own to attend
five years later, in the settlement of Winchester. In
1772 Berkeley County was formed from a part of Fred
erick. Then the good people of Shepherdstown ad
justed their difficulties at the county seat of Martins
burg, an upstart of a place, compared to Shepherds
town, but more central and convenient for the back
settlers. After this there was no further change until
1801, when, largely through the efforts of General
Darke, Jefferson and Morgan Counties were sliced off
from old Berkeley. Once, for a few short years,
Shepherdstown enjoyed the honor of being the county
seat of Jefferson, but alas, it was found that the site of
the village in the extreme boundary line of the county
was inconvenient to the majority of the inhabitants,
and Charles Town became and has continued the
county seat.

CHAPTER II
Growth of the Settlement — The French
and Indian Wars
THE Germans and others who settled Alecklenburg
on the Cohongoroota, as the Indians called this
part of the Potomac, knew well enough what they were
doing. These clever people were nearly all mill-build
ers and skillful artisans, and they probably selected the
village site at this point because of the remarkable
facilities afforded by the little run or branch that flows
through the town to the Potomac. This stream, whose
days of idleness were to be cut short by the thrifty
emigrants, has a fall of at least sixty feet in a few
hundred yards. Such an admirable site for mills, tan
neries, and other industries, was not to be found every
day. The nearness to the settled parts of Maryland
and Pennsylvania also probably gave the little com
pany of first settlers some feeling of security.
And so they began, with the industry of beavers, to
erect their mills, dwellings, forges, tanneries, shops,
schools and meeting houses; brought their wives and
children; were followed by their friends and neigh
bors, and it was done: the village of Mecklenburg,
Meklinborg, Maclinborough, or Macklinboro (for in all
these ways did our forefathers spell the name of their
town, but never New Mecklenburg), was established,
and growing fast into one of the most important towns
of the Valley.
The most ancient records of Orange County have
some mention of leases and deeds of some of the
earliest settlers of Mecklenburg and its neighborhood.
One of the oldest stone houses in the county is on

20 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Fruit Hill farm, now belonging to the Andrews family,
about two miles northwest of Shepherdstown. This
old house was built by a Cookus, and sold several
times before it fell into the hands of its present owners.
An old deed in their possession describes it as being
in the neighborhood of "Macklinborough Town" and
this old deed is dated, "In the year of our lord god
1767." Much of the Valley, as we have said, was "barrens,"
where the forests had already been destroyed. These
"barrens" were fat pasture lands, and the early settlers
raised quantities of horses, cattle and hogs, without
the trouble of planting timothy or clover for their
use. These herds often ran wild, as their owners did
not fence in their lands.
This custom continued many years. A cousin of the
writer told her the following story in this connection.
Her grandmother, Rachel Strode, was once riding from
Shepherdstown to the home of her father near Mar
tinsburg. A herd of half wild horses chased the
animal she rode through a piece of woodland. In
great alarm she managed to climb into the overhanging
branches of a tree along the wayside, still keeping hold
of her bridle rein. The horses sniffed around her
young filly, and not knowing what to do she called
for help. At the sound the leader wheeled and dashed
off, followed by all the herd, and she proceeded on her
way in safety.
The Valley of Virginia was a land of plenty in those
days. The abundant streams swarmed with fish ; there
were buffalo, deer, and elk on the hills and in the
"barrens," besides wildcats, wolves, bears, and pan
thers. The hardy pioneers who built their rude cabins in the
unsettled country were at no loss for provisions while

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 21
their first crops were maturing. They fed on the fat
of the land, until they wearied of the monotony of
fish and game, and longed for a taste of home-made
bread and green vegetables. The wild turkey was,
for a long time, the only game-bird they cared to ex
pend a charge of powder upon. They called the
breast of this creature "hunter's bread," as it was
their best substitute for that useful article.
When Jost Hite and his sixteen families came into
the Valley they stopped at or near Shepherdstown,
where some of them remained a year. This was to
provide for the women and children, while the heads
of families were engaged in preparing homes for them
in the vicinity of Winchester. They must have stopped
at Shepherdstown because of the settlement there, and
yet many people wish us to believe that Hite's families
were the first emigrants to cross the Potomac into
Virginia. It was probably while the Hite colony was at Shep
herdstown that a child was born in the Froman family,
Sarah J. Froman, born November 15, 1732, said by
some to have been the first white child bom in the
Shenandoah Valley. But this cannot be proved. The
reader will find an account of the Hite migration and
stay near Shepherdstown in Mr. T. K. Cartmell's His
tory of Frederick County.*
*Mr. Cartmell, on page 361 of his history, "Shenandoah
Valley Pioneers," says : "The emigrant train that Joist Hite
headed for the Colony of Virginia in 1730. * * * It has been
well established that they spent about one year near Shep
herdstown, and awaited the order for Joist to have surveys
made." Mr. Cartmell also says on page 231 that the settle
ment afterwards called Mecklenburg at first bore the name
"Pack Horse Ford" and that all orders of court speak of the
village as Pack Horse, to and from which roads were opened
to the county seat at Winchester, etc.

22 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
By the time that Washington came to Winchester,
as a young surveyor, in the employ of Lord Fairfax,
it is certain that there were a great number of settlers,
both German and English, as well as Scotch and Irish,
with a sprinkling of Protestant French, already pre
paring homes in the Valley, or firmly seated upon them.
It is a matter of some disappointment to the writer
that no mention of Shepherdstown or Mecklenburg
can be found in the early writings of Washington.
Some of the references to the immediate neighborhood
of the settlement are interesting, but the town is never
mentioned by name, which seems strange, as it was only
about twenty-five miles from Winchester, and an ear
lier as well as a larger village. All the land in the whole
of Frederick County was claimed by Lord Fairfax.
Perhaps Washington made some of the surveys for
the leases in the vicinity of Shepherdstown, but most
of them were made before he arrived. By the year
1748 many of the most prominent families had already
settled in the vicinity of the "Old Unterrified."
Among these early settlers were the Darkes, who
came in 1741 ; the Lucases, who came about 1732,
the Van Metres, whose old house near Kearneysville
had the date, 1727, cut in a locust slab still owned by
the family; the Shepherds, who, according to Mr.
Smythe, owned land as early as 1715 just opposite
Shepherdstown, at the mouth of Antietam Creek and
came to Virginia about 1733; the Morgans, whose
grant is dated 1734 ; the Swearingens, who came from
Maryland in the same year as that in which Richard
Morgan obtained his grant, 1734; the Buckles, Lemons,
Engles, Chaplines, and many more. The Rutherfords
also came to Frederick County, possibly before it was
erected into a separate county. But they, at first, lived

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 23
in the vicinity of Winchester. The Rutherford planta
tion adjoined that of Col. James Wood, on which the
town of Winchester was laid out, and Hugh Ruther
ford's daughter, Mary, became the wife of Col. James.
Wood. After Berkeley County was formed from a
part of Frederick the Rutherfords always lived on their
property in that county, and were one of the most
prominent families of the community.
The fact that the Shepherds and others held planta
tions on the Maryland side, along the Potomac, as early
as 1715, proves, very conclusively, that the Valley was
well known, at least to many Marylanders, at that early
date. Mr. Smythe declares that, on October 12, 1717,
William Shepherd, who had had a plantation at the
head of Beaver Dam Run, conveyed this land to Philip
Gifting, and on the same day took title from John
Bradford to a tract of land in Prince George's County
Maryland, designated as "Shepherd's Purchase," being
a part of "Chursley Forest." In 1721, the parcel called
"Shepherd's Purchase" was conveyed by William
Shepherd to James Brooke. The witnesses of the deed
were Joseph Chapline, John Gold, Peter Brentijo and
John Shepherd. All of what is now Washington
County, Md., was then included in Prince George's
County, and these facts are interesting as proving
that there were settlers on Antietam Bottom, or at least
that land was owned there by white people, before
1717. For William Shepherd obtained the land he set
tled on from John Bradford, the first owner. In case
the reader does not think the location of "Shepherd's
Purchase" has been definitely described we will add
another extract from Mr. Smythe's valuable work. On
page 142 he says : "William Shepherd, now styled
Senior, becomes grantee, by a deed dated 16 April 1741,

24 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
from John Moore, Planter, to all that tract of land
called 'Shepherd's Purchase,' containing SO acres, and
being a part of Antietam Bottom, situate in Prince
George's County, on the bank of the Potowmack River,
and adjoining a tract called Sprigget's Delight. This
deed was witnessed by Thomas Cresap and Joseph
Chapline." The reader will see that the tract in question, "Shep
herd's Purchase," made by WilHam Shepherd in 1717,
changed hands several times, and in 1741 came back to
its owner, William.
There were, then, settlers across the Potomac, a
stone's throw from Mecklenburg, before 1717. It is
absurd to suppose that these settlers did not know the
country across the Packhorse Ford very well, before
Van Metre, the Indian trader, accompanied the Dela
wares on their war party.
In 1735 the Marylanders on the Antietam were vis
ited by an itinerant Lutheran minister, called Rev.
Johannes Casper Stoever, who baptized Theodora, a
daughter of James Moore, on the 21st of June. As it
is certain there were settlers in Mecklenburg at that
time he, almost certainly, crossed the Potomac, and
was probably one of the first ministers to preach in
Shepherdstown. Even earlier than 1717 we find a record of a trans
fer of land from John Shepherd to John Penson, both
of Prince George's County, Maryland, dated 3rd June,
1715. But we do not know in what part of the county
this land was situated. This John Shepherd died in
1765, and willed lands that he owned on Back Creek,
Frederick County, Va., to his sons, Thomas and Wil
liam. He was a brother of the Thomas Shepherd for
whom Shepherdstown was named.
"Great quantities of people," says the Act of the

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 25
Virginia Assembly of 1738, had settled on the Potomac
and its branches. But the river above its junction with
the Shenandoah does not appear to have been called
the Potomac until much later. It was called by the
Indians Cohongoroota. This name is derived from the
"Cohonk" of the wild geese, which were very numerous
upon the river at one time.
An early deed that we have examined is owned by
Mrs. Charles Andrews, of Fruit Hill. It describes a
tract of land sold in 1744 by "Richard Morgan, Gen
tleman, to Van Swearingen, Farmer." This land is
described as lying "on the south side of Cohongo River,
beginning at a walnut tree standing at the head of a
valley of the said Morgan's Spring Branch." It is
sealed with the Morgan coat of arms, which bore a
winged griffin, and is dated "Frydey, the tenth August,
1744." During the French and Indian wars there was great
suffering among the settlers, who, until that time, ap
pear to have been happy and prosperous.
No very definite accounts of the settlement of Meck
lenburg during that period have come down to us. But
we know that Richard Morgan raised a company in the
vicinity to protect the inhabitants. A part of his Mus
ter Roll is in existence and shall be given, as it contains
the names of some of the most prominent of the early
settlers.muster roll of captain RICHARD MORGAN'S COMPANY
IN THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR
Captain, Richard Morgan.
First Lieutenant, Francis Fossett.
Second Lieutenant, William Ankor.
Third Lieutenant, William Chapline.
Benjamin Landor, Jacob Van Metre, William Mor-

26 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
gan, Henry Darke, John Cawood, Robert Dillard,
Moses Cawood, James Finley, John Lemon, Simeon
Turner, Anthony Worley, John Dixon, Daniel Osborn,
William Spurgeon, Robert Buckles and others.
This muster roll is dated "Nov. 27th, 1755-7." It
contains the names of Henry Darke, a relative of Wil
liam Darke; William Morgan, eldest son of Richard,
and others of the first settlers, whose descendants still
live on the old homesteads. It is said that the Buckles
had built a cabin over Rattlesnake Run, about three
miles southeast of Shepherdstown. While the young
father was away with Morgan's company, a party of
Indians came into the neighborhood, killing and scalp
ing all the inhabitants they could find. The wife and
children of Robert Buckles were surprised in the night,
but managed to escape, leaving behind a little girl who
was unable to walk. The savages scalped this little
daughter of Mr. Buckles, and left her lying in the
cabin. When the frightened family returned to the
cabin they found this child, showing signs of life. She
recovered, grew up, and married. This was told me by
a descendant of Robert Buckles.
Another muster roll of the French and Indian War
was preserved in a very remarkable manner. Captain
Joseph Chapline, who witnessed the Shepherd deed to
the tract on Antietam Bottom in 1741, owned and laid
out the town of Sharpsburg, Maryland, which he
named for his friend, Governor Sharpe. His old house
in Sharpsburg was torn down many years ago, nothing
remaining of it except the substantially built chimney.
There was a cupboard in this chimney, and in this cup
board was the old muster roll, thus accidentally pre
served. It contains some familiar names, and shall be
given, as it tends to confirm our conjecture that there

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 27
was much intercourse between the people of Maryland
and those of Virginia at that time.
COPY OF MUSTER ROLL OF CAPTAIN JOSEPH CHAPLINE'S
COMPANY RAISED FOR THE FRENCH AND IN
DIAN WAR
Captain, Joseph Chapline.
First Lieutenant, Evan Shelby.
Second Lieutenant, John Harrowood.
Third Lieutenant, John Pessen.
Adam Heath, Hallam Dick, Adam Enoch, John
Enoch, Levin Willey, George Reed, Nicholy Veace,
and Henry Creamer.
The date of this portion of the old muster roll is
June 26, 1757. In July of that year Joseph Chapline
was given a colonel's commission, and Moses Chapline'
commanded this company. The roll for July, 1757,
contains the following names ;
Moses Chapline, captain; Thomas Willey, first lieu
tenant; John Vaughan, Ezekiel Chaney, John Swear
ingen, John Marshall, John Robinott, John Nicholy,
Richard Dean, James Black, John Chaney, Joseph
Nack, and John Walgamott.
The writings of Washington give us a pathetic pic
ture of the terror of the inhabitants when the whole
country was overrun by Indian war parties, hideously
painted, and carrying death and destruction wherever
they came. Washington, now colonel of the Virginia
Militia, built Fort Loudoun, in 1756, near Winchester,
which was his headquarters during a part of the war.
From this place he frequently wrote to Governor Din-
widdie and others describing the awful condition of the
country. As early as March 20th, 1754, we find him writing to

28 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Dinwiddie about a company raised in Frederick County
by Captain Adam Stephen, of Fredericksburg, Va. He
says : "I have given Captain Adam Stephen orders to
be ready to join us at Winchester with his company, as
they were already in that neighborhood, and raised
there." By the year 1755 we find Adam Stephen promoted to
a colonelcy, and stationed at Fort Cumberland. Wash
ington writes in a note-book of that year: "I pro
ceeded to Winchester, where I arrived on the 14 Sep.
* * * On the Sth Oct. reached Fredericksburg
* * * Continued my journey to Col. Baylor's
where I was overtaken by an express sent from Col.
Stephen, commanding at Ft. Cumberland, informing
me that a body of Indians had fallen on the inhabit-
*ants, killed many of them, and destroyed and burnt
several of their houses."
This was soon after Braddock's defeat. Stephen
was stationed at Fort Cumberland, Md. ; Washington
at Fort Loudoun, Winchester. And who protected
the numerous settlers between these two points? No
regular military force, only the inhabitants themselves,
with such companies as we have already seen they
raised for their own defense. Fort Evans was two
miles from Martinsburg. Fort Neally was on the
Opequon not far from Fort Evans. And in Shepherds
town itself was Fort Shepherd, a stone house, stock
aded, and built on the site of what was afterwards a
part of Shepherd College. Here the frightened neigh
bors gathered in time of Indian onslaught. It is said
that one of Thomas Shepherd's sons was born while
the fort was besieged by a band of these bloody ma
rauders. Washington wrote to Dinwiddie: Oct. 11, 1755, "I

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 29
arrived yesterday (at Winchester) about noon, and
found everything in the greatest hurry and confusion,
by the back inhabitants moving in, and those of this
town moving out. * * * I was told by Col. Martin,
who had attempted to raise the militia, that it was im
possible to get above 20 or 25 men, they having abso
lutely refused to stir, choosing, as they say, to die with
their wives and families. * * * Col. Fairfax, who
arrived in town while we were on a scout, immediately
sent to a noble captain, not far off, to repair with his
company forthwith to Winchester. With coolness and
moderation this great captain answered that his wife,
family, and corn were all at stake; so were those of
his soldiers, therefore it was impossible for him to
come ! Such is the example of the officers, such the be
havior of the men; and upon such circumstances de
pends the safety of our country !"
Again he writes: "The rangers intend to march
down on Monday next. They will be immediately fol
lowed by all the inhabitants of those parts, that had
come together under their protection. * * * I think
it absolutely essential that there should be two or three
companies, exclusive of rangers, to guard the Potomac
waters until such time as our regiment is completed."
In another letter he writes : "Captain Waggoner in
forms me that it was with difficulty he passed the
Ridge, for crowds of people who were flying as if every
moment was death. * * * The inhabitants are really
frightened out of their senses."
"Winchester. April 7th, 1756. The enemy have re
turned in greater numbers, committed several murders,
not far from Winchester, and are even so daring as to
attack our forts in open day. * * * Many of the in
habitants are in a miserable situation by their losses.

30 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
and so apprehensive of danger that I believe, unless a
stop is put to the depredations of the Indians, the Blue
Ridge will soon become our frontier."
Again he speaks of Conococheague as a place that is
in the center of a thickly settled country, and says:
"All the roads between that and Fort Cumberland are
much infested by Indians, so that none but hunters,
who travel the woods by night, can pass in safety."
Winchester was so overcrowded by fugitives that
there were no lodgings for them. Many of the terrified
people that had come in from the back settlements were
obliged to camp in the woods near Fort Loudoun.
Washington writes : "The supplicating tears of the
women, and moving petitions of the men, melt me into
such deadly sorrow, that I solemnly declare, if I know
my own mind, I could offer myself a willing sacrifice
to the butchering enemy, provided that would contrib
ute to the people's ease."
This outburst of feeling, fresh from the heart of one
of the noblest of men, we must remember, was called
forth by the sight of suffering which was wide spread
throughout all the Valley, and all the frontier settle
ments at that dreadful time. It is hard to realize now
the days of anxious waiting and nights of fearful ap
prehension, that our forefathers endured in this peace
ful Valley of Virginia. Through it all there were two
men on whom they principally relied. One of these
was Washington, and the other was Adam Stephen.
These two officers had charge of all the Virginia fron
tier, and rendered the most efficient service in their
power to preserve the people from massacre.
Again Washington writes to Governor Dinwiddie in
the course of that gloomy April 1756: "The woods
appear to be alive with Indians, who feast upon the fat

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 31
of the land," and on the 24th of April he writes ; "Not
an hour, nay, scarcely a minute passes, that does not
produce fresh alarms, and melancholy accounts. * * *
The inhabitants are removing daily, and in a short time
will leave this country as desolate as Hampshire, where
scarce a family Hves. Three famiHes were murdered
night before last, less than 12 miles from this place,
* * * no road is safe."
On the same day he wrote to I\Ir. John Robinson,
Speaker of the House of Burgesses: "You may ex
pect, by the time this comes to hand, that, without a
considerable re-enforcement, Frederick County will not
be mistress of fifteen families. They are now retreat
ing to the securest parts in droves of fifties. * * *
There is not an inhabitant living between this place and
Cumberland, except a few settlements upon the Manor
around a fort built there, and a few families at Ft. Ed
wards upon Cacapehon River." On April 27th he writes
to Dinwiddie, "Desolation and murder still increase,
* * * the Blue Ridge is now our frontier, no men
being left in this County except a few that keep close
with women and children in forts, which they have
erected for that purpose. * * * The Indians are
spread all over this part of the country. * * * The
inhabitants, who are now in forts, are greatly distressed
for the want of ammunition and provision, and are in
cessantly importuning me for both, neither of which
have I, at this place, to spare."
We give these extracts for the purpose of describing
the conditions that prevailed in the settlement, and
what fearful odds those who remained had to contend
against. Yet we know that the settlement of Mecklen
burg stood firm through all the Indian troubles. Wash
ington showed at this early time his genius as a com-

32 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
mander. He organized bodies of rangers whose duties
were to scour the woods and give notice of the ap
proach of war parties. They had many sharp conflicts
with these marauders. One of these companies of
rangers is of especial interest to us, for it was raised by
Captain Robert Rutherford, and composed of able-
bodied young men — expert marksmen, and fearless In
dian fighters. This company did very efficient service,
even although when first organized they, at one time,
ran away from a large party of Indians that they
unexpectedly met. That was when they were raw
recruits. Rutherford did his best to rally them, and
was intensely mortified at their behavior. That they
redeemed their character for courage is certain, for we
find Washington according them high praise. This
company included in its muster roll the names of sev
eral inhabitants of Shepherdstown. David Shepherd
is said to have been one of its lieutenants, and William
Darke, then a youth of twenty, was a corporal under
Rutherford. Washington mentions "the defeat of Rutherford of
the Rangers escorting an express to me at Ft. Cumber
land," in a letter dated Aug. 4, 1756. This is the oc
currence to which we referred above. On the 2nd of
December of the same year he writes : "When Cap
tain Mercer went down our strength consisted of about
25 more, including drafts, who have been sent over,
since the middle of October, to Conococheague and
Swearingham's Ferry, to encourage the inhabitants
there to stay in their places, who otherwise were
determined to forsake them. * * * Winchester is
in the centre, as it were, of all the forts. * * * It
also lies in a vale of land that has suffered more than
any other from the incursions of the enemy."

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 33
It is interesting to know that Washington called
^lecklenburg "Swearingham's Ferry." Thomas
Swearingen had estabHshed a ferry there in the year
1755. Washington knew Swearingen well; indeed,
that gentleman had defeated him the first time he ran
for election to the House of Burgesses. This is the
only allusion in the writings of W^ashington at that
time to what we now call Shepherdstown. It seems
strange, too, that Washington never mentions a visit to
the place, for it antedated W^inchester, and at the time
of the Revolution contained more people. Adam
Stephen recruited men in the neighborhood for the In
dian wars, but we have no account of Washington vis
iting the place.
In 1757 Washington says that half of the people are
sheltering in paltry forts, and the other half have run
away, some as far as the Carolinas ; that they did not
wait to provide themselves with necessaries for the
journey, but forsook their dwellings in the greatest ter
ror and confusion. On the 24th of September, 1757,
he wrote to Dinwiddie : "^Ir Rutherford is not yet re
turned. Enclosed is a list of the persons killed and
captured by the enemy when last down. * * *
About the 17th of Sep., upwards of 20 people were
killed about 12 miles from Winchester."
And in October he wrote to John Robinson ; "The
inhabitants of this fertile and once populous valley are
now become our most western settlers, except a few
farms that are forted on the Branch."
In 1758 upwards of 500 friendly Indians came from
the South to ally themselves with the English. They
were mostly Cherokees, deadly enemies of the Shaw
nees and Delawares, who, under Kill-Buck and Shin-
gas, were harrying the Valley. At this time most of the

34 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
country people had fled. In April, 1758, Washington
wrote to the President of the Virginia Council : "Cap
tain Rutherford's Company was raised and posted in
this quarter by Governor Dinwiddle's express orders,
and can be more useful here than any other man what
ever, being all the sons of the neighboring farmers;
men of property, young, strong, active, and acquainted
with the woods on these frontiers."
In the account of the friendly Indians from the
South that joined Washington at Fort Loudoun, we
have a glimpse of one of the most daring adventurers
of the age. This was Captain Richard Pearis. At
what date this gentleman appeared in the Shenandoah
Valley we cannot tell. The flrst mention of the Pea-
rises that we have seen is contained in the will of
Richard Morgan, dated 1762. In this will he says:
"Item, I give to Robert Pearis, and it is my will that
he have the land which was in dispute between him
and me, he paying what costs hath already been about
s'd land at the discretion of my Executors."
Richard Pearis was in the habit of making excur
sions into the country of the Creeks and Cherokees,
over which tribes he had great influence. He had an
Indian wife and family. Mr. Smythe says of him:
"Captain Pearis was a famous frontiersman and In
dian leader; he was a fearless character and an active
flgure in border history, and with a strong and undis
puted influence, which he yielded over the Southern
Indians. At the head of bands of Catawbas and Cher
okees, he led his Indian contingent to the service of
Governor Dinwidde of Virginia, in 1755-1756. He
was given a command under Colonel George Wash
ington, then at Fort Loudoun (Winchester), to assist
the Virginia militia in the campaign against the French

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 35
and their hostile allies that were at the time driving
the borderers back to the shelter of the fortified posts
in the Valley of Virginia. Pearis, while in charge of
his friendly tribesmen, also rendered aid to Governor
Sharpe of Maryland; so, too, he performed similar
service for the Province of Pennsylvania in 1755-56,
in which he commanded a body of new levies from
the lower counties (Delaware), in Colonel William
Clapham's provincial forces. He was in Virginia in
1761, at which time, it appears, John Duke sold him
supplies. "Captain Richard Pearis was a remarkable charac
ter, and the events of his strenuous career are full
of interest and excitement. After a stormy experi
ence with the military authorities of Virginia, he re
moved to an island in the Holston River, which had
been granted him in 1754, and later established a trad
ing post among the Indians of that section, who loved
him so well. That post is now Greenville, S. C."
(Smythe's Shepherd, Van Metre, and Duke Genealo
gies, page 293.)
In the will of John Hite, a son of Jacob Hite, who
was so cruelly butchered by the Indians in South Car
olina, he leaves, "the large tract lying in the Indian
Country in S. C, held by my father by a deed granted
by the Cherokee nation to Richard Pearis, the said
Pearis's Indian son, and my father, and part being a
purchase from John Neville," etc., to one of his chil
dren. Our chief interest in the Pearises, who were per
haps brothers, is the part they took in the Indian
wars, and the fact that the family possessed land near
Shepherdstown. We know that there were frequent conflicts between
the settlers around Mecklenburg and the Indians, but

36 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
we have no detailed account of any of them. Park-
man, in his "Conspiracy of Pontiac," says that the
bold frontiersmen of West Virginia were generally
successful in these battles. But we know that Neally's
Fort, on the Opequon, was taken by the Indians, and
all its inhabitants butchered or carried away.
Near Swan Pond, in Canaday's Woods, tradition
affirms that a number of women and children were
massacred. I have heard an old colored woman of
that neighborhood call this locality, the "Murder
Woods," and declare that nothing could induce her to
pass it on a stormy night, because the women and
children who were killed there can be heard crying on
every dark night from the gloomy depths of the pines !
We know of Evan's Fort, near Martinsburg, and of
Shepherd's stone fort at Mecklenburg. Also the farm
ers in the neighborhood built stockades around their
dwehings. One of these was on the Osborn farm at
Duffields. Edward Lucas and William Morgan lived
in log houses, surrounded by stockades. The Lucas
farm is about three miles from town, on the road to
Charles Town. The first log house on the land was
burned by the Indians in one of their forays. It had
probably been abandoned by its inmates, as there is
no tradition of any loss of life on that occasion. Pos
sibly the family had taken refuge in the Morgan Fort,
on the farm now belonging to Mrs. Banks. There
are evidences of a sharp conflict between this farm
and Richard Morgan's spring. In this meadow many
arrow heads, and smaH rifle balls, such as were used
by the settlers a century and a half ago, have been
picked up.
It was, probably, during the Indian Wars of 1754-8
that Thomas Shepherd made an interesting covenant

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 37
with the people of the town, an old account of which
reads as follows ; "The said Thomas Shepherd ex
ecuted an article in writing, wherein he covenanted and
agreed with the subscribers thereto to lay off twenty
lots, half an acre in each lot, to let each subscriber
have one lot during the continuance of the Indian War,
free and clear of any rent, or any incumbrance; and
at the end of the then Indian War each subscriber
should pay fourty shillings current money of Virginia ;
and on the payment of the said fourty shillings, each
subscriber, his heirs or assigns, should receive a suffi
cient title for his lot, subject to a yearly rent after
the then Indian War, of five shillings sterling, and for
making the said titles, and complying with the cove
nants and agreements above mentioned the said
Thomas Shepherd, his heirs, executors, and adminis
trators bound themselves, in the penal sum of one
thousand pounds current money of Virginia, to be
paid to the subscribers in his non performance."
This lease was executed, doubtless, as an inducement
to prevent the townsmen from abandoning the place.
There was little access to the County Court during
the hostilities, and no formal business could be trans
acted at the county seat. It would be interesting to
read the Hst of subscribers, as we would then know
who took up some of the first lots formally laid off
in the village.
It is well known that, in 1762, Thomas Shepherd
secured an Act of Assembly in reference to the town
he had laid off upon fifty acres of his land on the
Potomac River. This act reads as follows :
"an ACT FOR ESTABLISHING THE TOWN OF MECKLEN
BURG IN THE COUNTY OF FREDERICK
"Whereas, It is represented to this General Assem-

38 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
bly of Virginia that Thomas Shepherd, of the County
of Frederick, hath laid off about fifty acres of his
land on Potowmack river, in the said county, into lots
and streets for a town, and hath disposed of many of
the said lots, the purchasers whereof have made their
humble application that the said land may be estab
lished a town, being pleasantly and commodiously sit
uated for trade and commerce: — Be it therefore en
acted by the Lieutenant-Governor, Council and Bur
gesses of this present General Assembly, and it is
hereby enacted by the authority of the same. That the
lots and streets so laid off on the said land be, and
are hereby constituted, appointed, and erected, and es
tablished, a town, to be called by the name of Meck
lenburg; and that the freeholders and inhabitants of
the said town, so soon as they shall have built upon
and saved their lots, according to the conditions of
their deeds of conveyance, shall then be entitled to,
and have and enjoy, the same privileges, rights and
advantages, which the freeholders and inhabitants of
other towns erected by act of assembly in this colony
do at present enjoy."
In November, 1766, public fairs were established at
Mecklenburg by order of the General Assembly. Two
of these were to be held annually on the second
Wednesday in June and the second Wednesday in
October. These fairs lasted two days, and were "for
the sale and vending of all manner of cattle, provisions,
goods, wares, and merchandise whatsoever."

CHAPTER III
Growth of the Town — Some Old Wills
VERY soon after the town of Mecklenburg was es
tablished by an Act of Assembly, old Richard
Morgan drew his last breath, in his house in that vil
lage. As something about the first inhabitants can be
learned from his will, and as it has, we believe, never
before been published, we will give that document in
full, for the benefit of our readers.
WILL of RICHARD MORGAN
In the Name of God, Amen. This fourteenth day
of November, one thousand, seven hundred and sixty-
three, I, Richard Morgan of Frederick County & Coll.
of Virginia, being sick and Weak in body, but of per
fect mind and Memory thanks be to Almighty God
for his Mercies, and caUing to mind the Mortaly of
my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men
once to die I therefore recommend my soul into the
hands of AUmighty God that gave it and Body to the
earth to be buried in a christian-like and decent man
ner at the discretion of my Executors herein named.
Imprimis I will that all just Debts and funeral charges
be paid first and Discharged.
Item I give to my daughter Mary Swearingen one
hundred acres of land lying and being in Frederick
County and Coll. of Virginia, a tract adjoining my
home Plantation on the West.
Item I give to my daughter Sarah Morgan one hun
dred acres of Land being a part of the Aboves'd Tract.
Item I give to my daughter Olive Stockdon one hun
dred Acres Of land being part of the aboves'd Tract,

40 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
and it is my Will that the above division of land shall
he at the Discretion of my Executors hereafter named.
Item I give to my son WilHam Morgan four hundred
Acres of land Joining on the River Potomack on the
Fast Side Shephards Town or Macklenburg for the
use of his three eldest sons, Ralph, George, Abraham.
Item, I give to my son Isaac Morgan the plantation
adjoining Captain Van Swearingen's which has been
called Isaac Morgan's, containing two hundred and
fifty acres.
Item I give to Samuel Stockdon son of John Stock
don of Maklenburg ninety eight Acres of Land ad
joining Edward Lucas's.
Item I give to Richard Morgan and John Morgan,
sons of Jacob Morgan, two hundred and Eleven Acres
of Land adjoining the s'd Jacob Morgan's Land, and to
be divided at the Discretion of my Executors.
Item I give to Jean Morgan, daughter of Jacob Mor
gan the Lott I bought of Dr. John Briscoe with all
the Improvements thereon.
Item I give to my son William three Acres of the
uper end of my Meadows Joining to the twelve Acres
he had of me heretofore.
Item I give to my son Jacob Morgan five pounds to
be levied out of my Estate.
Item I give to my son Abel Morgan all my home
plantation, and Nineteen Acres being the remainder of
the tract I have left to my three daughters.
Item I give to Robert Pearis, & it is my will that he
have the land which was in dispute between him and
me, he paying what costs hath already been about s'd
land at the discretion of my Executors.
Item I will that my Executors make over to James
Brown a title for four hundred and ninety Acres

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 41
whereon he now lives, on his paying or discharging all
debts or dues to me.
Item I will that my Executors make over to York
Henery Bechtol one hundred Acres of Land Joining
to the great spring where he now lives.
Item it is my Will that my Executors make over a
Right to Charles Hedges, son of John Hedges, for
two hundred Acres of Land at the foot of the North
Mountain, he the said Hedges paying what Quit rents
and Land Tax is Due on s'd Land.
Item I Will that the plantation I bought of Edward
Teague, & the lot I bought of Ezekiel Hickman & the
lot I bought of John James be kept on rent till such
time as all my just debts are paid & discharged, and
it is my will that the s'd Teagues & the afores'd two
Lots after the s'd debts are paid, they, with all my
personal Estate not otherwise willed, be equally di
vided between my seven children named herein before.
Item I do appoint my son William Morgan & my
son in law Thomas Swearingen executors of this my
last Will and Testament revoking Disallowing all other
Wills, Legacies or Testaments by me before, Ratti-
fieing & confirming this and no other to be my last
Will and Testament. In Witness Whereof I have
hereunto my Hand & Seal the day & year first above
Written. Signed sealed and published and pronounced in the
presence of
Henry Bedinger
Peter Bedinger
John Champion. Richard Morgan (Seal)
At a Court held for Frederick County December
6th 1763, The Last Will and Testament of Richard
Morgan, Deceased, was produced in Court by William

42 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN

Morgan and Thomas Swearingen the Executors
therein named who made oath thereto and the same
being proved by the oaths of Henry Bedinger Peter
Bedinger and John Champion Witnesses thereto it is
ordered to be recorded and upon the motion of the
said Executors who entered into bond with Van
Swearingen & Henry Bedinger their securities in the
penalty of one thousand pounds conditioned for their
due and faithfull Administration of the s'd Estate cer
tificate is granted them for obtaining a Probate in due
form. For the Court. Ja. Keith C. C.
From this curious old will we learn many things.
Richard Morgan's children were, first, WiHiam, who
was a brave officer of the Revolution. He raised a
company in the neighborhood of Shepherdstown early
in the year 1777. At the close of the war he had been
promoted to a colonelcy. The other sons of Richard
were Isaac, Jacob, and Abel. His daughters were
Mary, the wife of Thomas Swearingen, Sarah, unmar
ried at the time the will was made; and Olive, who
married John Stockton.
Richard speaks of "Macklinburg or Shepherd's.
Town" as if there were, at that time, some uncertainty
about the name of the village.
Edward Teague possessed land on the borders of
Teague's Run, south of Shepherdstown. The remains
of an old distillery and oil mill are still to be seen upon
the land probably owned by the Teague family, who
sold out about 1760 and went south.
John and Charles Hedges were, no doubt, the found
ers of Hedgesville, and the wiH shows that Richard
Morgan at one time owned a very large tract of land.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 43
or probably two tracts, as it does not seem likely that
his acres extended in an unbroken line all the way
from Mecklenburg to the foot of the North Mountain.
His descendants acquired more land, but the family
multiplied very rapidly, and many of them sought new
fields in Kentucky and Tennessee.
There is no mention of any slaves in the will of
Richard Morgan. The first settlers in Berkeley
County owned few negroes but these became more
plentiful as time went on. Indentured servants were
as common as negro slaves, and their lot was often
cruelly hard.
It may astonish some readers to learn that in the
early settlements in the Shenandoah Valley tobacco
was, for a long time, the staple crop, and also the
medium of exchange, so many pounds of tobacco be
ing equivalent to so much hard money. Instead of
the fields of growing corn and waving wheat that we
now see throughout our agricultural districts, fields of
tobacco covered the arable land, and under the whip
of the overseer negro slaves and white indentured
servants toiled together up and down the long rows of
tobacco, half wilted in the hot suns of July and August.
Only enough grain was raised to maintain the planter's
stock and family, while nearly all his efforts were ex
pended upon his tobacco crop.
There was, as we have already said, a union church
built of logs by the German residents of the settlement
at a very early date. But the Protestant Episcopal
Church was, in Colonial days, the denomination fa
vored by Government, and the colonies were divided
into parishes. The parish of Frederick had a vestry
appointed in or about the year 1744, for we find in

44 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
the April term of Court in that year the foUowing or
der; "Ordered that the Clerk of this Court write to
his Honor the Governor for a Power to Choose a
Vestry for the Parish of Frederick in this County."
The law provided for the election of twelve of "the
most able and discreet persons of the Parish." Yet
there are no records of the proceedings of this vestry,
except that they were highly unsatisfactory, and were
accused (see Mr. Cartmell's History of Frederick
County, page 181), of having misapplied or appropri
ated to their own use the sum of nearly $8,000, which
they raised for the ostensible purpose of building chap
els. In 1752 a new vestry was appointed for Freder
ick Parish. The members were Lord Fairfax, Isaac
Perkins, Gabriel Jones, John Hite, Thomas Swearin
gen, Charles Buck, Robert Lemon, John Lindsey, John
Ashby, James Cromley, Thomas Bryan Martin, and
Lewis Neill.
There is no church record to be found prior to 1764.
Bishop Peterkin, in his "Records of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in West Virginia," says that there
was probably a log chapel erected on the site of the
old Episcopal church in Shepherdstown soon after the
formation of the first parish. A stone chapel was
completed on this site in 1769, as was attested by the
date cut in a stone over the entrance. The vestry at
that time consisted of the following members, who
were chosen in 1764: Isaac Hite, John Hite, John
Greenleaf, Thomas Rutherford, James Keith, John
Neville, Charles Smith, James Wood, Jacob Hite,
Thomas Worthington, Burr Harrison, Thomas Swear
ingen, Van Swearingen, Angus Macdonald, Philip
Bush, Frederick Conrad, George Rice, Alexander
White, James Barnett, Marquis Calmes John Mac-

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 45
donald, Edward Snickers, Warner Washington, Joseph
Holmes, Benjamin Sedgewick, Edmund Taylor, John
Smith, and Samuel Dowdal.
Of this vestry the two Swearingens were very active
in completing the church at Shepherdstown, and are
said to have contributed largely to the cost of its
erection. The history of the Lutheran Church in Shepherds
town has been lately written by Professor Duke of
Shepherd College. He says: "History affords no
more pathetic chapter than that of the devastation of
the Rhine Palatinate by Louis XIV. It seems to have
been the purpose of this cruel and proud monarch,
when he found himself like a lion at bay in the pres
ence of his Protestant foes, to surround himself and
his beautiful France with a desert barrier as a pro
tection against invasion. Consequently the fair Pala
tinate (as weU as Alsace and some other provinces)
was given over to fire and sword. Manheim, Old
Heidelburg, Spier, Worms and Bingen (and many
other towns) were destroyed. The Count of Tesse,
to whom the spoliation of the country was entrusted,
in reporting to his superior officer, Turenne, says :
'I do not think that for a week past my heart has been
in its right place. I did not foresee that it would cost
so much to personally attend to the burning of a town
with a population in proportion like that of Orleans.
You may rely upon it that nothing at all remains of
the superb castle of Heidelburg. Four hundred and
thirty-two houses have been burnt, and the fire is still
raging.' "Out of this region of desolation came the peace
loving. God-fearing Palatines to try their fortunes in
the New World."

46 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Dr. Haithcox, the Lutheran minister now at Shep
herdstown, lately wrote an article for the Baltimore,
American in which he says ; "Across the Atlantic they
(the German Protestants) came to find a land as beau
tiful and even more fertile than their Rhineland.
From the Delaware along the Susquehanna, they
spread through Pennsylvania's Carlyle Valley, across
Maryland and its Antietam, over which they built
splendid Roman arches of stone, one of these becoming
so tragically famous in the Civil War; then crossing
the Potomac, they came into the Valley of the Shen
andoah. * * * They brought here the industry
and thrift that had made a paradise of their fatherland.
Accustomed to congregated town life, they gathered
into villages, like Mecklenburg, to till the neighboring
lands, unlike the English plantation lords of Lower
Virginia, who built their manor houses in the centre
of their broad domains. The farms were smaller, bet
ter cultivated, and, with the vine, they transplanted
the customs of their old home.
"In the village, the highest hill was crowned by a
church spire like the ministers along the Rhine or in
the high burgs of Germany. In these churches pealed
forth the chorals of the German Protestants, and Mar
tin Luther was to them a grandfather's fireside
memory. "In a few years they had retrieved their fortunes
by their industry, were happy, contented, fearing God,
minding their own business, and perchance cared little
how soon the clouds of etemal vengeance came with
thunderbolts upon their enemy, when their people,
with the English duke, trampled the pride and plumes
of the Grand Monarch in the bloody marshes of Blen
heim.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 47
"The Lutheran congregation (at Mecklenburg) was
iormed about the middle of the 18th century, though
tradition avers that these were not the first white set
tlers on this spot, that it had been occupied by a group
of Scotch Presbyterians who called the village Poto-
moke. It seems religion did not create friendly sym
pathy among these Protestants, though a like persecu
tion did form a bond of union between the Lutherans
and German Reformers, who came here together from
the Palatinate, and ofttimes used the same union build
ing on alternate Sabbaths, or, as in Mecklenburg, built
their churches side by side in thorough good will.
"The old Lutheran church, built in 1795 and used
up to this time with slight remodeHng, stood on a hill
east of town, and on the opposite side of the street
from the German Reformed. The building was of
brick, with no architectural interest, but strangely
enough the old bell that rang for a century among
these hills and mountains was also an emigrant from
the city of Marseilles. It was thrown overboard by
some explosion of the French Revolution that sought
to abolish bell, book, and candle of the old religion;
but its tones rang as cheerfully for these doughty Ger
man Lutherans as it had done to summon the French
Catholics to vespers.
"The Church Register shows the names of many of
the old German families and land holders hereabouts,
such as Ernst, Entier, Baker, Kaufenbarger, Lechleiter,
Ronemous, Humrackhouse, Mueler, Weiss, Reinhardt,
Rightstine, Baier, and Fulk. Some of these names
are still represented here in English forms. Naturally
this congregation has held pre-eminence in the size of
membership, though this has scarcely kept up with
the years. It has, however, outgrown its antiquated

48 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
place of worship, and has now built a beautiful stone
church of the Gothic style on the hiU opposite the
West Virginia State Normal School. The site is
pecuharly appropriate, standing forth in fuU view, so
that across the Potomac from the Maryland approach
to the railroad bridge this church is the most con
spicuous object in the old town, the central and crown
ing point among the spires and pinnacles of the quaint
old burg set upon its hills. The cornerstone was laid
November 10, the anniversary of Luther's birth."
Professor Duke has translated a part of the early
records of the Lutheran Church in Shepherdstovra.
ORIGINAL RECORD
Those who entered into the service
of the
Protestant Lutheran Congregation
at Shepherdstown and
the Building of the Church
in 1795.
"How the same was celebrated in this place by the
solemn laying of the cornerstone on the thirteenth
Sunday after Trinity which was the thirtieth of
August. "So long as Jesus remains Lord, every day dawns
more gloriously. Jesus Christ, the Lord and Founder
of His poor scorned, Protestant church, has given the
great promise to the followers of the same : 'Lo, I am
with you always, even to the end of the world.' And
although the Prince of Darkness, sometimes by bloody
persecution, sometimes by other devices, has tried to
destroy her; he has not accomplished his purpose; but
she has borne away the victory, so that she sings with

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 49
joy; "The Lord is my Strength, My Psalm and my
Redeemer.' We glorify, therefore, and the Protestant
churches praise Him with us. He has let the light of
His gospel shine unto us, now for thirty years, unto
us who were forsaken Germans in this land of the
West. Yes, and He has let us continue to shine. The
short history of this Protestant Congregation con
firms this truth.
"In the year 1765 the first members of the Protestant
church here in Shepherdstown, of whom there was at
that time no more than nine in the town, united with
one another and held divine service, which consisted
of the singing of a few hymns and the delivery of a
sermon by one of their number, in a house. Among
these were the following: Henrich Biidinger, Sr.,
Heinrich Kuckos, Martin Endler, Philip Kleber, Nico
las Hahn, and Martin Wohlfarth.
"In July, 1776, Mr. Bauer, the first Reformed
Preacher came here. Soon after this, they took into
their services for the instruction of their children, a
schoolmaster by the name of Kramle. He performed
his duty by the children in a conscientious manner."
This record goes on to give the names of the Lu
theran ministers who preached in Shepherdstown, and
is too long for the limits of this volume, which deals
mainly with the period from the first settlement of
the town to the conclusion of the Revolution.
Dr. Graham's idea that there was a settlement of
Scotch Irish here very early in the 18th century, and
that they called the place Potomoke cannot, we think,
be sustained. The river here was not called the Poto
mac, but the Cohongoroota until after 1745, as is
abundantly proved by old deeds, etc. That there was
a small settlement at the Pack Horse Ford and that

50 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
it was known by the name of Pack Horse Settlement
there can be no doubt. But, as we have seen, the
name of Mecklenburg does not occur before 1759
or 1760, and before that time people spoke of our
village as Swearingen's Ferry. It is probable that
Thomas Shepherd began to lay out the present village
about 1755 or 1756, and after that time the name of
Mecklenburg appears to have been given to it.
It may surprise many readers to learn that in 1765
there were only nine families of Lutherans in the
place. One of these, Heinrich Biidinger, was Henry
Bedinger, as the name was anglicized. Martin Wohl
farth was, very probably, a son or grandson of the
evangelist, Michael Wohlfarth, who, "in the year 1722
visited Conrad Beissel, the famous Pennsylvania
mystic, at the Muhlbach, while on a journey to North
Carolina by way of the VaHey of Virginia." (See
Wayland's German Element of the Shenandoah Valley,
page 9.)
It appears, therefore, that Michael Wohlfarth visited
the settlement here in the year 1722. It is not impos
sible that he afterwards came to Hve at this place,
where his descendant, Johann Martin Wohlfarth, is
buried. His grave may be seen in the old graveyard
now called the German Reformed graveyard. It bears
his name, Johann Martin Wohlfarth, and the date of
his death, 1780. It may be that the sermons read when
the little band of Lutherans met in (perhaps) his
house, or that of Heinrich Biidinger, were those of
the evangelist, Michael Wohlfarth, cherished posses
sions of his descendant, Martin.
The Kuckuses, as we have seen, were here as early
as 1725, for the grave of George Kuckus, a child of
three months, is stiU to be seen with the date, 1725,

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 51
plainly cut upon the half-buried sandstone. That
part of the town where are the two old Ger
man churches, their graveyards, and the lots im
mediately around these churches, all belonged to the
Kuckuses, or Cookuses as they were afterwards called.
This part of the town was not included in Thomas
Shepherd's fifty acres, but was added to the place in
1798 under the name of "Cookuses' Addition."
Soon after 1765 some of the Lutherans of this set
tlement became dissatisfied with the form of worship
in their church, and desired to have the services read
in English. It is said that, for -a time, the services
were read in German and English on alternate Sun
days, in the hope of pleasing both factions. This
course appears to have been unsatisfactory, for a num
ber of Lutherans left that church before the year 1769,
and went over to what they called "the English
Church," meaning the Protestant Episcopalian.
Mr. St. John Byers, who has written many interest
ing articles on the antiquities of Shepherdstown, re
marks in one of these: "There should be no jealousy
between the German and Anglican forms of the
Protestant faith, as both of them have the broader
gauge principles of modern Christianity, and have
never narrowed their creeds to the hair-splitting doc
trines which have produced such a variety of sects in
this country. In fact, it has been a source of regret
that the German Church did not, in adopting the
English language here, transplant itself entirely into
the English Church, as many of the Lutherans did
hereabouts, when there were dissentions about having
the service in the language of the country, as, for in
stance, did the Bedingers, Van Swearingens, Towners
and many others."

52 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
The Swearingens, as we have already seen, probably
left the Lutheran Church before 1762, and so must
some of the Hites and Lemons, if they ever belonged
to it, as we find all three names in the vestry of the
Protestant Episcopal Church elected in that year.
The Bedingers came to Shepherdstown from Pennsyl
vania in 1762. It is recorded that Henry Bedinger
was naturalized, and also that he took communion in
the Protestant Episcopal Church in Mecklenburg or
Shepherdstown in the year 1769.
It was in the year 1765 that the famous town ordi
nance was made against the rats and mice which af
flicted the house-keepers of the old town so sorely. A
town meeting was appointed to determine the best
course to pursue in order to rid the village of these
pests. The result of the meeting was that it was "or
dered that Jacob Eoff is authorized to procure a suffi
cient number of cats to destroy the rats that infest this
town and to procure the same on the most reasonable
terms in his power, as soon as possible, and that
the money he expend in procuring the same be levied
for him the tenth day of June next." All the country
people came to the village on the next market day
with bags and baskets full of cats and kittens, and
held a cat market, probably on the spot where, later,
the old market house was erected. Mr. William Bris
coe wrote a most amusing poem based upon this order
of the old town council.
iThat Shepherdstown was a wideawake, progressive
settlement is proved by many facts. Not only were
her inhabitants industrious millers, tanners, black
smiths, gunsmiths, and skillful artisans of many trades,
but she was the first town in the Valley of the Shenan
doah to establish an academy for classical instruction.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 53
We do not know the precise date of the opening of
this academy, but it is certain that the Rev. Mr.
Stubbs, a minister of the Episcopal Church, taught in
it in the year 1787, and how much earlier we have no
means of ascertaining. A son of Henry Bedinger,
George Michael, has written in his reminiscences
something about the old schools of Shepherdstown.
He says that when his family arrived in the village,
in 1762, there were both German and EngHsh schools
already established there. His parents sent him and
his brothers to the English school, then taught by a
Scotchman named Robert Cockburn. This gentleman
taught reading, writing, arithmetic, surveying and other
branches. When Berkeley County was formed in 1772
Robert Cockburn was appointed county surveyor, and
moved to the vicinity of Martinsburg, where one of
his sons had a school for many years. George M.
Bedinger speaks of the Lemons, and Swearingens and
Morgans as among his school fellows. Joseph Swear
ingen and his brothers, Thomas and Benoni Swear
ingen, were surveyors, and no doubt they learned the
art in company with George Michael Bedinger from
old Robert Cockburn.
Mr. Smythe speaks of the marriage of William
Shepherd, born about 1739, to Mary Clark, supposed
to be a relative of "William Clark of Mecklenburg,
schoolmaster." William and his family moved to Ohio
County about 1778. In another place Mr. Smythe
speaks of a William Clark as teaching school in Shep
herdstown in 1793.
Who first taught the German School here we cannot
tell. When families of Germans emigrated they al
most always had a schoolmaster with them. This
functionary was regarded as a leader and treated with
great respect.

54 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Miss Bittinger, in her charming work called "The
Germans in Colonial Times," describes the coming
of a large party of German settlers to Frederick,
Maryland, in 1735. She says : "In 1735 an organized
colony came to re-enforce the few scattered pioneers.
It was led by a Palatine schoolmaster, John Thomas
Schley, who was the mainstay of school and community
and church for half a century. Schlatter, the pioneer
apostle of the Reformed Church in this country,
wrote, twelve years after : 'It is a great advantage to
this congregation that they have the best schoolmaster
that I have met with in America. He spares neither
labor nor pains in instructing the young and edifying
the congregation according to his ability, by means of
reading and singing the Word of God and printed
sermons on every Lord's day.'
"This exceUeut schoolmaster, the next year, built
the first house in the town of Frederick, which was
laid out in 1745. * * * From John Thomas Schley
are descended a long line of men useful in their day
and generation as he was in his ; the most famous be
ing Admiral Winfield Scott Schley, the destroyer of
Spain's last fleet in the New World which she dis
covered." Miss Bittinger also says: "The thrifty Palatines
early established a trade with the German settlements
south of them, and caravans of pack-horses carried
through the Valley of Virginia as far as Georgia their
manufactures of wool, flax, and leather. It was along
the southem trail, first blazed by the German pioneers
of the Shenandoah Valley, that most of the em
igration to Maryland, Virginia, and the farther South,
passed." These quotations throw much light on the duties

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 55
of the German schoolmaster or masters at Shepherds
town, who, no doubt, in the absence of a settled min
ister, read the Bible, led the singing and prayer, and
closed the services in the log meeting house with a
sermon from some good book. It also gives us a
glimpse of the long lines of pack horses, laden with
goods of every description that pack horses could
carry, that crossed over the Pack Horse Ford into
the Valley. It is certain that in times of peace with the
Indians these caravans were very numerous. They
must have had places of refreshment at which to
stop over night. Probably the first taverns built in
our neighborhood were at or very near the Pack Horse
Ford. Indeed it appears that there was a settlement
at that very spot, before the names of either Shep
herdstown or Mecklenburg had grown familiar to the
ears of the settlers.
When Henry Bedinger came to Mecklenburg in 1762
he built a stone house on the land southeast of Mor
gan's spring branch. But at the time of his death
he Hved in a house in Mecklenburg. The old Bedinger
house near town was probably torn down in 1799,
when his son Daniel built his beautiful home south
east of Mecklenburg, which he called Bedford, and
which was destroyed by General Hunter during the
Civil War. The will of Henry Bedinger, who died
in 1772, shall be given, as it mentions names and
localities in the village and neighborhood.
WILL OF !henry bedinger, sr.
In the Name of God, Amen. I, Henry Bedinger of
Frederick County in the Colony of Virginia, being
weak in body but of sound and perfect memory —
blessed be God for His mercy — do constitute this my
last Will and Testament revoking all other Wills by

56 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
word of mouth or writing and this only for my last
Will and Testament. Imprimis, I leave my soul to
the Almighty God that gave it me and my body to be
buried in a Christian manner at the discretion of my
executors hereafter named and as to my worldly es
tate I order that my funeral charges and just debts
are paid and discharged first
Item — I will and bequeath to my son Henry two
hundred acres of land part of that 'tract I bought of
Anthony Worley to him and his heirs and assigns
forever. Item — I will and bequeath the remainder of that
three hundred and ninety eight acres I Bought of
Worley to my son Daniel be it more or less to him
and his heirs and assigns forever.
Item — I will and bequeath to my son Jacob fifty
six acres of land I bought of Thomas Foster lying in
Maryland be it more or less to him and his heirs and
assigns forever.
Item — I will and bequeath to my son Michael ten
acres of land I bought of John Newland and ninety
three acres of land I bought of Simon Linder be it
more or less, etc, etc.
Item — I will and bequeath to my son Solomon one
hundred acres of land I bought of WilHam Neely and
three out lots containing fifteen acres, etc, etc.
Item — I will and bequeath to my daughter Eliza
beth the house and lot I bought of Swearingen con
taining one-half acre more or less.
Item — I will and bequeath to my daughter Mary,
the house and lot I bought of Peter Bedinger con
taining half an acre more or less, etc.
Item, I will and bequeath to my daughter Sarah the
house and lot I now dwell in containing half an acre,
etc, etc.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 57
Item — I will and bequeath to my loving wife
Magdalen that half acre lot that Philip Sheetz
now lives on during her life, and after her decease I
leave the said lot to Henry and Jacob to them and
their heirs and assigns forever.
Item — I likewise leave to my wife Magdalen a
negro wench called Sina to her and her assigns.
Item — I also leave to my wife Magdalen the rents
of all my lands and lots during the time she re
mains my widow and no longer.
I likewise leave ten acres of land I bought of Wil
liam Morgan to my wife during her life, and after
her decease to be sold and equally divided between
my eight children before-mentioned.
Item — I do appoint my son Henry my whole and
sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
seal this eighteenth day of December, in the year of
our Lord one thousand, seven hundred, and seventy-
one. Henry Bedinger (Seal)
Signed, Sealed, and Pubhshed in the presence of
William Morgan
PhUip Sheets
At a Court continued and held for Frederick
County, March 4th, 1772, this last Will and Testament
of Henry Bedinger deceased, was proved by oaths of
William Morgan and Philip Sheets, witnesses thereto,
and ordered to be recorded and upon the motion of
Henry Bedinger the Executor therein named, who
made oath thereto, certificate is granted him for obtain
ing a probate thereof in due form, he giving security,
whereupon he, together with William Morgan and
Wm. Brown his securities, entered into and acknowl-

58 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
edged a bond in the penalty of Two Thousand pounds
conditioned for his due and faithful Administration
of said Estate. By the Court
Ja Keith. C. C.
Henry Bedinger, Jr., was born in 1753, and was not
nineteen when his father died. That father must have
had entire confidence in his uprightness and good
judgment, else he would not have made him his sole
executor. Henry Bedinger was especially noted for
his energy, integrity, and fidelity to duty, all his Hfe.
He attained wealth and position in his adopted state,
and, for a long time, was one of the leading business
men of Mecklenburg.
Elizabeth, the oldest daughter of Henry Bedinger,
Senior, married, about 1779, Abel Morgan, the young
est son of Richard. Abel Morgan is said to have en
listed in Darke's company, raised by him in 1776. The
name Abel Morgan appears in a list in the writer's
possession of prisoners on the infamous Jersey prison
ship, that lay, for so many years, in Wallabout Bay,
off the coast of Long Island. Whether this was Abel
Morgan, son of Richard, or some other Abel Morgan,
we are unable to say. The husband of Elizabeth Bed
inger died early, and if he were that unfortunate pris
oner, it is extremely likely that his early death was
occasioned by his sufferings on board that place of
torture familiarly known by its occupants as "Hell."
In any case it is certain that he died, and left his young
widow to bring up her five children, as best she could.
She built the small stone house now standing on the
old Morgan place, owned by Dr. Crawford, and in
that house she not only raised her own children, who

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 59
all became prominent citizens of the county, but two
or more orphan children as well. She was a very no
ble woman, described by one who well remembered
her, as beautiful, dignified, and of a tall and com
manding figure. She was the mother of Joseph, Dan
iel, Jacob, Elizabeth, and Olive Morgan. Jacob was
the father of Colonel William Morgan, who was such
a gallant officer during the Civil War, and who, for
so many years, lived in the beautiful, historic old home
bequeathed by Richard Morgan to his youngest son,
Abel. Sarah Bedinger married Benoni Swearingen in 1887.
She died in 1792.
Mary Bedinger married Abraham Morgan, a son of
the first Colonel William Morgan, eldest son of Rich
ard. After her death her husband and children moved
to Kentucky. Many of their descendants still live in
that State, and some are prominent citizens of Nash
ville, Tennessee.

CHAPTER IV
Formation of Berkeley County
THE year that Henry Bedinger died, which was
early in 1772, Berkeley County was formed out
of a part of Frederick. The first court was held on
the 19th day of May, 1772, in the house, probably a
tavern, of Edward Beeson, who lived at Beeson's
Mills,- now included within the corporation of Mar
tinsburg, then a scattered settlement.
The act creating the new County begins : "Whereas,
Many inconveniences attend the inhabitants of the
county of Frederick by reason of the great extent
thereof, and the said inhabitants have petitioned this
present General Assembly that the said county may be
divided into three distinct counties. Be it therefore en
acted, etc.. That from and after the 15th day of May,
next, the said county of Frederick shall be divided into
three distinct counties."
The minutes of the proceedings of the first session
of the County Court are, in part, as follows :
"Berkeley County, ss.
"Be it remembered that at the house of Edward
Beeson, the 19th day of May, 1772, a commission of
the peace, and a commission of Oyer and Terminer,
from his Excellency, Lord Dunmore, dated the 17th
day of April, in the year aforesaid, directed to Ralph
Wormeley, Jacob Hite, Van Swearingen, Thomas
Rutherford, Adam Stephen, John Neville, Thomas
Swearingen, Samuel Washington, James Nourse, Wil
liam Little, Robert Stephen, John Briscoe, Hugh Lyle,
James Strode William Morgan, Robert Stogdon,
James Seaton, Robert Carter Willis, and Thomas Rob-

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 61
inson. Gentlemen, and also a dedimus for administer
ing the oath directed to the same persons, or any tv/o
of them, were produced and read, whereupon the said
Van Swearingen, having first taken the usual oath to
his Majesty's person and government, repeated and
^bscribed the test, taken the oaths of a justice of the
peace, of a justice of the county court in chancery,
and of a justice of Oyer and Terminer, which were
administered to him by the said James Nourse and
William Little, he, the said Van Swearingen, then ad
ministered the same oaths unto Thomas Swearingen,
Samuel Washington, etc., gentlemen, who severally
took the same, and repeated and subscribed the test."
The partition of the inordinately large county of
Frederick into three parts was done at the suggestion
of Colonel Adam Stephen and others, followed by a
petition from the inhabitants to the General Assembly.
The county of Berkeley, as then formed, embraced
the territory now included in the three counties of
Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan.
The honorable justices were selected from the prin
cipal gentlemen of the county.
Colonel Adam Stephen owned all the land upon
which Martinsburg was laid out. Thomas Rutherford,
Samuel Washington, James Nourse, and John Bris
coe lived in the neighborhood of what is now Charles
Town. The Swearingens and Colonel WilHam Morgan
lived near Shepherdstown. James Strode, Robert
Stockton, and Robert Carter Willis lived between
Shepherdstown and Martinsburg. Jacob Hite owned
much land in the vicinity of Leetown, and the posses
sions of the other gentlemen were scattered over other
parts of the county.

62 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
William Drew was appointed clerk of the court,
and Colonel Adam Stephen was commissioned High
Sheriff. Alexander White produced a commission
from the Attorney-General of the colony appointing
him deputy King's Attorney for the county, and other
attorneys present were James Keith, John MagUl,
George Brent, George Johnston, and Philip Pendleton.
The names of the first grand jury, who served at
the August term of court that same year, are: John
Smith, foreman ; Hezekiah Swearingen, Joseph Barnes,
Martin Entier, Joseph Turner, Abraham Smith, John
Taylor, Samuel Taylor, Jonathan Simmons, George
Cunningham, William McConneU, Jacob Beller, An
drew McCormick, Matt Duncan, John Sewell, Thomas
Lafferty, and George Creamer.
The reader who wishes to know who were the land
owners in Berkeley County at this time is invited to
look over the following list of landowners in what are
now the three counties of Berkeley, Jefferson, -and
Morgan. Where the same name occurs more than
once reference is made to new tracts of land pur
chased or inherited by the owners within those seven
years.RENT ROLL OF BERKELEY COUNTY FOR THE YEARS 1774,
1775, 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, 1780, and 1781
Thomas Adam, 316 acres. Catherine Anderson, 200
John Ariss, 150 acres. acres.
Thomas Aiken, 216 acres. Robert Ayre, 300 acres.
Jacob Alimong, 370 acres. Robert Ayre, 318 acres.
Catherine Ambrose, 180 William Bailey, 628 acres.
acres. Stephen Boyle, 400 acres.
Henry Ambrose, 400 acres. James Buckles, 147 acres.
James Ariss, 226 acres. Francis Baldwin, 629 acres.
Robert Aldridge, 362 acres. "William Boggs, 518 acres.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN

63

Robert Buckles, 3090 acres.
Parmenius Brisole, 413
acres.
Douts Brisole, 403 acres.
James Brisole, 445 acres.
Benjamin Beeler, 528 acres.
Anderson Bowman, 341
acres.
Edwin Beeson, 450 acres.
Edwin Beeson, 531 acres.
Edwin Beeson, 784 acres.
Benjamin Bryan, 391 acres.
Peter Burr, 400 acres.
William Baldwin, 1510
acres.
Michael Bruner, 66 acres.
William Burns, 1518 acres.
Joseph Barnes, 414 acres.
William Brown, 108 acres.
Caleb Booth, 170 acres.
Jacob Beeler, 366 acres.
Peter Bradford, 100 acres.
William Boyd, 110 a-cres.
William Boyd, 275 acres.
Peter G. Bear, 100 acres.
John Banner, 183 acres.
Henry Bedinger, 390 acres.
Henry Bedinger, 100 acres.
Peter Bedinger, 250 acres.
Pearce Beeker, 300 acres.
Thomas Boydstone, 196
acres.
Casper Bauer, 191 acres.
Casper Bauer, 365 acres.
Walter Boswell, 300 acres.
George Briscoe, 370 acres.
John Blair, 444 acres.
Robert Brownfield, 67
a-cres.
William Bazel, 160 acres.

Benjamin Bowman, 29
acres.
John Bailey, 300 acres.
Anderson Brouse, 897 acres.
Andrew Beard, 407 acres.
Joseph Blackford, 171 acres.
Henry Bower, 370 acres.
Jean Bilmyres, 225 acres.
Baruch Basenore, 371 acres.
Isaac Bell, 400 acres.
Richard Beeson, 149 acres.
Haines Beeson, 276 acres.
Michael Burket, 300 acres.
Wm. & Henry Boyle, 372
acres.
Wm. & Henry Boyle, 74
acres.
Edwin Beeson, 60 acres.
Walter Baker, 400 acres.
John Boyd, 200 acres.
Anderson Bazel, 200 acres.
Robert Bull, 150 acres.
George Brunt, 365 acres.
Joseph Barns, 94 acres.
John Baldwin, 159 acres.
Robert Boquet, 44 acres.
John Brown, 50 acres.
Ross Bell, 316 acres.
Jonathan Britain, 50 acres.
John Brown, 136 acres.
Richard Butt, 200 acres.
George Briscoe, 555 acres.
William Baldwin, 143 acres.
Wm. Baldwin, 364 acres.
Walter Baker, 100 acres.
Presley Boydstone, 41
acres.
John Bond, 185 acres.
John Baily, 206 acres.
John Boyd, 190 acres.
William Barn, 206 acres.

64

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN

George Boyd, 100 acres.
John Berkeley, 252 acres.
Wm. Bailey, 411 acres.
Robert Cunningham, 647
acres.
Robert Cunningham, 300
acres.
Thomas Cawen, 386 acres.
William Clineworth, 271
acres.
Thomas Caton, 275 acres.
Joseph Cairney, 320 acres.
Joseph Coomas, 876 acres.
Isaac Chapline, 465 acres.
Douglas Campbell, 270
acres.
Robert Campbell, 418 acres.
George Cunningham, 726
acres.
Cloophas Chambers, 427
acres.
Henry Cookis, 125 acres.
Lewis Coffenbary, 382
acres.
Henry Cookis, 64 acres.
George Carger, 172 acres.
Henry Chaplain, 430 acres.
Henry Chaplain, 365 acres.
Colonel Chambers, 110
acres.
Abram Clineworth, 100
acres.
Thomas Cuswick, 306 acres.
Job Curtiss, 200 acres.
Jacob Coonts, 212 acres.
Thomas Crow, 265 acres.
William Curry, 143 acres.
Colonel Chambers, 100
acres.
Adam Cooper, 186 acres.
Thomas Clawson, 90 acres.

Alexander Caldwell, 354
acres.
John Coffman, 216 acres.
George Cloak, 115 acres.
John Carpenter, 70 acres.
Conrad Claycomb, 130
acres.
George Chapman, 448 acres.
Wm. Caldwell, 180 acres.
John Corinham, 213 acres.
Robert Creghton, 428 acres.
Michael Cookiss, 155 acres.
John Campion, 319 acres.
John Campion, 20 acres.
Duncan Campbell, 184 acres.
Isaac Campbell, 230 acres.
John Crane, (indistinct).
Michael Copenhaven, 496
acres.
Benedict Crouchman, 72
acres.
Benedict Crouchman, 197
acres.
George Coreman, 420 acres.
Robert Crosly, 385 acres.
William Cochran, 394 acres.
William Cochran, 660 acres.
William Cochran, 194 acres.
Stephenson Champion, 309
acres.
George Caveman, 304 acres.
Thomas Crow, 33 acres.
George Check, 143 acres.
Edward Crab, 432 acres.
Wm. Caldwell, 824 acres.
James Cochrane, 904 acres.
Cornelius Conway, 170
acres.
John Chaffin, 367 acres.
Wm. Catlett, 145 acres.
Edmond Collins, 220 acres.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN

65

Absalom Chenoweth, 59
acres.
Wm. Cunningham, 500
acres.
Walter Clark, 196 acres.
Alexander Catlett, 239 acres.
John Chapin, 276 acres.
Wm. Davis, 240 acres.
John Darke, 466 acres.
Motte Duncan, 318 acres.
Motte Duncan, 441 acres.
Isaac Dawson, 546 acres.
Isaac Dawson, 635 acres.
Daniel Davis, 193 acres.
John Duke, 164 acres.
Jacob Davis, 300 acres.
John Davis, 515 acres.
John Dawkins, 150 acres.
John Danold, 390 acres.
Matthew Dick, 690 acres.
Joseph Dark, 380 acres.
John Dust, 314 acres.
Abram Davenport, 185
acres.
Abram Davenpart, 77
acres.
Samuel Davenport, 200
acres.
John Davis, 70 acres.
Edward Davis, 70 acres.
George Deigh, 403 acres.
Daniel Davis, 160 acres.
James Dillon, 146 acres.
Fred. Duckwald, 490 acres.
John Davis, 280 acres.
Joseph Edward, 639 acres.
Isaac Evans, 409 acres.
Evans (of Fairfax), 216
acres.
Joseph Evans, 289 acres.
Isaac Evans, 401 acres.

John Evans, 967 acres.
Enos Ellis, 308 acres.
John Evans, 190 acres.
Thomas Ewing, 145 acres.
John Eakins, 50 acres.
Thomas EUis, 220 acres.
John Ellis, 149 acres.
Thomas Embly, 162 acres.
Isaac Edmondson, 449 acres.
Isaac Edmondson, 190 acres.
William Ervin, 300 acres.
Mordecai Ellis, 235 acres.
Isaac Evans, 200 acres.
Bartholemew Fryatt, 320
acres.
Robert Filson, 216 acres.
John Fletcher, 150 acres.
Alexander Fryatt, 383 acres.
Alexander Fryatt, 151 acres.
Alexander Fryatt, 200 acres.
James Forman, 200 acres.
Isaac Foster, 203 acres.
John Fletcher, 200 acres.
Peter Fleisher, 240 acres.
Alex. Foutz, 50 acres.
Wm. Forrester, 300 acres.
Joseph Frazer, 59 acres.
Bolsar Fox, 296 acres.
Lodowick Fry, 442 acres.
Vendol Freshhover, 400
acres.
Vendol Freshhover, 141
acres.
William Fairis, 40 acres.
Stephen Fenner, 382 acres.
Michael Fritz, 149 acres.
Thomas Fallmer, 181 acres.
Jacob French, 200 acres.
Henry Fink, 150 acres.
Daniel Fairiss, 247 acres.
Bowman Forman, 145 acres.

66

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN

Frederick Fouse, 142 acres.
Andrew Fairis, 90 acres.
Reuben Forman, 220 acres.
Benj. Forman, 196 acres.
Joseph Forman, 196 acres.
Henry Foster, 34 acres.
Henry Foster, 405 acres.
Peter Fleisher, 407 acres.
Arthur Fairis, 302 acres.
Robert Friol, 148 acres.
John Friol, 10 acres.
Simons Fields, 357 acres.
Thomas Falkner, 379 acres.
Thomas Foster, 339 acres.
Wm. Glen, 353 acres.
John Glen, 399 acres.
Berkeley Glen, 40 acres.
John Gerrard, 437 acres.
David Gerrard, 340 acres.
Wm. Glen, 331 acres.
Wm. Grubb, 391 acres.
Christian Grubb, 400 acres.
John Gillespie, 331 acres.
Hugh Gray, 407 acres.
John Grantham, 527 acres.
Joseph Grantham, 304 acres.
Jacob Gates, 303 acres.
Wm. Green, 130 acres.
Reynold Green, 63 acres.
Hugh Gilbreath, 78 acres.
George Grundy, 400 acres.
Horatio Gates, 659 acres.
Isaac Graham, 533 acres.
Philip Glover,  • acres.
Joseph Gist, 231 acres.
John Grier, 187 acres.
Lewis Grace, 50 acres.
Matthew Gossett, 100 acres.
Charles Gordon, 184 acres.
Henry Gardner, 258 acres.
Wm. Guinea, 331 acres.

Isaac Greenham, 300 acres.
Michael Gray, 185 acres.
Thomas Guffinlyea, 280
acres.
Norman Gannt, 1550 acres.
George Hite, 393 acres.
George Hite, 302 acres.
Reece Hastings, 208 acres.
Moses Harland, 174 acres.
John Harland, 234 acres.
Peken Harland, 445 acres.
Elisha Harland, 238 acres.
Thomas Harmison, 247
acres.
Alex. Henderson, 240 acres.
Alex. Henderson, 403 acres.
Alex. Henderson, 275 acres.
Peter Hedges, 300 acres.
John Hillard, 95 acres.
John Hood, 303 acres.
Wm. Heit, 400 acres.
Simon Heit, 150 acres.
Thomas Hains, 456 acres.
Abram Haines, 284 acres.
Joseph Hite, 453 acres.
Thomas Hilliard, 100 acres.
Robert Harper, 1001 acres.
Thomas Hayton, 189 acres.
Matthew Hains, 314 acres.
John Hiet, 489 acres.
John Hamlin, 443 acres.
James Hendricks, 360 acres.
Wm. Hall, 348 acres.
Joseph Hall, 334 acres.
Joshua Hedges, 491 acres.
Joshua J. Hedges, 200 acres.
Sam. Hodge, 200 acres.
Jonas Hedges, 200 acres.
John Hall, 100 acres.
Wm. Hall, 332 acres.
Stephen Harland, 200 acres.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN

67

Josiah Hulse, 548 acres.
Thomas Hamlin, 416 acres.
George Houte, 254 acres.
Sam. Harrison, 300 acres.
Michael Halligas, 609 acres.
Haven Howard, 164 acres.
John Hay, 368 acres.
Samuel Handley, 243 acres.
Captain Hancler, 388 acres.
Captain Hancler, 338 acres.
Captain Hancler, 384 acres.
Adam Hay, 184 acres.
Henry Hayne, 25 acres.
Nicholas Hane, 15 acres.
Edward Herd, 165 acres.
Wm. Hart, 300 acres.
Isaac Hughes, 250 acres.
Matthew Hoover, 312 acres.
George Hall, 121 acres.
John Hart, 201 acres.
Lucas Hood, 133 acres.
John Harper, 300 acres.
Benjamin Hedges, 137
acres.
Samuel Hedges, 131 acres.
Thomas Hite, 668 acres.
Thomas Hite, 256 acres.
Thomas Hite, once Gran-
field, 270 acres.
Thomas Hite of John Wil
ton, 200 acres.
John Hood, 284 acres.
Thomas Hart, 333 acres.
John Hite, 933 acres.
Major Hunter, 275 acres.
Anthony Hall, 100 acres.
Isaac HoUiday, 100 acres.
George Hagley, 400 acres.
Isaac Heaton, 204 acres.
Nicholas Harmon, 200 acres.
Morgan Hughes, 196 acres.

Daniel Hunter, 19 acres.
Joseph HaU, 106 acres.
Michael Haswell, 278 acres.
James Hannah, 209 acres.
Wy. Hannah, 261 acres.
John Hannah, 260 acres.
Benjamin Hains, 130 acres.
Martin Houseman, 130
acres.
John Hays, 153 acres.
Wm. Jackson, 135 acres.
Jeremiah Jack, 513 acres.
Samuel Johns, 389 acres.
Wm. Johns, 386 acres.
George Jenkins, 314 acres.
Robert Jackson, 378 acres.
Robert Jackson, 170 acres.
Cox Jackson, 173 acres.
Jacob Johnston, 55 acres.
John Jones, 17 acres.
Philip Joyce, 180 acres.
Henry Julee, 98 acres.
Nicholas Jasper, 100 acres.
James JoUiflfe, 107 acres.
James Jones, 211 acres.
Deckhart Jones, 386 acres.
John Jenkins, 235 acres.
John Jenkins, 343 acres.
John Kennedy, 140 acres.
Thomas Kennedy, 335 acres.
Samuel Kennedy, 115 acres.
Robert Kennedy, 56 acres.
Humphrey Keyes, 667 acres.
Humphrey Keyes, 370 acres.
Humphrey Keyes, 313 acres.
Humphrey Keyes, 1344
acres.
Wm. Kayle, 314 acres.
James Keith, 1360 acres.
James Keith, 1035 acres.
Joseph Kayle, 134 acres.

68

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN

Ruth Keyes, 174 acres.
Daniel Kennedy, 150 acres.
George Keever, 188 acres.
Avril Keyes, 220 acres.
Wm. Kelly, 200 acres.
Witson & Kelso, 213 acres.
Witson & Kelso, 593 acres.
Witson & Kelso, 400 acres.
Witson & Kelso, 800 acres.
Witson & Kelso, 85 acres.
Elizabeth Linn, 319 acres.
Thomas Lawson, 295 acres.
John Lemon, 590 acres.
David Lewis, 356 acres.
Thomas Lindsay, 518 acres.
Edward Lucas, 695 acres.
Edward Lucas, 200 acres.
Captain E. Lucas, 313 acres.
Captain E- Lucas, 140 acres.
Wm. Lucas, 275 acres.
Lawrence Linder, 200 acres.
Hugh Lyle, 811 acres.
Hugh Lyle, 135 acres.
Jons Lyle, 450 acres.
Thomas Lafferty, 188 acres.
Judah Lafferty, 73 acres.
Wm. Long, 310 acres.
Jacob Lock, 72 acres.
Simon Linder, 393 acres.
Enoch Leamon, 150 acres.
Samuel Levine, 244 acres.
Isaac Levine, 1375 acres.
Isaac Levine, 416 acres.
Isaac Levine, 121 acres.
Isaac Levine, 342 acres.
Adam Livingstone, 300
acres.
Robert Lyle, 63 acres.
Alex. Lemon, 250 acres.
Fred. Lock, 227 acres.
Richard Lock, 96 acres.

Isaac Logan, 373 acres.
Esther Loyd, 196 acres.
George Lawmon, 148 acres.
Peter Light, 890 acres.
Peter & John Light, 156
acres.
George Lisle, 31 acres.
Abraham Lindsay, 300 acres.
Mary Linburn, 149 acres.
Robert Lowry, 100 acres.
Anthony Lee, 180 acres.
John Lewis, 951 acres.
James Lowry, 335 acres.
Benjamin Loyns, 477 acres.
Major Gen. Lee, 3081 acres.
John Lemon, 78 acres.
Robert Lemon, 60 acres.
Thomas Lawson, 42 acres.
John Murphy, 201 acres.
Charles McEndree, 269
acres.
Valentine Murphy, 64 acres.
Robert MiUer, 254 acres.
Thomas McEntire, 200
acres.
Thomas McEntire, 306
acres.
Daniel Miller, 415 acres.
Isaac MiUer, 360 acres.
John Miller, 250 acres.
Hugh Miller, 202 acres.
Jacob Morgan, 558 acres.
Lewis Moore, 250 acres.
Lewis Moore, 195 acres.
Lewis Moore, 250 acres.
John Mending, 379 acres.
Andrew McCormick, 141
acres.
Wm. Micklevane, 783 acres.
Wm. Maxwell, 658 acres.
Wm. Maxwell, 400 acres.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN

69

Richard Morgan, 302 acres.
Edward Mercer, 209 acres.
Edward Mercer, 235 acres.
Wm. Merchand, 439 acres.
Wm. Merchand, 115 acres.
John McCormick, 157 acres.
Thomas Melvin, 298 acres.
George Myles, 479 acres.
George Myles, 146 acres.
Jacob Moone, 337 acres.
Joseph McCay, 209 acres.
Wm. Morgan, 715 acres.
Wm. Morgan, 488 acres.
Fred. Mayer, 334 acres.
Andersoij McDonald, 338
acres.
Wm. Morgan, 318 acres.
Wm. Morgan, 910 acres.
Nathaniel Morrison, 84
acres.
Isaac McCormick, 350 acres.
Edwin Maguire, 388 acres.
Edwin Maguire, 333 acres.
Daniel McPherson, 567
acres.
Gilbert McEwin, 316 acres.
Joseph McCanis, 132 acres.
John McClane, 207 acres.
George Merritt, 353 aeres.
Ephraim Martin, 334 acres.
Wm. McConnel, 300 acres.
Wm. McConnel, 400 acres.
Edwin Morgan, 108 acres.
George Mayer, 100 acres.
Simon MiUer, 333 acres.
Thomas Morgan, 333 acres.
Jacob Miller, 100 acres.
Wm. Morgan, 100 acres.
Henry Miller, 340 acres.
John Mauser, 200 acres.
John Melvin, 250 acres.

Nicholas McEntire, 300
acres.
Abram MuUat, 300 acres.
Allan McDanold, 183 acres.
Allan McDanold, 111 acres.
Stephen Miller, 429 acres.
Henry MiUer, 526 acres.
Samuel Mount, 15 acres.
Isaac McGanne, 246 acres.
Valentine Murphy, 197
acres.
James Mitchell, 245 acres.
Richard Myles, 118 acres.
Benjamin Martin, 115 acres.
John McEwin, 79 acres.
Samuel McGarvice, 116
acres.
Abel Morgan, 282 acres.
Wm. McKey, 5 acres.
John Miller, 200 acres.
Vatch Madheff, 150 acres.
Joseph MitcheU, 470 acres.
Miss Nancy Martin, 200
acres.
Morgan Morgan, 286 acres.
John Melvin, 245 acres.
John Moore, 106 acres.
Millan & Miller, 633 acres.
Zechariah Miller, 306 acres.
Zechariah MiUer, 263 acres.
Henry MiUer, 28 acres.
Lewis Moore, 258 acres.
Barnard Newkirk, 103 acres.
Lewis Moore, 258 acres.
Lunas Newkirk, 103 acres.
Peter Newkirk, 70 acres.
Amos Nicholas, 114 acres.
James Nourse, 1279 acres.
George Neily, 450 acres.
Wm. Neily, 450 acres.
Anthony Noble, 1332 acres.

70

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN

Anthony Noble, 403 acres.
David Needy, 215 acres.
John Neville, 365 acres.
Lunas Newkirk, 195 acres.
Andrew Oromuss, 133 acres.
Jonathan Osborn, 497 acres.
Daniel Osborn, 410 acres.
Wm. Osborn, 321 acres.
Samuel Oldham, 150 acres.
Samuel Oldham, 82 acres.
George Adam OUer, 397
acres.
Robert Paul, 320 acres.
John Paul, 925 acres.
Wm. Patterson, 831 acres.
John Perkins, 173 acres.
Samuel Park, 350 acres.
Wm. Porterfield, 250 acres.
Samuel Patten, 231 acres.
Captain Porterfield, 200
acres.
John Potts, 120 acres.
Adam Paine, 337 acres.
Wm. Paul,  acres.
John Park, 1002 acres.
George Pykten, 300 acres.
Caspar Parheloe, 357 acres.
George Pringle, 256 acres.
John Plotner, 136 acres.
Jacob Painter, 201 acres.
Andrew Pears, 228 acres.
Philip Pendleton, 360 acres.
Jonas Quick, 383 acres.
John Ridgway, 350 acres.
Josiah Ridgway,  acres.
Thomas Rutherford, 548
acres.
Richard Ridgway, 758 acres.
Wm. Rankin, 334 acres.
Jonathan Rose, 1151 acres.
Jonathan Rose, 74 acres.

Morris Reece, 308 acres.
Morris Reece, 637 acres.
Thomas Reece, 558 acres.
Robert Reece, 230 acres.
Burket Riger, 213 acres.
Reuben Rutherford, 119
acres.
Reuben Rutherford, 181
acres.
Isaac Robinson, 383 acres.
John Rayce, 383 acres.
George Ross, 863 acres.
Benjamin Rankin, 555 acres.
Jacob Rush, 367 acres.
Samuel Robert, 100 acres.
Wm. Robinson, 193 acres.
Thomas Reece, 114 acres.
Matthew Rippy, 310 acres.
Conrad Rose, 50 acres.
David Ross, 98 acres.
Robert Rutherford, 150
acres.
Castle Reagan, 250 acres.
Jacob Reads, 319 acres.
John Reece, 410 acres.
Thomas Reece, 312 acres.
Jacob Rogers, 423 acres.
Daniel Roberts, 66 acres.
Stephen Ross, 170 acres.
John Reece, 890 acres.
Leonard Rush, 206 acres.
John Ryan, 100 acres.
Adam Roads, 200 acres.
Adam Roads, 300 acres.
John E. Ryley, 150 acres.
Robert Rutherford, 391
acres.
Edwin Rawlin, 266 acres.
Josiah Reynolds, 263 acres.
Leonard Reece, 400 acres.
Isaac Robinson, 284 acres.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN

71

Orzimus Rosenberger, 51
acres.
Jacob Rush, 160 acres.
William Smith, 1099 acres.
Solomon Smith, 526 acres.
Mathias Swim, 359 acres.
John Smith, 1476 & 400
acres.
Daniel Snively, 100 acres.
Thomas Shepherd, 591
acres.
William Swoop, 307 acres.
Robert Snodgrass, 643 acres.
Jacob Sailer, 68 acres.
Colonel Van Swearingen,
1760 acres.
Hezekiah Swearingen, 172
acres.
Josiah Swearingen, 310
acres.
Richard Stephenson, 196
acres.
Hugh Stephenson, 196 acres.
James Stephenson, 196
acres.
Samuel Strode, 188 acres.
James Strode, 1885 acres.
Archibald Shearer, 816
acres.
Walter Shirley, 150 acres.
Gervas Shirley, 300 acres.
James Shirley, 300 acres.
Robert Shirley, 183 acres.
John Strode, 508 acres.
John Sevill, 365 acres.
Edwin Southern, 452 acres.
Jeremiah Strode, 1310 acres.
John Snodgrass, 292 acres.
Jonah Seaman, 315 acres.
John Seaman, 129 acres.
George Smith, 215 acres.

Matthew Sharp, 96 acres.
Thomas Swearingen, 871
acres.
Richard Stephenson, 330^
acres.
Henry Swerity, 90 & 400
acres.
Mrs. John Semple or Semple
Manor containing 6536
acres in B. Co.
Anthony Sell, 49 acres.
John Swin, 91 acres.
George Smallwood, 140
acres.
John Snodgrass, 200 acres.
Major Gen. Adam Stephen,
5381 acres.
Widow of Thomas Swearin
gen, 300 acres.
Goodwin Swift, 177 acres.
Robert Stuart, 370 acres.
John Sheep, 300 acres.
Isaac Stanley, 130 acres.
Van Swearingen, Jr., 337
acres.
Jacob Swaggard, 80 acres.
Adam Small, 334 acres.
Martin Shank, 1130 acres.
Jeremiah Stillwell, 200
acres.
William Shield, 88 acres.
Adam Snider, 60 acres.
John Shoohy, 364 acres.
White and Stonebraker, 393
acres.
Henry Snively, 400 acres.
John Seaman, Jr., 99 acres.
Isaac Strider, 29 acres.
Theodore Spare, 170 acres.
John Shields, 319 acres.
Isaac Staley, 114 acres.

72

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN

Archibald Shearer, 333
acres.
Richard Stephenson, 50
acres.
Michael Siester, 352 acres.
Robert Stephen, 325 acres.
Matthew Sever or Sevine,
324 acres.
Jonah Seaman, 31 acres.
Thomas Sharp, 332 acres.
Jacob Sailer, 126 acres.
John Sloan, 142 acres.
James Strode, 101 acres.
Matthew Swim, 346 acres.
Jonas Seaman, 720 acres.
George TuUis, 187 acres.
Robert Thornburgh, 176
acres.
Israel Toulson, 70 acres.
Mary Turner, 615 acres.
Anthony Turner, 395 acres.
John Turner, 451 acres.
Thomas Turner, 179 acres.
Samuel Taylor, 465 acres.
John Taylor, 469 acres.
Benjamin Thornburg, 473
acres.
Jeremiah Toulson, 101 acres.
Moses TuUis, 146 acres.
Widow TuUis, 120 acres.
Samuel Thatcher, 310 acres.
Stephen Thatcher, 294 acres.
Samuel Taylor, 280 acres.
Joseph Trowbridge, 127
acres.
Michael Tabler, 373 acres.
Thomas Thornbery, 239
acres.
Magnus Tate, 332 acres.
Cornelius Thomson, 460
acres.

Joseph Thomson, 50 acres.
Isaac Taylor, 203 acres.
Thomas Talbot, 3096 acres.
Robert Throckmorton, 1014
acres.
Thomas Throckmorton, 500
acres.
John Trigg, 456 acres.
George Trier, 100 acres.
George Tingle, 22 acres.
John Unseld, 277 acres.
Thomas Usher, 836 acres.
WiUiam Vestal, 1263 acres.
Henry Van Metre, 977 acres.
Joseph Volgamott, 188
acres.
Capt. John Vanine, 362
acres.
Jacob Van Metre, 173 acres.
Abram Van Metre, 1092
acres.
John Van Cleves, 800 acres.
John Verdier, 200 acres.
Rev. Hugh Vance, 99 acres.
William Withers, 907 acres.
William Withers, 108 acres.
William Wright, 200 acres.
Robert Worthington, 739
acres.
Samuel Worthington, 291
acres.
William Williams, 627 acres.
John White, 660 acres.
Moses Wilton, 200 acres.
John Watson, 371 acres.
John Watson, 574 acres.
Thomas Watson, 410 acres.
John Wright, 231 acres.
Samuel Wilson, 400 acres.
Stephen West, 1823 acres.
John Wilson, 199 acres.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 73
Edward Wilson, 191 acres. John Wright, 100 acres.
WUliam Wilson, 191 acres. Francis Willis, 369 acres.
Joseph Wilson, 300 acres. Philip Weigle, 384 acres.
Jacob WiUiams, 137 acres. John West, 338 acres.
John Washington, 300 acres. Andrew Waggoner, 135
Peter Williamson, 350 acres. acres.
Widow Worrel, 100 acres. Robert Walker, 463 acres.
Samuel Washington, 4469 Jerome Williams, 412 acres.
acres. Christian Weaver, 147 acres.
Robert Willis, 805 acres. William Withers, 229 acres.
George Waller, 270 acres. William Wilson, 160 acres.
Edward Wilson, 100 acres. Andrew Yates, 308 acres.
Adrin Wyncoop, 377 acres. Jacob Young, 195 acres.
Charles Washington, 445 Henry Yanel, 291 acres.
acres. Anderson Yanel, 100 acres.
John Wilson, 11 acres. Mordecai Yanel, 180 acres.
John Wilson, 313 acres.
"The Commonwealth of Virginia from the Earl of
Dunmore, Lease on Potomac pays yearly twenty
pounds on January 14th." This is the end of the
rent roll, which is very interesting as far as it goes,
as it gives the names and amount of holdings of a
great many of the inhabitants of the county. How
ever, it cannot be complete, as there is no mention in
it of the extensive tract of land owned by Ralph
Wormeley, Esq., nor of the property of the Whitings
and others, known to possess large plantations in the
county at that time.
In the spring of 1774 the justices of the peace for
Berkeley County were Ralph Wormeley, Adam Ste
phen, John Neville, Samuel Washington, Robert
Stephen, Robert Carter Willis, Robert Tabb, Horatio
Gates, John Throckmorton, Thomas Lowry, John
Cooke, John Ariss, Godwin Swift, WilHam Patterson,
Henry Whiting, Robert Worthington, Morgan Mor
gan, and WilHam McGaw. We have no means of

74 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
knowing how many of the first settlers of Berkeley
County owned slaves. The Van Metres, Rutherfords,
Whitings, and Swearingens had quite a large number
of negroes. The Morgans do not appear to have pos
sessed any for a long time. The Hites were slave own
ers also. When the Whitings came to Berkeley from
lower Virginia they brought many slaves. The ap
praisement of Francis Whiting's estate in 1785 men
tions 135 negroes by name.
The first offence committed and recorded in the new
county of Berkeley was a theft of hogs for which
"Phil, Sambo, Joe, Will, Jack, Sam, Anthony, Ede,
Hannah, Peggy, Betty and Peg, negroes belonging to
Matthew Whiting, were bound to appear at court for
stealing hogs, the property of John Cranes. They
therefore appeared according to their master's re
cognizance, and the verdict of the court was that Jack,
Joe, Phil and Will were guilty, and the sheriff was or
dered to give them thirty-nine lashes apiece on the
bare back, well laid on. The others were discharged.'"

CHAPTER V
The Beginning of the Revolution
THE growth of the settlement of Mecklenburg
was rapid when, after the conclusion of the
Indian wars, peace again settled down upon the Valley
of the Shenandoah. In 1762, when the town was in
corporated by Act of Assembly, there were already
300 inhabitants: in 1770 the population had increased
to 700, and in 1775, the first year of the Revolution,
it was a thriving town of 1000 souls.
The "Old Unterrified" had sent her portion of re
cruits to Lord Dunmore's War, and now these sol
diers returned home bringing news of the treachery
of which the Governor was suspected, many people
thinking that he had purposely aroused the Indians
against the defenceless borderers. But when the news
of the battle of Lexington reached the little hamlet on
the banks of the Potomac, the excitement must have
reached fever heat.
It was on the 19th of April, 1775, that this affair
took place. North and South went the news as fast
as express riders could carry it. It reached New York
on the 25th of April, at two p. m. ; Elizabeth Town,
New Jersey, at seven that evening; Woodbridge at
ten; New Brunswick at twelve o'clock at night; rous
ing the people from their slumbers, who came half
dressed to their doors and windows. Thence it sped
on to Princeton, where the hurrying express arrived at
three in the morning of the 26th. Trenton heard the
news at half-past six; PhUadelphia at noon; Chester
at four p. m. ; Newcastle at nine ; Cristeen Bridge at

76 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
midnight ; the Head of Elk at four in the morning of
the 27th, and Baltimore at ten.
"Onward then," says Dr. McSherry in his "History
of Maryland," "the despatch of the blood-tidings went
southward from town to town, endorsed by each Com
mittee of Safety; the time of its receipt and its de
parture noted, and the solemn order given 'Night and
day to be forwarded,' until it had penetrated the far
thest recesses of the colonies.
"From Massachusetts; through Rhode Island and
Connecticut; through New York, New Jersey, and
Pennsylvania; through Maryland, Virginia, North
Carolina and South Carolina, to Charleston, it went
in twenty days, from the 20th of April to the 10th of
May, over the rough and difficult roads of that period.
Each Committee of Safety on the main route made
and retained copies of the despatches, and sent off
others by express throughout the interior. By this
admirable arrangement the whole land was bound to
gether, intelligence conveyed, and a common system
of action preserved."
We can imagine the excitement in Mecklenburg
when the weary express rider, his horse drooping and
wet with exhaustion, was ferried over the Potomac
to the market place of the village.
"The rider was stooped, and weary, and pale.
He hardly had strength to tell his tale.
That the fire in their hearts had leaped to the guns
Of Massachusetts' fearless sons :
Their cry was out, as it ought to be
That every man had a right to be free:
'Come to help us, one and all !
Come with sabre, come with ball !
Come with every drop of blood.
Ready to water freedom's bud !'

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 77
Thus he cried to Virginia's sons :
Out came horses : out came guns :
Women said 'Go!' and women kissed, —
Never a man at the call was missed.
Stern were the faces and coarse the coats,
Yet words lost their way in quivering throats :
Hands wrung hands in quick good-by,
Many a tear came to many an eye.
To backward go with a cruel thrill.
For women and all bid their hearts be still :
Husband, wife, maid, every one
Knew but one duty, and it was done.
Prayers went up, men knelt them down.
And swore to march to Boston Town."*
In every town a Committee of Safety was elected by
the citizens or chosen by the Town Council, and in
every settlement all the able-bodied men were formed
into militia companies. The peaceful streets of Meck
lenburg resounded to the music of fife, bag-pipe, and
drum; the parade ground was the vacant lot behind
the old Entier Tavern, still standing on German Street,
and the companies marched, paraded, and exercised
from morning until night. In the meantime a num
ber of eager, hot-blooded young men, the very pick
and flower of old Berkeley, assembled daily at the fa
mous spring, then called Bedinger's, but afterwards
known for many years as "Stinson's Spring," near
the home of the widowed mother of Henry, George
Michael, and Daniel Bedinger.
In the month of June, 1775, when the Continental
Congress ordered two companies of riflemen to be
raised in Virginia, and two in Maryland, and six in
Pennsylvania, to march to the aid of Washington near
*Part of a poem by Mr. Charles Mcllwaine.

78 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Boston, that commander recommended Daniel Morgan,
of Frederick, and Hugh Stephenson to command the
Virginians. Both these young men had led companies
in Lord Dunmore's War, and thus Hugh Stephen
son became the senior captain of Virginia.
This young man lived on the BuUskin Creek in
Berkeley, and was well and favorably known to Wash
ington, who had often stayed at his father's house
on his surveying expeditions. Afterwards he knew
him as a gallant soldier, and, as we will see later,
wrote a letter to Congress expressing the high opin
ion he held of him.
As soon as Captain Stephenson received his com
mission he proceeded to Mecklenburg to raise his
company. Fortunately for this narrative we have the
words of a surviving member of the Virginia Rifle
men to describe the proceedings of that devoted band,
one of the first two companies from the Old Dominion
to volunteer for the war.
Henry Bedinger, oldest son of the Henry Bedinger
who died in Mecklenburg in 1772, was, in 1775, just
twenty-one years old. He lived until the Spring of
1843, and left a great mass of letters and papers, the
accumulation of a long life. Among these letters is
the draft of one that he wrote late in life, to the son
of General Samuel Finley, who was one of the "boys
of 1775." General Finley had been dead some time
when this letter was written, and it seems to have been
an answer to some inquiries made by his son about his
father's military career. I shall give some extracts
from this letter, as it is, as far as I know, the only
account in existence of the formation of the first com
pany that marched from Mecklenburg at that time,
written by a member of the company. He says :

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 79
"Some time in 1774 the late Gen'l Sam'l Finley
Came to IMartinsburg, Berkeley County, Virginia, and
engaged with the late Colonel John Morrow to assist
his brother, Charles ^lorrow, in the business of a re
tail store.
"I\Ir. Finley Continued in that employment until the
spring of 1775, when Congress Called on the State
of Virginia for two Complete Independent Volunteer
Companies of Riflemen of 100 Men each, to assist
Gen'l W'ashington in the Siege of Boston & to serve
one year. Captain Hugh Stephenson of Berkeley, &
Daniel Morgan of Frederick were selected to raise and
command those companies, being the first Regular
troops required to be raised in the State of Virginia,
for Continental service.
"Cap't Hugh Stephenson's rendez-vous was Shep
herd's Town (not Martinsburg) and Cap't Morgan's
was Winchester.
"Great exertions were made by each Captain to
complete his company first, that merrit might be
claimed on that account. Volunteers presented them
selves from every direction in the vicinity of these
Towns; none were received but young men of Char
acter, and of sufficient property to Clothe themselves
completely, find their own arms, and accoutrements,
that is, an approved Rifle, handsome shot pouch, and
powder-horn, blanket, knapsack, with such decent
clothing as should be prescribed, but which was at first
ordered to be only a Hunting shirt and pantaloons,
fringed on every edge, and in Various ways. Our
Company was raised in less than a week. Morgan had
equal success, — it was never decided which Company
was first filled.
"These Companies being thus unexpectedly called

80 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
for, it was a difficult task to obtain rifles of the qual
ity required & we were detained at Shepherd's Town
nearly six weeks before we could obtain such. Your
Father and some of his Bosom Companions were
among the first enrolled. My Brother, G. M. B., and
myself, with many of our Companions, also soon
joined to the amount of 100, no more could be re
ceived. The Committee of Safety had appointed Wm.
Henshaw as first Lieutenant, George Scott, 2nd, and
Thomas Hite as 3d Lieut, to this Company. The lat
ter, however, declined accepting, and Abraham Shep
herd succeeded as 3d Lieut. All the rest Stood on an
equal footing as Volunteers. We remained at Shep
herd's Town untUl the 16th July before we could be
completely armed, notwithstanding the utmost exer
tions. In the mean time your Father obtained from
the gunsmith a remarkable, neat, light rifle, the stock
inlaid, and ornamented with silver, which he held untiU
CompeUed, as were all of us, to ground our arms &
surrender to the enemy on the evening of the 16th
day of November, 1776. In our Company were many
young men of Considerable fortune, & who generally
entered from patriotic motives. A few days before
we left Shepherd's Town Captain Stephenson and the
other officers found it necessary in completing the
Organization of the Company to Select four Ser
geants; and insisted the Company should elect them
from among themselves. To this the Company agreed.
Your Father was Elected as 1st Sergeant almost by
acclamation; Wm. Kelly stood next; Josiah Flagg
third, and myself fourth.
"These small Commissions were, at the time, not
thought of much consequence, but had in the end con
siderable bearing in the line of promotion, the follow-

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 81
ing year, when the Rifle Reg't was raised, when a num
ber of the members of this company were Commis
sioned. "A set of Corporals were also elected, and had a
like preference the year following.
Cap't Morgan met with equal success at Winchester
and raised a most noble Company; was also detained
for want of arms. When these obstacles were re
moved, 'twas agreed Stephenson, who was the senior
officer, should cross the Potomac River at Shepherd's
Town and Morgan at Harper's Ferry; Meet at Fred
erick Town, and proceed together to Headquarters at
Cambridge. Morgan, however, crossed the day before
us,* on the 15th July, did not stop or wait for us at
Frederick, but Continued, with every possible speed,
to Cambridge.
"Morgan having the start we used every exertion
to over bawl him, in Vain, altho' we marched (always
in single file) from 30 to 36 miles a number of days, —
the weather being excessively warm, and the distance
Very little short of 600 miles, a pretty trying scene,
to young men who had never experienced such per
severing fatigue. Ninety-eight of our Company ar
rived at Camp on the 11th August.
"One of our Men was accidentally wounded in the
?The Draper MSS., A7. 76, have this account of Morgan's
deception. Mr. Draper says : "When Stephenson's com
pany was ready to march, Daniel Morgan sent word that
he wished Stephenson to tarry a few days, that they might
march together to Boston. He waited, accordingly, when he
learned with surprise that Morgan's object was to gain time,
steal a march on Stephenson, and have the honor of being
the first to reach the army near Boston. Stephenson hurried
Qjj * * * (.Q Boston. Morgan had reached there just be
fore them."

82 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
leg by a wad, and another sick, both were left on the
way, but in a Very short time Joined the Company.
"Those two Companies, with two of the same de
scription, commanded by Captains Cresap and Price
of Maryland, were immediately ordered to Roxbury
facing Boston Neck, where we remained Stationary
untill the 12th March, 1776. Some time in October
Morgan's Company proceeded with Col'o Arnold to
the Siege of Quebec, & with the troops there were
defeated and captured."
This is all of this letter that we will now quote, as
we must not go on too fast. What a pity it is that no
one has left us a pen picture of the appearance of our
old village in the stirring days of 1775 ! But, although
we have no description of Shepherd's Town at that
time, there is one of Winchester, a town of very much
the same size, and only twenty-five miles away. It is
probable that very much the same scenes were being
enacted in both places.
The Reverend Philip Fithian, a young Presbyterian
divine, was making a tour of the Valley in 1775,
preaching at aU the settlements, and, fortunately for
us, he kept a diary. On Monday, May 22nd, 1775, he
writes :
"Today I rode to Winchester, a smart village, nearly
half a mUe in length, and with several streets, broad
and pretty full. There is, on a pleasant hiU northeast
of the town, at a small distance, a large, stone, Dutch
Lutheran Church, with a tall steeple. In the town is
an English Church. North of town the ruins of an
old fort (Fort Loudoun) wasted and crumbled down
by time. The land is good, the country pleasant, the
houses in general large.
"Tuesday, June 6th. After dinner with Captain

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 83
Holmes and Captain Hunter I rode to Winchester.
The Court was sitting. Mars, the great god of battle,
is now honored in every part of this spacious colony,
but here every presence is war-like, every sound mar
tial. Drums are beating; pipes and bag-pipes playing;
and only sonorous and venic music. Every man has a
hunting-shirt; which is the uniform of each Company.
Almost all have a cockade and buck-tail in their hats,
to represent that they are hardy, resolute, and invinci
ble natives of the woods of America.
"The County Committee was sitting. Among other
resolves they passed this resolute and trying determi
nation: 'that every member of this Colony from 16
to 60 shall appear, every month at least, in the field
under arms, and it is recommended to all to muster
weekly for their improvement.'
"June Sth. This day for the first time I went
through the new exercise; gave the word and per
formed the action. One shipe of this town was back
ward this morning in his attendance with the Com
pany of Independents. A file was sent to bring him.
He made resistance, but was compeUed at length, and
is now in great fear and very humble, since he heard
many of his townsmen talk of tar and feathers."
Shepherdstowil was not a whit behind Winchester
in martial zeal. Indeed it is her proud boast that she
sent more soldiers to the war in proportion to her size
than any other town in Virginia. Her population num
bered at this time one thousand, and the country in the
vicinity was thickly settled.
Historians tell us that Congress ordered the rifle
companies raised on the Mth of June. Before this
time, however, martial preparations were well under
way, and, on the tenth of June, the young volunteers

84 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
were given a barbecue at "Stinson's Spring." Crowds
of citizens, their wives and daughters, attended this
barbecue. An ox was roasted whole, and long boards
were heaped with good things, including suckling pigs,
wild turkeys, venison, and great store of vegetables,
cakes, and pastry.
At this feast healths were drunk, and toasts were
given; patriotic songs were sung, and there was much
martial music. But to many it preluded a sad parting,
and some of the mirth was undoubtedly forced.
It is said that Captain Daniel Morgan, of Frederick,
was, at the time of the barbecue, recruiting in the
neighborhood of Harper's Ferry, about ten miles away,
and that some of his men fired a salute in honor of
their comrades-in-arms at Shepherdstown, which was
heard by Stephenson's men as they sat at dinner, upon
which they all rose from the board and fired their
pieces in return.
One of the company composed a patriotic song
which was sung at the feast, and although it is ex
tremely crude as a work of art, yet it has some in
terest as a literary curiosity, and shall be given at the
end of this chapter.
When the young recruits were about to separate for
the night, they all arose, and taking hold of hands
around the table solemnly pledged themselves, as many
as survived, to meet again at that place fifty years
after. It is said that a fervent prayer from the lips of a
venerable minister closed the ceremonies of this solemn
occasion, but tradition has not supplied his name.*
?Possibly the Rev. Hugh Vance, a clergyman of the
Protestant Episcopal Church, then living in Berkeley.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 85
PATRIOTIC SONG COMPOSED FOR THE IOtH OF JUNE, 1775
That seat of science, Athens,
And Earth's great mistress, Rome,
Where now are all their glories?
We scarce can find their tombs :
Then guard your rights, Americans,
Nor stoop the pliant knee,
Oppose, oppose, oppose, oppose.
The landing of the tea.
Far from a world of tyrants.
Beneath the western sky.
We formed a new dominion.
In the Land of Liberty.
The world shall own their masters here.
Then hasten on the day, —
We'll shout and shout, and shout, and shout,
For brave America.
We led fair Freedom hither.
And lo, the deserts smiled,
A paradise of pleasure
Just opened in the wild;
Your harvest, bold Americans,
No power shall snatch away.
Then let's huzza, huzza, huzza.
For brave America.
Some future day shall crown us
The masters of the Main,
By giving law and freedom
To men of France and Spain :
And all the isles and ocean spread
Shall tremble and obey
The laws, the laws, the laws, the laws,
Of North America.
Proud Albion bowed to Caeser
And numerous lords before.
To Picts, and Danes, and Normans,
And many masters more :

86 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
But we can boast, Americans,
We've never fell a prey :
Preserve, preserve, preserve your rights
For brave America.
This poem was taken down at the dictation of an old
man of faiHng memory, and may have been better
when it was sung. At any rate it does not compare un
favorably with many other patriotic songs of the day,
most of which were pure doggerel. There is one of
them, however, which ought to be rescured from obHv-
ion. It was frequently sung in churches throughout
the gloomiest period of the Revolution, to a noble
minor air. The author is unknown.
HYMN SUNG DURING THE REVOLUTION
Why should vain mortals tremble at the sight of
Death and Destruction on the field of battle.
Where blood and carnage clothe the ground with
crimson.
Sounding with death groans?
Death will invade us by the means appointed.
And we must all bow to the King of Terrors,
Nor am I anxious, if I am prepared,
What shape he comes in.
Life for my country and the cause of Freedom
Is but a trifle for a worm to part with.
And if preserved in so great a contest
Life is redoubled.
This old Revolutionary lyric was very probably writ
ten in German, as it seems to bear the hall-marks of a
translation. It was found in an old newspaper of the
year 1825.

CHAPTER VI
The Muster Roll of Captain Stephenson's
Company
AS FAR as can be ascertained, the complete muster
roll of Captain Hugh Stephenson's company of
riflemen, who volunteered in the summer of 1775 for
the term of one year, has never been printed, and it is
doubtful if it is in existence. The antiquarian will un
derstand the gratification of the writer, when, some
months ago, a little old receipt book that had belonged
to Captain Stephenson was put into her hands.
This little book, six inches long by three inches wide,
and bound in doe-skin, was found to bear date, "Rox-
burry Camp, January 1st, 1776." 'The men who at
that time composed Captain Stephenson's Company
were paid off on that day at Roxbury, near Boston.
Such as could write have inscribed their names in this
book, and from an examination of its contents it would
appear that almost all of the volunteers were men of
superior education to the majority of the recruits at
that early day. Not a few of them, indeed, were fine
penmen. The book contains 84 names of men of the com
pany who were living at that time, to which we have
been able to add a few from old letters and a journal
written by one of the sergeants of the company during
the campaign at Roxbury.
We give this list, which we believe has never been
published before. It was our wish to add a few
words about the subsequent career of each of these
young volunteers, and, although we have not been suc
cessful in tracing all of them, such information as we
can offer will be found in the appendix to this volume.

88

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN

nearly complete muster roll of captain hugh
Stephenson's company of riflemen of 1775-6

1.

Captain, Hugh Stephen

24.

Adam Rider.

son.

25.

Duncan McFitrich.

2.

First Lieutenant, WU

26.

James Wright.

liam Henshaw.

27.

Thomas Knox.

3.

Second Lieutenant, Geo.

38.

David Gray.

Scott.

39.

Edward Bennett.

4.

Third Lieutenant, Thos.

30.

John Millikin.

Hite, who resigned.
31.
William Blair.
5.
Fourth Lieutenant,
32.
Benjamin Prime.
Abraham Shepherd.
33.
Charles Murray.
6.
Ensign, WUliam Pyle
34.
William Hunter.
(or Pile).
35.
William McCue.
7.
First Sergeant, Samuel
36.
Jamesf Roberts.
Finley.
37.
Richard Butcher.
8.
Second Sergeant, Wil
38.
Francis Hickman.
liam Kelly.
39.
Robert White.
9.
Third Sergeant, Josiah
40.
William Green.
Flagg.
41.
Joseph Carter.
10.
Fourth Sergeant, Henry
43.
John Smoote.
Bedinger.
43.
Thomas S. WUliams.
11.
First Corporal, John
44.
Nat Pendleton.
Crawford.
45.
John Cole.
13.
Second Corporal, David
46.
Arthur McCord.
Miller.
47.
James Yancey.
13.
Third Corporal, Henry
48.
Stephen Varden (drum
Barratt.
mer boy).
14.
Fourth Corporal, G. M.
49.
Jacob Fink.
Bedinger.
50.
George Benner.
15.
Surgeon, Garret Tuni-
51.
Aaron TuUis.
son.
53.
John Stewart.
16.
WUliam Shepherd.
53.
Ebenezer AUen.
17.
Joseph Swearingen.
54.
Philip Waggoner.
18.
Thomas Nelson.
55.
Adam Sheetz.
19.
Thomas Hutcheson.
56.
George Taylor.
20.
WiUiam Hulse.
57.
Jacob Winn.
21,
Josiah Swearingen.
58.
David Smith.
33.
William Anderson.
59.
David Stedman.
23.
James Neilson.
60.
Michael TuUis.
HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 89
61. Henry McCartney. 79. Robert Howard.
63. Charles Conner. 80. Peter Sever.
63. William English. 81. James Hamilton.
64. John Bodine. 82. Conway Oldham.
65. John Curry. 83. Christian Brady.
66. James Higgins. 84. John McGarah.
67. Benjamin Ardiger. 85. James WaUace.
68. Peter HUl. 86. William Davis.
69. Richard Neal. 87. John Medcalf or Met-
70. Michael Engle. calf.
71. Peter Mange. 88. Robert McCann.
72. William Logan. 89. Robert Eakins.
73. WiUiam WaUer. 90. WUliam Tabb.
74. Peter Hanes. 91. George Tabb.
75. Battail Harrison. 92. Nicholas Makin.
76. John McDead. 93. Thomas Steer.
77. Patrick Vaughan. 94. John Keys.
78. William Hickman. 95. John Beverley.
A well-known citizen of Shepherdstown, John
Kearsley, is also said to have joined this company, but
I am unable to prove that he served with it during 1775.
Tradition names several others who may have been
among the number, but I have thought it best to con
fine myself to the names in the little receipt book, and
a few others mentioned by name in the journal to
which I have referred, part of which will be given later.
Besides the 84 living men, the receipt book contains a
few names of soldiers who had died before the first of
January, 1776.
It may surprise the reader that, in a neighborhood
largely settled by German emigrants, so few German
names are to be found in this list. It must be remem
bered, however, that almost all of the German settlers
were honest poor folk, strict Lutherans, with a sprink
ling of Dunkards and Mennonists, who had left their
own country to find a land of peace, and who were
tired of wars and turmoils long before they set foot

90 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
upon the soil of America. A great many Germans
took up arms in defense of their new found liberties,
it is true. But it seems probable that the bulk of this
company was of Scotch and Irish descent. Not a few
of them were the sons of the neighboring gentry, and
many of them rose to high positions before the war
was over.
There are still many of their names to be found in
the Valley of Virginia, and many more are scattered
over the west and south.

CHAPTER VII
"My Ride to the Barbecue"
HON. Alexander R. Boteler, a prominent citizen
of Shepherdstown, who has been dead about
twenty years, has written a most interesting account
of this company of riflemen, in a pamphlet published
many years ago under the title of "My Ride to the
Barbecue." For many years after the Revolution the citizens of
Shepherdstown used to hold a barbecue at the different
springs in the neighborhood, as regularly as the tenth
of June came around. The writer's father, Hon. Henry
Bedinger, and Mr. Boteler were often friendly rivals
in the oratorical contests of the day, for while they
were intimate friends, one was an ardent Democrat,
while the other was a no less zealous Whig. The
pamphlet I have referred to was written after one of
these celebrations.
part of HON. ALEX. BOTELEr's PAMPHLET CALLED
"my ride to the barbecue"
Printed in 1860
"Nowhere within the borders of the good old Com
monwealth of Virginia was there a more prompt and
determined response to the fervid appeal of Patrick
Henry than the patriotic citizens of Shepherdstown
showed, and in its vicinity a company of riflemen, con
sisting of more than a hundred men was immediately
raised for the protection of American liberty. * * *
Their banner was emblazoned with the device of the
Culpeper minute-men, a coiled rattlesnake with the sig
nificant motto, 'Don't tread on me !' For their uniform

92 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
they adopted homespun hunting shirts made of tow
linen, fringed around the neck and down the front,
leather leggings, and moccasins. Each wore a bucktail
in his hat, and had a tomahawk and scalping knife in
his belt.
"Thus organized and equipped, these gallant men
held themselves in readiness to march at a minute's no
tice, and wherever their services might be required to
defend the rights of the colonies from the encroach
ments of the British Crown. Accordingly when, on the
Mth of June, 1775, the Continental Congress resolved
that six companies of expert riflemen be immediately
raised in Pennsylvania, two in Maryland and two in
Virginia, and that each company, as soon as completed,
shaU march and join the army near Boston; the
Shepherdstown riflemen obeyed the summons with
alacrity, and theirs was the first company from the
south that rallied by the side of Washington when Bos
ton was beleaguered. * * * On the day of their depar
ture not a man was missing. Having partaken of a fru
gal meal they arose from the grass and reverently re
ceived the blessing of a holy man of God invoked in
their behalf, after which, solemnly agreeing together
that as many as should be alive on that day fifty years,
should meet again at that place, they shouldered their
rifles forthwith, and began their march, making, as one
of them expressed it, 'a bee-line to Boston,' which they
reached on the 19th of August, having made the
journey of 600 miles in twenty-four days."
Thus far we have quoted Mr. Boteler, but his ac
count is inaccurate in some respects. The company ar
rived at Cambridge on the 11th of August, as stated in
the joumal of the campaign kept by Henry Bedinger.
They were, as we have already said, preceded by Cap-

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 93
tain Morgan's company, that stole a march on them a
day or two before the time agreed upon for their de
parture. Another interesting incident that is not men
tioned by Mr. Boteler is that each of Stephenson's
riflemen had the words "Liberty or Death," the famous
exclamation of Patrick Henry in his immortal speech
in the Virginian House of Burgesses, embroidered
upon the breast of his hunting shirt.
We can picture the women of Shepherdstown, in
many a home — wives, mothers, and sweethearts —
tracing the letters of this inscription upon the linen,
their eyes sometimes heavy with unshed tears, their
hearts filled with the most anxious forebodings. What
a pity it is that not one of these famous hunting
shirts has been preserved !
An accurate idea of the men who were mustered in
these companies may be had from the following ex
tract of a letter dated "Frederick Town, Maryland,
August 1st, 1775." (Vide American Archives, Volume
Third, 1775, pp. 21, 22.)
"Notwithstanding the urgency of my business I have
been detained three days in this place by an occur
rence truly agreeable. I have had the happiness of see
ing Captain Cresap of Maryland marching at the head
of a formidable company of upward of one hundred and
thirty men from the mountains and backwoods, painted
like Indians, armed with tomahawks and rifles, dressed
in hunting shirts and moccasins, and though some of
them had traveled hundreds of miles from the banks
of the Ohio, they seemed to walk light and easy, and
not with less spirit than at the first hour of their march.
"Health and vigor, after what they had undergone,
declared them to be intimate with hardship and famil
iar with danger. Joy and satisfaction were visible in

94 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
the crowd that met them. Had Lord North been pres
ent and been assured that the brave leader could raise
thousands of such like to defend the country, what
think you, — would not the hatchet and the block have
intruded on his mind?
"I had an opportunity of attending the captain dur
ing his stay in town, and watched the behavior of his
men, and the manner in which he treated them; for
it seems that all who go out to war under him do not
only pay the most willing obedience to him as their
commander, but in every instance of distress look up
to him as their friend and father. A great part of his
time was spent in listening to and relieving their wants,
without any apparent sense of fatigue and trouble.
When complaints were before him he determined with
kindness and spirit, and on every occasion conde
scended to please without losing dignity.
"Yesterday, July 31st, the company were suppUed
with a small quantity of powder from the magazine,
which wanted airing, and was not in good order for
rifles; in the evening, however, they were drawn out
to show the gentlemen of the town their dexterity in
shooting. A clap-board with a mark the size of a dol
lar was put up, they began to fire offhand, and the by
standers were surprised. Few shots were made that
were not close to or into the paper. When they had
shot for some time in this way, some lay on their backs,
some on their breasts or sides, others ran twenty or
thirty steps, and firing as they ran, appeared to be
equally certain of the mark.
"With this performance the company were more
than satisfied, when a young man took up the board
in his hand, and not by the end, but by the side, and
holding it up, his brother walked to the distance and

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 95
coolly shot into the white. Laying down his rifle he
took the board and holding it as it was held before,
the second brother shot as the former had done. By
this exhibition I was more astonished than pleased.
But will you believe me when I tell you that one of
the men took the board and placing it between his legs,
stood with his back to the tree while another drove
the center.
"What would a regular army of considerable
strength in the forests of America do with one thou
sand of these men, who want nothing to preserve their
health but water from the spring, with a little parched
corn (with what they can easily procure by hunting),
and who, wrapped in their blankets at the dead of
night, would choose the shade of a tree for their cover
ing, and the earth for their bed?"
The riflemen were accompanied by a single wagon,
and made the long march to Cambridge in twenty-five
days. Another letter from Frederick, Maryland, men
tions the arrival of Morgan's men at that town.
extract from a letter from a gentleman in FRED
ERICK TOWN to his friend IN BALTIMORE
TOWN, DATED JULY 19, 1775
"On Monday last, July 17th, Capt. Morgan, from
Virginia, with his company of riflemen (all chosen),
marched through this place on their way to Boston.
Their appearance was truly martial ; their spirits amaz
ingly elated; breathing nothing but a desire to join
the American army and to engage the enemies of Amer
ican liberties. They were met a mile out of town
by three companies, viz: Capt. Price's company of
riflemen, Capt. Grosh's, and Capt. Beatty's companies
of militia, and escorted a few miles out of town, amidst

96 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
the acclamation of all the inhabitants that attended
them. And yesterday Capt. Price with his company
also marched, and surely never were two finer compa
nies raised in any country more determined to conquer
or die than those two companies are. Capt. Cresap also,
with his brave company, have marched. I need not
say anything of Capt. Cresap's undaunted courage.
Not an American but knows him to be an intrepid
warrior, and of course he knows his men, and has
called them from the many. We are also in hourly
expectation of Capt. Stinson with his company in this
town, on his way to Boston. God grant him a speedy
and happy arrival there. So many offered to join the
above companies, that not one of them but might have
had one hundred men at least."
Stinson was the common pronunciation of Stephen
son. In the next chapter we will give some extracts
from Sergeant Henry Bedinger's journal of his first
year as an American soldier.

CHAPTER VIII
The Journal of Henry Bedinger — Roxbury Camp
JULY 17th, 1775. Set out from Potomack toward
Boston and Encamped at the Mirey springs
about Three miles from Sharpsburgh. Next Morning
Took Leave of all Friends, Set off from thence &
Marched to Strieker's in the Mountains. Thence
Marched to Frederick Town where Two Companies
of Independents met us about Three Miles from the
Town. We Marched before them into the Town. They
then Marched by us and we halted, and we followed
them out of the Town, when they Halted and we passed
by. As soon as we (jOt Passed them they Gave three
Loud Shouts and Turned and Left us. We also An
swered them and made off. Thence we Crossed Mono-
cosy, and Encamped at Mr. Yenlie's. Thence set Off
and Encamped in Peter Little's Town, where the Neigh
bors Brought us Vegetables of aU kinds. Set off from
thence and went through McAllister's Town. Saw my
Uncle and Aunt, Got Dinner with them, our Coming
from them Grieved them Much. I met with Dr. Mc-
Casery Before we came there, being in the Independent
Company that met us about Three miles before we
came to Town. We had some Conversation Together.
Thence to Peter Wolfe's Tavern, where we Encamped.
There our Captain and William Pyle Over Took us.
Thence Marched to York Town being Sunday, and
were Met by Three Independent Companies, Used Ex
tremely Honorable in every House. Went to see our
Relations, Eat Dinner with Them, and at our parting
they Lamented much. We went into Church and
heard the organs which were played for us.

98 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
After Church was over we were Conducted out of
Town by all the Companies and about Fifteen Hun
dred of Men, Women, and Children. At our parting
we had Shouting as Usual. We Marched to Susque
hanna River and Crossed it and Encamped about half
a mile from the River, but before the Company had
all Crossed Several went to the Tavern on the Lan
caster side where James Higgins Shott a wad into Wil
liam Blair's Legg from Which Time he was disabled
to Walk, and we were soon after obliged to Leave him
in rear. Next Morning we Started from the River
and about 30 of our men painted like Indians and
Marched in that Manner Into Lancaster, but were met
by a Rifle Company first about one Mile from Town,
and thence By two Independent ditto.
We marched in towards the Court House and thence
were Divided into small parties as Taverns suited to
Dine. Thence Marched About Seven Miles and En
camped, where we left John Keyes, Very Sick. Thence
Marched, within four miles from Reading and En
camped, where Adam Sheets had such violent Fitts that
we were afraid for his life. He Recovered but felt
Very Unwell for a few days. We thence marched
and waded through Schoolkill Near Reading whence
we were Met with Hobies (Haut-Boys) and Small
and Large Violins which (made) most beautiful
Musick. We then Marched to Allen's Town, were
met by a Company of Independents with Drums and
Hoboys. We were Bileted in Different Taverns, Used
Very well, in the Evening Robt. McCann Behaved
Scandalously towards the Officers — was put under
Guard, and kept all Night.
We Started from Thence and went to Bethlehem.
Near Allen's Town was the River Jordan, and about

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 99
half a mile from thence the Great Lehy (Lehigh), the
westem Branch of Delaware River. We Crossed in
Boats and so Marched to Bethlehem, where we had
Breakfast Got in about Fifteen Minutes, tho' we came
unawares to them.
Bethlehem is situate on the Banks of the Lehy, and
appears as Beautiful as I Ever Saw a Town, all Con
nected together. They allow but one Store and one
Tavern. There is But one House allowed to each
Trade, which is Supplied with work men according to
the run of Custom. It Bears one Very Large house
Most Elegantly Built about Five Stories high. Built
in the Best and Neatest Manner, has Three Hundred
and Sixty-five Windows in it. Built for the use of the
old men and young Students. It has Organs in it,
has about three Hundred Beds and Bedsteads in it,
where there is watch kept of Nights to wake them if
wanted. There is also a Nunery Consisting of about One
Hundred and Thirty Young Women in another Large
house. Dressed all alike. They have a small Yard to
walk in. Do all Kinds of fine work. Make the finest
of Lawn Cambrick, and Every Sort of finery that Can
be Performed with Needles. There is another Large
House for the Young Widows, and another for Wid
owers. We Saw all the water works. Especially
that which drives the water up the Hill from an Ex
cellent Spring to the Door of Every House in Town,
from where it Springs. I Saw Hemp Mill, Bark do,
Oyl Do,* Fulling Do, Merchant Do, Fulling Mill for
skins, and all kinds of water works. Built in the Best
manner. ?Oil mills were used for the manufacture of linseed oil
from flax.

100 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
We were Led into a Beautiful Church, adorned with
Pictures Representing our Saviour from his Birth to
his Ascension.
Every Garden and Yard are planted beautifully with
pleasant Trees and Groves. It is the prettiest Place
to its Size I ever saw. We then Marched about four
miles to a Very fine Spring where there was a Court
Martial Held over Robert McCann, (he) was sen
tenced to have Twenty five Lashes on his Bare Back
and a Discharge to be Given him. He was then Striped
and tied up to a Sapling, but a Couple of Gentle
men Volunteers from Reading Begg'd him off to a
Ducking. All hands were then ordered with pails and
Kettles to attend and Pour the Cold spring Water on
him. He was then most Severely Ducked and Dis
charged. Thence we Marched for East Town (Easton)
where we encamped.
Rested the next Day, Got our Ammunition Ready,
Guns in order, and Tried them. Thence set off on the
30th. We Crosst the River Delaware and Marched
18 Miles and Encamped. Thence we Marched about
(left out) miles where we were Met by a Num
ber of Men and Women out of the Country who
Brought us churns of Beer, Cyder, and Buttermilk,
apples, cheries, etc, etc. We honoured them by firing
at our parting. Thence proceeded To Sussex Court
house, and Encamped where the Butcher and Land
lady Used the Company Very 111.
Thence Marched and Encamped three miles in New
York. Thence marched to New Windsor on the North
River. Were Bileted out at Night, Used Very weU
and met a fellow who Called himself Col'o Thompson
of Penn'a, Col'o of the Rifle Battalion. Found him an

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 101
Imposter. We Took him in the Morning and Striped
his Clothes, put him on the Highest place in Town,
and Gave him a Severe Tarring and Feathering, and
afterwards Took him to the River to one of the
Wharfs and Gave him a Severe Ducking. This was
Done 3d August. We thence Crossed the River in
two periauges that sail'd Very fast across the River be
ing about Three miles over, and Landed and Fixed
all up again and went through Fishkill and Encamped
at the Sign of the Black Horse. Thence marched to
a Bloomery just over the line Between New York and
Connecticut, by a Large Bridge over the River. Thence
Started and went to Litchfield and were Used Ex
tremely well. Thence to Farmington and Got Dinner
where we Saw Some families of Regulars who had
been Taken at Ticonderoga.
Thence Marched Ten Miles to Hartford the Me
tropolis of Connecticut, and Encamped.
Thence Crossed Connecticut River which runs by
the Town, being about as large as Patomack at Shep
herds Town. Vessels Go in Said River.
Thence Marched Twenty five miles & Encamped.
Thence Marched twenty seven miles and Encamped.
Thence marched twenty nine Miles to a Tavern
where there were Three Girls. Had some Diversion.
Thence Started and Marched Sixteen miles before
Breakfast. Thence Nine miles to Water Town. Saw
Some Riflemen Belonging to the Camp. Thence three
Miles and a half to Head Quarters in Cambridge, Be
ing Friday, Uth August. Was Viewed By Generals
Washington, Gates, and a Number of other Gentle
men. Was placed Into the Church. I was prevailed
on to Breakfast with the Commissary Gen'l Trumbull.
Thence went to see the Forts on Prospect and Winter

102 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
HiUs. Saw many Curiosities. Every place was full
of people, most of them in Tents.
Thus far we have quoted Henry Bedinger's jour
nal of the march, which he evidently partly wrote in
camp, and probably very soon after his arrival. It
will be noted that the company left Shepherdstown on
the 17th of July, 1775, and reached Camp at Cam
bridge on the 11th of August. They therefore per
formed the journey of nearly 600 miles in three and
a half weeks.
It will also be noted that there is no mention in this
record of the alleged meeting with General Washing
ton at some distance from the camp, or of his throw
ing himself from his horse and shaking hands vrith
each man while the tears rolled down his cheeks.
These demonstrations, though unlike the usual calm
demeanor of the Father of his Country, must have
taken place, if Mr. Boteler's account has any histor
ical foundation, which we suppose it has, as Mr. Bote
ler was an honourable and perfectly reliable gentle
man, when Captain Daniel Morgan's Company arrived,
which was a day or two before the 11th of August.*
The appearance of the rifle companies from the
frontiers of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, on
their arrival at camp is graphically described by Wash
ington Irving in his "Life of Washington:" "Noth
ing excited more gaze and wonder among the rustic
visitors to the camp than the arrival of several rifle
companies, fourteen hundred men in all, from Penn
sylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, — such stalwart fel
lows as Washington had known in his early campaigns.
?See the rest of Col. Boteler's "My Ride to the Barbecue,"
as quoted in Norris' "Shenandoah Valley."

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 103
Stark hunters and bush fighters; many of them up
wards of six feet high, and of vigorous frames;
dressed in fringed frocks, or rifle shirts, and round
hats. Their displays of sharpshooting were soon
among the marvels of the camp. We are told that
while advancing at quick step they could hit a mark
of seven inches in diameter, at the distance of two
hundred and fifty yards. One of these companies
was commanded by Captain Daniel Morgan, a native
of New Jersey, whose first experience in war had
been to accompany Braddock's army as a waggoner.
He had since carried arms on the frontier, and ob
tained a command. He and his riflemen in coming to
camp, had marched six hundred miles in three weeks.
They will be found of signal efficiency in the sharpest
conflicts of the Revolutionary War."
Julian Hawthorne, in his "History of the United
States," thus describes these riflemen;
"And then there are the fourteen hundred riflemen
from the South, the first troops of the war to respond
to a regular call for enlisted men. A magnificent body
of men they are : all six-footers, athletic and vigorous,
clad in fringed hunting shirts of deerskin, with cape
on the shoulders, and with moccasins on their light-
stepping feet. Clear-eyed, spirited, sun-tanned faces
they have, and long hair that hangs to their shoul
ders; and with those rifles of theirs they can hit the
bull's eye at three hundred yards. These fellows
march with a swing and a stride; they camp on the
bare earth, and account nothing a hardship but inac
tion. They are led by a superb giant, nearly seven
feet tall, Daniel Morgan, of Virginia, and by Hen
dricks, of Pennsylvania, another Agamemnon. Though
enlisted for a year only, these riflemen stayed through

104 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
the war. Their motto was trenchant and explicit,
'Liberty or Death,' and there were no troops in the
army that better served their country."
The riflemen were, as a rule, picked men for strength
and activity, as well as for markm2inship. As to the
men being all six feet or over, that was not the case.
Abraham Shepherd, for instance, is spoken of as a
short man.
Nat. Pendleton was a broad-shouldered, and athletic
young giant, very handsome, better educated than the
majority of the young men of the Valley, and looking
like a Norseman, with his fair hair and blue eyes.
Henry Bedinger was considerably over six feet in
height, sinewy and vigorous, straight as an Indian,
with swarthy complexion, dark brown hair, and pierc
ing gray eyes.
His brother, George Michael, is described as not
"inordinately tall" with a fair complexion, dark hair,
and blue eyes.
An amusing anecdote was told the writer by a grand
daughter of Henry Bedinger, Mrs. Frances Gibson
of Charles Town, who remembered him well, as she
was about nine years of age when he died in 1843.
She says he was once attending a political meeting in
a school house, when the speaker became annoyed at
the sight of his tall figure in a prominent position, and,
stopping in the midst of his address, and pointing his
finger at Mr. Bedinger, declared that he would not
continue until "that man sat down," whereupon Major
Bedinger drawled out: "If you want me to sit dovra
more than I am, sitting down, you will have to take up
the boards under me."

CHAPTER IX
In Camp at Roxbury — ^At Staten Island
WE will now continue the journal of Henry Bedin
ger. He says: "On the thirteenth August
being Sunday, we were ordered to Roxbery Which is
Six miles from Cambridge. We Crossed Cambridge
River over the Drawbridge and got to Roxbery in the
Night, were Obliged to Remain in the Barn by our
House, where several Canon Balls had Cpme through,
which Seemed Somewhat Frightful at that Time, None
of the Company being used to Hear Canon Firing.
We Got a house to Live in. Nothing happened thence
until the Sixteenth of August when the Enemy fired
Very Fast from Boston Neck on us. Hurt one Man
belonging to the Train of Artillery Who was Struck
with a Stone on his head Occasioned by a Canon Ball
that Struck the fence and knocked him Down. I saw
him fall and two men helped him up, and Led him a
Long. However he Soon Got well again — the Enemy
also threw Bumbs at Same Time, but Hurt no person.
"17th. Fired at our Fatigue but Hurt none.
"18th. Fired at our main Guard but Hurt none, but
Broke Two Muskets.
"19th. They fired Some Canon and a Bumb which
fell within fifteen Yards of our House but Hurt no
person. Tore a Great Hole in the Ground. Did no
Damage. On Saturday there Came a Desarter from the
Enemy and Declared that they intended to Intrench
near Brown's Chimney where their out Gentries Stand.
We then were ordered as picket Guard, 20 out of each
Company went of Riflemen Every Night to Lamb's
Dam, and Laid all Night to Guard against their Com-

106 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
ing to Intrench there, which was the first Duty the
Riflemen Did, with 400 Musket men, and was Con
tinued." Others, besides Henry Bedinger, kept journals of the
events of the siege of Boston. Mr. Thatcher, in his
military journal of August, 177S, noting the arrival
of the riflemen, says : "They are remarkably stout
and hardy men, many of them exceeding six feet in
height. They are dressed in white frocks, or rifle
shirts, and round hats. These men are remarkable for
the accuracy of their aim, striking a mark with great
certainty at two hundred yards distance. At a re
view, a company of them while on a quick advance,
fired their balls into objects of seven inches diameter
at the distance of two hundred and fifty yards. They
are now stationed on our lines, and their shot have
frequently proved fatal to British officers and sol
diers, who expose themselves to view, even at more
than double the distance of common musket-shot."
A young man named McCurtin, one of the Maryland
riflemen, also kept a journal, in which he wrote on the
15th of August, 1775 : "We had a most amazing shout
of cannon thunders, which at this time seemed strange
and shocking to our young soldiers, during this, our
first alarm."
Three days later, on the 18th of August, he wrote:
"I was at breakfast in the former dwelling house of
Dr. Williams when the British fired four thirty-two-
pounders at the house, one of which rushed through
the room and dashed one side out of the chimney,
broke two partitions, and filled our dishes with plas
tering, ceiling, and bricks. George Switcher, Sergt.
Torrel, and William Johnson were in the room when

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 107
this happened. Any man may judge whether or no
this did not surprise us four young heroes; however,
as I cannot say for the minds of them who were in
company with me, but I know, to the best of my think
ing, that I went down two pair of stairs of three strides
without a fall, and as soon as I was out of doors ran
to the breastwork in great haste, which is our place
of safety, without the least concern about my break
fast, to James McCancie's amazement."
To return to Sergeant Bedinger's joumal:
On the twentieth of August he wrote: Sunday.
Went 3 miles to Church.
21st. Some firing from the Enemy, no Damage. In
the night a Desarter from the Enemy Came, our Gen
tries Fired at him but did not Hurt him. Next Day
one Johnson out of Capt. Price's Company went to the
Regulars. Took with him Two Suits of Clothes, 1 pr.
Silver Buckles, and a Very fine Rifle Belonging to
Some of the Company.
August 22nd. Were marched out into the Country
for Refreshment.
23rd. The Enemy Fired Some Balls Very Near us,
but Hurt no person.
24th. In the night the Regulars were Very Busy
Rowing Boats, and Riding about their Breastwork.
Lieut. Scott and Two More went Down so near their
Gentries that they threw some printed papers among
them. A bullet Being Rapped up in the Same to make
them fly well, the Substance of which was to shew
them how well we Lived to what they did, Inviting
them to peace, and over to us.
25th. There was an Alarm that there were about
900 Regulars attempting to land Below Dorchester

108 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
point. We immediately paraded and Marched, but be
fore we came Near they had already Returned.
Saturday Night, 26th. Captain Creasop, Who Came
in the night before, agreed to go and fire on the Gen
tries. About Thirty of our Company, our Captain,
Lieut. Scott, and Lieut. Shepherd went along, they all
Borrowed Musketts, Loaded them with a Ball and
about fifteen Swan Shott. They all Creap Down along
a Ditch that passes the Chimneys, and so By the side
of the Breastwork. Mr. Scott being that Course be
fore he was Pilot, as he was going Very Softly there
Raised out a Centry out of the grass within Twenty
Steps of him and fired at him, but missed, he Lay still
then but the Regular Run off. In about an hour after
there Came about Thirty out to see what it was he
fired at, when Capt. Creasop, Capt. Stinson (Steph
enson) and Scott, all fired on them, and then some of
our men fired and all Run, one of our men Lost his Gun
by falling into a Hole in the marsh. Next Morning we
Saw them Carry Two persons from that place, and
Soon Learnt from some Desarters that we kill'd one
man & Wounded two more. On the Same Night about
four thousand of our men at Cambridge Took posses
sion of Plowed Hill, Near Bunker Hill, and Began to
Intrench, and before Sunday morning had made Cover
for themselves, but as Soon as the Regulars* Discov
ered them in the moming they Began to Fire and Kept
a Continual Fire the whole Day with Bumbs and BaUs.
Killed an Adjutant Belonging to the Hampshire forces,
and a Soldier, also a Volunteer, named  Simpson,
had his Legg Shott off with a Canon Ball, and Died
the Next Day — he Came from Baxton, Pennsa., a
Rifleman. ?Henry Bedinger always called the British troops "the
Regulars."

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 109
Aug. 31st. about one Oclock in the Night the
Enemy Began a heavy Fire at us. Fired Between 20 &
30 Canon Balls, Killed Two Men of the Provincials,
alarmed all the Camps.
Sep'r 1st. 1775. Firing more or Less from Both par
ties Every Day untill the 11th inst, when one of the
Regulars went out from one of the wharfs in a small
Conoe to pleasure. The wind and Tide being Very
Strong he Could not Get Back, when 1 Serjeant and
four men went out In a Whale Boat to assist him, they
were all Drove ashore on Dorchester Neck, Captain
Stinson and part of the Company Ran Imediately to
take them, but tho' pushing off along the Shore Side
we were prevented by a Small Creek that Runs
through the marsh, when a Number of Provincials
Commanded by Lieutenant Sparrow Came Down by
way of Dorchester Fort, and Surrounded them, or
dered them to Come on Shore Imediately. They hav
ing No Arms with them were Obliged to Surrender
Prisoners of War — Canons were Frequently Fired,
Desarters Came in Great Numbers : one James Finly,
a Serjeant in Capt. Price's Compy. of Riflemen, was
Tried by a Gen'l Court Martial for Drinking Gauge's
(Gage's) Health, Helping a Provincial to a Rifle to
Desert with. Expressing himself Against the American
Cause, was found Guilty and Sentenced to be Drum'd
out of the Camp Sitting on a Cart, with a Rope a
Round his Neck.
Sept. 19th. The above Finly was Drumed where
there was Drums and fifes in plenty and Thousands
of spectators — '
Sept. 21st. Came to Cambridge about 3 Tun of
Powder from Philadelphia. Near Col. Brewer's Camp
Where 1 of the Provincials Stood Centry there Came

no HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
a Mare in the Night; it being Very Dark the fellow
Challenged her. She making no Answer, Fired at her.
Shot her Dead.
Sept. 22nd. It being the King's Coronation Day aU
was Quiet untill 12 Oclock, when they Fired about 100
Guns for Joy in Boston: the Ships were Illuminated
with flags and also Fired. Fired from the Common,
But Did not fire a gun at us, which was Somewhat
Strange. —
23rd. the Enemy Fired 108 Shott at us. Did no
Damage. —
25th. Orders Came out that 200 men prepare &
Draw 4 Days provision to go on a Fishing Expedition.
Accordingly 27 of our men Turned out of our Com
pany, and Joined the provincials. Were to have half
the Victuals Cooked, and Ordered to be Ready to
Start on the 26th. We all Got Ready and Marched to
Dorchester, where all the whale Boats Lye, when Ma
jor Tupper took the Command. We embarked in 28
Whale Boats, and set off. When Each Boat Carried
one Rifleman in the front. We Rowed about three
Miles, thence Carried the Boats across a Narrow Neck
of Salt Marsh into the water on the other Side, when
Two men were Ordered to stay with Each Boat to
keep her afloat as the Tide went out. All the Company
then went out and scattered about, this being all in
Sight of Castle Wm. and of the Guard Ship. In the
Evening we were ordered to the Boats, and Rowed to
the Point of Rocks, where we all went on Shore to
Receive Orders, Major Tupper Got on a Rock and
Told us what we had Come for, that he Intended to
go Round to Governor's Island Near the Castle, To
take off a Number of Cattle and Horses which were
on the Island. Every Boat was provided with 2 Halt-

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 111
ers, and had Seven padles, and padled from thence, We
were not allowed to Rowe with the oars which must
have made Too much Report, The Major divided us
Into Three Divisions Four Boats in abreast. Capt.
Chapin Comanded the first Grand Division Consisting
of Eight Boats and Set off. Capt. Peters Com'd the
Second Division, Containing the Like Number. Capt.
Hemblen Command, the Third Division of Eight Boats
and Capt. Drury with Two Boats Brought up the
Rear, The Major and the pilot went formost with
Two Boats, and made towards Governor's Island. We
had to pass Between the Light House and Castle,
Round by apple Island, where we went Very near the
Shore, where Some person Hailed us. We made no
answer but Continued on, and in a Short Time Came to
the Back of the Island, our Intended place. The Major
and Pilot Landed first on the Right, Captain Peters
on the Left of him, and Capt. Drury to the Left of
the whole. We all Imediately Formed Two Deep on
the Beach, only the Riflemen in single file under the
command of Lieut. Shepherd. Two men were Left
in Every Boat, who Imediately Turned the Head of
the Boat from Shore to be Ready to make our Escape
If we should be Repulsed. We then Marched up the
Bank and all Round the Island but meeting no Ene
mies, which was Contrary to all our Expectations, we
then proceeded to Take the Cattle, it then being about
12 Oclock at Night. The Cattle were a Little wild
but were soon all Taken. Mean time one of the Pro
vincials fell on the side of the Bank, his Gun went off,
but by Good fortune did not Discover us to the
Enemy, which were in a manner all Round the Island.
After the Cattle were all Taken we then proceeded to
take the Horses, but they were so frightened that Not-

112 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
withstanding all means was taken tbat was thought
practicable, we were obliged to sett off with thirteen
Cattle and Three Horses. One Steer got away soon
and one of the Horses also, so that we got off but 12
Cattle & Two fine Horses. The Major sent off aU
the Boats but his own & Another, and then went up
Into the Island again and Set a Large Frame House
on Fire, also a Beautiful Boat almost Ready to
Launch, Painted most Curiously, Supposed to be
Worth One Hundred pound Sterling, and found a
small Canoe Lying on the Beech with a Great Number
of Canon Balls but Could not Destroy Them, being
Near Day and the fire Giving Notice to the Enemy.
The Major then Embarked and Soon landed on Chel
sey Shore where he had sent us with the Cattle and
Horses, it being a point of main Land that Runs within
Two Miles of this Island. Seven of our Boats Lost
themselves, but Came Next Morning as Day appeared.
In the Morning as soon as Day Break Lieut. Shep
herd and myself & Ten men of our Company were
Dispatched Round by way of Cambridge home to Rox
bury which was Just Twenty Miles and only five miles
by water, but Before Day the major Ordered the
Boats Round a point of Land out of Sight of the
Enemy, where they Lay all Day and Returned to Dor
chester the following Night Safe — We Guarded the
Cattle round, first Came to Mystic, thence to Cam
bridge, thence Home, Delivered them to Gen'l Ward.
On the road people met us, and after knowing where
we got them said we had Run Great Hazards, &c, &c.
The Island is of an Oval form, Contains Between
fifty & Sixty Acres of Land. Lyes Between the
Light House, the Castle, & the Town of Boston. It
has a Bold high Shore, Was well fortified in the Last

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 113
war by our people. There is a Breastwork all Round
with BeautifuU ambuzurs* and platforms. In the
middle of the Island there is about Three Acres of
Land Stockaded and picketed with Ditches In the
Neatest Manner. The platforms were made so as to
have three Canons to Run to Each platform — Some
time after we Came orff the Island we Could See Some
Flashes of Guns which was Done by a few marines
that went from the Shiping About fifty in Number, as
was Reported by a Desarter that Came from the
Castle —
26th. Nothing material happened since, only Fre
quent firings from Both sides & at arrival of some
Ships the Shiping Fired for Joy.
October 3rd. 1775. Orders Came to be Ready to
pass Muster. In the (afternoon the) three companies
of Riflemen were paraded on the Green, and the Lists
were Called. Every Man passed by the Muster-Mas
ter General, with his Firelock Brought to a Recover,
They all passed Muster Very well. We had also a
Very Good Sermon preached to us by the Reverend
Mr. Martin, Who Took part of the Command on
Bunker's Hill In that Battle.
Oct. 4th. Wm. and George Tabb got their dis
charge from the General & set off for Berkely County.
The same day Robert Eakins died, one of our Com
pany. October Sth. Robert Eakins was buried In the
Burying Ground at Roxberry.
6th. The Enemy Fired 96 Canon Shott at us.
Kill'd Two Cows, Shott one of the provincial's arms
off, as he was standing Behind an apple Tree, the Ball
Cut through part of the Tree and Took off his Right
arm. ?Perhaps he means embrasures.

114 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
7th. InteHgence we have by a Desarter that Gen'l
Gage had Taken his Leave from all the Soldiers, and
was to Start Tomorrow for England, had Given up the
Comand to Gen'l Howe of the forces.
9th. Nicholas Machin of our Company tried by a
Genl. Court Martial for Breaking into Captain Crea-
sop's house, and for Desertion, was found GuUty to
the Complaint, and was Sentenced to have 39 Lashes
on his Bare Back, to be Drumed out and Never to
Return. At 8 OClock the punishment was Inflicted
on him and Drumed out by 45 Drums, & Near as
many fifes, with Thousands of Spectators.
October 11th. Tarrance Finnegan, one of Captain
Creasop's Company of Riflemen, Tryed by a Genl.
Court Martial for abusing his Arms, wasting his am
munition, Geting Drunk & Daming Lieutenant Davis,
Charging him with Taking a false Oath, was found
Guilty of the Charge, Sentenced to be Drumed out of
the Camp, If he Returned was to have 39 Lashes on
his Bare Back, was accordingly at 8 o'Clock Drumed
out by 43 Drums & fifes, and several Thousands of
people. October 12. Orders came out that the Riflemen
are to keep a Quarter Guard of their own to Guard
their own prisoners, our main was reduced from four
men to two, & fatigue Raised from 3 to 5. Nothing
material, only plenty of Flags of Truce.
13th. The Young man who had his arm shattered
on the 7th. died of his wound, the Surgeons Could
not Stop his Blood. * * ? On the 10th inst. General
Gage set off for England, the Ship that Carried him
fired as he got on board, and soon after the Ship fired
again and then Sailed out of the Harbour. * * *
Mth. Whispering of Storming Bunker's HiU, Flat

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 115
Bottomed Boats Ready at Cambridge. Floating Bat
teries Quite Ready.
17th. At night the Gen'l ordered that the Floating
Batteries go and fire on the Commons of Boston from
Cambridge about 10 oClock they began to fire and fired
fifteen Shott at the Enemy into the Town and on the
Commons among the Enemies' Tents, which Greatly
alarmed them, their Drums Beat to arms &c. But the
Last Shott proved fatal to our floating Batteries, one
of the Canon Being over Heated By often Firing
Bursted & kill'd Twp men Dead, and Wounded six
more —
19th. Last Night Three men Came out of Bos
ton by way of the Wharf and the help of a small
Conoe, after Being fired at by one of the Canon
from the Ship, Who bring this most agreeable News
that some of the Balls from our floating Batteries had
Gone through some of the Houses, had Tore through
Whole Streets of the Tents on the Common, and had
Disheartened the Soldiery In such manner that Every
thing was put into the utmost Confusion, that they
had no hopes of any more Recruits this fall, tho' the
officers fed their soldiers with such Vain words to
keep up their spirits, & Were Sure that about Three
thousand men might have taken possession of the
Town. Were sure If any Such thing should be at
tempted the Soldiery would not Stand Long ; also that
they saw a poor* Lamb sell for Eight Dollars & a
half — that the Tories Began to be in Bad Bread among
the Soldiers, that the Grand Tory, Col. Parish, went
sometime past a-fishing & Came in to sell them (his
fish), but was Drove off By the Soldiery. Neither
was there half the Number of Tories In Boston we
?A thin lamb.

116 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Suspected, but were obliged to profess themselves such
to save their Estates. * * *
25th. Just Reed InteHgence that the Town of fal-
mouth on Casco Bay was burnt Down by some of the
king's Ships of War, they Drew up in the Harbour &
sent out a Flag of Truce, Informed the people that
their Commands was to burn the Town and would
Effect it in half an Hour. The Town sent a committee
on board to Treat with them, Who with their Influence
Got this matter postponed untill 8 oclock the Next
day, so that the Inhabitants Got most of their Goods
out of the Town. Accordingly about 9 O'Clock the
Enemy Began to fire on the Town, and Threw bumb-
shells and Carcases that Instantly Consumed the whole
Town. No person was KUl'd and but one man
wounded: under cover of the Smoak the Enemy
Landed about 100 men, but were Soon Drove off again
by Some minute men Before the Enemy began to fire
the people asked why their spite Lay at that Town in
particular. They Answered that Every Town within
Reach of their Cannon from thence to Georgia should
fare the same way. The Same Acc't Gives InteHgence
that the Noted Captain Micheal Creasop from Virginia
had Died in New York on the  Day of October
and the Town was Burnt on the  * Day of Oc
tober. * * *
28. Orders Came out Recommending that the Sol
diers of the New Army do not Lay out their pay in
anything but Shirts, Leather Breeches, Stockings,
Shoes &c, that the Congress would provide Regimen
tals for them.
30. the Enemy have Not fired a single Cannon at
us since the 6th of this Inst., The Like has not been
?Two blanks left in the manuscript at this point.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 117
observed to keep so Quiet so Long Since the Buncker
Hill Fight. Flags of Truce are Back and forwards
Frequently. * * *
November 1st, & 2nd. Nothing Material, only some
few men went out to the Light House and Brought
away Two Horses, among which were some of Capt.
Rawling's men. The Following is a Coppy of a Letter
Sent to one of the Generals in Boston by Doctor
Church, the Director Gen'l of the Hospitals in the
Continental Army, but was Taken before it arrived
where it was Intended for.* * * *
I hope this will Reach you. Three attempts have I
made without Success, In Effecting the Last the Man
was Discovered in Making his Escape but fortunately
my Letter was Sewed in the wasteband of his Breeches.
He was Confined a few days, during which time You
may Guess my Feeling, but a Little art and a little
Cash Settled the Matter. It is a Month since my Re
turn from Philadelphia. I went by the way of Provi
dence to Visit mother. — * * * The Committee of
Warlike stores made me a formal Tender of 12 pieces
of Canon, 18 & 24 pounders they having took a Pre
vious Resolution to make the offer to Gen'l Ward. To
make a Merit of my Service I sent them Down, and
when they Received them they Sent them to Stoughton
to be out of Danger Even tho' they had formed the
Resolution as I had before Hinted of Fortifying
Bunker's Hill : which Together with the Cowardice of
the Clumsy CoU'o Parrish and CoU'o Seammans was
the Lucky Occasion of their Defeat. This affair
happened before my Return from Philadelphia. We
Lost 165 Killed and Since Dead of their Wounds.
?This letter from the traitor. Dr. Church, to General Gage,
was printed in the newspapers of the day.

118 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
* * * 120 now He wounded, the Chief of whom will
Recover. They Boast You had 1400 Killed and
Wounded in that action. You say the Rebels lost
1500, I suppose with Equal Truth. The people of
Conecticut are Growing Mad in the Cause of Liberty.
A number from that Colony of the Town of Stamford
Robbed the King's stores at New York with a Littie
Assistance the New Yorkers lent them. They were
Growing Turbulent. I counted 280 pieces of Cannon
from 24 to 30 pounders at King's Bridge, which the
Comittee had Secured for the use of the CoUonys.
The Jerseys are not A Whit Behind Conecticut in Zeal,
the Philadelphians Exceed them Both — I saw 2200
Men in the Review by Gen'l Lee, Consisting of Quak
ers and other Inhabitants in Uniform with 1000 Rifle
men and 40 Horse, who Together made a most War
like appearance. I mingled freely with the Members
of the Continental Congress, they were United and De
termined in opposition, and appeared assured of Suc
cess. Now to Come home, the opposition is Become
formidable, 18,000 men. Brave and Determined, with
Washington and Lee at their Head, is no Contempti
ble Enemy, & Adjutant Gen'l Gates is indefatigable In
Arranging the army. — Provisions are Very plenty.
Clothes are Manufactering in almost every Town for
the Soldiers. 20 Tons of Powder Lately arrived a|
Philadelphia, Conecticut, and Providence, upwards of
20 Tons are now in Camp. Salt peter is making In
Every Colony, Powder mills are Errected and con
stantly Employed and in Philadelphia & New York
Volunteers of the first Fortune are flocking to the
Camps. 1000 Riflemen have ari ved in Two or Three
Days, Recruites are Raising to augment the Army to
22,000 Men. Militia are appointed in this Government

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 119
to appear at the first Summons. The Bills of all the
Colonies Circulate freely, and are Readily Exchanged
for Cash, Add to this that Unless some plan of Ac
comodation Takes place Imediately their Harbours
will swarm with Privateers, and an Army will be
Raised in the Midland Colonies To take possession of
Canada. For the Sake of the Miserable Convulsed
Empire. Solicit a Repeal of the Acts, or Britain is
Undone. This advice is the Result of a warm affection
for my King & Realm. Remember I Never Deceived
You, Every Article here Sent You is Sacredly True,
the papers will Anounce to you that I am again a
member for Boston, — there you will see our motly
Counsil, a General Arrangement of officers will Soon
Take Place, Except the Chief, which will be Sus
pended but for a Little while to see what Course Brit
tain takes in Consequence of the Late Continental
petition. A View to Independance grows more and
more General. Should Britain Declare war against the
Colonies they are lost forever. Should Spain Declare
War against England the Colonies will Declare a Neu
trality, which will Doubtless produce an offensive and
defensive League Between them. For God's Sake
prevent it by a Speedy accomodation — Writing this
has employed a Day, I have Been to Salem to Recon-
oiter, but could not Escape the Geese in the Capital.
Tomorrow I set out for Newport on purpose to serve
you. I write you this fully, it being almost Impossible
to prevent Discovery, I am out of place here by choice,
and therefore out of pay, and Determine to be so
unless something is offered in my way. I wish You
Could Continue to write me in Large Cyphers by the
way of Newport, addressed to Thos. Richards, Mer
chant, Inclosed in a Cover to me. Intimating that I

120 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
am a perfect Stranger to you, but being Recomended
to You as a Gentleman of Honour, &c. You Took the
Liberty of Enclosing that Letter to me, Intreating me
to Deliver it as Directed, the person as you are in
formed. Living in Cambridge, Sign Some Fictitious
Name. This you may Send to some Confidential
Friend at Newport to be Delivered to me at Water-
town. Make use of Every precaution or Else I per-
rish.  (This Tory is Confined. H. B.)
November 1st. 1775. Rec'd InteHgence that some
of our privateers had Taken Several Tory Vessels
Booty. 5. This being the Day of Rejoicing Concerning the
Gunpowder Treason the Vessels all fired, the Castle
Fired, In all Several Hundred Guns were fired
which Covered Great part of the Town and other
places with Smoak.
Nov. 6th. the Castle and the admiral Fired. Last
Evening Capt. Thos. Price from Frederick Town Set
off for that place, is Expected will not Return again
this Winter.
Nov. the 9th. This Day a party of Regulars landed
on Lichmore's point. The Tide being so High that it
overflowed all the neck they Took this advantage, &
about 300 men Drove off Some of the Cattle to the
Boats that were on the Island, and possessed them
selves of a stone Fence at the Entrance of the point,
the water then Being waste High on the Neck. Took
one of our Centinels prisoners. On their Landing,
there was an Imidiate alarm. Coll. Thompson and
the Riflemen being Ready first. They Ran Down.
The Col'o. Rode Into the water & all the Riflemen
followed him. The Enemy Seeing they were so Reso
lute Run from Behind the wall and Retreated Over

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 121
the Hill Towards their Boats whence a Heavy Firing
Began. The Ship Fired Floating Batteries, &c, but
by Good fortune none of our people were hurt. The
Enemy presently got Into their Boats and pushed off.
Supposed they Carried off some Cattle. The provin
cials also Came on but were Later than the Riflemen.
The Regulars lost five Arms and Two men were found
this Evening.
Nov. 10th. This day Three more were found Dead,
which make five Killed Besides what must be
wounded. One of the Riflemen was also wounded with
a Swivel Ball, which was all the Loss on our Side. —
11th. Received Certain InteHgence that Gen'l
Howe has Got a Reinforcement of Between 2 & 3
Thousand men —
12. News came to the Camps that our people has
Taken St. Johns on the Lakes.
13. This Night past 12 Deserters Came from the
Regulars, also Two prisoners were Taken who Ven
tured Too far out for apples. We Learn from the
Desertars that the Reinforcement which had arrived
were but 500 men, that about 1500 men were Hourly
Expected. —
Mth. The Gen'l expects an Engagement as soon as
the other Troops arrive or not untill Next Spring. —
20. November. Sent a Letter by John Beverly
to Mother in Virginia, Shepherds Town — Rec'd a Let
ter from Mother By the post Dated October 28th.
Came to hand from Baltimore in 16 Days.
24th. R'd a Letter from Mother Dated 31st of
October by the Hands of John Kees who came from
thence. 28th. An Express arived Last Night at Head Q'rs
that Governor Carlton had Deserted the Town and

122 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
fortress of Montreal & that the said City had Peace
ably Surrendered to Gen. Montgomery & the Conti
nental Arms.
Dec'r 2. Yesterday Died John Metcalf & Burried
this day in the Roxberry Grave Yard in Decent and
soldierlike Manner.
Dec'r 3d. Capt. Wm. Henshaw* set off from Rox
berry for Virginia Sent Two Letters with him the 1st
Dated 28th November & 2d Dated 2d of Decem
ber, 1775.
6th. John Kees Set off for Virginia Five Days ago.
We had News that our Privateers had Taken a Store
Ship from the Enemy, wherin was Bale Goods, Mus
ket BaUs, Bumb SheUs, Carcases, Some Brass Canon,
1 Large 13>^ Inch Brass Morter, & about 2000 Stands
of Small Arms. On Saturday the 1st Day of Decem
ber 1775 Thomas Steer Deserted & Suppose is gone
home Considerably in Debt to Several in our Company.
7th. John Short, a Soldier in Coll. Cotton's Regi
ment Tryed by a Gen'l Court Martial for theft. De
sertion, & Divers other Crimes. The Ct Sentenced
him to have 39 Lashes on his Bare Back & Suffer two
Years Imprisonment In Simsberry Mines in Conecti
cut, he Rec'd his Corporal punishment about 4 OClock
this Evening, & after the first five Stripes Never Said
one word Untill he had his Due — This Day a Ct Mar
tial was held over some Riflemen Composed of Rifle
officers the first Time —
9. Two of Cap't Rawling's men & one of Cap't
Price's men Tryed by the above Ct Martial for Divers
Crimes were Sentenced to be Whipt, accordingly the
Three Companys were Drawed up. Formed a Hollow
?He was first Lieutenant of Captain Stephenson's company
but had been promoted in November 1775.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 123
Square, (the men) were Tyed to an apple Tree, &
Rec'd their Corporal punishment —
Dec'r. Some firing from a ship at our People at
Cobble Hill & Lichmore Point. Early this morning the
Ship Removed from her Station, She Being exposed
to our Canon on Cobble Hill fort, who Gave her some
few Shott —
25. Christmas Day. Nothing has happened, only
frequent firing at Cobble Hill Since the ship went
away — ¦
December 30th 1775. Gen'l Sulivan and his Brigade
made an attempt to Take Bunker Hill but the Ice Not
being Strong Enough to bear the Army Ihey were
obliged to Give over, tho' (they) Tryed it again the
Second Time, also in the Night, but found it Imprac
ticable. January 1st 1776 1776 1776 1776.
Some few Days past Capt. Martindale of one of the
Privateers was Taken by a Ship of war & Carried Into
Boston, and has since been Sent to England.
3'd. Capt. Coit Came to the Camps from priva
teering. 4. Nat Pendleton Returned from on Board a Pri
vateer. 9th. Wm. Davis, a Soldier in Capt. Stinsons
Comp'y Died at the Hospital in Jamaica Plains, He
being on Duty but about five or Six Days before he
Died. 10th. About this Time a Great Number sick in our
Comp'y. 12. an Indian Named Simpson Tryed by a Gen'l
Ct Mart'l for Shooting & wounding a Serg't in the
Legg was Sentenced To Receive 39 Lashes and be
Drumed out of the Camps, accordingly this Morning

124 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
about 10 OClock he was Punished on the Grand
Parade & Sent off with a Vast Number of Drums &
fifers & the usual Ceremony & Tune —
Roxberry January 12th 1776 We hear by the pa
pers from the Great Bridge Near Norfolk in Virginia
that on the Night of the 8th of December the Reg
ulars made an attempt to Drive our People out of
their Intrenchments Near the great Bridge but were
Bravely Repulsed, Killed, & (we) Took 62 men, &
the night following (they) Left all their works and
went on board their Ships — ¦
Last Monday it being the 10th Inst, Major Knowl
ton was Dispatched with 100 men to make an Incur
sion into Charles Town By the Mill dam that Lays
between Cobble Hill & Bunker's Hill, about 9 OClock
at Night and Imediately Proceeded Down the Street
On the Westerly Side of Bunker's Hill, A part of the
men at the Same Time under Capt. Keyes were posted
on the East Side of the Street Just under the HiU to
Intercept any person who might Escape from the
Houses in the Street — Some of which were occupied
by the Enemy. These Houses were a little out of the
Compact part of the Town, were Suffered to Re
main unburnt in June Last, for their own Conven
ience, — ^they were now Surrounded and set on fire
by our men — In one of them they found Six men
& one woman, all of these only [except] one fellow,
who Refused Coming were Brought off, & he was
Kill'd on the Spot — In another of the Houses Ac
cording to the Information of the Prisoners Lived
Seventeen of the Enemies Carpenters, — as the woman
says She went to Borrow Something at this House
Just before our men Arrived, but Seeing no Light &
not being able to get into that part of the House

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 125
where they Kept, She Concluded they were all asleep.
As it is Very Certain that no one Escaped from the
House, and as our men sett the Houses on fire Very
Suddenly it is thought the whole Seventeen perished
in the flames — There were Ten Houses bumt, and
6 or 7 musketts Brought off. Some few Houses are
Still Standing, the whole was performed in Less than
an Hour, without the Loss of a Single man. Either
Killed or Wounded, tho' the Enemy Kept a Constant
fire of small arms Every way from Bunker's Hill.
Our men Did not fire a Single Gun untill all was over,
we were all Alarmed here and Could See the Blaze
of the Houses, Saw the whole firing which rhade no
small Shew —
Jan'y 17th Reed. InteHgence that our army at Que-
beck had made an attempt to Storm the Forts but
Were very Unfortunate, that Gen'l Montgomery &
his aid De Camp and Between 60 or 70 officers &
privates were Killed, that about 300 Were Taken
prisoners — amongst whom were some field officers —
22d Some of the Enemies came and made attempts
to Set Gen'l Ward's House on fire but their Scheme
Miscaried —
January 25th 1776 We hear that a Number of our
canon were Spiked up at Kings Bridge By some To
ries, some of Which have been Taken. — Capt. Manly
has Taken several prizes Lately — We hear by the
Papers from Virginia that Lord Dunmore's fleet had
set the Town of Norfolk on Fire and Burnt the Great
est part thereof Down — this was done on the 4th of
January, 1776. — The Papers Mention About 600
Tories that had Gathered in Westmoreland under one
Plunker, who was Routed by some of our minute men
on the 21st of December — & on the 23'd they assumed

126 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
to cross the River but were warmly Reed, and about
SO of them Kill'd. Our Loss were but 2 Kill'd &
some few wounded —
Feb'y 1st. Last Tuesday An Express arived from
Canada that (by which) we have the Pleasure to hear
that our Army, Notwithstanding the Loss sustained
in the Late unfortunate attack upon Quebec, StiU
continue the Blockade of that City, and that we have
good hopes of the Reduction of that Capital before
Spring, as there have been Reinforcements to our
Little army.
11 Rec'd a Letter by the Post from Capt Will'm
Morgan, Virginia, Dated 3rd December 1775. Came
from Baltimore in fifteen days —
Feb'y Mth 1776. This morning Very Early we
discovered Part of the Houses were set on fire on
Dorchester point by the Enemy, & Soon Learnt that
they had Landed on the Lower end of the point, from
the Castle, also from the town of Boston at the upper
end of the point, a number to the amount of about
300 Men in the whole, in order to take the Guard,
which was kept Low down in the neck — Consisting
of Sixty-Five Men. Capt Barns who Comanded the
Guards Finding himself in a manner Surrounded
thought it most Prudent to Retreat and Get off the
Point as fast as Possible — there were about Six or
seven of our centinels Taken prisoners.
ISth I Heard Mr. Frazier say that there was an
Express Lately from Canada Brings an accompt that
our men had Taken fifteen prisoners & Kill'd Eleven
of the Enemy, all of which had been Sent out a wood
Cutting by Gen'l Carlton from Quebec — Also that
Capt. Daniel Morgan of Virginia was the First man
that mounted the Ramparts, that he Kill'd five of the

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 127
Enemy and Unfortunately was made a prisoner, and
most of his men are Either KiU'd or taken.
22d In the Evening it Being a Snow Storm Ma
jor Brewer Took 12 Serjts and went Down the Dike
from Lamb's dam Towards The Block House on the
Neck a Little Below the Chimneys where the Enemies
Gentries Stand, thence he Crossed and went into the
Road that Leads from the Enemies fort-Gate up
Towards the Chimneys, and Come upon the Enemies
Gentries, as tho' he came out of the fortification to
Relieve them. He Imediately Ordered them to Drop
their firelocks which they did, and so Brought away
a Corporal & two privates prisoners, the Corp'l was
a stout well Made man. Each of them were Very
Sorry Because they were taken —
23. Five Regiments were ordered to take their
alarm Posts at 11 O'Clock with the Riflemen. We
were all placed along Two Deep, the Riflemen in the
Fort, & one Reg't of Musquet men, and the others
a long the Breastwork. Toward Roxberry Street, all
in proper order, it being the Prettiest Sight Ever my
Eyes Beheld — I sent a Letter home pr the Post
Dated 20th Inst. 1776.
March 1st was Brought from Cambridge to Rox
berry Camp four Bumb Mortars with a Vast Quantity
of Bumb Shells, hand Grenades, Ropes, Straps, hand
spikes and all kinds of UtensUs for those Mortars
with their Beds &c.
2d This Day was Brought to Roxberry a Very
Large Mortar Piece and Everything Compleat for the
same, & Imediately Fixed her Into the Fort on the
Right — About 3 Days ago Capt Stinson and the
Rest of the Rifle Officers went on Dorchester point
In Order to Look out Some advantageous post, the

128 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Enemy Fired two Balls from the Wharf in Boston at
them Did no Damage &c.
March 2d In the Night of the 27th of Feb'y John
Curry, one of our Riflemen Deserted to the Enemy,
Took with him his Messmates Gunns, Shot Pouch
&c, &c. This Day was two more Canon Fired at the
Enemy Nearer Roxberry Street —
3d Last Night were thrown Bumbshells Into Bos
ton the first Time, first from Lechmore's point, thence
from Roxberry Fort, Two Mortars were Brought into
the fort, the one By Great Misfortune was Broke to
pieces in throwing the first Shell, and unfortunately
wounded Two Men, tho' not Very Bad — Orders
Came out to prepare for an Engagement —
4th Orders Came out to go on Dorchester Point
and Intrench, two Rifle-Companies from Cambridge
were ordered here. In the Evening as soon as Sun
Down our Teams Began to Load with Intrenching
Tools, Spears, Canon, about 100 Teams to Carry
Facines and pressed Hay, accordingly 2000 men and
upwards went and Began the work and about 1
O'clock our five* Companies of Riflemen Marched
on, when the Others had already made Two Compleat
Facine forts on the Top of the Two Hills, made Two
Redoubts and a Cover along the Neck with hay. We
marched a Little Beyond the Forts and posted our
selves behind a hill Near the water Edge where we
Remained as Silent as possible. Mean Time our Forts
Fired Shot and Threw Bombs into Boston from
?In December Bedinger spoke of "our three companies of
riflemen." These were Captain Stephenson's of Virginia,
Captain Price's and Captain Rawlings' of Maryland. Two
more rifle companies appear to have joined them early in
1776. Captain Morgan had gone to Canada in the fall.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 129
Brookline, from Lichmore's point & Cobble Hill.
They were no Less busy In throwing as many Bomb
Shells and Shott as we, which made no Small Noise,
one Canon Ball Struck a Lieutenant in the Back part
of the thigh Next to his knee as he Stept out of the
Door of a house in Roxberry from which wound he
Died in about 4 hours —
Sth. About 3 O'clock the first 2000 men were Re
lieved by 3000 & upwards, who all Began to work at
Intrenching and made Great progress : before 8 In
the morning the Canon were fixed In Both the Forts
and Redoubts, a Vast number of Barrels of Dust and
Sand were Set around Each fort on the Top of the
Hills in order to Roll Down to Break the Ranks of
the Enemy If they offered to attack us, the Riflemen
Lay Still at the hill. (The) General Requested they
should (remain) another Night and Untill the Tide
went out on the Next Day which Capt Stephenson
Consented to who Commanded the five Companies pro
vided the Gen'l would send us another Day's provi
sion which he did Next Morning. Towards the Even
ing a Schooner went out of the harbour toward the
Castle But Run a Ground & the Tide Left her there
pretty Near the Shore. Some of the Artillery Men
with a small Brass Field piece went Down from the
Hill to fire upon her. Accordingly they fired three
Shott when through Great Misfortune the piece went
off too soon, and Took off One Man's hand and put
out one Eye — At the Same Instant there Came
Down to her Relief Two Brigs of war, so that put an
End to our firing on the Schooner. This Night we
Expected an Attack but there arose Such a storm
Towards Day that it was Impossible for them to Land,
the men worked on Bravely and we Lay StUl.

130 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
March 6th. Nothing appeared as If we were going
to be attacked, Capt. Stephenson Ordered us to March
off the point About Two O'Clock in the afternoon in
View of the Enemy. About 5 O'Clock came two
Companies of Riflemen from Cambridge and Relieved
those Who had been on the point with us, the Ene
mies fired a few Shott Towards the New forts but to
no purpose only Hurt 3 Guns and then Quit Firing
Entirely —
7th. This Day is appointed a Day of Prayer by the
Legislature of this Colony. All the Riflemen are or
dered on the point by 9 Oclock in the forenoon, &c.
Came off at 3 O Clock.
8th. This Day a Flagg of Truce Came from the
Enemy with a petition from the Select men of Boston
to Gen'l Washington, & By the Consent of General
Howe, the purport of which was that if pur fprces
kept firing on the Town or Bumbardin it he would
move off and Burn the City — but If he Did not Fire
he (General Howe) will not Burn the Town. It
Seems he is Determined to Move off at Any Rate.
9th. Orders Came that the riflemen Should hold
themselves in readiness to March at an Hour's warn
ing —
10th. about 2 Hours after Dark the Enemy Began
to fire on a party of our men who were throwing up a
Breastwork on the Nearest point to Boston on Dor
chester. They fired from a Small Vessel from Boston
Neck, from the wharf, from Fort Hill, &c. Supposed
they Fired 1000 Shott as it Lasted the whole Night.
Our people Fired into Boston from Roxberry. The
Firings Continued all Night. We had 1 Surgeon &
Three men KiU'd.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 131
13th. Rec'd orders to be Ready to March tomorrow
at 10 O'clock.
Mth. Set off with our whole Company for Cam
bridge.
This ends the very graphic account of the winter at
Roxbury Camp. Henry Bedinger speaks of five com
panies of Riflemen commanded by Captain Stephen
son. One of these was probably Captain Cresap's
Maryland Company. It will be noted that he speaks
of Captain Cresap of Virginia, and says he died in
New York. This was because Cresap settled in wes
tern Virginia before the Revolution. Captain Daniel
Morgan's Company had been ordered to Canada,
where at the siege of Quebec most of them were taken
prisoners. It seems probable that another, possibly two or three
more rifle companies had been raised in Maryland and
Virginia in the fall of 1775, or the winter of 1776.
William Henshaw, first lieutenant of Stephenson's
company, had been promoted to a captaincy, and very
probably commanded one of these new companies.

CHAPTER X
Henry Bedinger's Journal of 1776 Continued
MARCH 15th. 1776. Friday. Were ordered to
March to New York. The whole BattaHon of
riflemen were Ordered to March Ditto. Marched 9
Miles to one Flagg's.
16th. Marched off to Deacon Ben. Woods the Hart
ford Road. 20 Miles, the roads were so Excessive Bad
the Teams Could Not follow us. Staid awhile in
Westborough. Saw Some warlike Stores, viz 17
pieces of fine Canon, two Mortars & 1 Cohorn —
17th. Drawed 6 Days allowance of Beef & Pork.
Thence Marched to Mr. Sherman's — 7 Miles. Rec'd
Intelligence that the Enemy had evacuated the tovra
of Boston on Saturday after we Left Cambridge.
Left a number of Canon Spiked up and Many other
Stores. Left the town in Great Haste.
18th. Marched to Shumway's — 15>^ MUes.
19th. Marched to Woodstock — 12 Miles.
20th. Marched to Wilson's— 25 Miles.
21st. Marched from WUson's to Hartford— 17
Miles. This being the Metropolis of Conecticut, a
seaport Town, Situate on Conecticut River. Very
pretty place. Saw Some Regular officers Taken at St.
John's, &c.
22nd. Took in fresh provisions, &c — ^112 Miles to
Boston. 23rd. Marched from Hartford to Wethersfield, 4
Miles, thence to Wallingsford 22 Miles — 26 MUes.
24th. Marched to New Haven, a large Seaport
Town Beautifully Situated on the Sound, a Number
of Vessels in the Harbour, a Brigg of 14 Guns on the

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 133
Sound, and a Schooner fitting out of 12 Ditto. — 13
Miles. Thence Marched to MiUford, a smaU seaport
Town Just fifty Miles from Hartford.
2Sth. Thence Marched to Stratford River — 4 Miles.
thence to Fairfield, a County Town, a place of Trade
and Seaport.
26th. Marched to Norwalk, a small Seaport Town
— 12 Miles, thence to Stamford, fresh provisions. &c
— 14 Miles.
27th. Marched through Horseneck to Rye — 10 Miles.
thence to East Chester in New York Government —
10 Miles— 20 Miles.
28th. Marched Over Kingsbridge to New York —
20 Miles.
29th. Viewed the City, the Numerous Canon Ready
fixed. Every Street Towards the Water in all parts
of the Town fortified with Breastworks, &c. East,
West, North, and South of the Town are Forts. Saw
the King's Effigy on a Horse in his proper Size on a
large Marble Pillar Beautifully Gilded, Stands in
Broad Street Near the old fortification in a Yard that
is all picketed in with Iron palisadoes. Likewise Lord
Pitt, the Earl of Chatham, in Broadway Enclosed in
Like Manner. Saw all the Large Buildings, the City
Hall, Royal Exchange, all the Beautiful Churches.
30th. went to see the Water Works which are the
Most Curious I ever heard of, the Water is Raised
by the Strength of Fires So High as to be Brought all
over the City. The works are not yet finished.
March 30th. 1776. Sent a Letter per post to
Mother, Dated March 30th 1776. Rec'd orders to
March to Staten Island. Yesterday and today five
Regiments of Musketry arived at this place from the
Grand Camps, Cambridge and Roxberry-^

134 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
31st. Took a view of the Grand Hospital not Yet
Finished, Fortified with Breastworks, &c.
April 1st. 1776. went on Board a Privateer & Viewed
her. There are three now at this place. Two Ships
of war Lye off the Town —
2nd. This Day Five Regiments of New England
Troops were Reviewed by his Excellency General
Heath, they made a Much Better appearance than they
did at home —
3rd. Last Evening a Number of our Troops went
and set fire to Some Houses on Bedley's Island that
Lies Just opposite the City Near the Asia man of war
the Enemy's men were Intrenching on that place. Sup
posed to harbour the Tories, Brought off their In
trenching Tools, Some fine Shirts, &c. The Asia fired
but did not Hurt any person — at same Time the
furnace was set on fire where they Run Canon by
Some Enemy's to their Country, but was prevented
burning Down by our People — ^this Day the Honorable
Major General Putnum Arived in this City from the
Grand Army at Boston —
4th. We hear the Enemies Fleet Left the Castle de
molished. Set off from nantasket Road on Thursday,
27th March, 1776. The following is a List Taken from
the Best accompts that could be had of the Stores left
in Boston by the Enemy — Viz : 100 Pieces of Canon in
Town from
9 to 32 pounders.
100 Do at the Castle.
4 Mortars 13^^ Inch, two of them with Beds, weight
S Tons Each.
2500 Chaldrons of Sea Cole.
Staten Island April 4th 1776.
A List of Stores in Boston left by the Enemy.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 135
25000 Bushels of wheat. 1300 Bushels of Bariey.
6000 Bushels of Oats in one Store. 100 Jars of Oyl
Containing 1' Barrel Each. 150 Horses Marked G. R.,
almost Starved. Some Canon and Mortars have Been
since Discovered in the water —
We were ordered to March, accordingly we set off
and Crossed the North river in a periaugre. Capt.
Williams Company was Left at Powles Hook ferry
(Paulus Hook) and the other two Companies Marched
on to a Village Called Bergen about Ten Miles from
the Ferry where we halted about Two Hours until
Lord Stirling came up to us with the Company that
was left at the Ferry, thence Marched Together to the
Ferry that leads over to Statin Island & crossed with
Two Companies. Capt. Rawling's Company was left
at the Ferry, and Stationed along Down the water.
The other two Companies were Stationed Down on the
Island & We keep a piquet Guard of 25 men. 1 Serj't,
1 Corp'l, 1 Subaltern at a point near some fresh water,
about Seven Miles from New York, to prevent the
men of war getting any.
Sth. The men were Bileted out Into several Houses
by 10, & 8, & 5, etc. Lord Sterling left us the same
Evening when he came, and went to Amboy in the Jer
seys, about 14 Miles from here —
6th. Nothing material.
7th. About 9 OClock in the Morning being on
easterday an Express Came that the men of war's
were Landing at the watering place and were Taking
in fresh water. A twelve Gun Ship was Sent to
Guard them, a Small Sloop was Sent Close to Shore,
and then the Barrels and Hogsheads were landed by
two Barges, with about 20 men to fill them. They
also Imediately Set a Centinel on the Hill about 200

136 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Yards from the Watering place, and set up the King's
Colours. Our Men all being BUleted Nearer than the
officers they were within sight before the Capt Could
come, where they Remained for orders — as soon as
the Cap't came he and the men made the Best of their
way to surround the men. The Centinel fired at seeing
our Men and alarmed them, they Imediately made off
to their Boats, but our Men were so close upon them
they Could not Get off but one boat with a few men in
it. Wm. McKew took the first prisoner. Took his Gun,
etc, at the Same Time the Rest of the men Took Eight
more. Mr. Luckett* wounded one man in the Back,
who was made prisoner. All this time the Savage ship
of war fired small arms. Swivels, and Canon shott at
us, shot Rusty Iron and all sorts of Small Stuff but
Hurt no person — the nine prisoners were sent off to the
Capt's Quarters, when a few men were sent to Look
along the water, one of them Espied a fellow hiding and
skulking along, who was soon overtaken and shewed
where the Colours lay. There was one man left in the
Sloop who made Shift to Cut the Cable and so beat
off. The people in the City saw the firing and Im
ediately sent out about 300 Men to our assistance, tho
we did Not want them. One of the prisoners is an In
habitant who always pilated the Enemy's Vessels.
Our Men kept the ship afiring about 3 hours to no
purpose. We are almost Certain some of the Enemy
were killed besides those prisoners which are taken —
10 men — We Got 1 Very pretty Barge. 29 Casks all
Iron hoopt. 1 Iron Pot, 1 Small Anchor and Cable, 1
Musket. 1 Flagg. We have Gained Great applause —
We have now followed Stephenson's Riflemen for
?Mr. Luckett was a lieutenant in Captain Otho Williams'
company, and was probably visiting Captain Stephenson.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 137
nearly nine months. We have seen how long they were
on their way, and what route they took. They left
John Keyes very ill on the march. He seems to have
recovered, gone back to Berkeley and joined the camp
again at Roxbury, thence returning to Virginia, and
acting as a messenger. We are told that Robert Mc
Cann was ducked and discharged for insubordination;
that Eakins, Medcalf and Davis died in camp; that
William and George Tabb were discharged and
returned home ; that Nicholas Makin was flogged and
drummed out of camp for burglary and desertion ; that
Thomas Steer deserted and went home, and that John
Curry went over to the enemy.
We have now had Henry Bedinger's account of the
first skirmish of any importance in which the riflemen
engaged. We have been so fortunate as to discover a
letter from Captain Hugh Stephenson, in which he re
ports this engagement to his commander in chief.
This interesting old letter is preserved in the manu
script room of the Library of Congress and is as fol
lows:LETTER FROM CAPTAIN HUGH STEPHENSON TO GENERAL
WASHINGTON Staten Island April 8th 1776
May it Please Your Honor
Yesterday about Ten Oclock, the ship Savage and
the James pilate-boat came up the Sound under cover
of thick fogg to the Watering place of this Island.
Each sent a Boat of eleven men to take in water of
which I Received Intelligence and prepared to attack
them. They received Information of our approach,
and a Signal Gun was fired for their retreat which
they endeavored to effect under cover of a brisk and

138 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
almost constant fire from the Savage, but being Closely
pursued were Oblig'd to leave behind them One Stand
ard, one Musket, one Boat, twenty-seven Iron-
bound Barrels, one Cable, Anchor, and Buoy, one
Speaking-trumpet one Iron pot and two watch-coats.
Ten men were taken prisoner in the boat, and in the
water, attempting to make their escape (one of whom
is wounded). One man being shot fell into the water,
and two others fell on board, of which we are confi
dent, many were Wounded, but as I cannot inform you
with certainty you'll please refer to four deserters who
came ashore last night from the Phenix, for better in
formation, two Boys from New York who went on
board the Black Joke Saturday and were towed in their
canoe by the James to the watering place yesterday
Morning and landed, are supposed to be the persons
who gave the ships' crew notice that the Riflemen were
approaching, and are therefor made prisoners, they in
form that messrs Weatherhead and Wallace of New
York frequently go on board the phenix from Long
Island — I have undertaken to send Derby Doyle as a
prisoner for Selling provisions to and holding Corre
spondence with the Enemy. I have the pleasure to in
form your Honor that the Officers and Soldiers under
my Command behaved (in the late little Skirmish)
with a Spirit and Conduct becoming Advocates for
Liberty. I am to acknowledge myself oblidg'd to Capt.
Rawlings, his officers and men, for the Assistance they
prepar'd to lend us, by crossing the river in the most
expeditious manner — a list of the prisoners will be de
livered by Lieut. Finley, to whom I beg to refer Yr.
Honor for further particulars.
I have the pleasure to subscribe myself your Honor's
Most Obt. Hble Srvt.
Hugh Stephenson.

CHAPTER XI
Conclusion of the Journal of Henry Bedinger
APRIL 8th. Strong Guards are kept at the water
ing places. In the Night past Four Deserters
Came from the men of war who bring accompts that
the Capts of the King's Ships are Very Much exasper
ated at us and swear Vengeance against us. The pris
oners were sent to New York, also one Dyle (Doyle),
a tory the Capt Took and Sent with the prisoners.
9th. More Tories have Been Sent for and brought
before the Capt.
10th. Saw George Tingle, who Came in Capt. John
Nelson's Compy of Riflemen from Virginia and
Maryland. 11th. Sent a Letter home to Mother Dated AprU
11th, 1776. Just Reed InteHgence by the Newspapers
that the Grand Congress had opened a free Trade to
all Nations Except Brittian and her Dependants — also
that on Saturday, Sth Inst, Some of our Fleet and the
Enemies' Met, when they had a Very sharp Engage
ment but the Enemies bore off —
Mth. All the ships at the Narrows Sailed off and
the Asia Man of war fell Down the Narrows and An
chored there. Yesterday Captain John Nelson and
Company Came on the Island. We Began to Intrench
at the watering place —
15th. Last Evening Gen'l Washington arived at
New York. Yesterday when our people were In
trenching they found a Large Grappel and a Very
Large Cable to it Belonging to the Tender that were
fetching water at that place the Sunday before.
16th. Captain Nelson's Company Sett off for New

140 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
York in order to go to Quebec. Saw a ship launched
of 240 Tun Burthen-
April 18th. Early in the Morning the Asia ship of
war Moved out from the Narrows towards Sandy
Hook. Some News Stirring of the Taking of Quebec.
2Sth. Much is printed and Publickly Debated in all
Newspapers Concerning American Independency. —
17,000 foreign forces are to be Sent to America by the
King, &c. We are informed that the Ministerial Fleet
has arived at Halifax — We hear that Governor Eden
of Maryland is taken into Custody — Last Sunday
Brigadier Gen'l Thompson Set out for Quebec with
five Regiments of New England troops —
28th. A few Days Since the Asia and phanix
Moved Down some men and Landed at the Light
House from the man of war in order to Get water.
Some Jersey Men went and Took 16 men prisoners
and filled the well full of Stones, &c — More Pennsyl
vania Troops have Come in to New York Lately —
May 1st. About 4 Days past there was a man's
head and another Man's whole Body found Some
where about the holy Ground, Supposed to be Robbed
and Murdered by the Bad women there or their as
sociates, the man's head was Wrapt up in a woman's
apron —
Last Satturday Night five Negro men ran away in a
boat and Got on board the Asia Ship of war, the
Negroes belonged to several Farmers on this Island
but to their Great Surprise the Capt ordered them to
be Set on Shore again and Return to their masters af
ter they had been on board two Days, with about 4
Dollars in Money and a Letter to one of the Negroes'
Masters Setting forth that they were a Fishing off the
Shore and that one of the Barges had Taken them and

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 141
Detained them that Time against their will — all this
was thought to be only a piece of policy In the Capt.
of the Asia. The Negroes were Tried and were Sen
tenced to have 30 Lashes apiece well Laid on.
8th. The Fourth Battalion of Pennsylvania passed
by for New York.
9th. Wm. McKue of our Company had the Misfor
tune to have his Left hand Blown off by firing his rifle
which Bursted above half-Length of the Barrel open.
Blew away the Lock and Tore his Left hand in a
shocking maner, so that it has been Taken off at the
Wrist Joint.
11th. Martin Wolf ord from Virginia Came.
Rec'd a Letter by him Sent from Mother, Dated May
3rd 1776. Mr. Wolford Brought the first Accompt of
the Engagement Between the Liverpool and Roebuck
Men of war with our Gondolas In Delaware River
Below Philadelphia — By the Best accompts since
we Learn that we Lost one man and had three
wounded, that the ships were forced to Make off
Down the River — Yesterday Three privateers with a
number of Whale Boats went out Towards the Hook,
and this Day we heard some firing which we have
since found was the whale Boats after a Tender —
No Damage on Either Side.
Mth. Martin Wolford Returned Home, and Con
way Oldham is also Gone Home on Furlough — *
16th. We have Certain accompts that the Two
Ships of war were forced to Move Down out of the
way of our Gondolas Down Delaware river, and that
we had one man Killed and Eleven Wounded, Some
of which have Died since the Engagement —
?No changes have been made in this journal except a few
marks of punctuation, to make the meaning clear.

142 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
This Day passed over the Ferry Ten waggons
Loaded with Powder Containing about Sixteen Tun
Weight, which was Imported from France — The
Congress Encouraged Trade to Such a Degree that
there is no Limited Prices for any Merchandize —
Except Teas —
20th. We hear that our forces before Quebec were
obliged to raise the siege, that we have Lost a Num
ber of sick who have Been Taken by the Enemy, and
two or three pieces of Canon, Some Amunition, and
provision has fell into the Enemies' hands. George
Merchant of Capt. Morgan's Company of riflemen
Taken at Quebec was Sent Home to England and
there Set at Liberty. Some Gentlemen were so kind
as to Cloathe him and Give him Money Enough to
pay his passage to America. He set off from England
the 24th March & Arived at Halifax in 23 Days, from
thence he and some others who had been Detained as
prisoners taken at Sea, Made their Escape and in a
few Days Came to Boston, from whence he was Dis
patched an Express to Gen'l Washington, and from
thence to Congress. I saw him at the Ferry, he gave
me Very Satisfactory Accompts of his affairs, how he
had fared, &c. We Learn that there are Some Troops
arived at the Borders of Carolina Consisting in Num
ber about 2000, &c.
May 24th. 1776. Yesterday an express arrived at
New York which Brought that Captain Mumford had
taken a prize Near Boston that had on Board 75 Tun
of Powder, 1000 Stand of Small Arms, & Many other
Valuable Articles Computed to be worth 40,000 Ster
ling. This prize was Taken the 17th of this instant —
The Next Day after Seeing his prize safe into Bos
ton (he) went to get out to Sea, Early in the Morning

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 143
there Came off thirteen Boats from the Men of War,
to take him. He Got Ready to Receive them, before
they Could board the Schooner he Sunk five of the
boats and the Remainder attempted to Board her, but
the privateers men Cutt off some of their hands,
others their fingers, &c. In this Time the Capt. Re
ceived a wound in his Breast, he Called to the Lieuten
ant and said "I am a Dead Man. Don't Give up the
Vessel. You will be able to Beat them. If not Cut
the Cable and Run her on Shore." He then expired
in a few Minutes. The Lieutenant then Run her on
Shore, and the Boats Alade off — The men that were
Taken up from the Boats that sunk say that they
Lost Near 100 Men, the Schooner had but one Man
KiU'd Dead besides the Captain —
28th. Nothing Material has Lately Happened on
the Island —
29th. Captain Stephenson Came from Virginia and
Took the Command of the Company, &c.
June 1st. Rec'd a Letter from Home Dated May
9th, 1776, pr post.
June 6th. We had an acct. here that our people
were Defeated In Small parties Twice and a Number
Taken by the Enemy, that they were all Retaken and
about 6 or 700 of the Enemy Made prisoners.
12th. Orders were Sent over from the General to
Remove us to the South Side of this Island — ¦
13th. Marched to the South Side of this Island and
Were Biletted In Different houses, &c. About Seven
Miles from Northfield.
Mth. Two Irishmen that had been working about
on this Island for some time made their Escape and
went on board the Asia, man of war.
20th. Rec'd Orders My Self to proceed home
wards, &c.

144 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
22nd. Just Rec'd InteHgence that a most Helish
plot of Conspiracy has been Laid against General
Washington's Life in which two of his Life Guards
have been Confederates, the Mayor of the City of
New York was the chief man, the City was to have
been set on fire in Several places, the magazine Blown
up, and the General Shott Dead, The Headmen of the
Traitors are Confined, one or Two have Turned Evi
dence — The Detachment Sent from New York to
burn & Destroy the Light House is Returned without
Effecting anything as the shipping was able to keep
our people at too large a Distance, So that our Field
pieces Could not Batter the walls Down. No person
KiU'd nor wounded, tho' a Great Deal of firing.
23rd. The Scheme for killing all the General Offi
cers was known to General Washington Near Fifteen
Days before this Date, but Could not be properly
found out untill Now — there are Near Thirty men.
Mostly of the first Rank, Concerned in it. Those that
they thought they Could Depend on amongst the Con
spirators they Gave Twelve pound Bounty, As soon
as the fleet appeared before the Town, the Canon
was to have been spiked up, the Magazine blown up,
&c. The Soldiery now Can Scarcely be kept off from
Murdering those prisoners.
24th. Captain Stephenson brings News from the
General that the Yankees have Taken 214 Highland
ers prisoners : & have Drove off the Rest of the Ship
ping that could not be Taken out of Boston Road,
the Enemy have blown up the Light House at Boston,
&c., three of our brave Yankees wounded. Just got
Leave and made Ready to Start Home.

CHAPTER XII
Captain Shepherd and His Men
WE HAVE now followed the movements of Cap
tain Stephenson's Rifle Company during the
term of one year, until the expiration of the time for
which they enHsted. We have seen that they marched
to Roxbury Camp, near Cambridge, facing Boston
Neck. Some time in October Morgan's Company
were sent to join Arnold in the campaign to Canada,
where at the siege of Quebec they were defeated and
captured. Henry Bedinger, in his letter to Mr. Finley,
gives another short description of this term of service
of the riflemen.* "The Bunker's Hill Battle on the
19th of June, 1775," he says, "had disabled the Brit
tish for the time being to act on the offensive. They
kept pretty close within their works, yet there was sel
dom a day or night passed without exchange of Can
non Shott and shells. We were quartered in a pretty
exposed situation, yet during the whole time we lost
but one of our Company, and that by a Cannon ball
which fractured his left arm, near the shoulder. Am
putation was of no avail ; he died, in a few hours after.
"Early in November Major Tupper (afterwards
one of the purchasers of the land about Marietta),
planned an expedition to take off some of the ene
mies' cattle on Governor's Island, at the entrance to
Boston Harbour, and directly opposite Castle WiUiam,
?This may seem like repetition but it describes the whole
campaign from a different point of view than the journal
and gives us valuable insight into Washington's motives. The
few discrepancies are accounted for by the lapse of years, and
imperfect memory of the writer, who was over seventy when
it was penned.

146 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
which castle was then held and garrisoned by the
enemy. The Island was not then inhabited, though
it had on it a good House and Barn filled with hay.
The Island was used as a place of safety to deposit
the Cattle, etc, obtained by marauding parties. Per
mission was obtained to attempt the capture of the
Cattle and Horses there, and 27 whale boats were pre
pared, each boat to carry ten men and one Rifleman,
either officer, serjeant, or private. The boats were col
lected, and departed with great secrecy, at a particular
landing, and they were so light-built that altho' they
could without danger carry double the number of men,
the ten men could carry the boat any reasonable dis
tance. When all was ready, and on the approach of
night, Abraham Shepherd took command of one boat,
and your Father of another, and myself of another, &c.
"As soon as it was dark we carried these boats
across a neck of land, placed them in the water, pretty
near, but outside Castle WiUiams. With muffled oars
we passed between the castle and the guard-ship,
landed on the Island within Cannon shot of the Cas
tle. The Cattle and horses were so alarmed and wild
that we obtained but four horses, and Eight Cattle.
These were haltered, & swam across to the Chelsea
shore, nearly three miles. The House and Barn filled
with hay were set on fire, and we escaped, helped by
the light.
"This was the first and only hazardous expedition
your Father (General Samuel Finley) and myself ex
perienced while at the Siege of Boston. On the 12th
March, when our company proceeded towards New
York, we suffered considerably on the march. The
winter was Just breaking up; the roads almost im
passable, and the haste to outstrip the enemy com-

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 147
pelled us to move as expeditious as possible. We ar
rived safe: — no enemy there, — ^he had sailed from
Boston to Hallifax, waiting for re-enforcements.
"Captain Morgan and Company had been sent on
in the expedition against Quebec, & on the 31st De
cember, 1775, together with the troops under the com
mand of General Montgomery, in the attack on the
Town, was defeated and captured.
"Our Company, soon after its arrival in New York,
was sent to and stationed on Staten Island, in Sight
of the City, where we remained until about the 1st of
July, 1776, when our time for which we had engaged
expired. "While there we had a brush with a small Brittish
party who, with a tender (a small armed vessel so
called), to the Asia man of -war, which ship lay at an
chor in the Narrows, a narrow pass between Staten and
Long Island. This party landed at the famous water
ing-place there, with a number of empty casks to be
filled with water for the ship's use.
"We were stationed along the shore, from one and
a half, to two miles from the spring, but hastened with
the utmost speed to take or drive off this watering
party. So Soon as they discovered us in superior force
they retreated towards the tender. However, they
were compelled to leave the empty casks, and a shal
lop, a scow, and a Sailor. To save their casks and
this man they opened a tremendous fire, musketry
and grape shott, & we, having no shelter except some
loose rocks and stones, were some time in peril. Find
ing we could not be driven off the enemy ceased fir
ing, and moved off out of reach, we supposed to avoid
our rifle balls, and we took possession of the Boat,
the water casks, and the Sailor with his musket and

148 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
bayonet. Some of our balls may possibly have taken
effect. "In this little affair your Father ran considerable
risque, being one of the first on the ground, and
often very much exposed. With all the firing we had
the good fortune not to have a man hurt. This was
the second and last peril your Father and myself ex
perienced in this year.
"Our time of service being about to expire Captain
Hugh Stephenson (commonly called Stinson) was
commissioned a Colonel : Moses Rawlings a Lieutenant
Colonel, and Otho Williams, Major, to raise a Rifle
Regiment for three years ; four companies to be raised
in Virginia, and four in Maryland.
"Henshaw and Scott chose to return home, Abra
ham Shepherd was commissioned Captain, Samuel
Finley, First Lieutenant, Wiliam Kelley Second Lieu
tenant, and myself Third Lieutenant. These Commis
sions of the field officers were dated the 8th July, 1776,
and those of our Company the 9th of the same month.
Shepherd, Finley, and myself were dispatched to Berk
eley to recruit, and re-fill the old Company, which we
performed in about five weeks. Colo Stephenson also
returned to Virginia to facilitate the raising the addi
tional Companies. While actively employed in August,
1776, he was taken sick, and in four days died. The
command of the Regiment devolved on Lieutenant
Moses Rawlings, a very worthy and brave officer."
The rest of this letter we will insert in a later
chapter. We have now followed the fortunes of the riflemen
throughout their first term of service. It was a time
of inaction very galling to the commander-in-chief,
who was obliged to wait first for ammunition 'and then

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 149
for an adequate force to uncJertake an attack on the
British who were entrenched in Boston. Insufficient
as were his means he more than once proposed an at
tack upon that city, but yielded to the remonstrances
of all his chief officers. At last he threw up entrench
ments on the heights commanding Boston and its har
bour, by which means he made it impracticable for the
British to retain the city, which they therefor aban
doned in March, 1776. Washington supposed that the
British fleet would immediately sail to New York,
and he, therefor, hurried his troops to that place as
fast as possible. We have seen, however, that the
British fleet retired to Halifax to wait for re-enforce
ments. A description of the events of the Revolution will
not be attempted, but it is necessary, occasionaUy, to
give a few words of explanation, to make the move
ments of the riflemen and other soldiers of old Berk
eley County comprehensible to the reader.
Washington valued the service of his brave riflemen
very highly, and Hugh Stephenson stood high in his
favor. In March, 1776, he wrote to the President of
the Continental Congress, in a letter dated "Cam
bridge, March 13th," as follows: "I shall also take
the liberty of recommending Captain Hugh Stephenson
of the Va. Riflemen to succeed Colonel Hand, and to
be appointed in his place. Lieutenant Colonel. He is,
ici my opinion, the fittest person in this army for it, as
well as the oldest Captain in the service, having dis
tinguished himself at the head of a Rifle Company all
the last war, and highly merited the approbation of his
superior officers."
The promotion of Stephenson was rapid. On the
4th of July, 1776, the day that the Declaration of In-

150 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
dependence was read frofn the steps of the State House
in Philadelphia, Washington wrote the following letter
to Congress on the subject of the rifle battalion that it
was proposed to raise in Maryland and Virginia :
New York, July 4th, 1776
To the President of the Continental Congress.
Sir,
This will be handed to you by Col. Stevenson,
whom I have ordered with the Captains of the two
Rifle Companies from Maryland to wait on Congress.
They will point out such measures as they conceive
most Hkely to advance the raising of the new Rifle Bat
talion, and the persons they think worthy of promotion
that have served in the three Companies, agreeable
to the enclosed list. I am not acquainted with them
myself, but from their report and their recommenda
tion, which I doubt not to be just, and if Congress will
please enquire of them they will mention other proper
persons for officers. Only about forty of the three old
Companies have Re-enlisted, which I shall form into
one for the present, and place under an officer or two,
till a further and compleat arrangement is made of fhe
whole Battalion.
I have the Honor to be, with great Esteem,
Sir, your most Obdt. Srvt.
Ge. Washington.
A list of officers recommended to serve in col.
HUGH Stephenson's rifle battalion
To Serve in Captain Stephenson's Old Company.
Abraham Shepherd, Captain.
Samuel Finley, First Lieutenant.
WiUiam Kelly, Second Lieutenant.
Henry Bedinger, Third Lieutenant.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 151
To Serve in Captain Rawlings' Old Company.
Richard Davis, Captain.
Daniel Cresap, First Lieutenant.
Ninan TannehiU, Second Lieutenant.
Rezin Davis, Third Lieutenant.
To Serve in Captain Otho Williams' Old Company.
Philemon Griffith, Captain.
Thomas Hussey Luckett, First Lieutenant.
Adamson TannehiU, Second Lieutenant.
Henry Hardman, Third Lieutenant.
The companies that were raised in the summer of
1776 for the Rifle Regiment were eight in number, and
were commanded by Captains Shepherd, Griffith, Da
vis, West, Long, Brady, Smith, and Thomas Price.
As we have seen, Hugh Stephenson died in August,
1776. His successor in the command of the Rifle Reg
iment was Colonel Moses Rawlings of Maryland.
Some of the riflemen of Captain Stephenson's old
company were given commissions in the new compa
nies that were raised and formed into the Rifle Battal
ion. Thus Nat Pendleton was commissioned first Heu
tenant in the sixth company, which was composed of
Virginians and Marylanders, under the command of
Captain Gabriel Long.
The Longs were Germans, and the first emigrant,
Philip Long, was one of the first settlers near Luray.
His grant is dated 1730. He built, about the year
1754, the fort called "Old Fort Long," near the Heart
of Land Estate, granted him by the English Crown.
(See Wayland's German Element in the Shenandoah
VaHey, page 41.)
Philip Long died in 1755, and if Gabriel was his son.

152 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
as is probable, he may have enlisted his men in that
part of the Valley and from the Massanutten Settle
ment. Captain Thomas West was a Virginian, perhaps the
son of Stephen West, who owned a large estate in
Berkeley County at the time of the war.
The seventh company of these riflemen was also
raised in Virginia. Their captain was William Brady.
The Bradys were Irish, and lived near the old Bloom
ery, a few miles from Charles Town. Brady's second
lieutenant was his younger brother, Christopher, who
had served in Captain Stephenson's company in 1775.
His first lieutenant was our old acquaintance, Wil
liam Pile, or Pyle, who lived in Shepherdstown or its
neighborhood. His third lieutenant was Battail Harri
son, whose family had a farm on BuUskin Creek.
But it is the company raised for and by Captain
Abraham Shepherd that most concerns us for the pur
pose of this history. This company was soon raised,
partly by Samuel Finley and Henry Bedinger. Those
two young men recruited around Martinsburg, Charles
Town and also in the neighborhood of New Town,
Frederick County. Among the papers left by Henry
Bedinger is one headed "A List of the Men Recruited
by Me for Captain Shepherd's Company in the neigh
borhood of .New Town and Martinsburg."
The rendezvous of the soldiers was again the fa
mous spring on the Bedinger estate, which was now
caUed "Stinson's Spring," in honor of Colonel Steph
enson. Yet, after the gallant company of riflemen
marched away to the rendezvous at Bergen, this spring
of the many names was caUed the "Spring of '76," a
title which it bears to this day.
It is fortunate that the papers of one old spldier pf

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 153
the Revolution from Berkeley County have been so
carefully preserved, else it would have been impossible
to write this history. And surely we should remember
and give due honor to the brave men of Shepherds
town, so many of whom gave their lives to the sacred
cause of liberty. More than two-fifths of Captain
Shepherd's riflemen were shamefully done to death in
loathsome British prisons in New York, or on the in
famous prison-ships in the harbor. Many of those
poor prisoners, before they perished of starvation, in
fectious disease, or the halter and bayonet of ruthless
gaolers, inscribed their names upon the walls of their
places of confinement, adding that they would be glad
to think that they had perished in defence of their
country, if only their fellow citizens, when America
should be a free and glorious commonwealth, would
not forget them, nor how they died. And yet they
are forgotten. Their bones, for many years, lay in
unmarked graves on the shores of the Wallabout, un
covered by the tides; or they were buried in trenches
in the environs of old New York, without so much as
a single headboard to identify them. Many of the men
of our county are descended from these very men, or
from their relatives, friends, and neighbors, and it is
well to endeavor, even at this late day, to record their
names and heroic actions, that reflect so much honor
upon our community.
The list of the names of the riflemen of Captain
Shepherd's Company signed by Abraham Shepherd,
himself, has been preserved among the papers of
Henry Bedinger, and is now in the possession of his
great-grandson, Henry Bedinger Davenport, who
kindly lent it to the writer.

154 - HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
MUSTER ROLL OF CAPTAIN ABRAHAM SHEPHERD'S COM
PANY OF RIFLEMEN WHO VOLUNTEERED IN 1776
"An Abstract of the Pay due the Officers and Pri
vates of the Company of Riflemen, belonging to Cap
tain Abraham Shepherd, being part of a Battalion
raised by Colonel Hugh Stevenson, deceased, and af
terwards commanded by Lieut. Colonel Moses Raw
lings, in the Continental Service from July 1st, 1776,
to October 1st, 1778."
This is the heading of the paper which lies before
me, brown with age, and frail with wear, so that in
some places it is almost illegible. For our pres
ent purpose it will be sufficient to give only the
names of the company. Later an attempt will be
made to record the fate of each soldier who fought in
this famous and ill-fated company.
Abraham Shepherd, Captain.
Samuel Finley, First Lieutenant.
William KeUey, Second Lieutenant.
Henry Bedinger, Third Lieutenant.
John Crawford, First Sergeant.
John Kerney, Second Sergeant.
Robert Howard, Third Sergeant.
Dennis Bush, Fourth Sergeant.
John Seaburn, First Corporal.
Evert Hoglant, Second Corporal.
Thomas Knox, Third Corporal.
Jonathan Gibbons, Fourth Corporal.
Stephen Vardine, Drummer.
Thomas Cook, Fifer. Privates.
WiUiam Anderson. Richard Neal.
Jacob Wine. Peter HUl.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN

155

William WaUer.
Adam Sheetz.
James Hamilton.
George Taylor.
Adam Rider.
Patrick Vaughan.
Peter Hanes.
John Malcher.
Peter Snyder.
Daniel Bedinger.
John Barger.
WiUiam Hickman.
Thomas Pollock.
Byran Timmons.
Thomas Mitchell.
Conrad Bush.
Davis Harman.
James Aitken.
William Wilson.
Moses McComesky.
Thomas Beatty.
John Gray.
Valentine Fritz.
Zechariah Bull.
William Moredock.
Charles Collins.
Samuel Davis.
Conrad Cabbage.
John Cummins.
Gabriel Stephens.
Michael Wolf.
John Lewis.
William Donnelly.

David Gilmore.
John Cassody.
Samuel Blount.
Peter Good.
George Helm.
William Bogle.
John Nixon.
Anthony Blackhead.
Christian Peninger.
Charles Jones.
WiUiam Case.
Casper Myre.
George Brown.
Benjamin McKnight.
Anthony Larkin.
William Seaman.
Charles Snowden.
John Boulden.
John Blake.
Nicholas Russel.
Benjamin Hughes.
James Brown.
James Fox.
William Hicks.
Patrick Connell.
John Holmes.
Thomas Mountsfield.
Isaac Price.
Samuel Brown.
John McSwaine.
James Griffith.
Patrick Murphy.
James Roberts, Armourer.

CHAPTER XIII
The Battle of Fort Washington
FOR an account of the fate of the Rifle Battalion,
and of the Shepherdstown boys who so proudly
marched away from home to the music of fife and
drum early in the fall of 1776, we must return to the
letter written by Henry Bedinger to the son of Samuel
Finley. Continuing his narrative, he says:
"Our company being filled we Marched early in Sep
tember to our Rendezvous at Bergen. So soon as the
Regiment was formed it was ordered up the North
River to the English neighborhood, & in a short time
ordered to cross the River & assist in the defence of
Fort Washington, where were about 3000 men under
command of Colo. Magaw, on York Island. (Man
hattan.) "The enemy in the mean time possessed New York
and had followed General Washington to the White
Plains, from whence, after several partial actions, he
returned, and approached us by way of King's Bridge,
with a force of from 8 to 12000 men. Several frigates
ran up the Hudson from New York to cut off our in
tercourse with Fort Lee, a fort on the opposite bank
of the North River: and by regular approaches in
vested us on all sides.
"On the 15th of November, 1776, the great Brittish
General Pattison appeared with a flag near our Guards,
and demanded a surrender of Fort Washington, and
the Garrison. Colonel Magaw replied he should de
fend it to the last extremity. Pattison declared all
was ready to storm the Hues and fort. We, of course,
prepared for the pending Contest.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 157
"At break of day the next morning, the enemy com
menced a tremendous Cannonade on every side, while
their troops advanced.
"Our Reg't, tho' weak, was most advantageously
placed by Rawlings and Williams (Otho) on a Small
Ridge, about half a mile above Fort Washington.
The Ridge ran from the North River, in which lay
three frigates, toward the East River.
"A deep Valley divided us from the enemy: their
frigates enfiladed & their Cannon on the heights behind
the advancing troops played incessantly on our party
(consisting of Rawling's Regiment, say 250 men, and
one other Company from Maryland, and four Com
panies of the Penn. Flying Camp, also for the present
commanded by Rawlings and WilHams).
"The artillery of the Brittish were endeavoring to
clear the hill while their troops, crossing the Valley,
were ascending it, but without much effect.
"A few of our men were killed with cannon and
grape shot. Not a shot was fired on our side until the
enemy had nearly gained the summit. Though at least
five times our numbers, our rifles brought down so
many of them that they gave way several times; but
by their overwhelming numbers they at last succeeded
in possessing the summit. Here, however, was great
carnage, each making every effort to possess and hold
so advantageous a position.
"This obstinacy continued for nearly an hour, when
the enemy brought up some field pieces, as well as
re-inforcement: finding all resistance useless our Reg
iment gradually gave way, tho' not before Colo Raw
lings, Major Otho Williams, Peter Hanson, Ninian
TannehiU, and myself, were wounded. Lieutenant
BattaiUe Harrison was the only officer of our Regiment

158 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
killed. Hanson and Ninian TannehiU were mortally
wounded. The latter died the same night, in the Fort,
and Hanson died in New York a short time after.
(Both of these officers were Marylanders.)
"Captain Shepherd and Lieut. Daniel Cresap and
myself were detailed the day before the action, and
placed in the van with fifty picked men to receive the
enemy as they came up the hill. The Regiment was
paraded in line about fifty yards in our rear ready to
support us. Your father, of course, in that day and in
the whole of the action, commanded Shepherd's Com
pany, which performed its duty admirably.
"About two o'clock, P. M., the enemy obtained
complete possession of the hill, and former battle
ground. Our troops retreated gradually from redoubt
to redoubt, contesting every inch of ground, still mak
ing dreadful havoc in the ranks of the enemy. We
labored, too, under disadvantages,, as the wind blew
the smoke full in our faces.
"About two o'clock. Captain Shepherd, being the
senior Captain, took command of the Regiment, and
by the advice of Colonel Rawlings and Major Otho
Williams, gradually retreated from redoubt to redoubt,
to and into the Fort, with the surviving part of the
Regiment. "Colonel Rawlings, Major WiUiams, Lt. Hanson
and myself quitted the field together, and retreated to
the Fort. I was slightly wounded, though my right
hand was rendered entirely useless.*
?George Michael Bedinger thus described the part played
by Henry Bedinger in this action. He said : "Henry, who with
fifty picked men, of whom his brother Daniel Bedinger, a boy
of fifteen, was one, had been stationed in the van to repulse
the enemy as they came up the hill towards the fort, heard
a Hessian officer speak to his men in German, telling them to

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 159
"Your father (Lieutenant Finley) continued with
the Regiment until all had arrived in the Fort. It was
admitted by all the surviving officers that he had con
ducted himself with great gaUantry and the utmost
propriety. "While we were thus engaged the enemy succeeded
much better in every other quarter, and with little com
parative loss. All were driven into the Fort, and the
enemy began at sundown to break ground within 100
yards of the Fort.
"Finding our situation desperate Colonel Magaw
dispatched a flag to General Howe, who commanded
in person, proposing to surrender on certain condi
tions, which not being agreed to, other terms were
proposed and accepted.
"The garrison, consisting of 2673 privates, and 210
officers Marched out, grounded arms, and were guard
ed to the White House that same night; but instead
of being treated as agreed on, and allowed to retain
baggage. Clothes, and side arms, every valuable ar
ticle was torn away from both officers and soldiers,
every sword, pistol, and every good hat was seized,
even in presence of British officers, and the Garrison
was Considered and treated as Rebels, to the king and
country. "On the third day after our surrender we were
reserve their fire until close. Henry, recognizing his mother
tongue, watched the approach of the Hessian officer up the
hill, and when they were close upon each other, each leveled
his rifle, and fired at the same instant. Henry was wounded
in his finger, which disabled his right hand. The ball, passing,
took off a lock of his hair. His own ball, with truer aim,
killed the Hessian officer, who fell, shot through the brain."
The riflemen in this action killed about nine hundred Hessians
before they were compelled to give away.

160 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
guarded to New York, fourteen miles from Fort
Washington, where, in the evening, we received some
barrels of raw pork and musty, spoiled biscuit, being
the first Morsel of provision we had seen for more
than three days.
"The officers were then separated from the soldiers,
had articles of parole presented to us, which we
signed, placed into deserted houses, without Clothing,
provisions, or fire. No officer was permitted to have
a servant, but we acted in rotation. Carried our Cole
and provisions about half a mile on our backs. Cooked
as well as we could, and tried to keep from Starving.
"Our poor Soldiers fared most wretchedly different.
They were crowded into sugar houses and Jails with
out blankets or covering, had Very little given them to
eat, and that little of the Very worst quality. So that in
tzvo months and four days about ipoo of the Fort
Wa,shington troops had died. The survivors were sent
out and receipted for by General Washington, & we,
the officers, were sent to Long Island on parole, and
bUletted, two in a house, on the famUies residing in the
little townships of Flatbush, New Utrecht, Newlots,
and Gravesend ; who were compelled to board and lodge
us at the rate of two dollars per week, a small compen
sation indeed in the exhausted state of that section of
country. "The people were kind, being mostly conquered
Whigs, but sometimes hard run to provide sustenance
for their own famiHes, with the addition of the two
men who must have a share of what could be obtained.
"These people could not have furnished us but for
the advantage of the fisheries, and access at all times
to the water. Fish, oysters, clams. Eels, and wUd fowl
could always be obtained in their season.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 161
"We were thus fixed on the inhabitants, but without
money or clothing. Sometimes a companion would
receive a few hard dollars from a friend through a
flag of truce, which was often shared by others, to
purchase a pair of shoes or a shirt.
"While in New York Major Otho WUliams re
ceived from a friend about forty silver dollars. He
was still down with his wound, but requested Captain
Shepherd, your Father and myself to come to his room,
and there lent us each ten Dollars, which enabled us to
purchase a p'r shoes, a shirt, and some other small mat
ters. This liberality, however, gave sore offence. Ma
jor Williams was a Marylander, and to assist a Virgin
ian in preference to a Marylander was a Crime almost
unpardonable. It however, passed off, as it so happen
ed there were some refugees in New York from Mary
land who had generosity enough to relieve the press
ing wants of a few of their former acquaintances.
"We thus lived in want and perfect Idleness for
years: tho' sometimes if Books could be obtained we
made out to read ; if paper, pen, and ink, could be had,
we wrote; also, to prevent becoming too feeble, exer
cised our bodies by playing fives, throwing long bullets,
wrestling, running, jumping, & other athletick exer
cises, in all of which your Father fully participated.
Being all on nearly the same footing as to Clothing and
pocket money (that is, we seldom had any of the lat
ter) we lived on an equality.
"In the fall of 1777 the Brittish Commander was in
formed a plan was forming by a party of Americans to
pass over to Long Island and sweep us off, release us
from captivity. There were then on the Island about
three hundred American officers prisoners. We were
of course ordered off immediately, and placed on board

162 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
of two large transports in the North River, as prison
ships, where we remained but about 18 days. It being
very cold we were Confined between decks, and the
Steam and breath of 150 men soon gave us Coughs,
then fevers, and had we not been removed back to our
biUets I beheve One half would have died in six weeks.
This is all the imprisonment your" —
The rest of this draft of a letter found among Henry
Bedinger's papers has been lost. It is very possible
that the original letter may have been preserved by the
descendants of General Samuel Finley.*
?Nearly all of these officers remained prisoners on Long
Island until November, 1780, when they were exchanged.

CHAPTER XIV
The Prisons of New York
THE battle of King's Bridge, fought around Fort
Washington, has been described so often and
so well in the numerous histories of the Revolution
that it is unnecessary in this volume to give more than
the account contained in Major Bedinger's letter of the
part the Rifle Regiment took in that affair. Lossing
gives one of the best descriptions of the fight, to which
we refer the reader.
We have seen, in the last chapter, what sort of treat
ment the brave riflemen, who made such an heroic de
fence, received at the hands of their cruel foes. Out
of 2,673 privates taken captive, nineteen hundred
were done to death within a few days over two months.
They were starved, neglected, and abused; confined in
overcrowded and infected dungeons ; some of them
bayonetted and others hung on the slightest pretext, or
without any pretext whatever, and without the shadow
of a trial.
All or very nearly all of Captain Shepherd's com
pany, as we have seen were taken prisoner, where they
soon perished, except a few who escaped, or lived to
be exchanged.
Daniel Bedinger, a young brother of Henry, was a
lad of fifteen and so distinguished himself by his gal
lantry during the battle, that he was given an Ensigncy
during his captivity. He was at first confined in the
old Sugar House in New York. No doubt the poor
boy bitterly wished he had never run away from his
mother to join the Rifle Company, only to fall a victim
to the relentless cruelty of the prison guards. He

164 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
was nearly starved, and in after life used to relate that
he was only saved from death by scraping the deposits
of sugar left in the vats that were formerly used for
the purpose of refining the crude material. He is said
to have written an account of his sufferings during his
captivity, but nothing now remains. The old Bedinger
homestead was burned during the Civil War, and the
family were forbidden to save any of the precious old
relics it contained. Besides Daniel's commissions, and
more than one letter from Washington, there was a
fine portrait of that General and many family portraits,
in the old homestead, all destroyed by the orders of the
Federal officer.
When the news of the fatal termination of the battle
near Fort Washington reached Shepherdstown the
mourning must have been universal. Every one in
the town had friends or relatives in that engagement.
The pay roll that we have copied gives us a clue to the
fate of many of the prisoners, and another paper found
among the effects of Henry Bedinger tells us more.
This paper contains the names of the men recruited
by Bedinger himself, and opposite the name of each
man is the date at whicb he died in prison. Although
these were not Shepherdstown men, they were their
comrades in arms, and it is certain that many of the
rest of the company shared their sad fate.
The true story of the sufferings of these patriotic
young men has never been told, and perhaps can never
be recorded. Years after the Revolution the man who
had been provost of the jail, first in New York, and af
terwards in Philadelphia, an infamous monster named
WUliam Cunningham, was hung in London for one of
his many crimes. Before he suffered his inadequate
punishment he is said to have made a confession, which

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 165
appeared in many of the newspapers of the time, in
which he stated that among other offences he had been
the direct cause of the death of two thousand prison
ers, confined in a church in New York, having sold the
provisions given him for their subsistence, and thus al
lowed them to perish of starvation. He is also said to
have boasted that he destroyed "more rebels than were
killed in aU the battles of the war."
It was to such pitiless monsters as Cunningham that
the riflemen were obliged to look for the means of pre
serving Hfe. And yet General Howe could write to
Washington from New York that every due care was
taken of the prisoners, and that among all the nations
of the world the English were noted for their superior
humanity. No account of Cunningham's execution and confes
sion can now be found in British official records.
Neither can any books of the prisons or prison ships be
discovered among the British Archives. Cunningham
is supposed to have destroyed the books of the Provost
Jail, and it is probable that the captains of the prison-
ships also endeavored, by destroying their books, to
cover up all traces of their crimes. Some years ago
the association caUed "The Society of Old Brooklyn-
ites," sent one of their number to London for the pur
pose of searching the British Archives for information
on the subject of their prisons in America, during the
Revolution. No record could be found except a list of
8,000 names of the unfortunate prisoners confined on
board the prison-ship Jersey, which was, for three or
four years, anchored in Wallabout Bay, off the shore
of Long Island. Of this list I have a copy, and it con
tains a few names of Captain Shepherd's company.
Only the names are given, without any clue to their

166 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
fate, but historians have estimated that 11,000 prison
ers died on board of that prison-ship alone, which was
only one of many similar places of confinement, in
northern and southern waters, during the eight years
of the struggle for independence.
It is only proper to state that this estimate may be an
exaggeration. Also that the prisoners on board the
Jersey were mostly the crews of privateers taken on
the ocean, and brought to New York. There were
some soldiers of the Revolution also confined on prison
ships, but not very many.
At first, as we have seen, the prisoners taken at Fort
Washington were crowded into churches, and sugar
houses, and other large buildings in New York. We
know that Daniel Bedinger was taken to the old Sugar
House on Liberty Street, where he very probably had
some of the other privates of his company as compan
ions in misery.
Lossing, in his "Field Book of the Revolution," thus
speaks of the prisons in New York: "At the fight
around Fort Washington only one hundred Americans
were killed, while the British lost one thousand, mostly
Hessians. But the British took a most cruel revenge.
Out of over 2600 prisoners taken on that day, in two
months and four days 1900 were killed in the infamous
Sugar Houses and other prisons in the city.
"Association of intense horror are linked with the
records of the prisons and prison-ships of New York.
Thousands of captives perished miserably of hunger,
and infection, and, in some cases, actual poison.
"All the prisoners taken in the battle near Brooklyn
in August, 1776, and at Fort Washington in November
of the same year, were confined in New York, nearly
4000 in aU. The New Jail and the New BrideweU

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 167
were the only prisons. The former is the present Hall
of Records. Three sugar houses, some dissenting
churches, Columbia College, and the hospital were all
used as prisons. The great fire in September; the
scarcity of provisions; and the cruel conduct of the
Provost Marshal, Cunningham, all combined to pro
duce intense suffering among the men, most of whom
entered into captivity, strong, healthy, young, able-
bodied, the flower of the American youth of the day.
"Van Cortlandt's Sugar House was a famous, or in
famous, prison. It stood on the northwest corner of
Trinity Church-yard. Rhinelander's Sugar House was
on the corner of William and Duane Streets. Per
haps the worst of all the New York prisons was the
third Sugar House, which occupied the space on Lib
erty Street where two buildings, Nos. 34 and 36, now
stand. The North Dutch Church on William Street
contained 600 prisoners, and there were perhaps as
many in the Middle Dutch Church. The Friends'
Meeting House on Liberty, and several other buildings
erected for the worship of a God of love, were used as
prisons. "The New Jail was made a Provost Prison, and here
officers and men of note were confined. At one time
they were so crowded into this building, that when they
lay down upon the floor to sleep all in the row were
obliged to turn over at the same time at the call, 'Turn
over! Left! Right!'
"The sufferings of these brave men were largely due
to the criminal indifference of Loring, Sproat, Lennox,
and other Commissaries of the prisoners.
"Many of the captives were hanged in the gloom of
night without a semblance of justice.
"Liberty Street Sugar House was a taU, narrow

168 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
building, five stories in height, and with dismal under
ground dungeons. In this gloomy abode jail fever was
ever present. In the hot weather of July, 1777, com
panies of twenty at a time would be sent out for half
an hour's outing, in the court yard. Inside groups of
six stood for ten minutes at a time at the window for
a breath of air.
"There were no seats ; the filthy straw bedding was
never changed. Every day at least a dozen corpses
were dragged out and pitched like dead dogs into the
ditches and morasses beyond the city. Escapes, deaths,
and exchange at last thinned the ranks. Hundreds
left names and records on the walls.
"In 1776 the hulks of decaying ships were moored
in the Wallabout. These prison ships were intended
for sailors and seamen taken on the ocean, mostly the
crews of privateers-men, but some soldiers were also
sent to languish in their holds.
"The first vessels used were transports in which cat
tle and other stores had been brought over by the Brit
ish in 1776. These lay in Gravesend Bay, and there
many of the prisoners taken in battle near Brooklyn in
August, 1776, were confined, until the British took pos
session of New York, when they were moved to that
city. In 1778 the hulks of ships were moored in the
Wallabout, a sheltered bay on the Long Island shore,
where the Navy Yard now is."
Jonathan Gillett, of West Hartford, Conn., with
seven others, was captured on Long Island on the 27th
of August, 1776. During his confinement he wrote a
letter to his friends which has been preserved, in which,
after speaking of his own sufferings, from which he
died, he says: "I will Endeavor to faintly lead you
into the poor cituation the soldiers are in, espechally

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 169
those taken at Long Island where I was ; in fact these
cases are deplorable, and they are Real objects of
pitty, — they are still confined and in houses where there
is no fire — poor mortals, with Httle or no clothes — per
ishing with hunger, offering eight dollars in paper for
one in silver to Relieve their distressing hunger ; occa
sioned for want of food — their natures are broke and
gone, some almost loose (lose) their voices, and some
their hearing. They are croweded into churches and
there guarded night and day. I cant paint the horable
appearance they make — it is shocking to human nature
to behold them. Could I draw the curtain from before
you, there expose to your view a lean Jawed mortal, —
hunger laid his skinny hand (upon him) and whet to
keenest edge his Stomach cravings; sorounded with
tattered garments. Rotten Rags, close beset with un
welcome vermin. Could I do this, I say, possable I
might in some small manner fix your Idea with what
appearance sum hundreds of these poor creatures make
in houses where once people attempted to Implore
God's Blessings, etc., but I must say no more of their
calamities — I cant afford them no relief. If I had
money I soon would do it, but I have none for myself !"
This poor man was at the time a prisoner on parole,
and thus had the freedom of the city.
Before we leave this dreadful subject we must give
a short extract from the writings of another eye-wit
ness to the sufferings of the brave young riflemen.
Ethan Allen, who wrote his "Life and Experiences,"
describes the condition of the prisoners in the churches
in New York more graphically than any of his contem
poraries. He says : "Some of the last days of Novem
ber the prisoners were landed in New York, and I was
admitted to parole with the other officers. * * * The

170 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
privates were put into the filthy churches of New York,
with the distressed prisoners that were taken at Fort
Washington. * * * Those who had the misfortune to
faU into the enemy's hands at Fort Washington , were
reserved from immediate death to famish and die with
hunger; in fine the word 'Rebel,' was thought by the
enemy to sanctify whatever cruelties they were pleased
to inflict, death itself not excepted. * * * I saw the
tories exulting over the dead bodies of their country
men. I have gone into the churches and seen sundry
of the prisoners in the agonies of death, in consequence
of very hunger : and others speechless and near death,
biting pieces of chips : others pleading for God's sake
for something to eat, and at the same time shivering
with the cold. Hollow groans saluted my ears, and de
spair seemed to be imprinted on every of their counte
nances. The filth in these churches, in consequence of
the fluxes, was almost beyond description. I have
carefully sought to direct my steps so as to avoid it,
but could not. They would beg for God's Sake for one
copper or morsel of bread. I have seen in one of the
churches seven dead at the same time. * * ? It was
a common practice with the enemy to convey the dead
from these filthy places in carts, to be slightly buried,
and I have seen whole gangs of tories making derision,
and exulting over the dead, saying, 'There goes an
other load of damned rascals !' * ? * The prisoners
have often presented to me a sample of their bread,
which I certify was damaged to such a degree that it
was loathsome and unfit to be eaten. * * * I saw
some of them sucking bones after they were speech
less: others who could yet speak and had the use of
their reason, urged me in the strongest and most pa
thetic manner to use my interest in their behalf : 'For

HISTORIC SHEPPIERDSTOWN 171
you plainly see,' said they, 'That we are devoted to
death and destruction,' * ? ? I frequently conversed
with those in the yard, and found that the systematical
usage still continued. The guard would often drive me
away with their fixed bayonets. A Hessian one day
followed me five or six rods, but by making use of my
legs I got rid of the lubber.
"Sometimes I could obtain a little conversation with
them notwithstanding their severities. I was in one of
the yards, and it was rumored among those in the
church, and sundry of the prisoners came with their
usual complaints to me, and among the rest a large-
boned, tall young man, as he told me from Pennsylva
nia, who was reduced to a mere skeleton. He said he
was glad to see me before he died, which he had ex
pected to have done last night, but was a little revived.
He further informed me that he and his brother had
been urged to enlist into the British army, but had both
resolved to die first: that his brother had died last
night, in consequence of that resolve, and that he ex
pected shortly to foUow him: but I made the other
prisoners stand a little off, and told him with a low
voice to enlist. He then asked whether it was right in
the sight of God? I assured him that it was, and that
duty to himself obliged him to deceive the British by
enlisting and deserting the first opportunity; upon
which he answered with transport that he would enlist.
I charged him not to mention me by name as his ad
viser, lest it should get air and I should be closely con
fined, in consequence of it.
"The integrity of these suffering prisoners is in
credible. 3.1any hundreds of them I am confident, sub
mitted to death rather than enlist in the British serv
ice, which I am informed they are most generally

172 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
pressed to do. * * * These things will have their
proper effect upon the generous and brave."
We might continue this harrowing subject for many
pages, but enough has been said to explain the causes
of the death of so many brave, strong, young riflemen.
A full description of the Jersey and other prison ships
win be found in the writer's book, now in preparation,
called; "American Prisoners and British Prisons."
The names and dates contained in the paper written
by Henry Bedinger will now be given, and then the
names of others of Captain Shepherd's Company who
perished in captivity.
list of men raised BY HENRY BEDINGER THAT HE
BROUGHT FROM NEW TOWN AND AROUND
MARTINSBURG, AUGUST IST, 1776
Dennis Bush, 4th Sergeant.
Conrad Cabbage, Prisoner, Died Jan. 7th, 1777.
John Cummins, Prisoner, Died Jan. 27th, 1777.
Gabriel Stevens, Prisoner, Died March 1st, 1777.
William Donnally, Prisoner, Died Jan. 10th, 1777.
David Gilmer, Prisoner, Died Jan. 26th, 1777.
John Cassady, Prisoner, Died Feb. 26th, 1777.
Samuel Brown, Prisoner, Died Feb. 26th, 1777.
Peter Good, Prisoner, Died Feb. 13th, 1777.
William Boyle, Prisoner, Died Feb. 25th, 1777.
John Nixon, Prisoner, Died Feb. 18th, 1777.
The old pay roll gives the names of the following
men as prisoners who died in captivity:
Robert Howard, Prisoner, Died in July, 1778.
John Seaburn, Died in prison Jan. 15th, 1777.
Jonathan Gibbons, Prisoner, Died Feb. 10th, 1777.
Thomas Cook, Prisoner, Died July 1st, 1777.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 173
Jacob Wine, Died in prison Feb. 15th, 1777.
William Waller, Died in prison Feb. 15th, 1777.
James Hamilton, Prisoner, ]\Iarked "Absent" after
Feb. 1st, 1777.
John Malcher, Prisoner, Died Feb. 10th, 1777.
Peter Snyder, Prisoner, Died Feb. 15th, 1777.
Conrad Rush, Prisoner, Died Feb. 15th, 1777.
David Harmon, Prisoner, Died Feb. 15th, 1777.
WiUiam WUson, Prisoner, Died Feb. 15th, 1777
John Wilson, Prisoner, Died Feb. 15th, 1777
Thom.as Beatty, Prisoner, Died Feb. 15th, 1777.
John Gray, Killed, Dec. 27th, 1776. (The record
does not say how he was killed nor where.)
William Moredock, Prisoner, Died Feb. 15th, 1777.
Charles Collins, Prisoner, Died Jan. 19th, 1777.
Samuel Davis, Prisoner, Died Feb. 15th, 1777.
Conrad Cabbage, Prisoner, Died Jan. 7th, 1777.
John Cummins, Prisoner, Died Jan. 27th, 1777.
Gabriel Stevenson, Prisoner, Died ]\Iarch 1st, 1777.
William Donnelly, Died in prison Jan. 10th, 1777.
David Gilmore, Prisoner, Died Jan. 26th, 1777.
John Cassody, Prisoner, Died Feb. 15th, 1777.
Samuel Bevins, Prisoner, Died Feb. 26th, 1777.
Peter Good, Prisoner, Died Feb. 15th, 1777.
William Boyle, Prisoner, Died Feb. 28th, 1777.
John Xixon, Prisoner, Died Feb. ISth, 1777.
Christian Peninger, Prisoner, Died Feb. 15th, 1777.
William Case, Prisoner, Died ^March 15th, 1777.
Caspar Myre, Prisoner, Died Feb. 16th, 1777.
Benjamin McKnight, Prisoner, Died Feb. 15th, 1777.
Charles Snow don. Prisoner, Died Jan. 7th, 1777.
James Fox, Prisoner, Died April l^t, 1777.
James Holmes, Prisoner, Died Jan. 20th, 1777.
Thomas ^Mountsfield, Prisoner, Died Feb. Sth, 1777.

174 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Isaac Price, Prisoner, Died Feb. Sth, 1777.
John McSwayne, Prisoner, Died Feb. ISth, 1777.
James Griffith, Prisoner, Died Feb. ISth, 1777.
Patrick Murphy, Prisoner, Died Feb. ISth, 1777.
One of these men and only one died at his home, a
prisoner on parole. This was WilHam Seaman, the
son of Jonathan or Jonah Seaman, who lived near Lee
town. He was sent home to die. The date of his
death is given as July Sth, 1777.
A few of this company were not in the action of
November 16, 1776. Two were kUled in a skirmish
the day before and one, Peter HiU, in the battle around
Fort Washington. Only two deserted to the enemy
to save their lives. They were WiUiam Anderson, who
deserted Jan. 20th, 1777, and Moses McComesky, who
deserted June 10th, 1777.
The part of the company who appears to have been
exchanged late in December, 1776, was drafted into
another rifle company on the first of January, 1777.
Adam Sheetz, Adam Ryder, Thomas Pollock, Bryan
Timmons, Thomas Mitchell, WilHam Hicks, James
Aitken and John Lewis are marked "Drafted, Jan.
1st 1777."
A few were drafted into some other company be
fore they marched from Shepherdstown, and a very
few are marked "Paid up the expiration of the term
for which they enlisted," which was Oct. 1st, 1778.
These were probably exchanged, or at least survived,
whether in or out of prison, until that date.
One of the main objects of the writer of this vol
ume is now fulfilled. In bringing to the notice of the
descendants of the men of '76 how these martyrs suf
fered and died rather than betray their country, a sol-

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 175
emn duty has been fulfilled. Should not a monument
to the patriotic young riflemen of Shepherdstown and
its neighborhood be erected in our village, inscribed
with the names of all who thus died the most horrible
of deaths, rather than betray their country? Surely
there is nothing in the record of the past of which we
should be so proud.

CHAPTER XV
Captain William Morgan and His Company of
Volunteers — Colonel Van Swearingen, the
County Lieutenant
LATE in the fall of 1776 Captain WilHam Morgan,
eldest son of Richard Morgan, who then lived
on what was long known as the Tanner farm, near
town, raised a company of volunteers and marched
with them to join the forces under General Washing
ton, who was then at Morristown. We have been able
to collect the names of a few of the men who formed
this company, the term of whose enlistment was three
months. Captain, William Morgan.
First Lieutenant, WilHam Lucas.
Second Lieutenant, Edward Lucas.
Third Lieutenant, George Michael Bedinger.
Fourth Lieutenant, Cato Moore.
John Kearsley, Thomas Turner, George Morgan,
Philip Robb, Peter Staley, George Reynolds, George
Shaner, John Randall, and others.
George Michael Bedinger has written a short ac
count of this "tour of duty," as it was caUed. He
says: "When Captain William Morgan's Company
got to Philadelphia, which I think was about the first
of January, 1777, I found my brother Daniel (in a
hospital) with a few others of those soldiers who
had been taken with him at Fort Washington, aU of
them sick, and so much reduced that I think few of
them ever got well. I took him a few miles out of
the city to a Quaker's house, and left him there until

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 177
he should be able to be hauled home. Our Company
had voluntarily entered the service for three months.
* * * In that three months we were stationed near
the enemy's quarters, and kept them from pillaging
and foraging, as far as we were able. In New Jersey,
in the winter of '77 , early in March, we had a sharp
tho' short conflict with the enemy, which was called
the Battle of Piscataway, under the command of
Colonel Charles Winston, where we were overpowered
by a vastly superior number."
In another place he says : "We marched from Shep
herdstown, where I entered said service, by Philadel
phia, crossed the Delaware at Trenton, ahd joined the
army under General Washington near Morristown.
Our Company joined the Corps commanded by Gen
eral Charles M. Thurston of Frederick County, Va.
"We were that winter stationed at different places
to guard against encroachments, and plundering par
ties of the British by opposing them whenever called
on. Early in March, perhaps the first day, we fought
the Battle of Piscataway, served out our full time of
three months when, at the request of General Washing
ton to stay three days longer, the Company, who were
under my command, the other officers being absent,
or not present, I had them called together and stated
to them the request of the Commander-in-chief, and
necessity and propriety of their complying, when the
whole Company, with the exception of three or four,
agreed to stay, and did stay, and was honorably dis
charged, and allowed a tour of duty of three months
and three days (the three or four excepted)."
We must now return to Berkeley County, Virginia,
where, in the spring of 1777, Colonel Van Swearingen

178 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
was appointed County Lieutenant in place of Colonel
Samuel Washington, who resigned. Philip Pendleton
was appointed in the place of Van Swearingen, who
had, up to that time, been colonel of the county mi
litia ; and Robert Carter Willis took the place of Pen
dleton, who had been Heutenant colonel of militia.
Colonel Samuel Washington entered the Continental
Army and was a gaUant officer to the close of the war.
We would know little indeed of what passed at
Shepherdstown during the Revolution, if a descendant
of Colonel Van Swearingen, Mr. Henry Bedinger
Swearingen, also a descendant of Major Henry Bed
inger, had not kindly placed in our hands an old scrap
book containing a great many of the orders sent by the
War Department at Williamsburg and Richmond to
the county lieutenant of Berkeley, Colonel Van Swear
ingen, from 1777 to the close of the war. These
orders and letters are most valuable. Many of them
were written by Patrick Henry, others by Thomas Jef
ferson, and among the treasures contained in the old
scrap book are letters from generals and other officers
to Colonel Van Swearingen none of which have ever
been published, and which throw much light on the
times in which they were written.
As they tell the story of the movements of the mi
litia of Berkeley during the rest of the war, we can
not do better than copy a few of them here.
The first is a note from Patrick Henry, then Gov
ernor of Virginia to Colonel Van Swearingen, and is
dated ; Williamsburgh, July 28th, 1777.
Sir: You are hereby desired to furnish General Hand
with the number of men he may call for from your

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 179
^lilitia, in order to defend the frontier or chastise the
Indians. I am Sir Yr most hble serrt
P. Henry
To the County Lieutenant of Berkeley
In the spring and summer the Indians, in the pay
of the British, had begun their attacks on the frontier
settlements, to the great consternation of the inhab
itants. It is well known that the British paid these
savages for all the scalps they brought in.
General Hand was an Irishman, who came to Amer
ica in a British regiment in 1767, and was stationed
at Fort Pitt (now Pittsburg) until 1774, when he ob
tained his discharge and settled at Lancaster, Pa. At
the outbreak of the Revolution he joined the Ameri
can army and, in 1777, he was again stationed at Fort
Pitt, being promoted to the charge of the entire fron
tier, with headquarters afterwards at Albany.
The second letter in the old scrap book is from
General Edward Hand himself, then stationed at Red
stone, to Colonel Van Swearingen, and is as follows :
Redstone, August 12th, 1777.
Su-: The murders lately committed by the savages on
our frontiers have Occasioned much distress and un
easiness in the minds of the Inhabitants, and as a
General confederacy of the Westem tribes has taken
place at the Instigation of the British Emissaries in
this Country, it will no doubt be productive of Multi
plied Grievances to us except we can penetrate their
Country, and take on them the A'engeance due to

180 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
their perfidy. I therefore, in Consequence of his Ex
cellency the Governor of Virginia's permission, desire
you will be pleased to furnish me with 100 men prop
erly Officered and Equipped for an expedition into
the Indian Country, and willing to serve Six Months
from the first of September next, unless sooner dis
charged. The Counties of Monongalia, Youghhoga-
nia, and Ohio propose to furnish their proportion by
Volunteers. You, sir, will be the best judge How to
proceed in your own County. As soon as the Men are
ready (which I wish to be as soon as possible) order
them to March to Fort Pitt. If in the mean time, I
find any other place of General Rendezvous more
convenient, will take earliest opportunity of acquaint
ing you, and am Sir
Your most Obedt, & most Hble Servt
Edw'd Hand
It may be as well to say for the benefit of those
who have not studied the subject that Fort Pitt was
on the site of Pittsburg, Fort Henry was at Wheel
ing, and "Redstone Old Fort," was in middle Penn
sylvania where BrownsviUe now is.
From General Edward Hand to Colonel Van
Swearingen : Fort Henry, 15th November, 1777.
Sir: Being disappointed of the Number of troops I
expected am obliged to relinquish the Expedition I
intended to carry into the Indian Country, and hav
ing more men than are wanted for the immediate pro
tection of the frontiers, I have ordered those from

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 181
your County to return, except a Captain, two Subal
terns, and 32 men, which I detain for the assistance
of Ohio County untill the Expiration of the Time for
which they are engaged, firmly persuaded that if I
am given again an occasion to call on you, I shall
experience the same readiness in your County to as
sist their distressed Neighbours.
I am, Sir,
with respect and Esteem,
Yr Obed't Hble Servt,
Edw'd Hand.
From these letters it will be seen that Berkeley
County sent her brave sons to the full number re
quired, on their perilous mission. General Hand does
not mention their commander, but it was probably
Colonel John Morrow, as he was employed in a sim
ilar manner the following yeari
The next of these interesting old documents re
lates to the scarcity of salt during the Revolution.
This commodity was so hard to obtain during the
war that it commanded an almost fabulous price. The
letter in question is from Governor Patrick Henry to
Colonel Van Swearingen, and is as follows:
Williamsburgh, November 12th, 1777.
Sir: As the families of those men of your Militia that
have joined General Washington by my orders may
be in want of Salt, and as their absence from home
may be the means of missing a supply of that ar
ticle, I desire you will give notice to all such Militia
on their Return, or to their Families in their absence,
that on appHcation to WiUiam Cover, Esq, at Dum
fries, half a Bushel of Salt will be deUvered to each

182 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
soldier of your Militia that acted in Concert with the
grand Army, paying what it cost the public. Your
Certificate, or that of some Captain or Field Officer
of the Corps, will be necessary to show the person
claiming to be entitled to receive the Salt.
A Certificate from you that the Family of any Sol
dier before his Return is in Distress for that Article,
will procure the Quantity above mentioned. It would
not be dealt out in this Scanty maner, but on account
of its great Scarcity, nor indeed would Government
Spare it at all, was it not to provide in the best man
ner possible against the want of this necessary of
Life in the Families of worthy Citizens, and at the
same time to manifest a due Sense of the obligation
this State is under to those who are so Laudably em
ployed in its Defence. I am Sir Yr hble Servant P. Henry
It would seem that the inhabitants of the county
must indeed have been in great need of salt if they
were willing to send as far as Dumfries for a supply.
This, however, was probably the best that could be
done by the government at that time.
The next paper in the old scrap book is a resolu
tion of the General Assembly of Virginia, dated
Williamsburgh, December 13th, 1777.
The following Resolution of the General Assembly,
reed by me this Day, is of so important a nature to
the Welfare of our Soldiery, and consequently to the
grand Interests of America, that I cannot too warmly
press it upon the attention of the good People of this

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 183
State in general, and of the several County Lieuten
ants particularly. I am Sir,
your humble Servant P. Henry
In General Assembly Nov. 27th, 1777.
Resolved: that the Governour be desired to recom
mend to the Lieutenant or Commanding Officer of
each County within this Commonwealth to request
of the Inhabitants of his County one Pair of shoes,,
Stockings, Gloves or Mittens, for each Soldier raised
by the County, and now serving in the Continental
Army, for the payment of which he shall draw upon
the publick Treasurer, payable one month after Date,
who is hereby empowered to answer the said Draughts ;
and that the Said Lieutenant or Commanding Officer
shall, by some safe Conveyance, and in due time,
transmit to the Treasurer a List of the Sums for
which they shall have drawn Orders, together with the
Names of the Persons in whose Favour they were
drawn, for his more certain Information.
John Tazewell, C. H. D.
John Beckley, C. S.
An interesting monograph might be written on the
part played by the humble shoe, or rather by the want
of that necessary article, during the Revolution. It
was the cause of delays that at the time seemed in
explicable. Armies without shoes could not fight to
advantage, could not march, and, one would think,
could scarcely run away. Washington's troops were
often obliged to remain inactive for weeks for want
of shoes. On that memorable night when he crossed
the Delaware his troops were tracked by their com-

184 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
rades for miles through the snow by their bleeding
feet, caused by the want of shoes. It would seem as
though at that time the man who quietly remained at
home making shoes rendered his country as good
service as did those who fought her battles. In one
instance, however, we have heard of a young officer
from Berkeley County, whose father followed the
trade of shoemaker, who was ashamed to acknowl
edge that worthy father. After the Revolution this
young officer could not bear to remain at home, where
his humble antecedents were well known. He re
moved to New York, became prominent there, and
founded one of the proudest and wealthiest of Amer
ican families.

CHAPTER XVI
More Contents of the Old Scrap Book
WHEN the news of the defeat at Brandywine,
which was in the early fall of 1777, reached
Shepherdstown, there was great excitement, and some
of the young men, not at that time enlisted in any
corps, immediately volunteered and marched to join
Washington, arriving in camp in time to engage in the
battle at Germantown. George ^Michael Bedinger was
one of these enthusiastic young men. After delivering
his brother Daniel to the care of his widowed mother,
he had remained at home. The boy was dangerously
ill, and George Michael, no doubt, nursed him to the
best of his abilities. When he could no longer resist
the appeal to arms he set out, as we have said, for
Washington's camp, and we will let him tell his adven
tures in his own words. In his sworn statement, writ
ten in 1836, he says:
"A few days after hearing of the defeat of our arms
at Brandywine Benoni Swearingen and myself left our
homes at Shepherdstown, Va., and went to the Ameri
can army about 16 miles from Germantown, and en
tered the company commanded by Captain Joseph
Swearingen, in the 12th Virginia Regiment, com
manded by Colonel James Wood, being in General
Scott's Brigade, and General Adam Steven's Division,
and remained in the service six weeks, when I was
honorably discharged. General Wood stated, in said
discharge that we, Benoni Swearingen and myself, had
distinguished ourselves in the most brave and extraor
dinary manner on the day of the Battle of German-
town, on the 4th of October.

186 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
"From the time we had joined said Regiment we
messed and associated with the officers, with several
of whom we had been long and intimately acquainted,.
most particularly with Capt. Joseph Swearingen and
General Steven from my infancy. In the morning be
fore the battle, as soon as we got sight of the fore part
of the enemy's encampment, next to us as we were go
ing towards them from Chestnut HiU, the Adjutant
General addressed us thus: 'Gentlemen Volunteers,.
you will now have an opportunity to distinguish your
selves, you are not confined to any particular plattoon,
or corps.'
"These were his words to the best of my recollec
tion, or words to that effect ; when Benoni Swearingen
and myself immediately advanced with such speed that
we soon left our advancing army behind us. Prepared.
to defend ourselves with our rifles and our swords, we
got between the fire of the contending armies, and it
was believed by those who saw us advance that we
would both be certainly killed, but through fog, smoke,
and the mercies of God, we both escaped unhurt (the
morning being very foggy and smoky).
"Before we left the army to return home we were
both told we could have appointments in the regiment,
but our mothers were widows, and as I had one
brother who was a prisoner with the British, and an
other who had been taken prisoner at Fort Washing
ton and had just got home, and whose Hfe was des
paired of, I returned home with my worthy compan
ion and well-tried friend, Benoni Swearingen, to Shep
herdstown. "For this service we never asked nor received any
pay, although our horses and our traveUing expenses
were paid by ourselves, and was sensibly felt by me,,
as I was in low circumstances."

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 187
This extract is interesting not only for the glimpse
into the lives of two brave Shepherdstown boys at that
exciting time, but also because it mentions the company
raised by Captain Joseph Swearingen of Shepherds
town, which, no doubt, contained many young men of
the neighborhood. This Company, we are told was
part of the Twelfth Virginia Regiment, commanded
by Colonel Wood. Colonel Wood was from Winches
ter, and his regiment was largely formed by recruits
from Berkeley and Frederick Counties.
After the battle of Germantown, which, when vic
tory seemed assured to the Americans, was turned into
a defeat by the unaccountable panic which affected
them, and by the bewilderment caused by the fog,
which more than once occasioned them to fire upon
their own men, no other important engagement took
place between Washington's army and the British that
season. Washington went into camp at Valley Forge,
and no doubt the Berkeley and Frederick County Vir
ginians under Colonel Wood shared in the privations
of that most trying winter.
The next document in the old scrap book refers to
"pataroles" as they were called, which were rendered
necessary in every slave-holding State. Throughout
the Revolution there was much apprehension in all
these States of a general insurrection of the negroes.
Strict watch was therefore enjoined in order to pre
vent them from holding seditious meetings. In many
cases their masters were absent in the army, and, no
doubt, the women left at home were in much anxiety
for fear of some disturbances among them. It is re
markable, considering the circumstances, that these
disturbances were so few. The paper in question is as
follows :

188 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
To  Ensign of the Company Commanded by
Captain  of the County of Berkeley. You are
hereby requested to order to your assistance the fol
lowing persons belonging to said Company. And with
them, at Least twice in every Month, to Patrol and
Visit all Negro-quarters and other places Suspected of
entertaining unlawful Assemblies of Slaves or Serv
ants, or other disorderly Persons, as aforesaid unlaw
fully assembled, or any others Strolling about from
one Plantation to another without a pass from his or
her master, mistress, or owner ; within the said County :
and such Person or Persons being so found, you are
hereby Required to Carry before the next Justice of
the Peace, of the said County, who, if he shall see
cause, is to order every Such Slave, Servant, or Strol
ler, or other Disorderly Person as aforesaid, to Receive
any number of Lashes not exceeding 20 on his or her
bare back well Laid on. And after any Patrole by your
self and Party so made you are Hereby Required to Re
turn a Report in writing upon oath, to your said Cap
tain (which oath he is, by a late Act of Assembly
empowered to administer) of the names of those of
your Party, who were upon duty with you, and of the
Proceedings upon such Patrole, which Report and Pro
ceeding the said Captain  is hereby Required once
in every month to duly make Return of to me, or
other Chief Commissioned officer, of the said County,
agreeable to the aforesaid act of Assembly, in the case
made and Provided. Given under my hand this 18th
day of Feb. 1778. Van Swearingen, County Lieutenant.
This printed paper, addressed to "Col Van Swear
ingen Lieutenant of Berkely Cy," was probably one

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 189
of a number of others sent him for the purpose of dis
tributing, after the blanks were filled in, to each cap
tain of militia in his county. He probably signed them
all, and finding that he had one too many, retained this
one. It is marked on the back, in his handwriting,
"Patarole." In the spring of 1778 Colonel Van Swearingen re
ceived the following letter from Governor Patrick
Henry : WiUiamsburg, April 12th, 1778.
Sir, The season is now come when the enemy will again
take the field, and perhaps, by means of an increased
number of forces, may oblige the Continental Army to
retreat, and so overrun and ravage a great extent of the
country. In order to check this destructive progress
it is more than probable that assistance from Virginia
will be called for. As the volunteer scheme does not
promise to succeed, the militia will be our only re
source, and from that must be drawn so many men as
the exigency of things may require. Added to this,
our own country is liable to be invaded on all sides,
and a prudent regard to our safety, nay our existence,
demands that we be prepared to resist.
The design of this admonition is to require of
you the most strenuous exertions to get your mili
tia in readiness. In a particular manner, I en
treat your attention to the arms and accoutrements
of the men, and to see that one-third part of them
be put in readiness to march at a moment's warn
ing. I desire that you will be particular in get
ing returns from your Captains, by which the re
pairs necessary to be made to the arms and ac-

190 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
coutrements may be discovered, and, after orders are
given for these repairs to be made, you will order other
returns, by which you may see whether they are prop
erly executed. Let powder horns and shot-bags be
provided, where cartridge boxes cannot. A particular
report of the number of your men and the condition of
their arms and accoutrements, when you have executed
these orders, will be necessary; and I shall expect it
with impatience, equal to the importance of those con
sequences which will follow from the punctual per
formance of your duty. I am. Sir,
your most humble servt
P. Henry
From these orders it wiU be seen that the post of
County Lieutenant in time of war was no sinecure.
It must be remembered that, at this time, Berkeley
County included Jefferson and Morgan. The county
lieutenant was obliged to review all the companies en
listed within the borders of this large territory, and
was constantly occupied with his correspondence, giv
ing orders, providing for the wants of the militia, and
adjudging aU the many disputes that were constantly
arising. The mihtia were sent for, now here, now
there, as their presence was most needed. At this par
ticular time many were drafted out of the companies
to join the regular army. A panic possessed Virginia,
now about to be invaded by the enemy, and the follow
ing summer was one of intense excitement. The Brit
ish never set foot in the Valley of Virginia, during the
Revolution, as far as we know, except as prisoners.
Already there were many Hessians at Winchester, and
(congenial task) Daniel Bedinger, as soon as he was

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 191
well enough to re-enlist, was among the number de
tailed to that place to serve as guards. It would be in
teresting to know his feelings on this occasion, and
whether his own experience as a prisoner was the
means of softening or making more rigorous the cap
tivity of the Hessians under his care.

CHAPTER XVII
The War in the West
WE HAVE now reached the darkest period of
the Revolution. Added to the terrors of
British invasion were the alarms caused by outbreaks
of marauding bands of hostUe Indians, accounts of
whose depredations formed the most startling news of
the day. They were constantly becoming bolder, and
now threatened incursions into the more populous dis
tricts. Accordingly, in the spring of 1778, another ex
pedition was set on foot against them, and Berkeley
County was called on for her quota of militia to march
to Fort Pitt, which was appointed the general ren
dezvous. About the year 1774 David Shepherd, eldest son of
Thomas, the founder of Shepherdstown, removed to
what is now Wheeling, W. Va., with his wife and
family, taking with him, also, besides some of his
friends and neighbors, such as the Mitchells, some of
the Van Metres, and Millers, three blacksmiths, and
several other mechanics. In March, 1777, Governor
Patrick Henry appointed Col. David Shepherd county
lieutenant of Ohio County, Virginia. He made Fort
Henry his headquarters. This fort was named in
honor of Governor Patrick Henry.
Early on the morning of the first of September,
1777, the garrison at Fort Henry was surprised by a
party of about three hundred Indians. This attack
lasted all day. At night the Indians withdrew.
De Haas, in his "History of Western Virginia,"
says ; "Just before the withdrawal of the enemy, Fran
cis Duke, son-in-law of Colonel Shepherd, rode up to

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 193
the fort and had almost gained the gate, when an In
dian shot him. His death was greatly regretted as he
was a brave and generous man and of much service
on the frontier. He had been stationed at Beech Bot
tom block house,* as assistant commissary, and getting
information of the attack, mounted his horse and rode
with all speed to the scene of the operation, here, alas,
to meet untimely death. His remains, with those of
his brother-in-law, William Shepherd, were interred
near where the Northwestern Bank stands (at Wheel
ing). In consequence of the great loss at Wheeling
in September, 1777, and the death of Colonel Shep
herd's son and son-in-law, Francis Duke, it was deter
mined in the fall of that year to abandon the place
and send the families to Redstone (now Brownsville,
Pa.). The fort was accordingly evacuated September
21st, 1777, and soon after the Indians burned it to the
ground." See also Mr. Smythe's book on the Shep
herd and Duke Genealogies, pages 309, 310, etc.
WilHam Shepherd, eldest son of Colonel David
Shepherd, was kiUed by the Indians while endeavoring
to get into the fort, early on the morning of the first
of September. He was running, when his foot caught
in a grape vine and threw him, before he could recover
the Indians overtook and scalped him. These were
Berkeley County men, and closely connected with the
history of Shepherdstown.
Cat Fish Camp, of which we shall hear in the course
of this history, was at what is now Washington, Pa.
We will now return to the old scrap book. The
next letter that throws light upon the movements of
the Berkeley County militia is one from Lt. Col. Rich-
*This was about twelve miles from Fort Henry.

194 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
ard Campbell to Col. Van Swearingen. It is endorsed
"On Public Service," and was sent by an express rider
from Woodstock, Va. August 24th, 1778.
Sir: I have this instant received orders from General Mc
intosh to Collect what Troops is raised out of the
Number that was ordered to be raised by the last
meeting of the Assembly for the use of the Grand
Army, and Conduct their March to Fort Pitt, to Join
Gen. Mcintosh. And I must beg leave to request you,
if there's any Men in your County raised for this pur
pose, to order them to Rendivous at Winchester im
mediately, as I purpose to have what Troops I can get
from the other Countys, to Rendezvous at that place.
I would wish no time would be lost, as the season is
far spent, and the Gen'l is anxious to proceed on his
March against the Indian Towns again the first of
September. Would wish to receive an answer from
you, soon, by a letter directed to me at Mr Thomas Ed-
mundson's, Winchester. I am. Sir
yr Hble Srvt
Rich'd CampbeU, Lt. Col.
The next letter is addressed
To the Lieutenant or Officer Commanding the
Militia in Berkeley County
On Public Service. Per Express, Ensign Lewis
Fort Pitt, 2Sth. Aug., 1778.
Sir: His Excellency, Governor Henry, informs me by a
letter I have Just rec'd that he has desired you to

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 195
furnish me with any Number of the Militia of your
County, which I may have Occasion to call for. As I
propose carrying an Expedition into the Indian Coun
try early in the next Month if practicable, I must re
quest you to raise Three hundred active young Men
properly armed, Cloathed and accoutred, immediately,
and order them to March here with aU possible dis
patch, as the season is already far advanced, and our
Success will depend altogether upon our Expedition.
As the distance we go, and the Obstacles we have to
Encounter are uncertain, I could wish the men were
engaged for as long a time as your Laws wiU allow,
or at least until they are relieved by an equal Number.
I have the Honor to be Sir
Your most obdt Srvt
Lachlan Mcintosh
General Mcintosh was now the commander of the
forces sent against the Indians of the west. This ex
pedition does not seem to have accomplished much,
possibly owing to the difficulty of finding sufficient
troops. A levy of three hundred strong young men
from the county of Berkeley at this time was easy to
ask for, but must have been extremely difficult to ob
tain, as the resources of the county had already been so
heavily taxed to provide reinforcements for Wash
ington's army. The next letter shows us that, early in
September, the forces had not yet marched to Fort
Pitt. It is from Campbell to Colonel Swearingen and
is addressed :
To the County Lieutenant of Berkely
On Public Service Express. Winchester, Sep. 4th, 1778.
Sir You will receive orders by the Express from Gen-

196 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
eral Mcintosh to draft the Militia, and the General
has directed me to Conduct their Rout to Fort Pitt,
and to forward them with the quickest dispatch to that
place. I would wish no time be lost in having the men
ready, and you will please to let me know by the
Bearer what Day you intend to call the men together,
as I may attend to give them their orders Relative to
their March. You'll please to appoint some person in
your County to supply them with provisions, etc, to
Fort Cumberland, and to act as Commissary for the
Men that Marches from your County (If there is
none in your County appointed to supply the Militia
with provision, that is intended for that Expedition),
if there is, you'U please to let me know by the Bearer,
as I may give him Instructions to provide for the Men,
immediately, for their March; and also to provide a
sufficient Number of Waggons to Convey the provi
sions, to Ft. Cumberland. As there are 300 men to
march from the County I intend Marching them in two
Divisions, as they can be more easily Supply'd. With
your Compliance with the within and giving me answer
per the Bearer (you) will much Oblige
Sir, your most Obd Srvt.
Rich'd Campbell Lieut. Col.
Colonel John Morrow was sent with the levies from
Berkeley County, and commanded one division on the
march. Captain Josiah Swearingen commanded a
company, and his cousin, called "Indian Van," may
have commanded another. "Indian Van" was certainly
with the expedition, and many years after wrote a let
ter to his Cousin Josiah, in which he speaks of it. The
expedition was a failure, though this may not have

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 197
been the fault of General Mcintosh. The next letter
is from Colonel John Morrow to Colonel Van Swear
ingen. It is dated Fort Mcintosh October 30th, 1778
Dear Sir
Enclosed you will find the lists of the drafts of your
County, and likewise a return of the names of those
who have not joined us, agreeable to the drafts made.
You will find by the return that we left some sick on
the road, that may perhaps join us again, but (I)
thought proper to return them, lest, after they get well,
they may think proper to turn their backs upon us, and
go home. Lewis Hickle and James Cowan drove wag
gons with us to Cumberland, and were then discharged,
the Court Martial wiU determine whether that is to be
considered a tower of duty or not. General Mcintosh
is about writing to you for One Hundred Men to be
sent him from your County, to make up the deficiency
of the last draff t. They are intended to relieve us, and
ought to be at Coshocton (about one Hundred and
Twenty Miles from here further in the Indian Coun
try) by the first day of January Next at furthest. The
General has desired me to let you know that the most
of the men now under his command must be discharged
by the first day of January, that he has but a small
number of Regular soldiers with him, and that, unless
he is supply'd with the Militia, that he now writes for.
He will be obliged to give up possession of what Forts
and Block houses he may hereafter make, in the Indian
Country, and then the whole of the Expedition be lost.
He is Sensible that it is in Vain to pretend to keep Mi
litia after their times are up, and prays that you wiU en
deavor to march the number of men he Writes to you

198 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
for, by the 20th of November next. What men you
can't Arm in the County may be supply'd here, but the
General would rather have them armed from the
County. Captain Noble, Lieutenant Israeli, and En
sign Van Cliff are ordered home by Colonel Craford
(Crawford) (who Commands the Militia here) to take
up deserters, and those who have enroaled themselves
but not joined the Batallion, and to assist the officers
of the County to take up the delinquents, and send
them out. A Captain, Lieutenant, and Ensign must
have SO men. Rank and File, at least ; less will not en
title them to their Rank and pay here. We can only
make up (word indistinct, looks like four) Companies
out of the men that marched from Berkeley, which is
the reason that these officers return ; but as they return
on Command (I) think they will be Intituled to pay.
I am sir, your most Obedient Hble Servt
John Morrow
The next letter is from General Mcintosh to Colonel
Swearingen and is dated
Fort Laurens, upon Muskingum River
Monday the 7th December 1778
Sir I have advanced this far into the Indian Country,
and built a Good large Stockade Fort here, with Bar
racks to Contain 200 men, or more when they can be
had, to make Excursions to any of the Hostile towns,
who will dare offend or Insult us, which I hope will
Secure the Peace of our Frontiers, in this Quarter at
least, — but unhappily the short Engagements of the
Militia prevented my proceeding any farther, and Dis-
apointed all my other Schemes, their times were near
out, and I could not prevail upon them to remain

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 199
longer, which shews the necessity of making their term
of Service hereafter on Such an Expedition as this, and
such a distance. Six Months from the time they ren
dezvous at Fort Mcintosh, otherwise it will be needless
trouble to the people and expence to the Public, which
I expect will be considered by your State and the Lieu
tenants of each County I wrote to you the 30th ult, for
some men to relieve those now here, but as I find noth
ing more can be done this winter I must request you to
put a stop to their March, at this time only to have
them ready when I shall require them in the Spring,
which I expect to do, and inform you of in time.
I have the Honor to be. Sir,
your most Obd. Servt.
Lachlan Mcintosh.
This dispatch is rendered almost illegible by dark
stains, which look like blood. It is not improbable that
they are so. The lonely express rider through the In
dian country was fortunate if he escaped some am
bush, or a shot from some thicket, where, perhaps, a
solitary Indian hunter was stalking game. Murders
were frequent, and little regarded. The splotches on
this dispatch may have been the life-blood welling
from a rifle-shot. At any rate the dispatch came to
hand, so that we will hope the express rider recovered
of his wound.

CHAPTER XVIII
The Expedition to Kentucky
ALTHOUGH in every county of every State at
this time all the able-bodied men were enrolled
in the State militia, yet it is astonishing how few were
the soldiers in proportion to the population who fought
throughout the Revolution in any capacity. A great
many enlisted for a few months only, and, during the
rest of the war attended to their private affairs, almost
as if peace reigned in the land. Emigration to the west
went on throughout a great part of the eight years of
struggle, and numerous parties set out on exploring
expeditions in search of good lands on which to settle,
in spite of the frequent Indian outrages with reports
of which the newspapers of the day were fiUed.
About the first of March, 1779, a company of these
venturesome explorers set out from Shepherdstown to
make their way, by foUowing "Boone's Trace," to the
new country, then called Kentucky County, taking with
them a surveyor or two, and probably a guide who had
been that difficult and dangerous way before.
In a former volume this expedition has been de
scribed at length, so that we will now content ourselves
with giving the names of the men who comprised the
party. These were Captain William Morgan and his
son Ralph; Thomas Swearingen, eldest son of the
Thomas Swearingen who estabHshed the ferry at Shep
herdstown in 1775 ; Benoni, a younger son of the same
gentleman, a venturesome young fellow described as
six feet five inches tall, very handsome, and active, a
great friend and com'rade of Michael Bedinger ; Mich
ael Bedinger himself, who, as well as Benoni Swearin-

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 201
gen, was employed as a surveyor for the party; John
Taylor; John Strode; James Duncan; John Constant;
and Samuel Dusee.
In addition to these white men the party had with
them two negroes belonging to the Swearingens, who
were men of substance.
It is said that their object was to locate lands in the
new territory, but when they reached Boonesborough,
after a most singular and fortunate escape from mas
sacre, by losing the trail when a party of Indians passed
on the warpath, they found that forted settlement
in such a precarious condition for want of defenders,
that they decided to remain there and help to protect
the women and children who had followed their hus
bands and fathers into the wilderness.
The adventures of the party were many and interest
ing, and have been fully told in this writer's "Life of
Major Bedinger."
Colonel William Morgan, for so he is usually called,
was the oldest man, except one, in the company. He
had, in General Braddock's time, been an Indian
fighter, spy, and scout, and he was in charge of the ex
pedition. Major Thomas Swearingen must have been
nearly, if not quite, as old as Colonel Morgan.
Ralph Morgan never returned to Shepherdstown to
Hve, but married a widow, and established Morgan's
Station, in Kentucky.
John Strode also remained in that country. Strode's
Station was named for him.
Some of the company, among whom were George
Michael Bedinger and his friend, Benoni, returned to
Shepherdstown in the fall of that year. In the mean
time the company commanded by Captain, afterwards
Colonel, Joseph Swearingen was with Washington,

202 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
and, if we could obtain a muster-roll of this company,
no doubt we could discover what many of the men
from Shepherdstown were doing at this time. But
this we have not, as yet, been able to discover, if in
deed, it be in existence.
Major George Michael Bedinger, who returned
home in November, 1779, was busily engaged during
the following year in taking care of his mother and her
family; taking money to headquarters for the benefit
of his brother, Henry, who was still a prisoner on
Long Island, and in making himself useful in many
ways.* Thinking that his mother would be less ex
posed in the viUage than upon her farm he bought a lot
from Abraham Shepherd in 1780 at the comer of
Princess and New Street and built her a house thereon.
This is Lot 119 on the map of the town.
The best account we have been able to obtain of the
Berkeley County mihtia at this time is contained in a
letter from Colonel John Morrow, one of the three
brave Morrow brothers, to Colonel Van Swearingen.
From this letter it would appear that Colonel Morrow
'was now either colonel or lieutenant colonel of the
Berkeley County militia. He writes from Shepherds
town to Colonel Van, who lived some miles from that
village. This is the first letter we have seen in which
the new name. Shepherd's Town, is given to our vil
lage. Shepherd's Town, February 29th, 1780.
Sir, I beg to furnish you with a Return of the Men
*This generous young man sold all his patrimony, the farm
of 96 acres left him by his father, in order to obtain means to
build a town house for his mother and to keep his brother
Henry in corafort while he was a prisoner.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 203
drafted in this County to fulfill the intentions of an Act
of Assembly intituled an Act for Obliging the several
delinquent Companies and Divisions in the Common
wealth to furnish one Twenty-Fifth man.
First Battalion of Berkely Militia
Capt. CampbeU's Company — George Bowers.
Captain Anderson's Company — ^James Cowing.
Captain Ambrose's Company — Jonathan Market.
Captain Davis's Company — Joseph Cole.
Second Battalion of Berkely Militia
Captain Hance Van Metre's Company — Michael
Blue. Captain Cloak's Company — Moses McCormick and
John Blue and Nathan Gilbert.
Captain John Van Metre's Company — Joseph Co-
venhover and Daniel Filch.
Captain Worthington's Company — George Wright.
I think Captain Gerard had one man draffted out of
his Company, tho he is not in the return made me by
Colonel Willis.
Captain Lyle made me no return on the day ap
pointed for the draft, but for what reason (I) cannot
inform you. Colonel Willis undertook to draft his de
linquent divisions separately, but (I) have heard
nothing since of what is done. Captain Beeler's letter
to me directed you have enclosed, from which you
will be able to judge of his excuses for not making a
return. As I had no oppertunity of knowing how many de
linquent divisions there were in the County there
fore (I) cannot assure you that all were draffted, but
all were draffted that we could get any return of. As

204 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
the drafft was made the 22nd day of December last,
and they have had so much time, it is Hkely substi
tutes will be furnished by the most of them. I have
passed substitutes for two of the men drafted out of
Captain Cloak's Company, these are on Furlough, un
till called for; one of them named Henry Williams is
restrained to the bounds of Captain Worthington's
Company ; the other, named Robert Cole to the bounds
of Captain Cloak's Company: their inlistments are
enclosed. Some more substitutes have been sworn
before me, but (I) have passed and given certificates
to none but these two.
The money to pay the Bounty to the men inlisted
by Captain John Millan, according to the directions of
an act of Assembly intituled an Act for raising a Body
of Troops for the defence of the Commonwealth, has
been levied on the inhabitants of this County; Cap
tain Millan himself appointed the Collector ; his Bond
and receipt, with a copy of the Book to him delivered,
and the proceeding of the Court Martial with respect
to his appointment, and the levying of the money is
with the Clerk of the Court.
I viewed and passed 36 of Captain MiUan's MUitia
recruits, and gave him Certificates for them, but
thought it unnecessary to take his receipt for them,
until the quota of the Company was compleat, or un
til he received orders to March.
Mr. James McAHster furnishes these men with pro
visions by my appointment, but none of his accompts
are yet settled, tho' he has been furnished with some
money, and (I) expect to be able, in a few days, to
furnish him with more, having a draught upon the
sheriffs for £10,000 now in my possession for that
purpose : so soon as I can collect his Accompts down
to this date will lay them before you for your inspec-

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 205
tion, if you think proper to settle them ; and after this
accompt is settled, shall furnish you with what Money
may remain in my hands.
The last Court Martial held in this County was ad
journed to Tuesday the 21st day of March next to be
then held at the Court House. I ought to have re
ported to you sooner upon your coming into the County
the situation of affairs that come under your direc
tions as Commanding Officer, but this neglect was
merely for want of time, therefor hope you wiU ex
cuse me. I am, sir, your Most Obedient
and Very Humble Servant
John Morrow
Colonel Van Swearingen.
This letter is extremely valuable as it gives the
names of all the militia captains in old Berkeley, who
were Captains Campbell, Anderson, Ambrose, Davis,
Hance Van Metre, Cloak, John Van Metre, Worth
ington, Gerard, Lyle, Millan and Beeler. Nearly all
of these are well-known names in Berkeley and Jef
ferson Counties today.
It also appears that the break of a year in the papers
and orders from the War Department was occasioned
by the absence of Colonel Van Swearingen. Perhaps
he was, during a part of this time, making his report
at that office.
The next letter is from Thomas Jefferson, then
Governor of Virginia, and is the first of these doc
uments dated from Richmond. It is addressed to
The Lieutenant of Berkeley County.
Richmond, April 19th, 1780.
Sir, I have heard of the many Murders committed

206 PIISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
by the Indians in the Counties of Washington, Mont
gomery, Green Briar, and Kentucky,* and in the
neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Hostilities so extensive
prove a formidable Combination of that kind of en
emy. Propositions have been made for Particular
Stations of men as a present Safeguard to the Fron
tiers, but I own that they do not appear to me ade
quate to the object. All experience has proved that
you cannot be defended from the Savages but by car
rying the War home to themselves, and Striking de
cisive Blows. It is therefore my opinion that instead
of Putting our Frontier Inhabitants under the falla
cious Idea of Security; an expedition must be in
stantly undertaken into the Indian Country. Want of
full Information of the facts which have happened, of
the Particular Nations and Numbers confederated
against us, put it out of my Power to direct the mi
nute Parts of such an Expedition, or to Point it to
its Precise Object. Such a plan laid here would prob
ably be rendered abortive by difficulties in the article
of provision; ill-adjusted times, and plans of Ren
dezvous; and unforeseen events & circumstances,
which, if to be explained and amended here from
Time to Time, the evil will have had its course whUe
we are contriving how to ward it off. I can there
fore only undertake to Authorise such an Expedition,
and put it into a Train for Execution. For this pur
pose I have desired the County Lieutenants of Wash
ington, Montgomery, Botetourt, Rockbridge, & Green
Briar (the Counties Principally exposed) to meet at
Botetourt Court House on the 18th Day of the en
suing Month of May, to concert an Expedition against
*Kentucky was then called Kentucky County, a part of
the State of Virginia.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 207
The Offending Tribes, to be carried on by the joint
MUitia of their Counties: I must in Hke manner de
sire you to meet the County Lieutenants of Augusta,
Rockbridge, Shenandoah, Frederick and Hampshire,
at Shenandoah Court House, on the 29th Day of May
for the same Purpose. This meeting is appointed so
long after that of the Officers of the Southwestern
quarter, that they may have time to send to you the
result of their deliberations. Having these before you
I shall not doubt but you will so concert yours as tO'
co-operate with them in the most effective manner,
whether that be by concurring in the same expedition,
or carrying on a distinct one — and of your Proceed
ings be Pleased to return them information : The Ob
jects of your enquiry and Deliberation when you As
semble will be First : — The Particular tribes who have
committed hostilities : their Number and residence.
2ndly : The Proportion of your Militia Necessary to
encounter them. 3rdly: The officers who shaU take
command, and also proper staff Officers. 4thly ; Sup
plies of Provisions and Ammunition. Sthly; Times
and Places of Rendezvouse ; — when everything shall
have been settled by your meeting be pleased to send
on by Express the Letters to the County Lieutenants
of Yohogania, Monongalia, and Ohio, giving them
Information of the Aids which you shall hope to re
ceive from them. I hope you will see the Propriety
of my setting this matter in motion in the Southwest
ern Quarter first. This has been occasioned by their
Neighborhood to the scene of danger, and their op
portunity of knowing the Nations and number of the
enemy, and not from any want of equal Confidence
in your Zeal, Activity, and Wisdom. I am quite un
certain where Major Slaughter is. Probably he has.

208 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
by this time, got to the Falls of the Ohio. Any aid he
can give I trust he will do, on your forwarding to
him my Letter, lodged with Col. Matthew. It is my
duty to affix some bounds to the Numbers to be em
bodied on this Occasion, on Considering the Strength
of the Mihtia in the Counties before-mentioned and
the Probable numbers of the enemy, I suppose it will
not cramp your efforts when I restrain your num
bers to one tenth of the Militia. Indeed I expect you
will consider a much smaller number. Perhaps half
as many. Sufficient, more especially when the diffi
culties of getting provisions and the Delays Occa
sioned by encreased Numbers are Maturely weighed
by you. The Poverty of the Treasury, moreover, will
require in you the Strictest attention to economy.
This obliges me to enjoin you to retrench every Pos
sible article of Expence, to avoid the Combersome Pa
rade of Regular Troops, and the long list of sinecure
appointments usual in the Staff departments. Con
solidate together as many of those appointments as
you can, and put them into active hands. There are
Standing Commissaries in the Southwestern and
Northwestern Quarters. The former is a Mr. Baker
of Washington,* the latter is in the neighborhood of
Winchester, and was instructed to convey his pro
visions to Pittsburg. These Persons are Quarter Mas
ters at the same time, and the Provisions laid in by
them will be subject, the latter to the order of your
Commanding Officer, the former to the order of that
of the Commanding Officer from the Southwestern
Counties. Besides this, at the Particular request of
Col. Donnally of Green Briar I send him seven thou
sand Pounds to Procure Provisions in His Quarter.
*Washington County.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 209
I shall immediately order 2000 lbs of Powder and
2000 Flints to Staunton for the general Service, from
which place you will call for what is necessary for
your Corps: I enclose to Col. Preston an order for
Lead: it might be Premature to speake of the Terms
of Peace but if events will justify it the only condition
with the shawanese should be their removal beyond
the Mississippi, or the Lakes, and with the other
Tribes whatever may most effectually Secure their
observation of the Treaty. We have been too long di
verted by Humanity from enforcing good behaviour
by Severe Chastisement. Savages are to be Curbed
by fear only: We are not in a condition to Repeat
Expensive Expeditions against them and I hope the
Business will now be done so as not to necessitate
doing it again, and that instead of making Peace on
their first Application you will only make it after such
[torn off] Shall be felt and Remembered by them as
long as they [torn] a Nation. I am sir
your very humble servt
Th Jefferson.
This wordy epistle did not have the desired effect.
Jefferson was always mightier with the pen than the
sword. His knowledge of military matters was small,
and he trusted to his Council to decide the most effi
cient measures to take for the protection of the fron
tiers, now greatly harassed by the Indians. The next
bulletin from him to the county lieutenant is as fol
lows : Richmond, June 21st, 1780.
Sir It having been reported impracticable for want of
provisions to carry into execution the expedition pro-

210 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
posed against the Indians the Executive have adopted
the defensive plan which you will find explained in
the within advice of counsel. As you wUl readily col
lect from it the part which is to be carried into exe
cution by your County, I have only to desire that you
will immediately take measures for executing your
part, as circumstances may render it proper for the
men from the different Counties to move together. I
would recommend to you a correspondence with the
Lieutenants of the other Counties connected in meas
ures with yours. Powder and some Lead shall be
sent by Col. Crockett, and more of the latter article
by an escort immediately from the Lead Mines to
Kentucky, to be delivered by the commanding Offi
cers of the several Posts in the following propor
tion [tom]
400 powder, 800 lead.
Licking 800 Powder, 1600 Lead.
Kelly's 100 Powder, 200 Lead.
Little Kenhaway 200 Powder, 400 Lead.
It is taken for granted that the Militia will carry
their own arms in their hands. I am sir
your humble servt
Th. Jefferson.
To the Same in Council June 26th 1780
That the MUitia called to the several stations on
the Western Frontiers may be formed into Compa
nies commanded by officers of proper rank the Gov
ernor is advised to recommend to the County Lieu
tenants and for their respective Counties the following
officers: Botetourt, A Captain. Rockbridge, First
Lieutenant. Green Briar One Ensign. Berkely One

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 211
Captain, One Ensign, and it is recommended to the
County Lieutenants of Frederick and Berkely to
consult and assist the officers to their proportion of
men so as to form one Company. Archibald Blair, C. C.
Augusta County is to furnish one Captain and one
Ensign and Berkely one Lieutenant in addition.

CHAPTER XIX
The Berkeley County Militia in the Revolution
IAM sorry I cannot give a more graphic account
of Shepherdstown during the exciting time of
the Revolution. History throws little light on the
subject. It is well known that the militia from this
part of the Valley of Virginia was marched under
General Edward Stevens of Berkeley County to join
General Gates's army in the Carolinas in the summer
of 1780. Among these troops were the Shepherds
town boys.
Lord Rawdon, who commanded the British troops
at the south, concentrated his forces at Camden. On
the third of August Gates was re-enforced by a haijd-
ful of "brave Virginia Regulars under Lieutenant
Colonel Porterfield," according to Washington Irving
in his "Life of Washington," who adds that these
troops had been wandering about the country since
the disaster of Charleston, at that time in the hands
of the British.
On the thirteenth of August Gates's army was re
inforced by a Brigade of seven hundred Virginia mi
litia under General Stevens. They encamped at Rug-
eley's Mills, about twelve miles from Camden, where
the British were. Rawdon was here joined by Lord
Cornwallis and the British effective force was about
2,000 men. The force under Gates amounted to 3,052
fit for duty, but more than two-thirds of these were
raw militia. On the evening of the 14th Lord Corn
waUis sallied forth from Camden to attack the Amer
ican camp at Rugeley's MiUs, also called Clermont.
About two o'clock at night the two forces, consist-

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 213
ing of Cornwallis's men and a detachment under Colo
nel Woodford of Maryland that had been sent out
by Gates to aid Sumter in capturing a large convoy of
stores on its way to Camden, blundered into each
other. A skirmish took place between the advanced
guards in which Colonel Porterfield was mortally
wounded. Some prisoners were taken on both sides.
"From these," says Washington Irving, "the re
spective commanders learnt the nature of the forces
each had stumbled upon. Both halted, formed their
troops for action, but deferred further hostilities until
daylight. Gates was astounded at being told that the
enemy at hand was Cornwallis with three thousand
men. Calling a council of war he demanded what
was best to be done. For a moment or two there was
blank silence. It was broken by General Stevens of
the Virginia militia, with the significant question
'Gentlemen, is it not too late now to do an)^hing but
fight?' No other advice was asked or offered, and all
were required to repair to their respective commands,
though General de Kalb, we are told, was of opinion
that they should regain their position at Clermont,
and there await an attack.
"In forming the Hne, the first Maryland division,
including the Delawares, was on the right, commanded
by De Kalb. The Virginia Militia, under Stevens,
were on the left. Caswell, with the North Carolinians,
formed the centre. The artillery was in battery on the
road. Each flank was covered by a marsh. The sec
ond Maryland brigade formed a reserve, a few hun
dred yards in rear of the first.
"At daybreak, August 16th, the enemy were dimly
descried advancing in column; they appeared to be
deploying to the right. The deputy adjutant general

214 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
ordered the artillery to open a fire upon them; and
then rode to General Gates, who was in rear of the
line, to inform him of the cause of the firing. Gates
ordered that Stevens should advance briskly with his
brigade of Virginia militia, and attack them while in
the act of deploying. No sooner did Stevens receive
the order than he put his brigade in motion, but dis
covered that the right wing of the enemy was already
in line. A few sharpshooters were detached to run
forward, post themselves behind trees within forty
or fifty yards of the enemy to extort their fire while
at a distance, and render it less terrible to the militia.
The expedient failed. The British rushed on, shout
ing and firing. Stevens called to his men to stand firm,
and put them in mind of their bayonets. His words
were unheeded. The inexperienced militia, dismayed
and counfounded by this impetuous assault, threw
down their loaded muskets and fled. The panic spread
to the North Carolina militia. * * *
"Gates seconded by his officers, made several at
tempts to rally the men, but was borne along with
them. The day was hazy ; there was no wind to carry
off the smoke, which hung over the field of battle like
a thick cloud. Nothing could be seen distinctly. Sup
posing that the regular troops were dispersed like the
militia. Gates gave up all for lost, and retreated from
the field."
Yes, Gates and the Virginians ran away, and the
former did not stop running until he reached Hillsbo
rough, a hundred and eight miles from Camden. We
are sorry to have to record the retreat of the VaUey
Virginians, but it must be remembered that they were
raw militia, and Gates, who did nothing but blunder,
had; with great imprudence, put them in the fore-

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 215
front of danger, and ordered them to open the battle.
They should have constituted the reserve, and only
tried veterans should have had such a post of danger.
This battle finished the military career of Gates.
The same militia, when ably commanded by Greene,
fought nobly in the following campaign. No blame at
tached to old General Edward Stevens, of whom we
shall hear again.
We have now come to the eventful year, 1781. The
first letter from the Governor of Virginia to Colonel
Swearingen in that year is dated
In Council, January ISth, 1781.
Sir, The invasion of our country by the enemy at the
close of the late Session of the Assembly, their push
ing immediately to this place, the dispersion of the
public papers, which, for the purpose of saving them,
necessarily took place ; and the injury done at the print
ing office, have been so many causes co-operating un
fortunately to the delay in transmitting you those acts
of Assembly which required immediate execution. The
principal of these was a law for recruiting our army,
having been framed in the immediate fear of an in
vasion." The rest of this short letter is entirely illegible.
The next is dated :
In Council, March 26th, 1781.
Sir;— Mr. John Brown, who is principally intrasted
with the execution of the provision law, has been
instructed to appoint a Deputy in your County.
This deputy is directed to receive the waggon to be fur
nished by his County under the Act of Assembly for

216 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
supplying the army with clothes, provisions, etc. He
informs the Board that many of those applications
have been made, that he has a person now going
through the said Counties to conduct the business, but
is not able to say who has undertaken it in your
County, or whether any application be yet made. I am
therefore to desire that you will be pleased to order
the waggon, team, driver, and appendages expected
from your County to be delivered to his deputy with
the Company, if there be one appointed ; if not, to John
Blackwell in Fauquier.
The same Deputy is, by order of the CouncU, to
send for the beeves which will be furnished by your
County at such time as will be arranged between you
and Mr. Brown and his deputies, for supplying in due
order the army with provisions.
I have the honor to be with grt resp
Sir, yr most obdt & hble servant
Th Jefferson
Again there was much martial preparation at Shep
herdstown. In the spring of 1781 Captain Henry Bed
inger raised a number of men, and marched them to
Albemarle Old Court House, the place of general ren
dezvous. The name of some of these men are given by
Captain Bedinger on one of the pages of his journal.
They are:
Williara Cruse, a turner, from Fort Pitt (whom he
left at Winchester).
Alexander Denney, a weaver, born in Ireland, 37
years old.
Thomas Williams, a farmer of Berkely County, 45
years old. Very well made.
Samuel Earles, a farmer of Frederick County, Va.,
21 years old.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 217
William Jacobs, farmer of Frederick County, also
21 years old.
Thomas ^Matthews, 21 years old, born in Ireland.
Lewis Wills, farmer, bom in Germany, 40 years old.
John Bazel, also spelled Basil, Shoemaker of Berk
ely County, 18 years.
Joseph Whipples, 18, a wig-maker of Frederick
County, Va.
A\'^illiam Bedinger, farmer, of Frederick County,
Va. (probably a cousin of Henry Bedinger).
George Bougher, 20 years old, a farmer of Fred
erick County, Va.
Walter Hooper, also a farmer, 21 years old.
We will give a part of Henry Bedinger's joumal for
the account of his march to the place of rendezvous.
henry bedinger's journal of 1781
Journal of Henry Bedinger
Living in Berkeley County
Common Wealth of Virginia.
1781 May Uth, J^Ionday.
Set out from Winchester about Ten O'Clock with 47
men, 5 Women, 1 Baggage Waggon and Driver with
Instructions from Col. Darke to proceed to Fredericks-
burgh & from thence to the place of Gen'l Rendezvous.
Moved as far as Berry's Ferry and Encamped in
Woods— 18 MUes
Tuesday ISth. Started early and Marched within
Six Miles of Fauquier Court House, lodged the men in
Houses and wrote to Col Darke — ^this evening being
somewhat Rainy — 24 Miles
Wednesday 16th. Set out and after marching about
three miles John Johns left the Ranks, Steped into
some thickets of bushes and disappeared, after finding

218 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
he was absent, which was discovered at the Ct. House
above mentioned I sent on the men. Rode back, made
all the inquiries I could, but no Tidings from him. I
then advertised him, and proceeded to overtake the
Detachment which I effected at an Ordinary 4 miles
above Capt. John Ashby's, which we passed & Tarried
all night within one and a half miles of Captain Mark-
ham's— 24 Miles.
Thursday 17th. Set off early and arrived at Fal
mouth at 3 O'clock P. M. & at Fredericksburgh at 4
Do, were somewhat incumbered by sick & lame men,
many of whose feet were worn out & Blistered Much
—22 Miles.
Friday and Saturday, 18th & 19th. Remained in
Town. Quartered the men in the Church. Saw Major
WiUis, who gave me the first information that the Ren-
dez's was to be at the Albemarle Barracks. Met with
Edward Tool, wrote Letters to Col. Darke and my
Mother, met with John Robins, who informed of sev
eral Eastern Shore officers being at the Rendezvous.
Sunday 20th. Set out with the Detachment about
10 A. M. and Marched to the Wilderness Tavern, 20
Miles. Received an Indian from General Weedon, be
longing to the 1st. Va. Regmt. to whom I gave a Fur
lough for this Day & then to overtake me : Conversed
with General Muhlenberg's aid D. C. who brought
Certain Information of the Death of General PhiUips,
that Arnold Commanded, and that it was expected the
enemy would Shortly form a Junction at Petersburg.
A Detachment of Militia from Berkeley, Frederick,
and Hampshire marched yesterday Morning from their
Cantonment near this place for Richmond, under Ma
jors Vanmatre & Higgins. A Company of Good Rifle
men well armed were Detached 4 Days ago from
this Corps, they consisted of about 80 Effective men.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 219
Monday 21st. Set off early and marched to Orange
Court House. Lt. John Taylor of the Guards Came
& took me to his House, where was Capt. Beverley
& lady, &c, &c, likewise informed he saw my Brother
Daniel on his way to Winchester, that Capt. Sam. Fin
ley acted, when he left the Rendezvous, as Command
ing Officer at that place — I saw and Conversed with
Gen. Hull of South Carolina, who had with him at the
Court House about 220 Negroes, was proceeding to
ward Berkely or Frederick, had been Driven from his
Estate, his Seat Burned & lands Confiscated by the
enemy & many of his Slaves taken from him, at Same
time a Gent'n Imediately from the southward In
formed that the whole Militia of Charles Town (S. C.)
had been Very lately disarmed, the British being ap
prehensive of an Insurrection by the Inhabitants. —
25 Miles.
Tuesday 22nd. Preparing to march found the
waggon-Horses of my baggage Waggon had Strayed
away, which Detained me Untill nearly Eleven A. M.
when they were brought we set out, & Marched To an
Ordinary — 15 Miles.
Wednesday 23rd. Set out early, proving a Very
Rainy Day & bad marching, we reached the Albemarle
Barracks, were Obliged to wade across two Rivers,
which Gave me a Cold, However we were stil Disap
pointed, At our arrival I met with Capt Warm'r who
had been detached from Fredericksburgh with Re
cruits. He Inform'd that the Gen'l Rendezvous was
at Albemarle Old Court House — Marched 16 Miles.
Thursday 24th. Spent the Day in providing provi
sions for our men who were much Fatigued, &c. Saw
Captain Rice and Several other Gentlemen. Viewed
the Barracks which were nearly one half destroyed by a

220 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Wantoness of the Guards, who Guarded the foreign
ers after the British had been Sent off to Winchester.
Friday and Saturday, 25th. Sz: 26th. Remained in
an inactive and Disagreeable State Sauntering around
from place to place : wrote a letter to Colonel Darke &
Sent it by express to Winchester. On Saturday even
ing Drew provisions for Three Days for the Detach
ment, made the men prepare for a March in the follow
ing morning —
Sunday 27th. After Sundry points Settled, marched
off for Charlottesville in my way to Albemarle Old
Ct House, arrived at the Village about 11 A. M., met
with Mr. Robin Rutherford* who inform'd that Tarle
ton had Surprised our Militia at Chesterfield, KiU'd
Two, wounded 4, & took about 60 Prisoners, marched
on to a river about 20 Miles from the Barracks & 9
from O C H — 20 Miles.
Monday 28th. Started early and arrived at the Old
Court House. Refreshed the Men, drew provisions,
was Introduced to a Number of Gentlemen besides my
Captive Companions, Delivered a letter Sent by Col.
Darke to Col. Davis. A Detachment had been formed
of those new Levies Consisting of Eight Companys,
one company for each Regiment, belonging to the Con
tinental Line & commanded by officers belonging to
the Line ; of different Regiment's Field officers : Lt Col.
Gaskins of the 3rd : Major Poulson of the 8th. This
evening a number of shoes, shirts, overaUs, Hunting
Shirts & Hats were Drawn out of the Store for the use
of those who appeared to be most in need of them, as a
Sufficient number could not be had for the whole. Or
ders from the Baron to Col. Gaskins (& Captain Fin-
*Rutherford was, at that time, a member of the Virginia
Assembly.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 221
ley, Comm't at this place), that all officers Present &
at the Rendezvous should March with the Corps now
embodying, except such as were particularly appointed
to Remain at the Station, Viz: Captain Finley, Scott,
Peyton, Tibbs, etc.
Tuesday 29th. I Marched the Detachment to the
Reg'r Camp and there Delivered them, they were Im
ediately Balloted for and Divided into the Different
Companies by sixes, had Arms Given them, and names
Entered in the rolls of the Different Companys they be
longed to — are to keep in readiness to march this
evening for Point a Fork to secure and bring off the
Stores deposited there. A Heavy shower of Rain &
hard Claps of Thunder retarded the march a little,
when the whole Corps Marched about 4 P. M., with
their Baggage and Provisions: having Rec'd permis
sion to Remain with Capt Finley from Col. Gaskins, I
Declined Marching until I'm in better Health.
"Some time previous to the March the Officers were
Ordered to Draw Espontoons & those who had not
swords were Obliged to Draw large brass Hilted un
wieldy, very weighty ones, perhaps t'was meant as a
Stigma on those who had not provided themselves with
neat ones.
Wednesday May 30th. Saw the Arrangement of
the 3rd Regiment and found myself Contrary to all
forms of Justice & Reason the 3rd Lieut, in said Reg
iment, on which I Determined, If I could not Receive
Redress in a short time to leave the Service, Make a
Compliment of my Former Services, & Retire to Berk
ely. — Wrote by Captain Carson, who is Immediately
proceeding to Head Quarters to Gen'l Greene, to my
friend Captain Pendleton. Took leave Yesterday &
to Day of the Officers belonging to this Corps."

222 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
We must now take leave of Captain Bedinger for
a while, in camp at Albemarle Old Court House. We
would like to follow the progress of the mihtia from
the Valley through this most eventful year of Ameri
can history. They were marched and countermarched
under the indefatigable Greene, who had taken the
place of Gates. They waded through rivers, and were
mired in the swamps of the Carolinas ; they were hun
gry, half-naked, shoeless, and footsore.
The unfortunate General Gates, to render his down
faU more painful, had just heard of the death of his
only son, and, says Irving: "WhUe he was yet writh
ing under the blow, came official despatches, informing
him of his having been superseded in command. A
letter from Washington, we are told, accompanied
them, sympathizing with him in his domestic misfor
tunes ; adverting with peculiar delicacy to his reverses
in battle; assuring him of his undiminished confidence
in his zeal and capacity, and his readiness to give him
the command of the left wing of his army, as soon as
he could make it convenient to join him.
"The effect of this letter was overpowering. Gates
was found walking about his room in the greatest agi
tation, pressing the letter to his lips, breaking forth
into ejaculations of gratitude and admiration, and,
when he could find utterance to his thoughts, declared
that its tender sympathy and considerate delicacy had
conveyed more consolation and delight to his heart
than he had believed it possible ever to have felt
again." When Gates arrived at Richmond the General As
sembly was in session. "Those fathers of the Com
monwealth," writes Light Horse Harry Lee, in his
"Memoirs," "appointed a committee of their body to

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 223
wait on the vanquished general, and assure him of
their high regard and esteem; that their remembrance
of his former glorious services was never to be oblit
erated by any reverse of fortune, but, ever mindful of
his great merit, they would omit no opportunity of
testifying to the world the gratitude which Virginia, as
a member of the American Union, owed to him in his
military character."
Thus comforted and soothed, Gates retired to his
plantation. Traveller's Rest, in Berkeley, now Jefferson
County, and took no active part in the war until 1782,
when he was reinstated in his command. Living within
a few miles of each other were three Generals of the
Revolution, all of whom had been discharged or super
seded. Generals Lee, Stephens, and Gates. They were
all fond of good living, and used frequently to meet
at each others tables, where no doubt they fought their
battles over again and criticised the commander-in-
chief to their hearts' content.
Some of our Shepherdstown men were now with
Morgan at the south. The militia were still under the
charge of General Edward Stevens of Martinsburg.
He was very corpulent and unwieldy, but a brave and
resolute officer. He was not related to General Adam
Stephen. At the battle of the Cowpens, Morgan, who under
stood how to deal with men, placed his militia with
great judgment. He told the southern mihtia, raw
recruits from the Carolinas and from Georgia, to wait
until the enemy were within dead shot, then to take
good aim, fire two volleys and fall back. This, his first
line, he had least confidence in, and by giving them an
excuse for retiring, he prevented a disorderly retr'eat.
His second line was composed of Colonel Howard of

224 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Maryland with his Light Infantry, and Morgan's Vir
ginia riflemen. In this body were many of our Shep
herdstown friends. Daniel Bedinger was one of these
and is said to have distinguished himself on that glori
ous day. At the battle of Guilford Court House it was
the North Carolinians who ran away. Our Virginia
Militia, under General Stevens, formed the second Hne
of battle, and when the Carolina militia took to
flight he ordered his men to open their ranks and let
the fugitives pass, pretending that they had orders to
retire. He had taken care, however, to post forty rifle
men in the rear of his own line, with orders to fire
upon any one who should leave his post. "Under his
spirited command and example the Virginians kept
their ground and fought bravely. The action became
much broken up and diversified by the extent of the
ground, the thickness of the woods impeded the move
ments of the cavalry. The reserves on both sides were
called up. The British bayonet again succeeded; the
second line gave way, and General Stevens, who had
kept the field for some time, after being wounded in
the thigh by a musket ball, ordered a retreat."
This was a very bloody fight, and Greene retreated
from it in good order, leaving the British too much
fatigued and cut up to follow up their victory.
Winchester was fuU of British and Hessian prison
ers during this year, and a part of the time Colonel
Darke was in command there.
In the meantime General Phillips of the British
forces was devastating the country around Portsmouth.
On the 16th of April he proceeded up James River,
and advanced towards Petersburg. General Muhlen
berg endeavored to check his advance, but Phillips had
nearly three times the number of troops that Muhlen-

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 225
berg could muster. So the latter retreated across Ap
pomattox, breaking down the bridge behind him.
Phillips entered - Petersburg, where he set fire to the
tobacco warehouse, and destroyed all the vessels lying
in the river. He proceeded to Chesterfield Court
House, where he destroyed the barracks and public
stores, and he was only turned back from before Rich
mond by Lafayette, who, with' his detachment of two
thousand men, had arrived there by forced marches,
the evening before. This was late in April. On the
2nd of May Phillips dropped down the river to Peters
burg, where Cornwallis arrived from the south on
the 20th.
The State Legislature had been removed to Char
lottesville and early in June Tarleton made a dash for
that place to endeavor to break up the Assembly and
capture the members. At the house of Dr. Walker,
on the way, he lingered so long at breakfast that a man
on a fast horse had time to reach Charlottesville before
him and spread the alarm. However, seven of the
members fell into his hands. A detachment sent to
Monticello, the residence of Jefferson, was seen wind
ing up the mountain, and Jefferson with his guests,
some of them members of the Assembly, hurried off
to the residence of Col. Carter, six miles distance,
from whence the governor himself made a rapid re
treat on horseback to Carter's Mountain.
We are not writing a history of the Revolution, but
it is necessary to explain the movements of the enemy
in Virginia, in order to make the letters and other ac
counts written by individuals of Berkeley County in
telligible. Lafayette, Steuben, and Wayne were now in Vir-

226 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
ginia, and a number of small encounters took place be
tween the rival forces.
A letter or two in the old scrap book is of this period,
and throws some Hght on the doings of the men in
whom we are particularly interested. The first of these
is from Colonel James Wood, commanding at Win
chester, and refers to the instructions received by that
officer from Lafayette. It is dated:
To Colonel Van Swearingen Winchester, June Sth, 1781.
Dear Sir
I have received Positive Instructions from the
Board of War and from the Marquis La Fayette to
Remove the German troops Immediately Northwardly,
and to Call up on the State of Virginia for Guards of
Malitia to go with them as far as York Town. I am
therefore to request that you will have 150 Malitia
with their proper Officers at Shepherds Town on Fri
day Evening who are to put themselves under com
mand of Col. Taylor. I must likewise Beg that you
will direct the Commissioner of the provision Law to
Lay in at Least three thousand rations of Provisions
and Forage for about 40 Horses for three or four
days. I am Sir, your Very Obt Servt
James Wood Col. Comm.
Why the prisoners were to be marched to York,
Pennsylvania, we do not know, unless it was feared
that the British might attempt to make a foray into the
Valley for the purpose of releasing them. That three
thousand rations of provisions were desired to be sent

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 227
from Berkeley alone, gives some idea of the number of
of these prisoners.
The next letter also addressed to the County Lieu
tenant of Berkeley is from William Fleming, who was
stationed at Staunton. Staunton, June 12th, 1781.
Dear Sir,
The pressing calls from the Marquis Fayette for
an aid of men have induced the General Assembly to
give them all the assistance in their power. The Exec
utive therefore requires you to embody two-thirds of
your Militia under proper officers as well armed and
equipped and as many of them [illegible] as posseble,
& march them to join the Marquis in detachments
of not less than two hundred or otherwise as you may
find most convenient. It is desired that they may take
with them as many days provisions as they can con
veniently carry. In this quota of your Militia you are
to include the number of such as are marched to join
the Marquis, or that are employed in removing the
prisoners from Winchester. We rely on your exer
tions for the immediate and effectual execution of this
order, as the preservation of the State may depend on
the dispatch with which the army is re-enforced. I
am Etc William Fleming.

CHAPTER XX
Prisoners in Shepherdstown — The Surrender of
Cornwallis
WE HAVE never heard that any special barracks
for prisoners were erected in Shepherdstown
during the Revolution, yet there was a number of Brit
ish and Hessians sent to that village for safe-keeping.
On the 24th of June, 1776, we hear of the first pris
oners sent to Berkeley County, when the Committee
of Safety of Virginia ordered thirteen of the High
landers captured by Captain James Barrow on the
British sloop Oxford to be guarded to our county.
Again, on the 24th of February, 1781, Colonel James
Wood wrote to Governor Jefferson that provisions
were so scarce in Winchester that he had been obliged
to send some of the British prisoners there to Shep
herdstown. Our county was also obliged to furnish
supplies for the prisoners at Winchester, where many
of them were encamped on the Bush farm.
In the winter and spring of 1781 Colonel Joseph
Crockett, commanding the Western Battalion, was sta
tioned at Shepherdstown to raise recruits. On March
Mth, Colonel Crockett wrote to Governor Jefferson
that he was on his march from Shepherdstown to join
General George Rogers Clarke. He said that the
troops were without shoes and nearly naked.
From the Calendar of Virginia State Papers, vol. 1,
p. 572, we also learn from a letter from Major Charles
McGill of Berkeley County to Governor Jefferson that
the part acted in the battle of Guilford Court House by
the Virginia troops, "would do honor to veterans."

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 229
Popp, a Hessian prisoner, in his journal of his cap
tivity, speaks of marching to Sharpsburg, via Shep
herdstown. He says that it was bitterly cold, and that
many of the prisoners were barefoot. They encamped
one night on the "Bathommek" river (Potomac) at
Shepherdstown. Went on next day to Sharpsburg,
where they were most kindly treated.
In the spring of 1781 Colonel Darke was raising a
regiment in Hampshire, Frederick, and Berkeley Coun
ties. George Michael Bedinger recruited a company
for this regiment in Berkeley and around Winchester.
In his deposition made for the purpose of obtaining a
pension he says ; "I further state that, in the month of
May, 1781, I took the command of a company of Mili
tia in Berkeley County, Virginia, under Colonel Wil
liam Darke, and marched them through different parts
of Virginia to the siege of York. In addition to per
forming the duties of Captain, I had also to act as Ad
jutant to the Regiment, and occasionally performed
the duties of Major. We were the first to approach
the enemy at York. Was not at York at the surrender
of Cornwallis, the term of service of my Company hav
ing expired a few days before the surrender. During
this time I served five months as Captain of the Com
pany, and all the time performed the duties of Adju
tant to the Regiment, and a part of the time as Major."
Although Major G. M. Bedinger returned home a
few days before the surrender of Cornwallis, Colonel
Darke and many of the Berkeley County men were
present on that interesting occasion.
Henry Bedinger was then in charge of the supplies
at Cumberland Court House, from which he wrote to
Captain Abraham Shepherd, then in Shepherdstown,

230 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
giving the news of the day. This was just before the
surrender. The letter is dated
Cumberland Ct House, Sep. 9th, 1781.
My Friend,
I wrote a letter a few days past to my Mother by a
Mr. Jones and now write by another Mr. Jones, both of
which I Hope will come to hand.
Have the pleasure of confirming to you the arrival of
Twenty Eight Sail of French line of Battle Ships with
Six Frigates. They have landed upwards of Three
thousand men at James Town, are making every pos
sible Effort to have everything in readiness for an at
tack of the Enemy under command of Lord Cornwallis
at York, who are Intrenching and will bear a Siege, If
not prevented by a Timely Attack.
His Excellency Gen'l Washington arrived in Camp
the day before yesterday. Every person here and
throughout this Country are in the highest Spirits and
Expectation on the Gen'ls Acct.
Great numbers are Voluntarily gone off from Rich
mond and its Vicinity, to see the operations, while One
half the Militia of all these and the adjacent Counties
are under Marching orders to assist in so Capital an
Enterprize. We hope and are almost Certain the army
must fall into our hands.
Lord Rawdon was taken on his passage from
Charles town for England by the French Fleet, is now
in our Camp.
I expect to Remain altogether at this Station being
appointed as I before mentioned to you in my letter.
Quarter Master to the Station. If I can get a Furlough
shall come to see you so soon as the Encampment is
finished, the soldiers Hutts built, & sufficient stores

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 231
laid in for the winter Season, at any Rate I must and
will come between this & Christmas, unless sickness or
something extraordinary should prevent it. I'm just
now losing what little Hair I had left when you saw
me last, and expect by the time I shall arrive with you
shaU be as Bald as an Eagle, Occasioned by the sick
ness I had in Pennsborough in Amherst.
Flour will be greatly wanted by the Fleet, likewise
Beef and pork. No hard money will be given for the
Victualing them because the State must furnish them
with provisions. There is plenty of hard cash among
them and (I) think Buckskin Breeches would bring
any quantity of it.
Remember me Respectfully to my Mother & her
family, to your Nelly and — all Friends.
I am in Haste as the gentleman has waited since I
began writing & am Your Friend Henry Bedinger.

CHAPTER XXI
The End of the Revolution
THE news conveyed in the letter quoted at the
end of the last chapter must have brought joy to
many hearts in Shepherdstown. It was soon followed
by the glorious tidings of the surrender of Lord Corn
wallis, which decided the struggle, although the army
was not disbanded until two years later.
There are only a few more letters in the scrap book
which refer to this period. These last letters present
such an interesting glimpse into the feelings and hopes
and fears of the Virginians of the day that we will
have to go back a few weeks in the course of our chron
icle so as not to omit one of them. The last that we
gave from the War Department at Richmond was
dated the 17th of July, 1781. The next followed very
close upon it and bears date War Office July 19th 1781
To Colonel Van Swearingen
Sir
The present situation of the six months men is a
matter of serious moment to the public interest, & has
a direct tendency to destroy, on the part of the militia,
all opposition against the ravages of a cruel enemy,
who are availing themselves of every neglect of ours to
accomplish the subjugation of this country. The mode
of punishment directed by law for delinquencies is un
doubtedly a wise one, and is calculated as much for the
immediate defence and benefit of the State as for the
reformation of the culprits themselves. From a fatal
mismanagement in some Companies, however, it has a

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 233
directly contrary effect, and instead of adding to our
mifitary force actually weakens it, and proves rather
an exemplification from duty altogether than an obUga
tion to render longer service. It is difficult to account
upon what principle this mischief has been tolerated:
it will be ruinous, however, if not immediately checked.
When a delinquent is condemned to be a six months
soldier, he is struck off the rolls of the militia; no one
takes the trouble or thinks it his duty to deliver him to
the army: neither Government nor the army know
anything of him or of his condemnation, and thus he
continues, contrary to every kind of justice in quiet
repose at home, & not only contributes nothing to the
defence of the country, but does essential injury to it
by his example, his conversation, and the toleration he
receives. It is the wish of Government, therefore, that
an immediate return be made to the War Office of all
your delinquents, & that you employ a sufficient num
ber of your militia for the express purpose of appre
hending them, that an end may, if possible be had to
such dangerous and unjust indulgences. By an act of
Assembly passed the last session, any person is exempt
from a tour of duty that will apprehend & deliver one
of these delinquents to a field officer of the service he
belongs to, shewing a field officer's receipt of the same.
A post is established at Winchester for that purpose
where there will be persons with proper field officer
receipts who will receive and incorporate the delin
quents. I am yrs etc William Davies.
This order from the War Office may seem dull read
ing, but it is necessary to have some knowledge of it in

234 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
order to understand how the delinquents from the mili
tia of Berkeley were treated. In at least one instance a
brave officer lost his life in endeavoring to arrest one
of these deserters. This officer was Colonel Peyton of
Winchester, who was shot dead at Beeler's Mill on the
Shenandoah near Charles Town by the deserter, whose
name we do not know. Colonel Peyton left a widow,
whose name was Mary Rutherford, the third daughter
of the Hon. Robert Rutherford. This lady afterwards
married Colonel John Morrow of Shepherdstown. An
other of Mr. Rutherford's daughters, Susan, married
Colonel John Peyton, and we believe the two gentle
men were brothers. The next letter from the War
Office to Colonel Van Swearingen is dated :
Richmond, Sep 2nd, 1781.
Sir, The arrival of a French fleet of 28 ships of the line
& six frigates, with 3000 troops at this critical period,
must give the highest satisfaction to every man inter
ested in the happiness of his country. Vigorous exer
tions on our part will insure to us the conquest of the
British army. There is not, I hope, a man in Virginia
who will not step forth to improve this favorable op
portunity of relieving his country from the distresses
of an invading army. On you, sir, I call as the head of
the militia of your County to send into the field every
man who can be furnished with a gun of any sort. Ex
pedition is the life of all military operations. Let it be
remembered that the destruction of Burgoyne's army
was in a great measure affected by the manly behavior
of the northern militia, and Virginia has now a most
glorious opportunity of signallizing herself. A number
of horses, sadles, and bridles will be wanted. Some

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 235
of the best sort for the General and field officers ; oth
ers of an inferior sort for the artillery, and to mount
100 dragoons which the Count de Graff e has bro't with
him. As the Services of these horses will be required
only for a short time, I expect that Gentlemen will lend
them most cheerfully, after having them appraised in
specie for fear of losses.
I would beg your attention to another object of
much importance. For so large an army large supplies
of provisions and liquors will be necessary. I wish
you to press the commissioner of your County to pro
cure flour, spirits, and cattle, to be brought to some
particular place in the County, ready to be delivered to
the order of the Commissary General; but particu
larly flour and spirits. I hope every person who has
wheat will prepare part of it immediately for the mills.
Wagons are also exceptionally wanted, endeavor to
procure as many as possible of them on hire at ten
shillings a day & depreciation. I could wish them to
be loaded with liquors for the use of the army. It is
not in my power to ascertain the depreciation that will
be allowed for the specie prices at which the different
supplies will be valued, but the Assembly will doubt
less act with generosity on this occasion.
I am, with much respect, etc.,
Thos. Nelson
Since writing the above I have received intelligence
from the northward that requires very large supplies
of Provisions, Forage, Liquors & Waggons to be placed
on the route from Alexandria to Fredericksburg. Not
a moment is to be lost in the execution of this business.
T. Nelson.

236 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
To Colonel Van Swearingen
War Office, September 3rd, 1871.
Sir, The large force now assembled for the purpose of
Capturing Ld. Cornwallis & his army will require the
most vigorous exertions of all the State to furnish a
supply of provisions. By an estimate made by Mr.
Ross it wiU require at least 310 barrels of flour a day.
Government, therefore, in the most earnest manner call
upon you for your assistance in accomplishing the great
object of supply, & beg that every means may be used
to have all the flour, spirits, & forage that can possibly
be procured forwarded to Alexandria, Dumfries, or
Fredericksburg. From your great zeal in the cause,
and extensive influence throughout your County, Gov
ernment has great hopes of public advantage, & begs
that you will give every aid & direction to the deputy
commissioner of provision in your County for the pro
motion of this very important design. I am instructed
by Government to call upon you for as many men, well
armed, as, with those in the field, will make one half of
your militia & march to the Marquis. I am Yrs, etc
William Davies
Camp before York 20th of Oct. 1781
Sir, Our operations in this Quarter having terminated
most successfully and Gloriously, part of the British
prisoners are ordered to be stationed at Winchester, &
part in Maryland. Those allotted to Winchester will
amount to about five & twenty hundred men. I must
request that you will lend your assistance in having
provisions provided for them, & that you will order out
such a number of the militia of your County as added

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 237
to a like proportion from the Counties of Frederick,
Hampshire, and Shenandoah, which you are hereby
authorized to call for, will be sufficient to guard them
until the Government can establish a permanent one,
which will be shortly, etc. Thomas Nelson Jr.
To Colonel John Smith of Frederick County. (A Copy)
This letter was sent to Colonel John Smith of Win
chester, who was Colonel of the Frederick County
Militia. He sent a copy to the county lieutenants of
the counties named in the letter, in order that they
might fumish their quota of the necessary guards and
provisions for the prisoners at Winchester, who now
amounted to over three thousand. The following note
accompanied the copy sent to Colonel Van Swearingen :
To Colonel Van Swearingen
Winchester, October 26th, 1781.
Dr Sir Agreeable to the above request and in the ab
sence of Col. Smith I am hereby to request that you
immediately draught from the militia of your County
ninety men & that you forward them to this place,
properly officered and accoutred with the utmost expe
dition, as the number of men to be stationed at this
place will require a strict attention by the several Colo
nels of this district to the procuring necessary pro
visions, therefor I am to request you will pay every
attention necessary to accomplish the same. I have
not the least doubt but that every exertion in your
power will be made. I am
sir, with great respect, yr hble srvt
David Kennedy
N. B. A Lieutenant Colonel will be wanted from
your County.

238 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
To the same War Office December 17Th 1781
Sir, I am directed by his Excellency the Governor in
Council to ask from your County 1 Captain, 1 Lieut.,
1 Ensign, and 64 noncommissioned officers and sol
diers to guard the British, to be relieved by regular
tours, & to be under the command of Captain Holmes.
As soon as steps can be adopted to guard these prison
ers without calling upon you it shall be immediately
communicated and your men relieved, which I hope
will soon be the case,
I have the Honor to be,. Sir
Yr Hble Srvt, etc,
Wm. Davies
To the same War Office Jan. 30th 1782
Sir, The Executive having thought fit to take off the
suspension of the execution of the "act for recruiting
this State's quota of troops to serve in the Continental
Army," I have it therefore in express command from
his Excellency the Governor in Council to inform you
of it, & to request that you wiU, immediately upon
the receipt of this notice, proceed upon the important
business pointed out by the law. Let me assure you
that it is the only security the people have that the mi
litia will not again be harassed by frequent calls into
the field. The time of service of the Virginia troops
under General Greene is expired, & those now under
marching orders from the General Rendezvous are
not sufficient to supply their places. The enemy de
spairing of success against the more northern states

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 239
seem disposed to make their greatest eft'orts to the
southward, & unless Virginia affords effectual aid we
may have the enemy upon our borders before we are
aware. General Greene calls upon this State in the
most pressing terms, if we disregard his applications
& sit secure under the apprehension that our late suc
cesses will be decisive, we shall find that, instead of
improving the advantage we have obtained, we have
given the enemy time to recruit, & shall have the same
round of difficulties to encounter again. I now ad
dress you upon the supposition that the last draft law
has not been executed in your County, but I may be
mistaken in it, as I never obtained from you any ac
count of what has been done in your County, either
in the execution of this, or of the cloathing law, al
tho' I have frequently wrote to you for information.
I am Sir, Yr Hble Obd Srvt
Wm Davies
War Office August 20th 1782
Sir, The designs of the enemy against Fort Pitt make
it necessary that immediate measures be taken for
the defence of that important post. His Excellency
the Governor in Council has therefore directed me to
call upon you for a body of your Militia properly of
ficered and equipped as Stated below, to proceed with
out delay to that place, they will take with them ten
days provisions and be commanded by a field officer
whose Tour it may be from the County of Frederick,
and will hold themselves in readiness subject to the
orders of General Irvine or other Continental Com
manding Officer at Fort Pitt. In a matter of so much

240 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
moment I am persuaded the Militia of your County
will readily push forward to oppose the enemy.
I am Sir,
Yr Hble Obdt Srvt
Wm Davies
Detail: Frederick, One Major, One Captain, 3
Subalterns, Four Sergeants Rank & File 75. From
Berkeley, One Captain, Three Subalterns, Four Ser
geants and 75 Rank & File.
In the winter of 1782-3 Henry Bedinger raised a
Company of men for the war, and a part of his muster
roll is in the possession of the author. It reads :
register of recruits enlisted by captain henry
BEDINGER StH VA. REGIMENT, PURSUANT TO HIS
APPOINTMENT FOR THE VIRGINIA LINE
Jacob Houg, Age 20, Born in Germany, Resident of
Berkeley Co., Enlisted November 18th, 1782.
John Harkwheimer, Bom in Pennsylvania, Resident
of Berkeley.
James Kirney, Born in Ireland, from Washington
County, Md.
Michael Mordand, Born in Ireland, Resident of
Washington County, Md.
Hugh Bell, Born in America, Resident of Berkeley.
James Brady, Born in Ireland, Lives in Berkeley.
Thomas Byrne, Born in Ireland, Lives in Berkeley.
Jacob Byres, Enlisted by Captain Cherry from
Pennsylvania, Lives in Berkeley.
John Angel, Born in Baltimore, Lives in Berkeley.
Christopher Dolton, Born in Ireland, Lives in Fred
erick Co., Va.
Thomas Halpenny, Born in Ireland, Lives in Wash
ington Co., Md.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 241
Thomas Oliver, Born in Baltimore, Md., Lives in
Berkeley Co., Va.
James McGuire, Born in Ireland, Lives in Berkeley
Co., Va.
 Seaton, Born in Ireland, Lives in Berkeley
Co., Va.
Henry Crook, Born in Frederick, Md., Lives in
Berkeley Co., Va.
Wm. Vining, Bom in Ireland, Lives in Chester, Pa.
John Roberts, Born in Ireland, Lives in Berkeley
Co., Va.
Jacob Piper, Born in Lancaster, Pa., Lives in Mary
land. George Hatthivir, Born in Berks Co., Pa., Lives in
Berkeley, Va.
George Shaner, Lives in Shepherdstown, Va.
John Basil.
David Spang.
A few of these men were recruited in the spring of
1783. The company marched south, but we believe
the army was disbanded before they saw active service.
Out of this list of twenty-two men, at least ten were
born in Ireland. It is certain that a very large pro
portion of the Continental troops were Irish or Irish
Americans.

CHAPTER XXII
Shepherdstown in the Olden Time
MANY years ago a paper published in Charles
Town began a series of articles under the head
ing "Shepherdstown in the Olden Time." I have vainly
endeavored to procure all these interesting papers on
the antiquities of our village. Only two of them, how
ever, have rewarded my search. One of these articles
I will give entire, although it has some mistakes, which
shall be pointed out afterwards.
ARTICLE FROM THE CHARLES TOWN FREE PRESS DATED
JAN. 29tH, 1850, AND CALLED "SHEPHERDSTOWN
IN THE OLDEN TIMe"
In our last we noted the legislation connected with
the progress and establishment of the town. There
were other laws enacted by the House of Burgesses,
but we do not deem them of sufficient interest to the
general reader to be inserted. The incidents and
events of the Revolution are held by every American
in sacred remembrance, but to many persons now re
siding in Shepherdstown they possess a peculiar and
personal interest. The descendants of those who acted
a noble part in the achievement of our liberty, are
justly proud of their ancestry, and it is no wonder they
love to tell of "the scenes they saw, and of the deeds
they performed."
It has frequently been asserted this ancient borough
furnished more officers and soldiers to the continental
army, in proportion to its inhabitants, than any other
town in the State, and we are prepared to prove from
the records that the assertion has foundation in truth.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 243
We are credibly informed that of the 300 privates
who enlisted and volunteered there, more than 100
were citizens of the town, and that, of the latter, two-
thirds died in active service.
The annexed list of officers and privates has been
prepared with great care, and we have no doubt that
the names and services of many of them are as famil
iar to our older citizens as household words. We shall
notice some of the incidents in their lives, and trust
that the rising generation will imitate their glorious
example in all things connected with the honor and
welfare of our common country.
OFFICERS
Colonel Joseph Swearingen, Colonel John Morrow,
Major Henry Bedinger, Captain Charles: Morrow,
Captain Abraham Shepherd, Captain Thomas Mor
row, Major George Michael Bedinger, Captain Chris
tian Orndorff, Captain James Glenn, Captain William
Morgan, Captain John Boyer, Captain Thomas Tur
ner, Lieutenants Rawleigh Morgan, Cato Moore, and
Daniel Bedinger; Surgeon Nicholas SheU.
PRIVATES
William Lucas, Joseph Turner, John Pearce, John
Kearsley, Michael Cookus, James Peacock, Philip
Robb, Peter Staley, Jacob Smurr, Martin Ernst,
Henry E. Beller, John Eckhart, Jacob A. Likens, John
Randall, Henry Unseld, John Angeli, George Shaner,
William Wilson, Thomas Crockett, Charles Butt, Pe
ter Fisher, John Darnheffer, George Reynolds, John
Neal, Michael Delrock, Daniel Folk, Robert Hoffman
and James Kretzer.
Col. Joseph Swearingen entered the army as a lieu
tenant in the fall of 1775, and was in active service

244 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
during the entire period of the Revolution. For his
gallantry at the battle of Brandywine he was promoted
to a captaincy, and at the close of the war he had
risen to the rank of colonel. He was the intimate
friend and companion in arms of that distinguished
jurist, the late Judge Robert White of Winchester.
The citizens of Shepherdstown for many years pre
vious to his death were accustomed to celebrate the
anniversary of our independence near a beautiful
stream on his farm called the Big Spring. In his dying
moments he enjoined on his children that as long as
the grounds, now, hallowed by the associations of the
past, remained in their possession, they should offer
no obstacles to the further continuance of these pa
triotic assemblages. The injunction has been faith
fully and generously complied with by his respected
descendants. Colonel John Morrow was a noble spec
imen of the gentleman and soldier. At an early age
he left his home to fight in the cause of liberty, and
never did a man enter or retire from his country's
service more honored or beloved. In the year 1792
he was attacked by a disease that threatened his Hfe,
but he fortunately recovered. A distinguished major
general in the Revolution and friend of Colonel Mor
row being advised of his indisposition, in a letter to a
gentleman in this county, alludes to him in the fol
lowing language: "I hope Colonel Morrow's health
has improved. His appearance when I saw him in
June gave grounds for the apprehension that he would,
e'er many months, pay the debt to nature. May the
Ruler of all things in His mercy, bless society by pro
longing the life of so noble a spirit and valuable a
citizen." (General Gates to John Marke.) In his
political faith he was a liberal, but decided republi-

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 245
can, and was, for some time, the representative in
Congress from this district. He was the grandfather
of WUliam C. Worthington, Esq., one of our repre
sentatives in the House of Delegates.
Major Henry Bedinger also joined the army when
quite a youth, and distinguished himself in several
brilliant engagements. He was a man of indomitable
perseverance and energy of character. We shall have
much to say of him when we notice the experiments
of James Rumsey in steam navigation. He departed
this Hfe at the residence of his son-in-law. Col. Brax
ton Davenport, at an advanced age.
Capt. Charles Morrow, a brother of Col. John Mor
row, was an officer of high standing. He served three
years in the southern campaign with credit to himself,
and honor to his country. He died deeply lamented
by all who knew him.
Capt. Thomas Morrow, the youngest brother of the
"three Morrows," died after a service of two years
in the army of the north. He was taken prisoner at
the battle of Long Island, and although exchanged in
a few months, his health became seriously and fatally
impaired from the effects of ill-treatment on board
the prison ship.
Captain Abraham Shepherd, the brother* of the
founder of Shepherdstown, was on officer of high re
pute in the Revolution, and when difficulties were ap
prehended with France in the year 1799, he raised a
full company, of which he was elected captain, and
James Glenn and Raleigh Morgan lieutenants. He
died in 1825, and was buried with military honors.
Captain Michael Bedinger, the brother of Major
*He was the son, not the brother, of the founder of Shep
herdstown.

246 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Henry Bedinger, was an accomplished and gallant
officer. At the close of the war he removed to Ken
tucky, where many of his descendants now reside.
Capt. Christian Orndorff distinguished himself in
the battles of Bennington and Skeenesborough. He
died on his farm near Shepherdstown many years
since. Capt. James Glenn volunteered as a private in the
war of the Revolution, and afterwards served as Heu
tenant under the unfortunate General St. Clair in the
army of the northwest. It was in that celebrated de
feat that he bore upon his shoulders his wounded
friend, Raleigh Morgan, and thus preserved him from
Indian butchery.
Capt. John Boyer, the father of our esteemed friend,
John Byers, served in the Pennsylvania line. He
was a man of athletic proportions, and was as brave
as he was physically powerful. He died in York
County, Pa.
Capts. Thomas Turner and William Morgan were
equally as distinguished as their comrades. The late
Jeptha Morgan was a son of Capt. William Morgan.
Lieut. Raleigh Morgan was a brave and meritorious
officer. He represented Jefferson County in the House
of Delegates in the year 1811. His accomphshed
widow is now living in Shepherdstown.
Lieut. Cato Moore was born on the Eastern Shore
of Maryland, and settled in Shepherdstown at an early
age. As soon as the Declaration of Independence was
proclaimed he tendered his services to the Continental
Congress. In the battle of Brandywine he received a
severe wound which compelled him to resign and re
turn home. He was a gentleman of many noble traits
of character. His residence was on Church Street,

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 247
chiefly settled by Hessians, and so great was the re
spect these people entertained for him that they hon
ored him with the title of "King Moore." Cato
Moore, cashier of the Valley Bank in this town, is a
son of that respected and beloved patriot.
Surgeon Nicholas Shell was a native of Germany
who emigrated to the colonies some years before the
Revolution. He was a gentleman of fine classical ed
ucation, and was considered deeply learned in his pro
fession. He acted as a surgeon in the army for six
years, and at the close of the war returned to Shep
herdstown. Being devotedly attached to his native
tongue, he directs in his will "that his son shall be
sent to an English school until he be proficient therein,
and then to a German school until he learns to read
and speak that language fluently and grammatically."
He closed his earthly existence, much regretted, in the
year 1803.
WiUiam Lucas, among his companions in arms, had
the character of being "the bravest of the brave."
Colonel Morrow often said that for coolness, self-
possession, and true moral courage he had no equal
in his regiment. He was the great-uncle of the Hon.
William Lucas, and father of ex-Governor Lucas of
Ohio. Joseph Turner was almost a Peter Francisco in
figure, and so great was his physical strength that,
when on a forced march, he would frequently carry,
in addition to his own, the musket and knapsack of a
wearied or sick soldier. Several of his descendants
now reside in the northern portion of this county.
John Pearce, familiarly known as "J. P.," taught
school in Shepherdstown for more than thirty years

248 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
after the Revolution. He was a good soldier, and
.saw much hard service.
John Kearsley volunteered as a private with his
friends Lucas and Turner, and, like the former, he
possessed a spirit of determination that rendered him
fit for any emergency. He was the father of our in
telligent and venerable friend, Jonathan Kearsley,
Esq., near Halltown, in this county.
Michael Cookus, Philip Robb, Peter Staley, Jacob
Smurr, George Reynolds, George Shaner, and John
Randall were out nearly the entire war. There are
descendants of all of them living in and around Shep
herdstown. Daniel Folk was with Arnold at the taking of Ti
conderoga, and with General Montgomery at St.
John's, Montreal, and Quebec. He died in the year
1838. Martin Ernst and Michael Delrock were Hessians
who deserted at the Battle of Princeton. They joined
the cause of the colonists, and proved themselves to
be true and faithful soldiers. The former received a
pension up to the time of his death, which occurred
in the year 183-.
Henry E. Beller, although upwards of fifty when
he entered the army, remained in active service to the
end of the war. He died about the year 1784, near
Bedington, in Berkeley County. He was the ancestor
of our friend, Jas. W. BeUer, Esq., the editor of the
Spirit of Jefferson.
John Neal and John Darnheffer were with Captain
Glenn at St. Clair's defeat.
Peter Fisher died while holding the office of toll-
collector on the Smithfield and Shepherdstown turn
pike, in the spring of 1844. He was buried with mil
itary honors.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 249
This is all of the article in the Free Press. It was,
however, copied into the Shepherdstown Register, un
der the date, February Sth, 1850, when the editors
¦of that journal, Messrs. Hardy and McAnly, enlarged
and corrected it as follows ;
article in the shepherdstown register, february
Sth, 1850
Several of our friends in the town and neighborhood
having suggested to us that the foregoing list might
be advantageously amended and prolonged, we have
taken the liberty to append the following, gathered
from various sources, though even now, we suspect,
that full justice has not been done to this truly gal
lant and patriotic precinct.
John Angeli was a private who fought in South
Carolina, and was present at the battle of Eutaw
Springs. He was with Lieut. Raleigh Morgan and
Captain Glenn at St. Clair's defeat.
Conrad Byers was also a private. He was not of
the family of Captain John -Byers, as mentioned
above. Daniel Bedinger, father of our late Representative
in Congress,* and Mrs. E. I. Lee, of Shepherds
town, joined the army at 16 years of age, and suffered
great hardship and privation in the service of his
country. Being taken at the battle of White Plains, he
was so hard used as to be under the necessity of scrap
ing the interior of some sugar kettles (in the Sugar
House Prison in New York) to sustain life. He it
*Hon. Henry Bedinger, who served four years in Congress,
and, in 1853, was sent as United States minister to the Court
of Denmark.

250 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
v/as who built and resided at Bedford, now the prop
erty of Mr. E. I. Lee.
Charles Butt was never in the American Army. He
was a British Grenadier, and came to Shepherdstown
after the conclusion of the war. After the war he was
famous as a wrought nail maker.
Baruch Butt was a private in the Revolutionary
Army. Not related to the preceding. Fought through
out the South.
Colonel, afterward General, William Darke fought
throughout the Revolution, both north and south, and
in the army under St. Clair (in 1791). At the memo
rable defeat, his son. Captain Joseph Darke, was se
verely wounded by an Indian chief. So profoundly
did this affect the father, that, though in retreat, he
disregarded the consequences, and rushing back into
the midst of the savages, attacked and slew the Indian,
escaping without injury. General Darke was the
grandfather of the Messrs. Manning, and Mrs. John
Briscoe. He lived near what is now Duffield's Station,
and owned a large property there.
The Entier family were well represented in the Rev
olutionary army. Adam Entier, both senior and jun
ior ; Philip, father of Daniel and Joseph Entier, and
Michael Entier were all in the service. The latter was
chief farrier in a cavalry regiment.
Jacob Eaty, drummer.
Jacob Fachler, private.
John Hoffman, a native of the town, and grand
father of the Messrs. Shugerts here, was a private.
He used to tell a story of a young man who at the
battle of Germantown stood next to him, and just be
fore going into action requested his comrades to con
vey a prayer book then in his bosom to his parents, in

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 251
case he fell, as something told him he should fall on
that day. He fell at the second fire. On another occa
sion, during a hot fire, a tall Yankee near Hoffman got
the tip of his nose shot off, when putting his hand to
his face and finding the deficiency he bawled out,
"Why, dum their manners, they don't mind putting
their durned shots right into a feller's face!" Hoff
man saw much severe service.
Captain Jacob Haynes was a brave and good soldier.
He it was who did the iron work for Rumsey in his
experiments. Captain Haynes owned and resided on
the pleasant estate of John Wysong.
John Haynes, private.
Thomas Johnson served under General Darke all
through the Revolution. Though of diminutive size
he was a brave and good soldier.
Anthony Kearney, private.
Philip and John Loar, privates.
Ludwig Myers, captain of infantry.
John Miller, father of Mrs. George Byers of this
town. Lieut. Raleigh Morgan was not in the Revolu
tionary Army. He was with John O'Neale and Cap
tain Glenn at St. Clair's defeat.
 Medlar, was a drummer. His drum is still in
Jefferson County.
Adam Moler, private.
George Ox was a Hessian, but deserted from the
force under General Knyphausen, and enlisted in the
corps of the gallant Pulaski, who was killed at Savan
nah. He was a small man, and after the war followed
in Shepherdstown the business of a butcher.
George Powell served under "Mad Anthony Wayne"
at the storming of Stony Point.
John Pearce, or "J. P.," served through Vermont,

252 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
and he was with Arnold at the attack on Quebec. He
was in Captain Daniel Morgan's company, and was
captured by the British whilst bravely fighting within
the ramparts of the city.
Lieut. Leonard Riger and his brother. Captain Bur
kitt Riger, served under General Darke.
Lewis Ronemous was one of General Horatio Gates'
bodyguard. So were his brothers, Conrad and An
drew. Jacob Smurr was not in the Revolutionary army.
Thomas Thornburg, private.
Jacob Wysong, father of Mr. John Wysong, was a
drummer. Fayette Wysong was a fifer.
Chrisley Young, private, served through the South.
These two articles, one from the Free Press and the
other from the Shepherdstozvn Register, and both
printed in 1850, throw much light on the records of the
soldiers of the Revolution who lived in Shepherdstown
and its vicinity. We will now go carefully over the
lists of names, and correct a few mistakes. Where
the Register corrects the Free Press we will make no
additional correction.
First, James Glenn was not a captain in the Revo
lution. He was, probably, a Heutenant. In 1791 he
went with General St. Clair on his western expedition
against the Indians. He was appointed a cornet of
horse by St. Clair, and carried the news of the defeat
to President George Washington, at Philadelphia, then
the temporary seat of government. He was promoted
captain, I believe, in 1792.
Major Henry Bedinger was also promoted in that
year. He had only attained the grade of captain dur
ing the Revolution. There were two Raleigh Morgans,

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 253
one of them a nephew of the other. The elder Ra
leigh may have served in Captain William Darke's com
pany raised in 1776. The younger Raleigh was a boy
of nineteen when he enlisted in the company com
manded by Joseph Darke under St. Clair in 1791. He
was a lieutenant in this company.
WilHam Lucas, spoken of as a private, was first
lieutenant in the company raised by Captain William
Morgan either in December, 1776, or January, 1777.
William's brother, Edward Lucas, was second lieuten
ant in this company, and George Michael Bedinger
was third lieutenant.
Col. Joseph Swearingen entered the company of
riflemen raised by Captain Hugh Stephenson in 1775
as a private. Afterwards he was a lieutenant in Wil
liam Darke's company. The rest of the account of
his services is correct. He also commanded a regiment
at the time of the Whisky Insurrection.
Jacob Wysong enlisted in Captain Hugh Stephen
son's company in 1775 as a private, not as a drummer.
Stephen Vardine was the drummer of this company.
Wysong may have enlisted later in some other com
pany as a drummer.
Captain Burkitt Riger owned a farm of 212 acres
in Berkeley County at the time of the Revolution.
His name is in the list of landholders we have given
in the first part of this book.
A number of others could be added to these lists of
soldiers from our village who fought in the Revoultion.
The reader will find these names, as far as we have
been able to obtain the records, in the muster rolls al
ready given, and in the appendix. One of the officers,
of whom a short account appeared in the article from
the Register, deserves a chapter to himself.

CHAPTER XXIII
General William Darke
THE writer has in preparation a book on the sub
ject of General St. Clair's campaign against the
western Indians in the summer and fall of 1791. In
this volume a full account of the part taken by Colo
nel Darke is given. But his record up to that time
should be given here.
It appears that a biography of WiUiam Darke has
never been written. Nor did he leave any available
material for more than a brief sketch. He was, how
ever, one of the bravest and most heroic of the fron
tiersmen of his time, and deserves to be remembered,
as well for his valor as for his many lovable traits of
character. He was a warm and generous friend, and
could also be a bitter foe. Reserved and dignified in
his manner, he was a man to be trusted, as weU as
loved. A letter written by him in 1798 is before me as
I write. It is directed to one of his officers. Major
G. M. Bedinger. On the back of it this old veteran
has written, in the trembling hand of eighty years;
"From my dear old Commander, General Darke."
William Darke was born in Bucks County, Pennsyl
vania, of EngHsh parents, in the year 1736. The
father, Joseph Darke, moved his family to the neigh
borhood of what is now Shepherdstown in 1741. The
log cabin, now incorporated into the house of Mr.
Adam Link, about four miles east of Shepherdstown,
is said to be the first home of the family in the neigh
borhood. This country was then a wildemess, the rich
soil of which was eagerly taken up by emigrants from
Pennsylvania, Maryland, and the Jerseys.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 255
Among the neighbors of the Darkes at that early
day were the Engles, one of whom, Philip, married
Darke's sister, Mary; the Dukes, Lucases, Buckles,
Links, Ronemouses, Osbornes, Bradys, Mannings,
and Briscoes. Mary Darke, an aunt of William, mar
ried Edward Lucas, the founder of the Lucas family
of Jefferson County. William also had two brothers,
Samuel and John. Of his early life we know Httle.
His was the rough training of the pioneer. He fished,
hunted, ploughed, and planted; became "a strong man
of his hands," and grew to herculean proportions.
The first settlers in the Shenandoah Valley lived side
by side with the Indians, hunted with them, and were
seldom molested by them. In 1754 these Indians all
left the Valley and migrated further west. This was
a sign of hostility, and their first step, before begin
ning their murderous depredations, was to remove
their own famUies to a place of safety. It appears
that they had been tampered with by the French, who
sent many messengers among the tribes to persuade
them to take up the hatchet against their English neigh
bors. Henry Darke, possibly a relation of William, was a
private in the company raised by Captain Richard
Morgan in 1755, in order to protect the settlers.
The names of both John and Joseph Darke appear
in the list of landholders of Berkeley County given in
this book. Joseph owned 380 acres, and John owned
466 acres. At the time the list was taken William
does not appear to have been a landowner although
he had a very large landed estate, most of it earned by
his patriotic services, when he died.
Although there were several families of Darkes at
the time of the Indian wars in this neighborhood there

256 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
is not left a single descendant of the name in this part
of the country. There may be some in the west. Some
writers assert that William was with Braddock at the
time of his defeat. I have seen no proof of this state
ment. In the year 1780 the Hon. Robert Rutherford, then
State Senator for this district, made the following affi
davit; "I certify that WiUiam Darke, now a prisoner
in New York, was a corporal in my company of Ran
gers between the years 17S8-9, until said company was
disbanded." This is, as far as is known, the first enlistment of
William Darke. We have already given an account of
Rutherford's Rangers. It is probable that he had no
more useful assistant than William Darke, who was,
at that time, about twenty-two years of age.
Of his wife little is known except that she was a
widow whose first husband, named  Deleyea,
was killed by Indians. She is buried by the side of
General Darke in the old Ronemous graveyard.
Darke had three sons, John, Joseph and Samuel,
and a daughter, Mary, who first married Thomas
Rutherford, Jr., and secondly  Manning. By
her first marriage she had one daughter, Sarah de
Montargis Rutherford, who married Dr. John Briscoe,
and whose descendants still live at Piedmont, the old
Briscoe place near Charles Town. There are also
many Manning descendants of General Darke, but
there are none that bear his name. His three sons all
died in early manhood.
Early in the Revolution WilHam Darke raised a
company among his friends and neighbors. Unfortu
nately the muster roll of this company cannot be found.
We will, however, give a few names of men who are
known to have fought under his command.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 257
Joseph Swearingen was one of his lieutenants.
Some of the Lucases, Engles, and Links and Osbornes
were almost certainly enrolled in the ranks of this com
pany. And we have already seen that Lieut. Leonard
Riger and his brother Burkitt, afterwards a captain,
served under Darke. John Hoffman was a private un
der Darke, and so was Thomas Johnson.
Darke distinguished himself by his gallantry at the
battle of Germantown, where he was so unlucky as to
be captured. He was taken to New York and con
fined on board a filthy prison ship for some time. He
was not exchanged until the first of November, 1780.
It is probable that his splendid constitution alone
prevented him from sinking under the dreadful priva
tions and sufferings endured by the American captives
of war on board the British prison ships. Officers,
however, were not, as a rule, confined for any length
of time on the prison ships, unless they belonged to the
navy. It is very probable that Darke spent most of
the time of his captivity on Long Island, in company
with Henry Bedinger, Abraham Shepherd, and many
other officers from Virginia.
When he was exchanged he is said to have been
obliged to walk all the long weary way back to his
home in Virginia. On the road he stopped at the cot
tage of a settler for food and rest. A bird was hang
ing in its cage near the door. Darke offered the owner
one of his few "hard dollars," bought the bird, and im
mediately opened the cage door, and let it fly. The
anecdote is very characteristic of the big, warm
hearted fellow.
In the spring of 1781 Darke recruited the Berkeley
and Hampshire Regiment, and marched it to Tide
water Virginia. He and his men rendered most effect-

258 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
ive service at the siege of York. On this campaign
Major George Michael Bedinger acted as Darke's ad
jutant. After the Revolution Darke returned to his home
in Berkeley. In June, 1783, he was one of the two
delegates from the county, to the Virginia Convention.
The other was General Adam Stephen.
We will not here describe his valorous deeds in
1791, when he commanded the left wing of the ill-
fated army under St. Clair. It is well known that he
saved the remnant of the troops from massacre,
but our present purpose does not carry us so far.
As a reward for his services he received a large
tract of land in Ohio, and was promoted brigadier
general. The sword with which he performed such prodigies
of valor on the day of St. Clair's defeat is in posses
sion of his descendant, John Briscoe, of old Piedmont.
It is said that a sword, perhaps this one, and a hand
some watch were sent him by his Grandfather Rush,
by a messenger on horseback, all the way from Phila
delphia, at the beginning of the Revolution.
His old companion in arms. Colonel Worthington,
who was killed during the war, left his son, after
wards Governor Worthington of Ohio, to his care.
General Darke sent young Worthington to Ohio to lo
cate and survey his lands there, which he afterwards
sold him at a low price. Worthington married Eleanor
Strode Swearingen, the daughter of Josiah Swearingen
and Phoebe Strode. They lived near ChUlicothe.
Worthington was one of the most prosperous men, as
well as one of the ablest statesmen, of Ohio.
It was largely owing to the efforts of General Darke
that Berkeley County was divided into three parts in

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 259
the year 1801, when Jefferson and Morgan Counties
were created. He died the same year, greatly loved by
his friends, and esteemed for his many good qualities
by all who knew him. His temper was fiery, but soon
controlled. He once had a dispute with Captain James
Stephenson, of Martinsburg, and they agreed to fight
a duel. On the appointed day Darke appeared at the
rendezvous wearing a huge sword, almost as long as
his antagonist was tall; for Stephenson was a small
man. On this occasion Stephenson was armed with a
diminutive rapier. When the seconds had duly placed
the combatants, they were so struck by the contrast in
size of the two officers, and their weapons, that they
burst out laughing. Darke and Stephenson attempted
to maintain their gravity, but it was impossible. Both
joined in the merriment, after which they shook hands
and were warm friends ever after.
Darke's hatred to Indians was marked after the death
of his son. On one occasion he attended service at the
Elk Branch Church near his home, when a stranger, a
man of very swarthy complexion, stood up to preach.
Darke muttered, "Indian!" and immediately got up
and left the building.
The writer has a letter that Darke wrote to Major
G. M. Bedinger, dated February 23rd, 1796, in which
he says : "I embrace the opertunity by Captain William
Lucas, who is Coming to your Country to send you
these few lines. You may have heard, perhaps, of my
hard fortune in Losing my third and only son, etc."
It was after the death of all his sons that he sold his
western lands upon which he had intended to settle
them.
. A letter from Major George M. Bedinger to his
brother Henry, written in his extreme old age, is full

260 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
of reminiscences of his campaign under Darke in 1781.
He says ; "The deposition of Peter Fisher came safe
to hand. I suppose this Peter Fisher is the son of the
Fisher who lived near the branch above where old Mr.
Brown formerly lived (in Shepherdstown) and not
far from Henry Sheetz, old White, and others. His
father got killed at the raising of a house by a log
falling on his head. If he is the one of them I think
his complexion is something dark. * * * jjj ^jjg
campaign of 1781 I acted in all the capacities men
tioned in his deposition, and a feu times also did duty
as Brigade Major, when particularly requested by the
General, whose name was Edward Stephens, a stout
heavy man, but not our old Major General Dr. Adam
Stephen, but a militia General. * * * j have lately
found that on only hearing the names of some of our
old company I could often in an instant recollect how
they had acted, if anything extraordinary had been
done by them, either good or bad. For instance, Pe
ter Mange, — the name brought to my recollection the
inoculated paper money. He threw it into the fire,
when I jerked it out. John Magara, his plaintive
voice : 'God love your soul ! Do help me out of this I
Club your fire-lock, etc'
"A short time before York Town was besieged and
when our army lay at or near Williamsburg Colonel
Darke marched a detachment of I think less than
1,000, mostly militia, who were then or afterwards
called the 'Forlorn Hope,' as it was then generally
thought that on our arrival at the suburbs df the
town the Brittish horse and foot, would Immediately
Sally out upon us and cut us off as we had no other
troops in sight of the enemy. When we got in sight
of the enemy and were expecting an immediate attack

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 261
from their cavalry, I, acting then as Adjutant, as the
men had marched in platoons and open columns,
marched them up into close, solid columns, faced
outwards, front rank kneeling, but arms firm, fixed
bayonets, leaning out to an angle of near 45 degrees.
This maneovre having been performed, briskly and
promptly, it is believed that the enemy thought us well
disciplined, if not regular troops, and that we were
only an advanced party, and that the U. S. army was
close at hand. They did not attack us, except at dis
tance too great to do us much injury, but suffered us to
go back without much firing.
"I think Colonel Darke made the first motion to Gen
eral Washington, at least I heard so. I have never
been able to account for such a motion. I suppose it
was the Colonel's usual fire and rashness, and, that
Washington perhaps had a desire to know what the
enemy would do on such an occasion. It was in my opin
ion an extraordinary and, I think unnecessary temer
ity. * * * Colonel Darke when I came away said
that within a few days he expected the British army
would surrender, and regretted I could not stay to see
it. I was in bad health and troops were flocking in
from all quarters. The sick were hauled home in wag
gons. I was hauled home in a waggon part of the way.
Etc, Etc."

CHAPTER XXIV
Shepherdstown after the Revolution
WHEN the soldiers came home again, they were
poor, and in many cases, unfitted for the du
ties that had occupied them before the war. There
were many widows and orphans in Shepherdstown,
and many became restless and dissatisfied with the
conditions they found at home. The services of the
soldiers were paid largely in western lands, and this,
before long, led to emigration to Kentucky, Ohio, and
the more western portions of Virginia.
At the same time more settlers constantly came
into the town and its neighborhood ; some from lower
Virginia, and many from Pennsylvania. There vras
also a fluctuating population of emigrants from abroad.
This tide of emigration had been checked by the Rev
olution, but now that the war was over thousands of
Germans and other foreigners flocked to America as
to a land of promise.
Trade revived in Shepherdstown, where one could
purchase anything from a silver spoon to a church
steeple. There were blacksmiths and whitesmiths, hat
ters, clothiers, harness and wagon makers, fuUers,
dyers, and weavers. Almost every other guild and
trade was represented in the village, which was now
approaching the period of its greatest prosperity. A
constant stream of coaches ; Conestoga waggons ; herds
of sheep, cattle, horses and hogs; besides horsemen
and foot passengers, passed daily through the town.
No wonder there are so many old tavern stands in the
village, for it was on the main route between south
and west. Old residents of Shepherdstown have told

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 263
me that their fathers remembered the time when long
lines of vehicles extended from the river as far out as
what is now Elmwood cemetery, waiting to be ferried
across the Potomac.
The ferry was left by Major Thomas Swearingen,
who died in 1780, and who was the eldest son of
Thomas Swearingen the elder, to his brother Benoni..
The ferryman employed by Benoni was a cobbler, who
carried on his trade of mending shoes in the intervals,
when business was slack. The income Benoni Swear
ingen derived from his ferry was fifteen hundred dol
lars a year. This illustrates the amount of traffic
across the river at that time.
Carjiets, furniture, stoves and fenders — ^in a word
everything necessary for housekeeping — was made in
our enterprising little town. Some housekeepers pos
sess eight-day clocks made by Jacob Crafts, of Shep
herdstown, which are still faithfully marking the pas
sage of time.
The steeple of a church in Maryland was made in
Shepherdstown, and hauled in wagons to its desti
nation in sections. Ladies came from many miles
around to purchase fineries in the hamlet. Hats and
sets of furs were made here, besides almost every
thing else deemed necessary by the beaux and beUes
of the day.
Two annual fairs were held in the town. Of one of
these an account remains in a letter written in 1784 by
Henry Bedinger to the young lady whom he after
wards married, Miss Rachel Strode.
The Strode sisters were daughters of Captain James
Strode, a wealthy gentleman, who had a large estate in
Berkeley County, near Martinsburg. In the time of
the French and Indian war Captain Strode's house was

264 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
burned by a band of savages. The family had all gone
to Evan's Fort for safety. This fort the Indians at
tacked when the men were absent. Mrs. Evans armed
the boys and women, put on a man's coat, and began to
call the roll in such a gruff voice that the Indians were
-deceived and thought a large body of men were within.
They soon went away. After they were gone, when
'the Strodes went back to their home, they found noth
ing had escaped destruction except an iron kettle near
the barn. This kettle is still preserved in the home of
the Gibsons in Charles Town. The Strode sisters
were related on their mother's side to the Dukes of
Hamilton. These young ladies were great belles.
Eleanor Strode married Captain Abraham Shepherd.
Phoebe married Captain Josiah Swearingen, and Ra
chel married Captain Henry Bedinger.
The Strode place is memorable as the birth place of
Andrew Jackson, whose parents, poor Irish emigrants,
lived on the plantation for a few years in the employ of
Captain Strode, before they moved to the Waxhaw
Settlement in North Carolina. During this time, about
1765, Andrew was born. When the Jacksons moved,
the Strode girls, having no brother, begged their father
to let them keep little Andrew. Mr. Strode consented,
but his parents would not give him up. The little girls
followed the Jackson family several miles, crying bit
terly and begging for Andrew. When the emigrants
stopped to rest and eat their dinner the Strode girls
tried to steal Andrew, and run away with him. But
the father followed them, and took the boy, who was
too young to walk, back to his mother. The children
went home in tears.
The only two letters that remain of those written by
Henry Bedinger to Rachel Strode give a pleasant pic-

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 265
ture of old Shepherdstown in fair time. We will copy
one of them here.
letter of henry BEDINGER TO RACHEL STRODE
Shepherd's Town October 7th, 1784.
My Dearest R  ,

Captain Shepherd will do me the Honor to deliver
this into your own Sweet Hands as he journeys to
Romney Court House — from whence he will Return as
soon as possible. Meantime I will proceed to Annapo
lis in hopes of settling a Small piece of Business that
will probably prove advantageous to us both.
When my Business is completed then I expect to Re
turn by Baltimore, and you may be sure I will see you
so soon as I return. Meantime I hope you will enjoy
yourself with rational Elegance, and I know you wish
to leam of what happened here during the Races.
Your sister Shepherd would be glad to see you — who
is much annoyed at you not coming as she certainly ex
pected your coming without the formality or ceremony
of an invitation.
I now come to the part where I must give a particu
lar account of my Transactions and feelings during
these Tedious days. In the first place I was Chosen as
one of the Managers of the Fair, on which the whole
of the Business fell to My Directions. The Others
either were unwilling or incapable of Acting with
spirit or despatch.
The evening of the first Day was spent in seeing the
Play Actors perform at Mrs. Blackburn's. About 10
o'clock my sister and myself went home, and I did not
Return until the hour appointed for the second Day's
Races. That Day was also passed away Indifferently
enough.

266 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
But what excuse, what evasion shall I here make?
Tis always best to make none. — there was a Ball — The
company was Elegant, and I was over persuaded to
make one — in short I went, — passed the evening with
a mixture of pleasure and pain. Sometimes I danced
— and again reflected that you had given me a particu
lar charge not to be seen at that place. I would have
given almost anything in my power had you been in
Town — that I might have had the inexpressible Satis
faction of attending you if you would have Hon
ored the Company with your presence that I might
have had the triumphant pleasure of Leading you into
the Assembly. But you was determined not to give
me that Opportunity of even a momentary Happi
ness. With the consolation that when ever I see you
I expect a Sweet scolding at least, for Disobedience of
your positive commands — if I now attempt to send
excuses or apologies — I have none to make, I stand
accused, and confess my self Guilty of the Charge
against me, and only Pray My Judge, My Sweetest
of Girls, to Mitigate the sentence. Decree that I
may be admitted to your presence and there make a
personal acknowledgment for this as well as aU my past
offences. I should have proceeded to Anapolis ere
now, but could not get my Boots Made before Tues
day night next. Meantime I shall be very Busy col
lecting Money and making other necessary prepara
tions for the journey.
Good Night My Love, — tis near [torn] o'clock
Your Own
H. B.

CHAPTER XXV
James Rumsey, the Inventor of the Steamboat
ABOOK on the history of Shepherdstown would
be indeed incomplete if it left out the famous
experiments of James Rumsey, who here launched the
first practicable steamboat. Yet the object of the
writer was mainly to collect the names and describe
the deeds of the soldiers of the Revolution who were
connected with the place. So much has been written
about Rumsey that I have little new to tell of that re
markable genius. I have, however, found among the
Bedinger papers some references to him that have not
been made public, and I will preface these with a
short sketch of the life of the inventor.
James Rumsey's parents were English. He was
born on Bohemia Manor in Cecil County, Maryland,
about the year 1748. He was a millwright, and dur
ing the Revolution is said to have volunteered for
what was called "a tour of duty," but in what corps
of the army we have never heard. The history of
his invention is very graphically told by Major Henry
Bedinger in a letter that he wrote for Mr. Fleming's
paper in 1826. We will give this letter, and add what
items of interest we have been able to find about this
remarkable man, who once walked the streets of Shep
herdstown, dreaming of the great things he hoped to
accompHsh, and thereby earned for himself the title
of "Crazy Rumsey!"
LETTER OF MAJOR HENRY BEDINGER TO MR. G. FLEMING
Protumna, Jan. 5, 1826.
Sir: I send you enclosed a short history of the origin
of the application of steam to boats, ships, etc. Shep-

268 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
herdstown and James Rumsey are unquestionably en
titled to the honor of the invention of applying steam
to them. A Mr. Fitch of the Northward, it is said,
has also claimed a participation, but the following
circumstances will totally defeat his claim. When Mr.
James Rumsey had nearly completed his machinery,
the few confidents of Rumsey frequently expressed the
hope that he would succeed. This same Fitch, having
heard the rumor of probable success, came to Shep
herdstown under a borrowed name, his business was
to find out Rumsey's plans. His anxiety to hear or
see caused suspicion; he was seized, I think, on some
pretext, confessed his name and business, and I be
lieve my influence, with some others, saved him from
corporal, though perhaps arbitrary punishment He
went off, having been in Shepherdstown, incognito,
some days, and, tis said, completed a boat, etc, but it
was found not to answer the purpose. Tis said that
Fulton commenced his experiments some years after
this, went to England, and it is supposed he there
learnt all Rumsey's experiments.
This is the introductory note written by Henry
Bedinger to Mr. Fleming, who says of it: "No one
acquainted with the character of Major Bedinger will
doubt for a moment the entire correctness of his state
ment. He says enough to convince the most incred
ulous that the feasability of the experiment was ocu
larly demonstrated in the presence of Rumsey's neigh
bors and friends."
It may interest the reader to read a portion of a
letter from General Horatio Gates to his friend, John
Marke, to whom he rented Traveller's Rest at one
time. General Gates at the time this letter was writ
ten was living near New York City.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 269
Rose HiU, N. Y., Jan. 12, 1797.
I have frequently been asked lately what had be
come of the "steam gondola," made by James Rum
sey on the river near Swearingen's Ferry. The pro
prietor of the Museum in New York is anxious to ob
tain some of its fixtures if they can be procured at a
reasonable rate. We have had the evidence of our
own eyes that Rumsey's idea of propelling boats by
means of steam is not chimerical, and time will yet
perfect his plan."
Before giving the account written by Henry Bed
inger, to which he refers in the note we have already
quoted, we will say that Fitch was surveying in Ken
tucky in company with Major G. M. Bedinger, about
the year 1784. Major Bedinger had been the partner
of James Rumsey in the mill business at the mouth
of Sleepy Creek before going to Kentucky. He had
frequently talked to him of his invention, and his
hopes of success. Bedinger had incautiously men
tioned Rumsey's invention to Fitch. Some time after
wards Mr. Fitch was caught in Shepherdstown, spying
on Rumsey through a knot hole in his workshop. The
people of the town threatened him with a coat of tar
and feathers, but let him off on the intervention of
some of the most prominent gentlemen of the place,
among whom Henry Bedinger was one.
MAJOR HENRY BEDINGER^'S ACCOUNT OF RUMSEY'S IN
VENTION IN A LETTER TO MR. G. FLEMING, ED
ITOR OF A NEWSPAPER Protumna, Jan. 4, 1826.
Sir: I have delayed answering your letter of the 17th
ult, in the hope that among my old papers I might

270 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
find something to assist a feeble memory, and to elu
cidate and develope the subject of inquiry, — in all
which I have failed. Sometime previous to the Rev
olution Mr. James Rumsey, then a lad, emigrated to
Shepherdstown from the Eastern Shore of Maryland,
with his father and family, where James, the first
who ever attempted to apply steam to propel boats,
grew up to manhood, and at an early period, often
manifested by his actions, the possession of extraor
dinary genius, mechanical powers, and a spirit of
enterprise. Soon after the revolutionary war, when the Poto
mac Company was formed he was employed as super
intendent of all the works carried on. Being there
after superceded he retired to Shepherdstown. Tis
said that while in that service, having frequently
passed up and down by water to his saw-miU at the
mouth' of Sleepy Creek he conceived the idea of pro
pelling boats through and against rapid water by
steam. Mr. James Rumsey possessed little property
of value, had a small family to maintain, and no
wealthy connections; yet, under these circumstances
he commenced the untried, difficult task of propeUing
boats by the application of steam. He was compelled
to invent and form with his own hands all the com
plex machinery, composed of Wood, Iron, Brass and
Steel. He was a little assisted in the mechanical part
of the labor by Joseph Barns, his brother-in-law, who
was a kind of secondary character, but no doubt use
ful by directions from Mr. Rumsey.
All the work was performed and a variety of ex
periments with closed doors, whilst the mass of his
acquaintances derided his schemes, pitied his folly, de
nounced his temerity, called him a conceited projector.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 271
etc. Nothing however could or did divert him from
this most ardent pursuit. He persevered for perhaps
a year and a half, before he perfected the machinery.
He and Barnes then built a boat, fifty or sixty feet
long, flat bottom, but drawn to a point at each end.
In the stern they placed a short Rudder or Steering-
Oar. This boat they launched at the ferry landing,
placed therein seven or eight tons of stone, together
with all the variety of machinery necessary for cre
ating steam. Notice was then given that on a certain
day, the boat was to be propelled by the force of
steam; and the people of the vicinity were thus in
vited to view its progress and passage up the river
against the current. The bank of the river, on the day
appointed, was lined with anxious spectators. Several
ladies were taken into the boat. Captain Charles Mor
row placed himself at the helm, and James Rumsey
near the boiler of the engine ; the boat was let loose,
and began first gradually, and then a little more rap
idly to move against the stream, while loud plaudits
were bestowed by those on shore. The boat thus
propelled by the force of steam ascended to some dis
tance above the large rock, supposed to have pro
ceeded up about a quarter of a mile, when Mr. Mor
row, at the helm, turned the boat with the head down
stream, and returned her to where she had started.
Having now convinced his neighbors of the practicabil
ity of steam navigation, he obtained certificates signed
by prominent characters who witnessed the moving of
the boat propelled by steam. Among others that of
General Gates, Col. John Morrow, Captain Abraham
Shepherd, John Kearsley, John Marke, etc. The cer
tificates, if I recollect right, specified the size of the
boat, the burthen in her, the distance she ran against

272 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
the stream, and that it was performed by the appli
cation of steam; also the time in which the boat per
formed the distance of, say, quarter of a mile.
It was at the time believed to be the first attempt
or experiment to propel boats by steam, and it was as
great a measure of surprise that James Rumsey should
accomplish this, with his very limited means, and im
perfect machinery. Mr. Rumsey hoped that, after
this experiment, he could by some means raise funds
to put his invention into practical and beneficial use,
and although there was ocular demonstration of its
practicability, it was still treated as a visionary thing
by many, and he failed in his application.
The main principle of applying steam to boats was
however still retained as a secret by Mr. Rumsey, and
for this he had good reasons, no patent law existing
at that time, by which he could secure to himself the
benefits of his invention. He applied to the Legisla
ture of Virginia without success, after which he went
to London, where, had he lived, he would have accom
plished all his wishes, having made considerable prog
ress by the aid of his friends and the best mechanics
there. One day in making elaborate and necessary ex
planations to the society, he fell senseless to the floor,
and soon after expired !
Some years passed before the name of Fulton be
came conspicuous, and it is believed by the friends of
Rumsey, that Fulton's fame is bottomed on the inven
tion and at the expense of Rumsey, whose untimely
fate had deprived his posterity of the benefits be
stowed on a successor. Henry Bedinger.
The thirteenth of January, 1788, was indeed an im
portant day in the annals of Shepherdstown. On that

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 273
day the banks of the Potomac were lined with hun
dreds of spectators from Virginia and Maryland.
Some came to scoff, and turn "Crazy Rumsey" into
ridicule, expecting an ignominious failure. Others
half believed, and all were curious. Among the
throng were General Horatio Gates, who had ridden
down from his home near Kearneysville, called Trav
eller's Rest. He is described as a florid man of me
dium height, stout, and important looking.
"By the side of General Gates," said Hon. A. R.
Boteler, who has written the most graphic account of
the proceedings of this eventful day, "in marked con
trast as to face and form, was Major Henry Bedinger,
a tall, slender man, of saturnine complexion, who was
as straight as an Indian, and whose piercing, black*
eyes were as bright as an eagle's.
"Near him were the Rev. Robert Stubbs, principal
of the classical academy and rector of the English
church, as the Protestant Episcopal Church was then
called, for which Captain A. Shepherd was one of the
wardens. The Rev. Robert Stubbs was rosy-cheeked
and plumptiludinous.
"Captain Shepherd was a thin-visaged little man, of
prominent features, full of energy, and a first-rate far
mer, and unfailing friend of the church.
"Colonel Joseph Swearingen, a tall, robust, sol
dierly man, with a Roman nose that overshadowed the
rest of his countenance, was a kind-hearted gentleman,
and greatly loved by the community in which he Hved.
"The next claiming attention was a stoutly built man
of brusque address, who, though descended from one
of the regicides, had very little cant or puritanism in
his composition. This was General Darke, who had
*Major Bedinger had dark gray eyes.

274 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
been an officer in the old French War, as well as in
that of the Revolution. * * * "
Besides the foregoing there was Colonel Philip
Pendleton, a man of fine figure, tall, fair, with regular
features, and dignified bearing. There were John
Kearsley, a magistrate and presiding elder in the Pres
byterian congregation; Cato Moore, called "King
Moore," who had the respect and regard of the
entire company, and whose genial disposition made
him loved by young and old; honest old Mr. John
Marke, one of the leading merchants of the town, and
Thomas White, David Gray, the two Morrow brothers,
Charles and John ; Benoni Swearingen and many more.
The boat was manned and ready, Charles Morrow
took the helm and several ladies were helped on board.
Among these were Mrs. Henry Bedinger, the former
Rachel Strode, who composedly knitted a stocking for
her good man during the whole performance, turning
the heel as the boat moved slowly away from her
moorings ; Mrs. Shepherd ; Mrs. Rumsey ; Mrs. Charles
Morrow; Mrs. Marke and her little daughter Ann.
"I was standing next to Gates," said Major Bedin
ger, "he was very nearsighted, and watched the prep
aration for starting the boat with much interest,
through his glasses. When she moved out and he saw
her going off up the river against the current by the
force of steam alone he took off his hat and exclaimed,
'My God ! She moves !' " "Yes," added the venerable
Major, "and when she moved the destiny of the world,
too, moved that day!"
Old Michael Fouke used to say, "Why, sir, she
could navigate through the Straits of Gibraltar."
Many of the eye witnesses signed a document setting
forth the success of the experiment, etc.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 275
This day, the 13th of January, 1788, was the hap
piest of Rumsey's life. He went to PhUadelphia,
where the Rumsey Society was formed, with Benjamin
Franklin at its head, to raise funds to enable the in
ventor to perfect his steamboat. He thence sailed to
England and after varying fortunes, succeeded in in
teresting some prominent scientists in his invention.
But, alas, he was born under no lucky star. When he
had completed a boat 100 feet long and had it in readi
ness for a trial on the Thames, it was attached by his
creditors. Some of his friends persuaded him to give
a lecture at the committee room of the Society of Arts,
for the purpose of raising funds to release the boat.
On the 20th of December, 1792, he appeared at this
committee room, which was in the Hotel Adelphi.
Here he delivered an address "to the admiration and
satisfaction of all present," said Mr. Wakefield in a
letter written on Dec. 26, "after which he was busy in
wording resolutions to be entered in the Society's
book, when he was perceived to lift instinctively his
right hand to his temple and complain of a violent
pain, which were the last articulate words he spoke.
Every necessary medical assistance was at hand, — Dr.
Austin, Dr. Baker, etc. He was taken to the Adelphi
Hotel, where he expired about a quarter past 9 o'clock
the next evening, remaining nearly the whole time
sensible, but almost speechless.
"Every respect has been paid to his remains by his
friends, several of whom attended at his interment at
St. Margaret's, Westminster, where I had him con
veyed on Monday evening last. * * * For him I
lament, for the world I regret, but for his family
I mourn. * * * "R. C. Wakefield."

276 HISTORIC SHEPHFRDSTOWN
Thus Rumsey died, at the threshold of fame. His
boat was afterwards launched on the Thames. The
experiment was a success, and was witnessed by Rob
ert Fulton, then in London, and an acquaintance of
Rumsey's, and by thousands more. Yet Rumsey is
almost forgotten, and others have made coUossal for
tunes out of his invention, perfected by Robert Fulton,
while his own family lived in poverty and obscurity.
It is true that Congress, in 1839, awarded to James
Rumsey, Jr., the only surviving child of James Rum
sey, deceased, "a suitable gold medal, commemorative
of his father's service and high agency in giving to the
world the benefits of the steamboat." This only son
was blind and deaf from the effects of scarlet fever,
and thus unable to carry on his father's wonderful
discovery. The height above the Potomac at Shepherdstown,
along the top of which Rumsey used often to pace up
and down, meditating his inventions, was, for many
years, known by the name of "Crazy Rumsey's Walk."
Mr. George Beiltzhoover, Jr., in his sympathetic
sketch of the inventor, thus speaks of this spot, so in
teresting to all who feel a pride in this remarkable and
unfortunate genius :
"It was long the cherished hope and desire of the
late Hon. A. R. Boteler, and his earnest effort before
our State Legislature and elsewhere, to have erected
on the summit of the high, rocky cliff, on the Potomac
at Shepherdstown, overlooking the scene of Rumsey's
early experiments, a suitable monument to his mem
ory. That cHff, in the days of Rumsey, and for most
of the century since, was looked upon and spoken of
as 'one of the everlasting hUls,' but in the march of
modern progress even they melt away, and recent years

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 277
have seen that massive rock, blasted and shattered,
and piece by piece dumped into the jaws of a large
steam crusher, pulverized and carried by train loads
miles away for ballasting the roadbed of a great rail
way. "Spared, as if for a monument to Rumsey perhaps
not by human design, there still stands in its origi
nal height, one solitary peak of that huge cliff."
Mr. Beltzhoover goes on to suggest that the monu
ment, for which a sufficient sum is now secured, should
be erected on this natural pedestal, overlooking the
horse-shoe bend of the noble river, the scene of Rum
sey's greatest triumph. This spot, bearing a statue
of the inventor, would be visible for many miles
around, and the most conspicuous and appropriate fea
ture in the landscape to the many travellers on the
Norfolk and Western Railroad, whose depot building
is near the solitary peak. Let us do this tardy justice
to Rumsey, whose name and fame will be ever con
nected with that of Shepherdstown.

CHAPTER XXVI
A Summary — The Highest Ambition of Shep
herdstown
WE WILL begin this chapter by a short resume
of what has gone before.
We have seen that, in the very early times, before
the names of either Mecklenburg or Shepherdstown
had been thought of, there was a small settlement on
the Potomac called Pack Horse or Pack Horse Settle
ment. There appears to have been a few families living in
the neighborhood, such as the Cookuses, Kepharts, and
Hentzins. Some of them were buried in what may
have been the common burial ground on the Cookuses
land, as old stones bearing the date 1720, 1725, and
1728, attest.
The settlement appears to have had no name except
Pack Horse until 1755 when Thomas Swearingen es
tablished his ferry on his own land at the bottom of
what is now Princess Street. After that it was called
Swearingen's Ferry for a short time. It appears that
during the French and Indian wars Thomas Shepherd
began to lay out the land he had acquired into streets
and lots for a town, which was at first called Meck
lenburg, but afterwards received the name of its
founder. The war with the Indians interrupted and
delayed the settlement of the village, so that it was not
until 1762 that it was formally created a town under
the name of Mecklenburg. This town did not at first
include the small tract of land east of the vUIage
owned by the Cookus family, or the property on the
river bank around the ferry owned by the Swearin-

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 279
gens, or the outlots east of Mill Street, and south of
town, owned by the Morrows and others.
After the French and Indian War the growth of the
town was rapid. During the Revolution many indus
tries were carried on at this point, and few places ren
dered more useful and valuable service to the cause.
Clothing was made; shoes, hats, rifles, shotbags, and
all other military accoutrements ; wagons, saddles and
many other things were manufactured for the use of
the soldiers. The town was like a hive of industrious
bees. The humming of looms; the whir of numerous
spinning wheels; the marching of militia and State
troops ; the lumbering off of wagons loaded with provi
sions; the markets held in the village; and the con
stant stream of pack horses, into and out of the town ;
with now and then the arrival of a half-spent express
rider with news from the seat of war, must have made
it a lively and noisy little centre. Sometimes a long
line of prisoners would pass through the place, strictly
guarded by the continental soldiers in blue and buff,
or in one of the picturesque uniforms adopted by the
State troops.
Sometimes a recruiting officer with a few attendants
would appear and take up his temporary quarters at
the Globe Tavern or at the Sign of the Swan. And
sometimes the whole town would turn out to witness
the departure of a band of gallant young recruits,
marching off with their banner in their midst proudly
displayed by some young ensign, who was, very prob
ably, never to see his native haunts again.
After the war the scattered remnants of these com
panies came straggling home, and the old town settled
down to grow sleek and prosperous. So important did
she become in her own eyes at least that we find her.

280 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
true to her name of the "Old Unterrified," not hesitat
ing to offer herself as fit and ready to fiU the exalted
station of capital of these vast United States !
In 1790, when it was decided that the banks of the
Potomac should be selected for the founding of the
capitol city, Washington visited Cumberland, Mary
land, as a possible site, but was not satisfied with its
position, as it was too far from the ocean, and the
waters of the Potomac were not navigable. Had his
pet scheme for deepening the bed of the river suc
ceeded it is possible that the seat of government might
have been farther up the river than its present situa
tion. At any rate there was talk of Shepherdstown as the
capital of the United States of America, and a letter
to Washington on this subject, written by Henry Bed
inger and Mr. Good, is now to be seen in the Manu
script Room of the Congressional Library, which can
not fail to interest all true-born Shepherdstonians.
We will give it in full.
letter from some gentlemen in shepherdstown to
president GEORGE WASHINGTON
To the President of the United States
Sharpsburgh, Dec 1st, 1790.
Sir Unavoidable accidents have prevented us from
Transmitting to you such a Plat of the Lands between
Sharpsburgh and the Potowmack River, as we wished
to make out for your information, agreeable to your
request to Col Wm. Darke and Captain Joseph Chap-
Hne — If you can with Propriety postpone the Deci
sion of fixing the permanent Residence of Congress a
few days, it will enable us to shew at one view the

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 281
Situation, and donations in Lands, and we flatter our
selves that it will prove Sattis factory. —
The Donations on the Virginia Side of the River
amount at this Period to Twenty Thousand, Six Hun
dred, Sixty Two and two-thirds Dollars, and on the
Maryland side to four thousand. Eight Hundred and
thirty Nine Dollars, also Four Hundred and Seventy
five Acres of Land Lying Directly in a Line between
Sharpsburgh and the River.
Subscriptions are continued open, and a probability
that they will be considerably augmented. The price
per Acre of the adjacent Lands will also be sent. Gen
eral Matthews has honored us with his promise to De
liver this, who is informed of some of the Obstacles
that have caused this delay, and if required will ex
plain them. We have the Honour to be your Excel
lencies Most Obedient Servants
Henry Bedinger
WilHam Good
It is needless to say that preferment went elsewhere,
and the soaring ambition of Shepherdstown received
a check. Alas, the proud little village that aspired to
such a dizzy height, was not even long able to retain
the honour, after she received it, of being the county
seat of Jefferson, which was sliced off of old Berkeley
in 1801.
Shepherdstown retained her importance in the
county as a center of trade for many years. Many
cumbersome old stage coaches rattled along her streets
every week; people came from all parts of Berkeley
and Jefferson and even from Maryland to shop, to
trade, and to attend the semi-annual races, always ac-

282 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
companied by balls and dramatic performances. Shep
herdstown was gay and lively, perhaps never more so
than in the years 1799 and 1800 when General Charles
Cotesworth Pinckney made the town his headquarters.
But with all this we have little to do. It is not our
present purpose to tell the story of our town in the
Nineteenth Century. We will not even relate the oc
curences here during the Indian wars of 1788 to 1794;
or tell of the gallant companies under the command
of Captain Henry Van Swearingen and others, who
marched away from the town during the War of 1812.
No, our task is nearly finished. Our object was to
describe as well as we could the settlement of the vil
lage, and its history during the Revolution. We wiU,
however, digress a little in order to say a few words
on the subject of the first printers and editors of the
town, who deserve a chapter to themselves.

CHAPTER XXVII
The Early Printers and Newspapers of Shep
herdstown
ALTHOUGH Mecklenburg was legally established
a town by an Act of Assembly in November,
1762, it was not incorporated untU 1793. "In 1798,"
says Mr. Cartmell, "by an Act of Assembly it was
given the name of Shepherd's Town, in honor of its
founder, at which time additions to the town were
made, and the town assumed all the rights of incor
poration granted by the Act of Assembly Dec. 2, 1793."
The first trustees of the town were elected in 1793.
These were Abraham Shepherd, Henry Bedinger, Con
rad Byers, Jacob Haynes, John Morrow, Henry Line
and William Chapline. These trustees ordered that
the footways on German Street between Mill and
Duke streets, should be posted and railed. Also Prin
cess Street between Washington Street to Woolford's
house near Rocky Street, and "that convenient inter
vals be left for passage from the doors into the streets."
These posts and rails were to be placed "exactly ten
feet into the street and no further."
Major Henry Bedinger was appointed town treas
urer. We must remember that this was long before the
days of cattle trains. It is probable that railing off
the sidewalks was a necessary measure when droves
of hogs, horses, sheep, and cattle were constantly pass
ing through the village. At the next election the towns
people, who met at Mrs. Thomborough's Tavern,
elected John Kearsley, A. Shepherd, John Morrow,
Henry Bedinger, John Eoff, Jacob Haynes, and John

284 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Brown. In 1796 Henry Bedinger, A. Shepherd, J.
Kearsley, Jacob Haynes, John Hite, John Thombor-
ough, and John Morrow were elected. In 1797 Henry
Bedinger, Philip Shutt, Peter Smur, and others were
elected. At this time there were newspapers printed
in Shepherd's Town, for one of the orders reads, "Or
dered that Henry Bedinger cause to be printed in the
newspapers of this town a petition, etc."
In 1798 the General Assembly passed an act author
izing additions to be made to Shepherd's Town, said
additions being laid off on the lands of Henry Cookus,
WilHam Brown, John Morrow, and Richard Hender
son, also the ground lying immediately between the
town and the water's edge of the Potomac. In March,
1800, Peter Zin was authorized to proceed to Lancas
ter and demand from Peter Getz the fire-engine the
town had contracted for.
This same year the market-house on German Street,
where it intersects with King Street, was finished and
ready for use.
Perhaps it will interest some readers to learn that
the first fire insurance company patronized by the citi
zens of Shepherdstown started on its career in the
year 1796. The president, William F. Ast, who lived
in Richmond, Va., wrote in that year to Henry Bedin
ger, then postmaster at Shepherdstown, giving a list
of property holders who desired to have their buildings
insured. As this letter and list give us a good deal of
information on the subject of the residents in the town
at that time we will copy it here.
LETTER FROM MR. AST TO HENRY BEDINGER
Richmond Sth July, 1796
Sir No doubt you have seen by the public prints that a

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN

285

sufficient number of declarations have been received in
the General office, and that the payment of the public
premiums is fixed on or before the first of September
next. I have therefore the pleasure to send you here
with a List of what those Subscribers of your Town
and Environs that have sent in their Declarations have
to pay, and beg that you will use your best endeavors
to get the premiums sent to Mr. Ambler as soon as
possible. Should any be Dilatory, which I hope will
not be the case, as their own interest and safety will
dictate them to pay immediately, you will be good
enough to explain to them that by the first of Septem
ber they are Obliged to pay under the Law.
You will be so good as to remind the subscribers
that have not sent in their declarations yet to do it as
soon as possible. I remain. Sir,
Your Most Obedient Servant
WiUiam F. Ast
LIST OF PROPERTY HOLDERS AND THEIR BUILDINGS IN
SHEPHERDSTOWN INSURED BY THE RICHMOND
FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

NO.

OF BUILDINGS VALUATION

Mr. John Morrow

. 3 .

... $2,500

Mr. E. Langham .
Mr. John Kearsley

8 .

 $3,200

8 .

$4,300

Mr. Michael Cookus

. 2 .

. . . $1,000

Mr. Cornelius Wynkoop

3 .

. . $3,000

Mr. Josiah Raymond

. 2

$1,000

Mr. Gabriel Kemp .

. 3 .

 $1,000

Mr. Conrad Byers

. 3

. . . $1,600

Mr. Joseph McMurran .

2 .

... . . $1,600

Mr. John 'Ware ....

. 1

 $500

Mr. Wm. Worley . . .

. 3 .

$800

Mr. John Thornborough

. 3 .

 $700

286 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Mr. Henry Line .5  $2,000
Mr. Philip Shutt . . 3 . . ... . $1,000
Mr. Cato Moore .... 3  $800
Mr. Peter Smurr . 1 . . . . . . $500
Mr. George- Hanes . i  $1,000
Mr. Jacob Bedinger, 3 Premiums and Taxes on the Pol
icies  $73.86
Mr. Henry Bedinger, 3 Premiums and Taxes on the Pol
icies  $50.73
Wm. F. Ast.
N. B. It is surprising that those Gentlemen men
tioned on the other side should be so deaf to their own
Interest, when they know that they, at present, run
every day of their lives the Risk of their property
which in a few hours may be in Ashes, and which they
have it now in their power to secure.
It is very probable that then as now many property
holders did not insure their houses to the full extent
of their value, else we would be driven to conclude that
buildings could be erected at an extraordinarily cheap
rate, as we find single houses, probably comfortable
dwellings valued at $500, and in one case three for
only $700, an average of less than $250 apiece!
The reader has probably remarked that mention has
been made of the newspapers of the town in the year
1797. Shepherdstown, it appears, was the first town in
what is now West Virginia to boast a newspaper of
her own. This first newspaper printed within the
boundaries of the State was called The Potowmack
Guardian, and was started in Shepherdstown late in
the year 1790 by Mr. Nathaniel Willis, grandfather
of the poet of national reputation, Mr. N. P. Willis.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 287
About 1799 Mr. WiUis moved to Martinsburg, and
early in the Nineteenth Century emigrated to Ohio,
where he published a paper in Chilicothe.
The other paper published in our town in 1797 has
not even left us the memory of a name. All that I
have been able to ascertain in connection with this
second, and probably short-lived paper is that, in 1797,
the firm of "Rootes and Blagrove, Printers," was es
tablished in Shepherdstown and that they printed an
edition of a' book caUed "The Christian's Panoply."
As for the Potowmack Guardian, it appears to be an
extinct species of newspaper. I have never seen a
copy, nor met any one who had ever seen, and few
who had ever heard of it. Nevertheless, it existed.
In the Library of Congress are files of a newspaper
printed in Winchester. In this paper, which was
called "The Virginia Centinel," there are, during the
years 1792 and 1793, a number of quotations from
"The Potowmack Guardian, a paper printed in Shep
herdstown." Besides this, in the year 1850, when the Charles
Town Free Press was publishing a series of articles
on "Shepherdstown in the Olden Time," one number
contains a copy of a curious and erratic letter writ
ten for the Potowmack Guardian by Mrs. Adam Liv
ingstone, of Wizard's Clip. This old letter is ad
dressed to the editor and was printed in the issue of
the paper for Sep. 11th, 1798. It is headed;
"the eyes of the BLIND OPENED.
"To bear an open slander is a curse.
But not to send an answer is a worse.
"Mr. Willis: Your paper. No. 406, having by ac
cident fell into my hands, I was astonished to see

288 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
myself there pointed out as a mark for public re
proach !"
This extract from Mrs. Livingstone's letter is long
enough for our present purposes. If further proof
were needed that The Potowmack Guardian existed
between the years 1790 and 1799 we can furnish it
by many quotations from old family letters. In 1792
Sarah Bedinger Swearingen, the wife of Benoni
Swearingen died suddenly. Jacob Bedinger, in a let
ter in the writer's possession, quotes from the obituary
notice of her death printed in the Potowmack Guard
ian. Again, in a number of letters written by Daniel
Bedinger to his brother Henry in the years 1795-8, he
frequently refers to Mr. Willis's paper, and sometimes
sends him articles for publication in that organ. We
have no more to say on this subject except that we are
still hoping to obtain a file or at least a copy of this
rare specimen of extinct periodical. It is hardly cred
ible that no single specimen remains anywhere. In
some old attic; in some secret drawer of an antique
secretary; or moth-eaten, hair-covered, trunk, reposes,
no doubt, the last survivor of the many hundreds of
copies of the Potowmack Guardian, upon which our
ancestors relied for the news of the day, the first news
paper published within the boundaries of West Vir
ginia. After Mr. Willis moved to Martinsburg, Shepherds
town does not appear to have had a paper of her own
until 1816. In 1808 the Farmer's Repository began its
career in Charles Town, and we find that it published
much Shepherdstown news.
Mr. Nathaniel WilHs, after he moved to Martins
burg, published the Martinsburg Gazette. The first

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 289
number of this paper appeared in May, 1799. It was
largely used by Shepherdstown merchants for purposes
of advertisement, and purported to give all the news
of the county. In 1813 this paper was edited by John
Alburtis. A copy of it is now before me, dated Thurs
day, Dec. 9, 1813.
In this number is a notice of the Shepherdstown
Academy, giving the prices of tuition, and the branches
of learning taught at this, the first academy in West
Virginia. These were Greek, Latin, surveying, Euclid,
rhetoric, the use of the globes, history, grammar,
natural and moral science, composition, and elocution.
These were instilled into the minds of the pupils in
the first and second classes, while "to the third class
belong those who are engaged in the acquisition of
the minor branches of the English education."
The price of tuition was, for the first class, $25 per
annum; for the second class, $20 per annum, and for
the third or primary class, $15 per annum, which
seems reasonable enough.
The American Eagle appears to have begun his flight
through Shepherdstown and her neighborhood in the
year 1816. It was first edited by Mr. Snider, and
afterwards by Robinson and Harper.
At the time the paper was started Mr. N. S. Read
taught the academy, and Mr. A. Jewett was secretary
of the Board of Trustees of that institution. Selby
and Wysong had a store and sold general merchandize,
which included hardware, and dry goods, and miscel
lanies of many kinds. Lane and Towner had a large
store, and Mr. P. Marmaduke another. John T. Cookus
sold dry goods, and Mr. Charles Harper was the
apothecary. Reference is made to two mills, one be
longing to Rawleigh Morgan, Sr., and one to Rawleigh

290 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Morgan, Jr. Also to Benjamin Forman's mill. Joseph
Seaman, "opposite Mrs. Weltzheimer's Tavern on the
road leading to the river," carried on the boating busi
ness. He took flour to Alexandria, Georgetown, and
Washington. James Bell also advertises that he has four boats,
and delivers flour in Georgetown at $1.00 per barrel.
This was long before the canal was dug, and shows us
how our grain merchants used to send their freight to
market. Another firm in Shepherdstown carrying on the re
tail dry goods business was that of Baker Tapscott
&Co.
In 1820 the Eagle was succeeded by the Virginia
Monitor, printed by Edward Bell. In a copy of this
paper dated May 10, 1821, we find many of the same
firms still in existence. Jacob Mendenhall has a flour
mill, and Robert T. Brown is postmaster. There is
mention of the tavern of Thomas James. The firm
of Joel Morgan and Jacob Shutt is dissolved.
There is a trustee's sale before the door of the
Globe Tavern of a farm in "Turrapine Neck," the
property of John W. Browning. Mr. Frederick Ells
worth teaches the Academy. Coverlets, carpets, etc.,
are woven by Jacob Byres.
D. Nicholas and John James of Shepherdstown ad
vertise that they will build threshing machines on
moderate terms. "One of these machines, with a four
horse power, wiU clean thirty-five bushels of wheat in
an hour!" The cost of a threshing machine was $400,
and they could be seen "at Mr. WilHam Short's farm,
about two miles and a half from town." A curious
advertisement reads : "The office of Jailor of Jefferson
Co. is for rent for two years. Allowances to the Jailor

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 291
are considerable, independent of his fees. Application
to be made to S. W. Lackland, Esq, in Charles Town,
or to the subscriber, J. L. Ransone."
Another very curious old advertisement in this issue
of the Monitor throws some light on the conditions of
servitude in that day, when it was customary to bind
out boys and girls to learn some trade, and usually
to continue in service until they reached their majority.
INFORMATION WANTED
"In or about the year 1800, being about 10 years old,
I was bound to Captain William Kerney of Jeff. Co.,
Va. My Mother first married Thomas Dawson of
Maryland, and, after his death married Thomas
O'Ryan, with whom she had four children. She set out
in search of some of her brothers, and took with her
the two youngest children, John and Catherine O'Ryan.
Since that time I have not heard anything of them.
Any person knowing where they or any of them reside
will confer a favor on me by addressing a letter to me
at Shepherdstown, Va. I know no other way of ob
taining information of them but to beg the aid of
newspaper editors throughout the States of Maryland,
Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, by giving the
above a few insertions in their respective papers and
thereby serve the cause of humanity, and oblige their
humble servant, "Thomas O'Ryan."
In 1824 John Alburtis left Martinsburg and came to
Shepherdstown, where he started the Gazette. A copy
of this paper which I have examined is dated Wednes
day, May 17, 1826.
In 1829 the Potomac Pioneer was pubhshed in Shep-

292 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
herdstown by W. & G. R. Weber. This was suc
ceeded by the Informer and Weekly.
As the scope of this volume does not extend any
farther than 1825, we will not continue these notes on
early Shepherdstown papers in this place.

CHAPTER XXVIII
The Meeting at the Spring of '76
OUR task is now approaching its conclusion. All
that we have been able to gather about the vil
lage of Shepherdstown before and during the Revolu
tion we have now laid before our readers. Perhaps at
some future day we will attempt to carry on the his
tory of the "Old Unterrified," during the Nineteenth
Century and up to the present day.
But this part of our subject cannot be concluded
without a glance at the pathetic reunion of the surviv
ing veterans of the Rifle Company who met at the
"Spring of '76," after the expiration of fifty years ; ac
cording to the promise made to each other by the gal
lant young volunteers at the barbecue given at the
spring on that bright June day in the year 1775, who
pledged themselves to meet again, those whose Hves
were spared, on the 10th of June, 1825. The day came
at last, and two old brothers rode in to the rendezvous,
one from Kentucky, and one from his home, Pro
tumna, near Martinsburg. SUently they embraced, and
with tears. It was for the last time. They never met
again. These two old men, the only survivors
of Captain Stephenson's gallant riflemen, able to be
present on that day, were Major Henry Bedinger and
his brother, George Michael Bedinger. We have al
ready described their meeting in a family history, but,
for the benefit of many of our readers, who have never
read this earlier volume, we wiU insert here, as a fitting
conclusion of our task, the account of the celebration
of 1825, written from notes furnished by Daniel Mor-

294 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
gan, for the Free Press, then published in Harper's
Ferry.
FROM harper's FERRY FREE PRESS, JUNE 12tH, 1825
"A party of ladies and gentlemen repaired on Fri
day, the tenth of June, to a spring (Mr. D. Morgan's)
near Shepherdstown, for the purpose of celebrating
the day, pursuant to an arrangement made 50 years
before. The circumstances which gave rise to this
truly interesting celebration have been related to us
as follows, by a gentleman who was present.
"In the spring of 1775 General Washington selected
Hugh Stephenson and Daniel Morgan, afterwards
Colonel Hugh Stephenson and General Morgan, to
command two companies of men, the quota Virginia
had been required to furnish. Although at the time
Boston was invested with a large military force, and
the prospects of the Americans were enveloped in im
penetrable gloom, yet so great was the love of liberty
which animated our forefathers that two volunteer
companies were instantly raised, one at Shepherds
town, and the other at Winchester. They turned out
for twelve months, furnished their own rifles and
equipment, and marched to Boston in twenty-one days.
"A barbecue was given by Colonel William Morgan,,
to Stephenson's Company, on the 10th day of June,
1775, the period of its organization, at the spring above
mentioned, which has ever since been known by the
name of Stephenson's Spring.*
"Then it was that a prophetic and truly patriotic
song was sung, of which we hope to obtain a copy, and
*This was not the spring on Col. William Morgan's place,
but one between it and town on the property then owned by
Daniel Morgan, an uncle of Col. William Morgan.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 295
an agreement made by these heroes of the olden time,
that the survivors of the perils they were then about
to encounter, and of the ravages of time, should meet
at that spring and on that day, fifty years to come,.
which agreement has thus been redeemed.
"Out of the ninety-seven gallant spirts who com
posed the company, five only are living, and of the lat
ter number but two were present, namely. Major
Henry Bedinger, of Berkeley County, Virginia, and
Major M. Bedinger, of Kentucky. The other three
are Judge Robert White, of Winchester, and General
Samuel Finley and William Hulse, Esq., of Ohio, aU
of whom, it is understood, would have attended had
they not been prevented by old age and infirmity. A
few of those who fought in '76, and one who survived
the slaughter at St. Clair's defeat, were among the
number at this celebration.
"Soon after the party had partaken of an elegant
dinner given by Mr. Daniel Morgan, Captain Harper,
with a detachment of artillery, was seen at a distance
advancing with colors flying and music playing, to pay
suitable honors to the occasion. The sound of the
music, and the appearance of the martial column, be
ing unexpected, must have struck the minds of this
remnant of Revolutionary veterans with alternately
joyful and gloomy reminiscences of 'times long past,'
the thrill of joy at the recollection of 'the well-fought
field;' and the gloom of melancholy at the remem
brance of the immense sacrifice of valuable lives, which
the gain of freedom cost our now happy country.
"The salutes were then gone through, and the very
interesting ceremony of presenting one of Stephen
son's Company, Major Michael Bedinger, to the sons
and grandsons of his compeers in arms; he passing

296 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
through the ranks and shaking each cordially by the
hand. "Whilst this was performing, and the eyes and at
tention of the spectators were intently fixed upon the
touching scene, guns were fired, at a signal previously
agreed upon, by a detachment of artillery stationed
on an eminence for that purpose.
"Afterwards a number of national airs were played
in the first style by the band, and two patriotic songs
were sung by Major Michael Bedinger (69 years of
age), he being earnestly solicited, — the very same that
had been sung at that spot fifty years before.
"Several toasts were drunk, and Auld Lang Syne
was played by the martial band, which had a very
solemn and grand effect. The train of reflections
produced by the veterans, their anecdotes, collected
from real life in the course of three generations, 'all
of which they saw, and part of which they were,' may
be more easily imagined than described. Indeed the
gifted pen of the author of 'The Spy,' would not be
disgraced by the subject.
"They recalled to mind the American Colonies when
they presented little more than a vast, uncultivated
wilderness, the population declared to be in a state of
rebellion; advancing they met the gibbet; retreating,
death or slavery ; turning to the right they encountered
bayonets ; to the left, scalping knives ; without money,
without friends, and almost without hope!
"But now America's sails whiten every ocean, and
her sons visit every clime. In literature and arts, too,
she ranks among the most distinguished nations of the
earth. * * * What would be the astonishment of
one of the martyrs of liberty who met a watery grave
from the deck of a British prison-ship, were he to be

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 297
suddenly translated from the other world to this, with
the remembrance of all the sufferings and dangers he
encountered still fresh on his mind?
"Major Michael Bedinger, distinguished as a parti
san officer, was among the first to volunteer, and ever
amidst the foremost in the hour of danger. He was in
the battles of Germantown, Piscatawa, etc., and was at
the taking of Cornwallis. He also rendered essential
service against the Indians, and was selected by Gen
eral St. Clair to conciliate the feelings, and procure the
aid of the friendly Indians.
"Major Henry Bedinger was one of the two thou
sand, eight hundred and eighty-three, the flower of
American youth, who were surrendered at Fort Wash
ington. Out of that number about 1900 died in the
short space of two months, from ill-treatment. Major
Bedinger, then a Lieutenant, being wounded at the
time, was incarcerated on board one of the 'floating
hells,' the greater part of the four years he was a pris
oner. He afterwards served to the close of the Revo
lution, and had many hairbreadth escapes."

APPENDIX A
Alphabetical List of Officers and Privates Con
nected with Shepherdstown, or Recruited in
its Neighborhood, During the Revo
lution A
Aitken, James. Probably the same as Aiken, and
possibly the son of Thomas Aiken, a landholder of
Berkeley County in 1776. James Aitken or Aiken en
listed in Captain Shepherd's company of riflemen in
June, 1776. After the 29th of August of that year his
name disappears from the rolls. No further records.
Aldridge, Benjamin. Enlisted in Captain Stephen
son's company of riflemen in June, 1775. Perhaps a
son of Robert Aldridge. No records after the term for
which this company enlisted, which was one year.
Allen, Ebenezer. Enlisted as above. No further
records. Anderson,  • — . A captain of Berkeley County
militia. Anderson, William. Enlisted in 1775 in Captain
Stephenson's company. Re-enlisted in Captain Shep
herd's company in June, 1776. Was taken prisoner
Nov. 16th of that year at Fort Washington. Joined
the British army to save his life. No further records.
Possibly a son of the widow, Catherine Anderson.
(See Landowner's List.)
Angel, John. One of the privates enlisted by Henry
Bedinger, Dec. 3d, 1782. Described as twenty-two, 5
ft. 8 inches, fair, with gray eyes. He was born in
Baltimore and lived in Shepherdstown, on Angel HiU,

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 299
which takes its name from his family. He must have
been in service before he joined Bedinger's Company,
as he was at the Battle of Eutaw Springs. He was
also a survivor of St. Clair's defeat in 1791. When
he died he left two children. His son was apprenticed
to a blacksmith in Shepherdstown. The daughter,
Priscilla, went West, where Henry Bedinger saw her
living with a Mr. Littler at the mouth of Darby Creek.
Ambrose,  . A captain of militia of Berkeley
County. Perhaps this is Henry Ambrose, who, in
1776, owned 400 acres in Berkeley.
Arters,  . A soldier in the Continental Army
from Berkeley County. B
Barger, John. Enlisted in Captain Shepherd's com
pany in June 1776, but was drafted in another com
pany in August of the same year. No further records.
Barret, Henry. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775.
Basil, John. Enlisted by Henry Bedinger in 1782.
Baylor, Robert. Captain Robert Baylor belonged
to the family of Baylors who settled on the BuUskin
early in the Eighteenth Century. After the Revolution
he lived in Shepherdstown, and, in 1795, he repre
sented this district in the Virginia Assembly. He after
wards went west and settled in Logan County, Ken
tucky. Beall, Captain Isaac. Raised a company in 1776
in Berkeley County. At a competitive drill the com
pany of WUliam Darke was awarded the title of First
Company of Berkeley Volunteers, thus taking pre
cedence of Captain Beall's company.
Beatty, Thomas. Enlisted in Captain Shepherd's

300 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
company. He was taken prisoner on the 16th of No
vember, 1776, and died, or was killed, while a captive,
on the 15th of February 1777.
Bedinger, Lieut. Daniel. He was born in 1761 near
York, Pa. The following year his father moved to
Shepherdstown. In June, 1776, Daniel ran away from
home and enlisted in Captain Shepherd's company of
riflemen. Was an expert marksman, and fired his
rifle 27 times at the British ascending the hill to storm
Fort Washington. This was considered an astonish
ing feat in those days. Although taken prisoner his
gallantry in action won him an ensigncy. He was
confined first in the old Sugar House Prison in New
York and afterwards on board a prison ship. Al
though exchanged in about two months he never re
gained his health.* After the Revolution, during
which he won the reputation of being an intrepid and
valuable soldier, Daniel Bedinger went to Norfolk,
where he obtained a situation in the Custom House.
During Jefferson's administration he was appointed
Navy Agent, and took entire charge of Gosport Navy
Yard. He constructed the wall and government build
ings still in use. In his old age he lived on his estate,
"Bedford," near Shepherdstown, the home of hospi
tality. He died in 1818, leaving a widow and a large
family of children. No man in the neighborhood was
more loved and respected. His earnest patriotism
made him some enemies, and his poem, "The Cossack
Celebration," is still remembered by many as one of
the strongest examples of satirical writing ever pro
duced in America. One of his daughters married the
Hon. William Lucas. Another married Thornton
?Served under Col. John Neville in fourth 'Virginia Regi
ment until end of war.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 301
Washington, a grand-nephew of General George
Washington. A third married Edmund J. Lee, Esq., a
cousin of Gen. R. E. Lee. His son, Henry Bedinger,
represented this district in Congress a number of
years, and was sent as United States Minister to Den
mark in 1853. He returned home in 1858, and took
cold at a large public dinner tendered him by his
friends and neighbors, in honor of his return, dying
in a few days of pneumonia.
Bedinger, George Michael. Major G. M. Bedinger
was an elder brother of Daniel. He was born in 1756,
was educated in Shepherdstown, volunteered in Cap
tain Hugh Stephenson's company of riflemen in 1775,
and served several other short tours of duty. After
the Revolution he went to Kentucky. Was several
times elected to the State Legislature, and served two
terms in Congress, where, in 1808, he was chairman of
the committee to prevent further importation of slaves
into America. He died in 1843, and has many de
scendants. Bedinger, Henry. Major Henry Bedinger was the
elder brother of George and Daniel. Born in 1753,
he enlisted in Captain Stephenson's company as a
sergeant. In 1776 he enlisted as third lieutenant in
Captain Shepherd's company. Was wounded and
taken prisoner at Fort Washington, and endured four
years confinement on Long Island. After his ex
change he raised a company and continued in service
until the end of the war. He and John Marke were
grain merchants for many years in Shepherdstown.
He was also postmaster for a number of years, and
was elected to the Virginia Assembly in 1792. He re
fused re-election, and in 1799 moved to the vicinity
of Martinsburg, where he built Protumna, and where

302 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
he spent many years, becoming, with one exception
(General Ehsha Boyd), the richest landowner in
Berkeley County. He married Rachel Strode, and has
many descendants. His daughters married Colonel
Miller, Col. James Strode Swearingen, and Braxton
Davenport, Esq. He had no sons.
Beeler. Captain Beeler commanded a company of
militia in Berkeley County. Beeler's Mills was on the
Shenandoah, not far from Charles Town. This mill
was built and owned by Benjamin Beeler.
Beeson, WilHam. This name appears on the muster
roll of Company 4, one of the twelve companies of
riflemen raised by Daniel Morgan in 1777-8. Beeson's
Mills were on a part of the site of Martinsburg. The
Beesons owned a large tract of land in Berkeley.
Bell, Daniel. A private.
Bell, Hugh. A private.
Beller, H. E. A private. Remained in active serv
ice until the end of the war, though past fifty when he
enlisted. Bener, George. A private.
Bennet, Edward. A private in Captain- Stephen
son's company. The Bennets were a very old Shep
herdstown family, and intermarried with the Swear
ingens, Van Metres, and others.
Bevins, Samuel. Enlisted in Captain Shepherd's
company. Taken prisoner on Nov. 16th and died in
prison Feb. 26th, 1777.
Blackhead, Anthony. Enlisted in Captain Shep
herd's company. Killed in a skirmish near Fort Wash
ington, Nov. 15th, 1776.
Beverley, John. Was with the riflemen at Roxbury
Camp in 1775, but in what capacity I do not know.
Blair, William. A private in Captain Stephenson's

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 303
company. Probably a son of John Blair, who had a
farm in Berkeley at the time of the Revolution.
Blake, John. Enlisted in Captain Shepherd's com
pany in June, 1776, but was drafted into another com
pany in August of that year.
Blue, John. Drafted out of Captain Cloak's com
pany of militia in 1780 into the regular army.
Blue, Michael. Drafted at the same time into the
army out of Capt. Hanse Van Metre's company of
militia. Bodine, John. A private in Captain Stephenson's
company. Boulden, John. Enlisted in Captain Shepherd's
company in June, 1776, and was drafted into another
rifle company in August.
Bowers, George. Drafted into the army in 1780 out
of Captain Campbell's militia company.
Boyer, Captain John. Served in a Pennsylvania
Regiment. Father of Mr. John Byers of Shepherds
town. Boyle, William. One of Captain Shepherd's men.
Taken prisoner at Fprt Washington, and died in cap
tivity, Feb. 28th, 1777.
William and Henry Boyle had a farm in partnership
in Berkeley County before the Revolution.
Brady, Christopher. First enlisted in Captain Ste
phenson's company in 1775. In 1776 he re-enlisted in
a company raised by his brother in Berkeley County,
in which he was second lieutenant. Just before the
battle around Fort Washington Christopher was
taken Ul, and died on the 15th of November, 1776.
His brother remained with him, leaving his company
to be commanded in the battle by his third lieutenant.
Nearly all of this company were taken captive. Cap-

304 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
tain WiUiam Brady having lost his men, made the best
of his way home, and took no further part in the war.
Battaile Harrison commanded his company in the bat
tle and was killed. The Bradys lived in the south
eastern part of Berkeley, now Jefferson, County, and
William's Company was raised in the neighborhood
of Charlestown and the Shenandoah. No muster roll
of it is in existence, as far as the writer can discover.
Brady, James. One of the recruits raised by Capt.
Henry Bedinger in 1782. Described at 32, height 5
ft. 8 inches; complexion fair, black hair, and gray
eyes. Born in Langford County, Ireland. Living in
Berkeley County. Very probably a relation of Wil
liam and Christopher. The Bradys lived at the old
Bloomery, near Charles Town.
Breedins. The Breedins lived near Harper's Ferry.
John Breedin was a sergeant and Richard Breedin a
private under George Rogers Clark, and accompanied
him on his expedition against the British strongholds
in the West.
Briscoes. This family was prominent in Berkeley
County long before the Revolution. John Briscoe
came to the vicinity of Shepherdstown in 1733. He
was active in organizing the militia during the Revo
lution, and at one time acted as surgeon to a company.
He was born in March, 1717, and died Dec. 7th, 1788.
He married EHzabeth McMiUan, a daughter of Cap
tain John McMillan, who commanded a company of
Berkeley County militia during the Revolution. In
1780 Dr. Briscoe bought Piedmont, in the neighbor
hood of Charles Town, from the Nourse famUy, and
lived in it until his death.
Briscoe, Reuben. In April, 1778, Reuben Briscoe
was appointed captain of the Fourth Company of Ri
flemen under Col. Daniel Morgan.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 305
Broadus, William. Lieutenant Broadus Hved near
Charles Town, where his granddaughter lately died
at a great age. He was an officer of the Virginia line,
and received a pension of $320 per annum for his serv
ices until his death, Oct. 7th, 1830. Left a son of the
same name as himself.
Brown, George. Private in Captain Shepherd's
company. Taken captive at Fort Washington, but
soon exchanged.
Brown, James. Same as above.
Brown, Samuel. Another private in same company.
Taken prisoner, exchanged, and killed on Sept. 26th,
1777. The Browns were among the earliest residents
of Shepherdstown, and prominent citizens of the
county. James Brown was a member of the firm of
Brown & Lucas, that, in 1812, bought the Globe Tav
ern, as Entler's Hotel was then called, from Daniel
Bedinger. Brown married Eleanor Rutherford, the
youngest daughter of Hon. Robert Rutherford, of
Flowing Springs, and his wife, Mary Daubigny
Howe who was the widow of Lord George Augustus
Howe, a young Englishman of great promise, who
was killed at Ticonderoga in 1758. The Browns have
many descendants in Jefferson County.
Bryan or Brian, Daniel. Lived in Maryland and
served in the Maryland line, but settled in Jefferson
County after the Revolution. Drew a pension of $96
per annum, and died in 1834.
Bryan, Timmons. A private in Captain Shepherd's
company. Does not appear to have been taken prisoner
at Fort Washington. In January, 1777, he was drafted
into another rifle company. The Bryans lived on the
BuUskin, and are said to have been related to Lord
Fairfax. One of them had some local reputation as

306 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
a poet, and one, the Rev. John Love Bryan, was a
clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and
married Mary Bedinger, a daughter of Daniel Bed
inger. Bush, Dennis. He was a sergeant in Captain Shep
herd's company and was one of the recruits raised by
Henry Bedinger, near Newton. He was taken pris
oner at Fort Washington, but was soon exchanged.
May have been a brother of Philip Bush, who kept a
tavern in Winchester.
Butcher, Richard. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company in June, 1775. Was well educated. The
Butchers lived on the BuUskin, and still have descend
ants in that part of the county.
Butts, Baruch. His name appears in one of the
rifle companies enlisted by Col. Daniel Morgan in 1777.
Butts, John. EnHsted in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775, but died soon after reaching camp
at Roxbury.
Butts, Zechariah. Enlisted in Captain Shepherd's
company in 1776. Does not appear to have been taken
prisoner, and was drafted into another rifle company
in 1777. The Butts owned land on the Opequon.
Byers, Conrad. A private. Survived the war, and
owned several houses in Shepherdstown.
Byres, Jacob. Enlisted for Capt. H. Bedinger's
company, by Captain Cherry, Dec. 3d, 1782. De
scribed as 25 years old, with fair complexion, gray
eyes, and brown hair. Height, 6 ft. 2 inches. Born in
Chester County, Pa. Lived in Shepherdstown. A Ja
cob Boyer lived in Erie County, N. Y. after the war,
and received a sergeant's pension of $96 per annum.
for services in the Virginia line. This was probably
the .same man. The name Boyer has been corrupted

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 307
into Byers in this locality. Indeed few German names
have remained unchanged.
Byrnes, Thomas. A private recruited by Henry
Bedinger in 1782. He is described as 27 years old,
with brown complexion, black hair, and gray eyes.
Height, 5 feet, 10 inches. Born in Langford County,
Ireland. Lived in Berkeley County.

Cabbage, Conrad. Enlisted by Henry Bedinger
Aug. 6th, 1776, for Captain Shepherd's rifle Company.
Taken prisoner Nov. 16th, and died in prison, Jan.
7th, 1777.
Cameron, Daniel. A soldier in the Continental
Army. Campbell,  — . A captain of Berkeley County
militia. There was also Lieut.-Colonel Richard
Campbell, perhaps of the same family. Dugald Camp
bell was one of the first settlers in Berkeley. His old
house three miles from Martinsburg bore the date
1743. At the time of the Revolution, Douglas, Rob
ert, Duncan and Isaac Campbell were all landowners
in the county.
Carter, Joseph. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775. A Joseph Carter came from Bucks
County, Pa., in 1743, and made a settlement about five
miles east of Winchester, where there was a fine
spring, which had made the place a favorite camping-
ground for Indians. Private Joseph Carter may have
been his son. From his handwriting in Captain Ste
phenson's receipt book, dated Roxbury Camp, Jan. 1st,
1776, Carter appears to have been well educated.
Case, William. A private in Captain Shepherd's
company. Taken prisoner at Fort Washington, he

308 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
languished in confinement until his death, which oc
curred March ISth, 1777.
Cassody, John. Same as above. Died or was killed
in prison, Feb. ISth, 1777.
Chapline, Abraham. Oldest son of Captain Wm.
Chapline and Ann Forman. Was a captain in the
Virginia State Line and served under George Rogers
Clarke who, in 1792, made the following affidavit of
his services ; "I do certify that Abraham Chapline en
gaged as an Ensign in the service of the Common
wealth of Va. the 13th Jan. 1778, and marched with
me to the Reduction of the different posts in Illinois
County, and Joined the Illinois Regiment as Lieut.
from its first Establishment, & in the year 1781 was
advanced to Capt. and served in that character as a
good Officer until the 14th of April, 1873, at which
time he was retumed as supernumeray. Given from
under my hand this 1st of May, 1792
"George Rogers Clark."
Abraham Chapline received a large land grant for his
military services upon which he settled near Harrods-
burg, Ky.
Cherry. Captain Cherry was a recruiting officer,
appointed in 1780. He kept a notable tavern, called
Cherry's Tavern, where Charles Town now stands.
He commanded in 1777-8, a company in the Fourth
Virginia Infantry.
Cloak. Captain Cloak commanded a company of
Berkeley County militia during the Revolution. A
man named George Cloak lived on a small farm in
Berkeley County before the Revolution.
Cole, John. EnHsted in Capt. H. Stephenson's com
pany in 1775. May have re-enlisted in a rifle company
in 1776. The name appears among the prisoners on

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 309
board the Jersey prison ship, but may have belonged
to another man of the same name.
Cole, Joseph. Drafted into the army in 1780 from
Captain Davis's company of Berkeley County militia.
Cole, Robert. Went as a substitute for a private
drafted out of one of the militia companies of Berk
eley in 1780.
Collins, Charles. Private in Captain Shepherd's
Company. Died in prison, Jan. 19th, 1777. The Col
linses were landowners in Berkeley before the Revolu
tion. Connell, Patrick. Enlisted in Captain Shepherd's
company in June, 1776, but was drafted into another
company in August.
Connor, Charles. A private in Captain Stephenson's
Company. Cook, Thomas. He was the fifer of Capt. Shep
herd's Company. Died July 1st, 1777, probably from
the effects of imprisonment. Many of the soldiers
who were exchanged in January, 1777, or at a later
date died from the ill-treatment they received on board
the prison ships, or in the churches in New York.
Cookus, Michael. A private. The Cookuses were
possibly the first settlers of Shepherdstown, as very old
stones in the graveyards attest that some of them lived
here in 1725. Michael Cookus survived the war, and
owned several houses in the village, for which he is
taxed in 1797.
Covenhover, or Copenhover. Joseph was drafted
from Capt. John Van Meter's company of militia in
1780. The Copenhover s owned a farm in the county
before the Revolution. Two of the name served in
the War of 1812.
Cowing, James. Drafted out of Captain Ander
son's company of Berkeley County militia in 1780.

310 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Crawford, John. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775. May have been a nephew of Cap
tain Stephenson. Re-enlisted as a sergeant in Captain
Shepherd's company in 1776. Was taken prisoner
and soon exchanged; In 1782 we again hear of John
Crawford, who was with his father, Col. William
Crawford, on the ill-fated expedition against the In
dians in that year. John escaped and reached home
on the 20th of June.
Crawford, Valentine. A brother of William Craw
ford, who lived, at one time, on the BuUskin. He
served at Fort Crawford and under his brother in the
western campaigns.
Crawford, William. Colonel Crawford belonged to
the old family of the Crawfords of Kilburnie,-in Scot
land. William was bom about 1722 in Westmoreland
County, Va. His father died in 1725, and his widow
married Richard Stephenson, by whom she had five
sons, John, Hugh, Richard, James, and Marquis. Wil
Ham Crawford married Hannah Vance in 1744. The
Crawfords and Stephensons lived together on fhe BuU
skin where they took up land in 1747. William had
four children. His oldest daughter, Sarah, was noted
for her beauty, and is said to have refused Simon
Girty. She married Major WiUiam Harrison, who
perished at the same time that Colonel Crawford was
tortured to death by the Indians. Effie Crawford
married William Connell, who founded Connellsville,
Pa. Ann, third daughter of Wm. Crawford married
Zechariah McCormick. The only son of Colonel
Crawford was named John. Washington knew and es
teemed the Crawfords and Stephensons, and at one
time boarded in their house on the BuUskin when he
was making surveys. Hugh Stephenson rented some

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 311
of Washington's land before the Revolution, and there
is a letter from him to Washington, dated 1768, in the
Congressional Library. WilHam Crawford was a
surveyor and ensign in Braddock's expedition of 1755.
In 1758 he was a captain under Washington, and led
the vanguard against Fort Duquesne. In 1765 he
moved to the south side of the Youghigheny River,
and took up 376 acres of land. Dunmore visited him
there in 1773. In Dunmore's War Crawford was com
missioned a major. In 1776 he was colonel of the
7th Virginia Regiment. Was in the battles of Tren
ton, Princeton, Brandywine, and Germantown. In
1777 he was sent to fight under General Hand in the
westem country. Washington wrote to Congress that
"he was an active, brave, and discreet officer." He
reported to General Mcintosh at Fort Pitt. In the
spring of 1778 he erected a stockade fort on the Alle
ghany, which General Mcintosh named Fort Craw
ford. Here he commanded for two years. In Octo
ber, 1778, he was ordered to unite the troops from
Berkeley and Augusta Counties in one corps, to be
known as the Third Regiment of his brigade. After
the failure of Williamson's expedition against the sav
ages, in March, 1782, Crawford led a force against
the Indians. He had with him about 480 volunteers,
who were the pick of the brigade. Colonel Crawford,
Lieutenant Colonel WiUiamson, Major Rose, Dr. Mc
Knight, and others were in this expedition. The In
dians surprised them and forced them to retreat in
the night. Next morning Colonel Crawford, Major
Harrison, John Crawford, William Crawford, a son
of Valentine, and Dr. McKnight were missing. All
the next day the men, commanded by Williamson, rode
and fought alternately, with a loss of about 100 men.

312 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
The Indians captured Colonel Crawford, and tortured
him to death with excessive cruelty. John Crawford
and Dr. McKnight escaped, but Major Harrison and
William Crawford, Jr., were killed.
Grim, Peter. A soldier of the Revolution, who died
at Smithfield, Jefferson County, in 1846, aged 94. Old
Abram Grim, possibly a brother of Peter, used to
wander about the country for many years, a harmless
lunatic, and the subject of a poem written by Hon.
Henry Bedinger beginning:
i "Did you ever meet old Abram Crim?
If you did you'll long remember him."
Crutcher, James. A private of the Pennsylvania
line. He lived in Jefferson County after the Revolu
tion, and drew a pension in 1835.
Cummins, John. A private in Captain Shepherd's
company. Died in prison Jan. 27th, 1777.
Curry, John. Enlisted in Capt. H. Stephenson's
company of riflemen, marched to Cambridge, but de
serted to the British in the night of Feb. 27th, 1776.
D
Dandridge, Alexander Spottswood. Captain Dan
dridge served, for a short time, as one of Washington's
staff. He was the son of Captain Nathaniel West
Dandridge, and his wife, Dorothea Spottswood,
daughter of Governor Alexander Spottswood, and was
born at the Dandridge home, "Elsing Green," in Han
over County, Va., Aug. 1, 1753. He was made lieu
tenant of the Fourth Virginia Dragoons June 13, 1776;
captain of the Virginia Artillery Battalion, Nov. 30,
1777. He resigned from the army on April 14, 1780.
"Towards the end of the War, as the story goes.
Captain Dandridge was in Winchester for a short

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 313
time, and one day, standing with a group of officers
near the entrance of old Fort Loudoun, he saw riding
towards them General Adam Stephen, and a beautiful
young girl in a red riding-dress. This was the Gen
eral's daughter, Ann Stephen, who had ridden with her
father from their home in Berkeley County, twenty
miles away, to see the soldiers. The gallant young cap
tain soon fell a victim to the fair Anne's charms, and
their marriage was celebrated not long after. He then
left Hanover County, and settled on a large plantation
called the 'Bower,' in what is now Jefferson County,
in the Valley of Virginia, about eight miles from Mar
tinsburg. Here he died in AprU, 1785, and is buried
in Martinsburg. He left a widow and an only child,
Adam Stephen Dandridge, but little over two years of
age. The widow died in 1834, aged 76 years. The son
inherited the 'Bower' and it is still owned by descend
ants of the name.."
This account of Captain Dandridge is taken from a
note written by Albert Cook Myres, on page 156 of a
most amusing book called "Sally Wister's Journal."
Sally Wister was a pretty young Quakeress, refugeeing
with her family in a farm house on the Wissahickon,
while the British occupied Philadelphia. Many officers
of the Continental Army made the house their quarters
during 1777 and the following year. Her description
of the dashing young artillery officer is piquant. She
wrote: "June 2nd, 1778. Take a circumstantial ac
count of this afternoon, and the person of this extraor
dinary man. * * * pjis person is more elegantly
formed than any I ever saw; tall and commanding.
His forehead is very white, tho' the lower part of his
face is much sunburned; his features are extremely
pleasing; an even, white set of teeth, dark hair, and

314 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
eyes. I can't describe him better than by saying he is
the handsomest man I ever beheld. Betsy and Liddy
coincide in this opinion."
Darke, William. See the chapter on William Darke
in this volume.
Darnheffer, John. Said to have been a private in the
Revolution. Known to have been a soldier under St.
Clair in 1791, and also an ensign in the War of 1812.
Perhaps there were two of the name.
Davis, Joseph. Surgeon of Col. Daniel Morgan's
Rifle Regiment raised in 1777.
Davis, Michael. A soldier from Shepherdstown.
Davis, Samuel. Belonged to Captain Shepherd's
Rifle Company raised in Virginia in 1776. Was taken
prisoner at Fort Washington, and died or was killed on
a prison ship February 15th, 1777.
Davis, William. Enlisted in Capt. Hugh Stephen
son's company in 1775. Afterwards re-enlisted in
Captain William Brady's company of riflemen raised in
Berkeley County in June, 1776. William Davis was
badly wounded at the battle around Fort Washington.
Afterwards he served in one of the companies of rifle
men under Colonel Morgan.
Delrock, Michael. A Hessian soldier who deserted
at the battle of Princeton. Fought with the Americans
until peace was declared and afterwards settled in
Shepherdstown. Donnelly, William. Enlisted as a private in Captain
Shepherd's company in 1776. Taken prisoner at Fort
Washington, and died in captivity, Jan. 10, 1777.
Duke, Francis. Captain Francis Duke was a son of
the emigrant from Ireland, John Duke. He married
Sarah Shepherd, a daughter of Col. David Shepherd,
of Shepherdstown. Captain Duke was killed by the

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 315
Indians who were besieging Fort Henry, where Wheel
ing now stands. This was on the first of September,
1777, while he was making an heroic effort to bring
relief to the garrison.
Duke, George. A soldier of the Revolution, prob
ably related to Captain Francis Duke. George was
killed at the battle of Brandywine.
Duke, James. A cousin of Francis, who served in
the Revolution and afterwards lived near Charles
Town. Duke, John. Received a pension for services in the
Revolution. A soldier from Berkeley County, Va.
Duke, Matthew. A son of John Duke, born July 5,
1758. Said to have served in the Revolution as a sub
stitute for Daniel Hendricks. Died, unmarried, near
Uvilla, in 1820. E
Eakins, Robert. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775. Died soon after reaching camp, and
is buried in Roxbury graveyard.
Eaty, Jacob. A drummer boy from near Shepherds
town. The Rev. Henry Eaty was a Presbyterian min
ister, who lived in Berkeley County before the Revolu
tion. Jacob was, probably, a relation of his.
Eckhart, John. A private in the Revolution from
Shepherdstown. Engle, Michael. Enlisted in the Revolution in Cap
tain Stephenson's company in 1775. Afterwards re-
enlisted in one of the rifle companies raised in Berke
ley in 1776. Died on a prison ship. He was a brother
of Philip Engle.
Engle, Philip. He marched under General Gates to
Camden, and guarded that General's headquarters dur-

316 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
ing the battle of Camden. After the Revolution he
married Mary Darke, a sister of WiUiam Darke.
English, William. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775.
Entier, Adam. Two Adam Entlers, father and son,
served in the Revolution.
Entier, Michael. Chief farrier in a cavalry regiment,
Entier, Philip. A private in the Revolution.
Ernst, Martin. A Hessian soldier who deserted at
the battle of Princeton. Afterwards served with the
Americans and received a pension until his death in
183 — . Lived in Shepherdstown.

Fackler, Jacob. A private in the Revolution from
Shepherdstown. Filch, Daniel. Drafted into the army in 1780 from
Capt. John Van Metre's militia company.
Fink, Jacob. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
Company in 1775.
Finley, Samuel. General Samuel Finley had a va
ried career. He was born April IS, 1752. He was ed
ucated by his uncle. Dr. Samuel Finley, who was a
Presbyterian mitiister, born in Ireland. He taught an
academy at Nottingham, Maryland, until 1765, when
he was elected President of Princeton College. He died
in 1766, when his nephew, Samuel, was only fourteen.
At the time of the Revolution Samuel Finley was a
clerk in a store in Martinsburg kept by Capt. Charles
Morrow. In 1775 Finley enlisted as a sergeant in Capt.
H. Stephenson's company. In 1776 he re-enlisted as
first lieutenant in Captain Shepherd's company. On
the fatal day of the battle around Fort Washington,
often called the battle of King's Bridge, Finley com-

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 317
manded Captain Shepherd's company. He was taken
prisoner and confined on Long Island for four years.
He was exchanged in November, 1780, with Capt.
Henry Bedinger, Capt. Nat. Pendleton and others.
These three young officers purchased a horse on which
they rode, alternately, back to Virginia. Afterwards
he served in a cavalry regiment, and rose to the rank of
major. After the war he moved to ChUlicothe, Ohio,
where he had a great deal of property. He was paid
for his services by land in Ohio. In the war of 1812 he
commanded a troop of horse against the Indians of the
border. He died in Philadelphia, April 2, 1829.
Fisher, Peter. He was a private under Colonel
Darke, and marched with the Berkeley and Hampshire
Regiment to the^iege of York in 1781. Afterwards he
kept a toll-gate on the Leetown pike and died in 1844.
He was buried with military honors.
Flagg, Josiah. Was third sergeant in Capt. H.
Stephenson's company. The Flaggs are very old set
tlers in the Valley. Flagg's Mill was at the mouth of
Tu,scarora, where it flows into the Potomac, about two
miles from Martinsburg.
Folk, Daniel. A soldier of the Revolution from
Shepherdstown, said to have been with Arnold at the
taking of Ticonderoga, and with Montgomery at St
John's, Montreal, and Quebec. He was pensioned as
a private in the Virginia State Troops, and died in
1838. Owned a house in Shepherdstown.
Forman, William. The Formans were English gen
tlemen. Three brothers came to Berkeley County be
fore the Revolution. One of these. Captain William
Forman, was killed, with his two sons, at Grave Creek
Narrows, Sept. 27, 1777. One of his sons, Reuben,
who married Ruth Van Metre, owned the land on

318 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
which West Liberty, Brooke Co., Va. now stands, in
partnership with a man named William Mounts. At
the time of the Revolution Bowman, Benjamin, James,
Reuben, and Joseph Forman all owned farms in Ber
keley County.
Fox, James. Enlisted in Captain Shepherd's com
pany in 1776. Taken prisoner in November, and died
on board a prison ship AprU 1, 1777. The Foxes had
a farm in the "Pine Hills," of Berkeley County, before
the Revolution.
Frank, Valentine. He was a dragoon in Washing
ton's Life Guards. Died in Jefferson County, Va., in
1831. Fritz, Valentine. Enlisted in Captain Shepherd's
company in June, 1776. Was drafted into another rifle
company, Jan. 1, 1777. The Fritzes were landowners
in Berkeley at the time of the Revolution.
G
Gates, Horatio. Major General Gates was born in
England about 1725. He was a son of Captain Robert
Gates of the British army. It is said that his mother
was a housekeeper in the family of Lord Orford.
Horace Walpole was his godfather. Gates was liber
ally educated. He was wounded in the shoulder at
Braddock's defeat, where he commanded a company.
It is said that he was nursed to health at Mount Ver
non. He married in England a Miss Phillips, daughter
of an English officer. In 1772 Major Gates, having
given up all hope of a place under the British govern
ment and sold his commission, resolved to go again to
Virginia, and to settle there. He moved to Berkeley
County, Va., and purchased an estate called "Travel
ler's Rest," about six miles from Shepherdstown, and

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 319
one mile from Kearneysville. From his home he wrote
to Charles Lee, a soldier of fortune, inviting him to
purchase land in the neighborhood. The services of
Gates in the Revolution are well known. After he was
superseded by General Greene he retired to his home in
Berkeley County. He was re-instated in 1782. In
1790 he moved to the neighborhood of New York City,
where he had a home called "Rose HiU" and where he
died in 18—.
Gerard,  . A captain of Berkeley County militia
during the Revolution. David and John Gerard were
landowners in Berkeley County at the time of the war.
Gibbons, Jonathan. Fourth corporal in Captain
Shepherd's company. Taken prisoner, Nov. 16, 1776,
and died in prison, Feb. 10, 1777.
Gilbert, Nathan. Drafted into the army out of Cap
tain Cloak's Company of Berkeley County militia in
1780. Gilmore, David. Enlisted in August 1776, in Cap
tain Shepherd's company. Taken prisonei^ at Fort
Washington, and died, Jan. 26, 1777.
Gilpin, William. Lived in Jefferson County, after
the Revolution. Was a private in the Maryland line,
and received a pension. Died in 1835.
Glenn, James. James Glenn was born about 1764.
At the age of 14 he ran away from his home in Berke
ley County, and joined the army under General Greene.
He served with young Lieut. Daniel Bedinger and otlt-
ers as a sharpshooter in the southern campaigns of
1779-1780. Was present at the surrender of Corn
wallis. Glenn was a young man of 27 at the time he so
bravely rescued Lieut. Raleigh Morgan from Indian
massacre on the 4th of November, 1791. He was se
lected by Darke to carry the news of the defeat to

320 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Washington. He died in 1827. Lieutenant Glenn was
twice married. First to Jane Duke, described as a tall,
beautiful blonde. She and her three young children
died, and he married Ruth Burns, by whom he had
three children, EHzabeth, Mary and Capt. James W.
Glenn, who lived at Glenburnie, in Jefferson County,
Va. Good, Peter. Enlisted in Captain Shepherd's com
pany in 1776. Was one of the prisoners who met death
in some mysterious way on board a prison-ship, Feb.
15, 1777.
Goodman, William. Captain WiUiam Goodman was
an officer under George Rogers Clarke in 1778. He
died in Berkeley County, July 10, 1825.
Graham, William. Enlisted in Captain Stephen
son's company in 1775.
Gray, David. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775. Survived the war, and owned prop
erty in Shepherdstown.
Gray, John. Enlisted in Captain Shepherd's com
pany in 1776. The old pay roll of Captain Shepherd's
company says : "John Gray, Enlisted in June 16, 1776.
Killed Dec. 27th, 1776." Probably John Gray was taken
prisoner with the rest of his company and was wan
tonly killed while a prisoner. Many of the riflemen
were taken out of the churches by William Cunning
ham, and hung in the dead of the night, without trial,
or any preparation for death. This may have been the
fate of John Gray. The Grays were Scotch. David
was a soldier in the French and Indian Wars. He sold
his house in Shepherdstown in 1816, and appears to
have moved to the neighborhood of Leetown, where
he is buried. His wife was EHzabeth CraighUl.
Green, William. Enlisted in 1775 in Captain Steph-

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 321
enson's company. He must have joined that company
at Roxbury Camp, as the date of his enlistment is
"Sep. 10, 1775, the time that I joyned Captain Steph
enson." (Old account book belonging to Captain Ste
phenson, in writer's possession, giving names of all
who received pay in this company, Jan. 1, 1776.)
Griffith, James. A private in Captain Shepherd's
company. Died or was killed in prison, Feb. 15, 1777.
H
Halpenny, Thomas. Enlisted by Capt. Henry Bed
inger, Dec. 7, 1782. Described as 44, height, 5 ft. 4
inches. Native of Ireland. Lived in Washington
County, Md.
Hamilton, James. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775. Re-enHsted in Captain Shepherd's
company. Survived the war, and drew a pension of
$96 per annum. Died Sep. 26, 1828. On Captain
Shepherd's pay roll Hamilton is only paid up to Feb.
1, 1777, and is marked "absent," as if he had disap
peared for a while. There was a James Hamilton in
the French and Indian War.
Harkwheimer, John. One of the privates enrolled
by Henry Bedinger in the company he raised in 1782-3.
Described as 17, height 5 ft. 6 inches. Complexion
fair, etc. Born in York County, Pa. Lived in Berke
ley County, Va.
Harlan, Silas. Major Harlan was born near the
present town of Martinsburg about 1750. He was
killed at the battle of Blue Licks, Ky., in 1781. He
was 6 ft. 2 inches in height and very handsome. He
was unmarried.
Harmon, David. Enlisted in Capt. Shepherd's Com
pany in 1776. Died or was killed in prison, Feb. 15,
\777.

322 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Harper, James. Said to have been a soldier of the
Revolution from Shepherdstown. The name of James
Harper appears in the tax book for Berkeley County
in 1797.
Harrison, BattaiUe. Lieut. BattaiUe Harrison com
manded Capt. William Brady's company of riflemen at
the battle of King's Bridge, or Fort Washington, Nov.
16, 1776. He was killed. BattaiUe Harrison was first
a private in Capt. Hugh Stephenson's company, raised
in 1775. The Harrisons were prominent landowners
in Berkeley County before the Revolution.
Hatthiver, George. Enlisted by Capt. Henry Bed
inger in 1783. Described as 28, etc. Born in Berks
County, Pa. Lived in Berkeley County, Va. "Speaks
bad English."
Haynes, or Hanes, Jacob. Captain Jacob Haynes
"was a brave and good soldier." After the Revolution
he kept a tavern on the Wysong place, then on a high
way called "the road to Alexandria." Another account
of Jacob Haines says that he was a Frenchman, and
came to America with Lafayette. He was a skiUful
worker in iron, and made some of the machinery of
Rumsey's steamboat. He served in the Revolution
from the battle of Brandywine until the surrender at
Yorktown. Haynes, or Hanes, John. A private from Shep
herdstown. Haynes, or Hanes, Peter. No relation to Captain
Haynes. Peter enlisted in Capt. H. Stephenson's com
pany in 1775. Served also in the Maryland line. Re
ceived a private's pension, and lived to be 80.
Hedges,  . Fought during the Revolution
against the Indians in Ohio County, Va. The Hedges
were a prominent family in Berkeley County in early

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 323
days. Many of them moved to Ohio County before
the Revolution. Peter, Joshua, Benjamin and Samuel
Hedges are all mentioned in the list of landowners in
Berkeley at the time of the Revolution.
Helm, George. Enlisted in Captain Shepherd's com
pany in 1776. Taken prisoner, but was soon ex
changed. Henshaw, William. First lieutenant of Captain
Stephenson's company of riflemen. Was soon pro
moted to a captaincy. Was still living in Berkeley Co.
in 1798.
Hickman, Francis. Enlisted in 1775 in Captain Ste
phenson's company.
Hickman, WilHam. Enlisted in the same company.
William Hickman again enlisted in Captain Shepherd's
company in July, 1776, but was drafted into some other
company in August of that year. In 1779 he was in
Kentucky, and went with Colonel Bowman on an ex
pedition against the Indian villages across the Ohio.
Dr. Lyman F. Draper thus spoke of him in his account
of the failure of that expedition. "The Indians, al
though surprised, gathered into their council house,
which they held for defence. A man of the company,
William Hickman by name, who had served with Bed
inger under Captain Stephenson at the siege of Boston,
and who during Dunmore's War, was strongly sus
pected of having stealthily killed a white man below
Pittsburg, now met his fate. He was seen, at early
dawn, peeping around the corner of a cabin to the left
of Bedinger's party, was shot by the Indians in the
council house, and died instantly. He had said the
evening before that he had a presentiment that he
would be killed in the expected attack in the morning."
Hicks, William. Enlisted in Captain Shepherd's

324 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
company in 1776. Was not taken prisoner at the Bat
tle of Fort Washington, or, if so, was soon exchanged,
as he was drafted into another company Jan. 1, 1777.
He served under Col. Daniel Morgan in the Southern
campaigns in 1778-9.
Higgins, James. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775. On the march to Boston he acci
dentally wounded William Blair by shooting him in the
leg with a wad. A James Higgins, a private in Cap
tain Brock's company, was killed by the Indians on the
4th of November, 1791.
Hill, Peter. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's com
pany in 1775. Re-enlisted in Capt. Shepherd's com
pany in 1776. Was kUled Nov. 16, 1776, at the bat
tle of Kingsbridge.
Hite, George. Was a Heutenant in the Virginia
Cavalry. George Hite was a son of Jacob Hite by his
second wife. Jacob was the second son of Jost Hite,
the colonist. A short time before the Revolution, Ja
cob moved to South Carolina, leaving George at the
College of William and Mary. Jacob, his wife and'
young children were most inhumanly massacred by
Indians in 1776. George left college and went to
South Carolina to endeavor to find his two young sis
ters, whom the Indians had carried away. Arrived at
the scene of the massacre, he found the remains of his
parents and the children, and buried them, but could
learn nothing about the fate of his sisters. After the
Revolution George married Deborah Rutherford, third
daughter of Hon. Robert Rutherford. He lived in
Charles Town, and was clerk of Jefferson County
from 1801 to 1817, and succeeded by his son, Robert
G. Hite. His daughter, Sally, married R. B. Beckwith,
and was grandmother of Frank Beckwith, Esq. There

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 325
were other Hites in the Revolution, but their record
belongs to Frederick County, Va., and to South Caro
lina. Hixon, John. A private in the Virginia line. Lived
in Berkeley County.
Hoffman, John. A private in the Revolution. Lived
in Shepherdstown. Saw much severe service.
Hoglant, Evert. He was second corporal in Captain
Shepherd's company. If captured at Fort Washington
he was soon exchanged, as he was paid up to October,
1778, at which time the remains of Abraham Shep
herd's company were disbanded, having served the
time of their enlistment.
Holmes, John. A private in Captain Shepherd's
company. Taken prisoner and died Jan. 20, 1777.
Houg, Jacob. A private in the company raised by
Henry Bedinger in 1782-3. He was then 20, and is
described as born in Germany and a resident of Berke
ley County.
Howard, Robert. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775, and afterwards was third sergeant
in Captain Shepherd's Company. Died after two years
service. As nearly all of this company were in the
action of Nov. 16th, 1776, it is probable that Howard
died from effects of confinement.
Hughs, Benjamin. Enlisted in Captain Shepherd's
company. Taken prisoner, exchanged, and was paid
off in October, 1778.
Huffman, Robert. Said to have been a soldier of
the Revolution from Shepherdstown.
Hulse, Peter. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775. After the Revolution Peter Hulse
moved to Wheeling, where, in 1825, he was stUl living.
He owned a ferry in that place.

326 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Hunter, William. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company. A family of Hunters lived for many years
in Shepherdstown in the old Hunter house on High
Street. Husband, James. Lived in Berkeley County. Was
a private in the Virginia Line. Received a pension
and died in 1823. I
Israel, Lieut. Lived at one time in Shepherdstown.
Went with the militia to Fort Mcintosh in 1778.

Jewett, Matthew.
Jewett, Robert. A family of Jewetts lived in Shep
herdstown many years. Matthew and Robert Jewett
were soldiers of the Virginia Line, but whether they
lived in Berkeley County cannot be ascertained.
Johnson, Thomas. A soldier in Captain Darke's
company. In 1781 he was with Colonel Darke's
Berkeley and Hampshire Regiment at the siege of
Yorktown. "Though of diminutive size he was a brave
and good soldier." He was living in Shepherdstown
in 1797.
Jones, Charles. Enlisted in Captain Shepherd's com
pany in 1776. Marked on the roll ^s "absent," after
Nov. 15, 1776.
Jones, Harrison. A private in the Virginia Line.
Lived in Berkeley and received a pension as an in
valid. Died after 1835. K
Kearney, Anthony. A private in the Revolution.
Lived in Berkeley County.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 327
Kearney, or Kerney, James. He enHsted in Captaia
Hugh Stephenson's company in 177S, and was elected
one of the corporals. Re-enlisted in one of the Vir
ginia rifle companies raised in Berkeley in 1776. He
was a brave soldier. After the war he lived on his
plantation near Kearneysville, which took its name
from him. He bought the old Duke place, and owned
many slaves and much land. He died in 1821. That
same year, but after his death, his son, William
Kearney, was killed in a fight with a neighbor. Cap
tain James Kearney is buried in the church-yard of the
old Episcopal Church in Shepherdstown. All the fam
ily were Episcopalians, and many of them are buried
in Shepherdstown.
Kearsley, John. John Kearsley saw some service. He
volunteered in Captain WUliam Morgan's Company,
with his friends, Lucas and Turner. "Like the former
he possessed a spirit and determination that rendered
him fit for any emergency." In 1780 he accompanied
George Michael Bedinger to South Carolina, to take
supplies to the troops. After the war he lived in Shep
herdstown, and was one of her most prominent citi
zens. He had a store there. His daughter married
Dr. John Mitchell, and was the grandmother of the
famous physician of Philadelphia, Dr. Weir MitcheU.
Kelly, William. EnHsted in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775. Was second sergeant in this Com
pany. Afterwards was second lieutenant in Captain
Shepherd's company. He was not in the battle of Fort
Washington, having been detailed on special duty
or perhaps in hospital up the Hudson. He was pro
moted a captain, Jan. 1st, 1777, and died in Hagers
town in the winter of 1778-9.

328 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Kirby, Patrick. A soldier in the Continental Army.
In April, 1778, the court of Berkeley County ordered
that Mary Kirby, wife of Patrick Kirby, be aUowed
the sum of five pounds for her support the coming
year. Kerney, John. William Darke, in June, 1791 wrote
a certificate of the services of Capt. John Kerney, as
follows : "I was and am well acquainted with Captain
John Kerney of the county of Berkeley, Va. ; he en
gaged in the American service as first sergeant to a
company in July, 1775, in Col. Hugh Stephenson's
regiment of infantry; he was taken prisoner at Fort
Washington, suffered a long and painful imprisonment,
after which he continued in the American army, and
behaved as a brave and distinguished soldier, until he
was appointed a lieutenant in a State Regiment, com
manded by Col. Joseph Crockett, after which he suc
ceeded to the command of a company in said regiment,
and served until it was disbanded, which was not until
the end of the war. During his whole service, he
merited the esteem of his superior officers and of his
country." There is a mistake in this account. Hugh
Stephenson was not appointed a colonel until 1776.
Kerney's name does not appear in the muster roU of
Captain Hugh Stephenson's company raised in 1775.
In 1776 he joined Captain Shepherd's company of
riflemen as second sergeant. The rest of the account
is true. After the war he returned to his home in
Berkeley, and held the position of a justice of the
peace, and member of the County Court until about
the year 1805, when he emigrated to Kentucky and
died there. In old times the Kearneys, for whom
Kearneysville is named, spelt their name Kerney, as
many tombstones in Shepherdstown attest.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 329
Keys, John. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's com
pany in 1775. Taken very ill on the march to Cam
bridge, and was left near Reading, but afterwards
joined his company at Roxbury Camp. Henry Bedin
ger speaks of him in his journal dated : ''Nov. 24, 1775.
Received a letter from ^lother Dated 31st of October
by the hands of John Keys, who came from thence."
Again on Dec. 6, 1775, Bedinger wrote in his joumal:
"John Keyes set off for Vinginia five days ago." The
Keyes were a prominent family in the eastern part of
the county, and lived at Keyes 's Ferry on the Shenan
doah, where, at the time of the Revolution, they owned
several thousand acres of land.
Knox, Thomas. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775. Afterwards he was a corporal in
Captain Shepherd's company. Taken prisoner at Fort
Washington, he deserted to the enemy, Jan. 17, 1777,
probably to save his life. Some of the starving pri
soners pent up in the New York churches in the winter
of 1776-7 were advised by their own officers to join
the British, as their only hope of escaping death, and
to make their escape at the first opportunity. (See
"Life of Ethan Allen.")
Kremer, or Creamer. A private in the Virginia Con
tinental Line. Lived in Berkeley and drew a pension.
Kretzer, James. A private in the Revolution from
Shepherdstown. L
Lafferty, Thomas. A soldier of the Revolution.
Had a farm on the Charles Town road near Shep
herdstown. Appears to have served under General
Mcintosh in the western country against the Indians.
Lived to a good old age and died about 1826, much
respected by all who knew him.

330 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Langham, Elias. Was a lieutenant in the Revolu
tion. Afterwards moved to Ohio, and lived near Chil-
Hcothe. Henry Bedinger wrote of him in 1810: "He
continues to live high up on the Deer Creek Prairies."
Mentions his sons, Angus, EHas, and Jack. He was
given the title of major in 1796 in an old letter from
Henry Bedinger to his wife.
Larkin, Anthony. Enlisted as a private in Captain
Shepherd's Company, and was killed Sept 15, 1776.
Lemon, James. "James Lemon," says Henry Bed
inger in one of his letters, "was raised with me near
Shepherdstown, and at the same time of Kelly's ap
pointment (which was Jan. 1, 1777), received a com
mission of ensign in Colonel Hartley's Regiment of
Pennsylvania, and was killed in the battle of Brandy^
wine. His brother AUen Lemon's children in Ohio.
are the heirs of James Lemon, who are entitled to
Virginia lands. Old letter of 1829.
Lemon, John. Was a soldier in the Revolution. He
owned a large plantation in Berkeley at the time of the
Revolution. Retired with the title of captain. Was a
brave officer.
Lewis, Andrew. A private in the Revolution. Lived
on the BuUskin.
Lewis, John. Enlisted in Captain Shepherd's com
pany in 1776. Drafted into another company in Au
gust of that year. Died on Babb's Marsh, Jefferson
County, in 1846, aged 104 years.
Likens, Jacob A. A private from Shepherdstown.
Linders. Simon Linder was one of the first settlers
on the Opequon. Some of the Linders appear to have
served in the Revolution. In 1833 Henry Bedinger
thus wrote to his brother, G. M. Bedinger: "There
were then (at the time of the Revolution), along

• HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 331
Opequon four Linders, active young men, to wit, Dan
iel and Jacob, sons of Lawrence Linder ; Jacob, son of
Simon Linder, and Than, or Nathaniel, whose father
was dead. Possibly one of those was an officer in your
company." Loar, John.
Loar, Philip. Privates in the Revolution. Lived
at Shepherdstown.
Logan, William. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775. The Logans owned a farm in
Berkeley at the time of the Revolution.
Lucas, Edward. Second lieutenant in the company
raised by Captain William Morgan early in the year
1777 or late in 1776.
Lucas, Job. Fought in the Southern Campaign.
Taken ill and died of smallpox during the war.
Lucas, William. First lieutenant in Captain Wil
liam Morgan's company. The Lucases were called
"the bravest of the brave." Colonel Morrow used to
say that "for coolness, self-possession, and true moral
courage William Lucas had no equal in his regiment."
William Lucas was born near Shepherdstown, Jan. 18,
1742. He moved to Ohio after the Revolution. His
son, Robert, was one of the Governors of Ohio. Ed
ward, his brother, was born Dec. 3, 1738. He was a
noted Indian fighter and was wounded by Indians near
Laurel Hill. He killed many Indians to revenge his
brothers' death. Edward, William and Job were all
brothers, the children of Edward Lucas, who moved
to the neighborhood of Shepherdstown before
1732. Four of his sons were killed by Indians, and
two were wounded. Robert, Benjamin, David, and
Isaac were the names of the four who were killed.

332 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Lyle,  . A captain of militia in Berkeley
County during the Revolution. Hugh, John, and Rob
ert Lyle all owned land near Shepherdstown during
the Revolution. John Lyle married a daughter of John
Marke. He and Tapscott conducted a store under the
name of Tapscott & Lyle in Shepherdstown for many
years. The Lyles moved to Philadelphia. The name
was sometimes spelled Lisle. M
Malcher, John. Enlisted in Captain Shepherd's
company July 15, 1776. Died in prison, Feb. 10, 1777.
Mange, Peter. EnHsted in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775. Lived in Shepherdstown.
Market, Jonathan. Drafted out of Captain Am
brose's company of Berkeley County militia in 1780.
McCann, Robert. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company in June, 1775. Henry Bedinger wrote in his
journal on the march of this company to Boston that,
at AUentown, Pa., "In the evening Robert McCann
Behaved Scandalously towards the Officers, was put
under Guard, kept all Night. * * * vve then
Marched about four miles to a very fine Spring where
there was a Court Martial Held over Robert McCann.
He was sentenced to have twenty-five Lashes on his
Bare Back and a Discharge to be given him. He was
then Striped and tied up to a Sapling, but a Couple of
Gentlemen Volunteers from Reading Begged him off
to a Ducking. AU hands were then ordered with pails
and Kettles to attend and pour the Cold Spring Water
on him. He was then most Severely Ducked and Dis
charged." McCartney, Henry. Enlisted in Captain Stephen
son's company in 1775.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 333
McCarty, Andrew. Lived in Jefferson County.
Served in Virginia Line and drew a pension.
McComesky, Moses. Enlisted in Captain Shep
herd's company. Deserted June 10, 1777. Perhaps
he deserted from a prison-ship.
McCord, Arthur. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775.
McCormick, Moses. Drafted out of Captain Cloak's
company of Berkeley County militia in 1780. Three
families of McCormicks owned land in Berkeley at the
time of the Revolution.
McCue, William or Williams. Enlisted in Captain
Stephenson's company. In Henry Bedinger's account
of the skirmish on Staten Island of April 7, 1776, he
says that William McKew took the first prisoner. On
the 9th of April, he writes: "WilHam McKue of our
Company had the Misfortune to have his Left hand
Blown off by firing his rifle which Bursted above half
the length of the Barrel open. Blew away the Lock
and Tore his Left hand in a shocking maner, so that
it has been Taken off at the Wrist." After this Wil
liams McCue probably returned home. He drew a
pension for this accident of $40.00 per month, and
died before 1833.
McDead, John. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775.
McDonald, Hugh. A private in Humphrey's Vir
ginia Volunteers, and received a pension of $98.00
per annum, as late as 1835.
McDonald, John. A private in the 1st Regiment,
United States Infantry, and was receiving a pension
of $98.00 in 1835. Anderson and Allen McDonald
had farms in Berkeley at the time of the Revolution.
McFitrick, Duncan. Enlisted in Captain Stephen
son's company in 1775.

334 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
McGara, or McGaraugh. A private in Captain
Stephenson's company.
McGUl, Charles. Major Ch. McGUl was in com
mand of a part of the Berkeley County soldiers in the
battle of Guilford Court House. He wrote to Governor
Jefferson that the part acted by the Virginia troops
in the fight "would do honor to veterans." He Hved
in Berkeley County, and was a member of the Order
of the Cincinnati.
McGuire or Maguire, James. A soldier of the Rev
olution who lived in Berkeley County, Va.
Mclntire, John. Captain John Mclntire. Lived in
Shepherdstown after the war. The Mclntires had a
large farm near the town.
Mclntire, William. Son of Nicholas Mclntire of
Shepherdstown. William served with the army in the
west and was killed at Limestone, Kentucky.
McKnight, Benjamin. Another of the privates of
Captain Shepherd's ill-fated company who was killed,
or mysteriously died on the 15th of February, 1777.
McSwayne, John. Perished on the same day as
Benjamin McKnight, and was a private in the same
company. Makin, or Machin, Nicholas. Found guilty of
breaking into Captain Cresap's house at Roxbury
Camp, and drummed out of camp for stealing and
trying to desert. He was a private in Captain Ste
phenson's company and was drummed out of camp
Oct. 30, 1775.
Market, Jonathan. Drafted out of Captain Am
brose's company of Berkeley County militia, in 1780.
Mathenger William. A soldier from Berkeley
County. His wife was provided for by order of the
court in 1777.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 335
Medcalf, John. A private in Captain Stephenson's
company. Died Dec. 1st. H. Bedinger writes in his
journal: "Dec. 2nd. 1775. Yesterday died John Alet-
calfe, & Buried this day in Roxbery Grave Yard in
Decent and soldierlike ]\Ianner."
Medlar, Boston. A private who lived in Jefferson
County. Served in the ^Maryland Line, and died in
1832. Millan, John. Perhaps the same as Captain John
McMiUan. Col. John Morrow speaks of Captain Mil
lan in a letter to Colonel Van Swearingen quoted in
this book, as a captain of Berkeley County militia.
Miller, David. A private in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775.
Miller, John. A private in the Revolution. Father
of Mrs. George Byers, of Shepherdstown.
Mitchell, Thomas. A private in Captain Shepherd's
company. Drafted Jan. 1, 1777, into another rifle
company. Probably taken prisoner Nov. 16, 1776,
and soon exchanged.
Moler, Adam. A private in the Revolution, from
near Shepherdstown.
Moore, Cato. Lieut. Cato Moore was born on the
eastern shore of Maryland, and settled in Shepherds
town at an early age. Was severely wounded at Bran
dywine and forced to resign and retum home. CaUed
"King Moore," because his land grants came from the
king. "A gentleman of many noble traits of charac
ter." Mordand, Michael. A private from Shepherdstown.
Moredock, WilHam. A private in Captain Shep
herd's company. Another victim of the ISth of Feb
ruary, 1777, whUe a prisoner on a prison-ship at New
York.

336 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Morgan, Abel. Abel was the youngest son of Richard
Morgan. It is not known what part he took in the
Revolution, but that he enlisted is almost certain. An
Abel Morgan was surgeon of the Eighth Pennsylvania
Regiment. The name Abel Morgan also appears on
the list of prisoners on the Jersey prison-ship, of in
famous memory. Abel Morgan died about 1788. He
may have been that prisoner, and died from the effects
of confinement, in the prime of Hfe. He left a widow,
EHzabeth Bedinger Morgan, and five children. Col.
William Morgan, a gallant officer on the Confederate
side in the Civil War, was one of his grandsons.
Morgan, Abraham. A grandson Of Richard Mor
gan. Colonel Abraham Morgan was an officer of the
Revolution. He married Mary Bedinger in 1787 and
after her death moved to Kentucky. Many of his
descendants Hve in that State and in Tennessee, etc.
Morgan, William, Sr. Eldest son of Richard. First
saw service in his father's company in the French and
Indian War. Married Drusilla Swearingen, daughter
of Thomas Swearingen, Esq. Late in 1776 or early
in 1777 he raised a company in the neighborhood of
Shepherdstown and marched to Washington's head
quarters. This company took part in the battle or
skirmish of Piscatawa. In 1779 Captain William Mor
gan led a party of adventurers from Shepherdstown
to Kentucky. Here one of his sons, Ralph, estab
lished himself. William returned to Berkeley County,
where he owned a large estate. He died in 1788,
leaving five sons and three daughters. His sons were
Abraham, George, Ralph, Raleigh, and Zaccheus.
Some of them undoubtedly enlisted in the different
companies raised in Berkeley County during the Rev
olution, but we have no records.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 337
Morgan, William, Jr. A son of George Morgan.
He enlisted in one of the companies raised in Berke
ley County, probably served under Colonel Darke at
the South. He was called Captain Morgan. He also
enlisted in Captain Wm. Morgan's company and was
in the battle of Piscatawa in 1777.
Morrow, Charles. Captain Charles Morrow of
Shepherdstown "was an officer of high standing. He
served three years in the southern campaigns with
credit to himself and honor to his country. He died
deeply lamented by all who knew him." He was a
brother-in-law of James Rumsey, in whose invention
he had such faith that he ruined himself to provide
Rumsey with means to carry on his work. At one time
he had a store in Martinsburg, and at another time one
in Shepherdstown.
Morrow, John. Col. John Morrow was one of the
most prominent citizens of Shepherdstown. He ap
pears towards the close of the Revolution to have been
colonel or lieutenant colonel of the Berkeley County
militia. He accompanied some of the militia to the
west in 1779. "Never did a man enter or retire from
his country's service more honored or beloved." He
married the widow of Major Henry Peyton, whose
maiden name was Mary Rutherford, a daughter of
Hon. Robert Rutherford. One of Morrow's daughters
married a Worthington, who was senior partner in the
firm of Worthington & Cookus, in Shepherdstown, for
many years.
Morrow, Thomas. The youngest of the "three Mor
row brothers." He was taken prisoner at the battle of
Long Island, and although exchanged in a few months,
his health was so severely impaired that he died in
1778. He was promoted captain during his imprison
ment.

338 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Mountsfield, Thomas. A private in Captain Shep
herd's company. Taken prisoner and died Feb. 5, 1777.
MuUiken, John. A private in Captain Stephenson's
company. Murphy, Patrick. A private in Captain Shepherd's
company. Another prisoner who mysteriously disap
peared from the prison-ship Feb. 15, 1777. Probably
killed while trying to escape.
Murray, Charles. A private in Captain Stephenson's
company. Myres, Caspar. One of the recruits raised for
Captain Shepherd's Company by Lieut. Henry Bedin
ger in the summer of 1776. Of these he wrote:
"Raised by me in the neighborhood of New Town and
DarkesvUle. AU died prisoners (there were seventeen
of them) except two." Caspar Myres died in prison,
Feb. 16, 1777. Probably wounded on the ISth of Feb
ruary, while trying to escape.
Myres, Ludwig. A Captain of Infantry, who lived
in or near Shepherdstown after the Revolution.
N
Neal, Richard. He first joined Captain Stephen
son's Company in 1775. Re-enlisted in Captain Shep
herd's company in 1776. Deserted August 10, 1776.
Neilson, James. Enlisted on the 20th of June, 1775,
in Captain Stephenson's company.
Nelson, John. Captain John Nelson raised a com
pany of riflemen in Maryland and Berkeley County,
Va., in the spring of 1776. He joined Capt Hugh
Stephenson on Staten Island with this company. On
AprU 16th, 1776, H. Bedinger wrote in his journal,
"Captain Nelson's Company Sett off for New York in
order to go to Quebec." There appear to have been a
few Shepherdstown men in this Company.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 339
Nelson, Thomas. Private in Captain Stephenson's
company. The name occurs in the list of prisoners on
board the Jersey prison-ship.
Nixon, John. A private in Captain Shepherd's com
pany. Marked on the old pay-roll of this company as
"absent after Feb. 15th, 1777." There must have been
a wholesale butchery of prisoners that day.
Noble,  . Captain Noble was one of the militia
captains of Berkeley County during the Revolution.
Anthony Noble was a large landowner, and was com
missary for the county during the Revolution.
O
Oldham, Conway. Probably a son of Samuel Old
ham, first High Sheriff for Berkeley County. Con
way was a private in Captain Stephenson's company.
Afterwards promoted to a lieutenancy.
Oldham, William. A private in Captain Daniel
Morgan's company of riflemen raised in June, 1775.
He was a brother of Conway Oldham. Went with
Morgan to Quebec. Appears to have escaped capture.
Moved to Kentucky, and was a brave Indian fighter.
On St. Clair's disastrous campaign of 1791 Colonel
William Oldham commanded the Kentucky militia,
and was killed. He was a man of spotless reputation
and great bravery. An able officer and worthy of a
better command. Son of Samuel Oldham of Berkeley
County, Va.
OHver, Thomas. A private from Shepherdstown.
Orndorff, Christian. Capt. Christian Orndorff "dis
tinguished himself in the battles of Bennington and
Skeenborough." He lived at Sharpsburg, Md., and
did not move to the neighborhood of Shepherdstown
until after the Revolution. He had a very beautiful

340 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
daughter whom, is is said, General Horatio Gates
wanted to marry. She refused him, and married Jon
athan Hagar, who named his town Elizabeth Town in
her honor. Afterwards the name was changed to
Hagarstown. Osborn, Samuel. Served under George Rogers
Clarke in 1781, but whether he belonged to the Osborn
family of Berkeley is not known.
Ox, George. A Hessian who deserted from Gen
eral Knyphausen's Division, and enlisted under Pu
laski. He was a small man, and after the war was a
butcher in Shepherdstown. Moved west.

Peacock, James. A private from Shepherdstown.
Pearce, John. John Pearce is said to have fought
in the Revolution. There was a John Pearce in Capt.
Daniel Morgan's company of riflemen. He was taken
prisoner at Quebec. He was captured while bravely
fighting within the ramparts. John Pearce was after
wards one of the few Shepherdstown men who re
turned from the fatal defeat of St. Clair by the West
ern Indians in 1791. He afterwards taught school in
Shepherdstown for more than thirty years after the
Revolution. It is possible that John Pearce of St.
Clair's army was a son of Morgan's rifleman.
Pendleton, Nathaniel. Captain Nathaniel Pendle
ton joined Captain Stephenson's riflemen in 1775 as
a private. He was an intimate friend of H. Bedinger,
who frequently mentions him in his journal of the
campaign. January 1st, 1776, he wrote: "Nat Pen
dleton Returned from on Board a Privateer." In 1776
he enHsted as first lieutenant in Captain Gabriel Long's
riflemen, which was Company 6 of the eight compa-

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 341
nies of riflemen raised in Virginia and Maryland for
the Rifle Regiment. At the battle around Fort Wash
ington Lieutenant Pendleton was taken prisoner, and,
with the other officers, first billetted in empty houses
in New York. Afterwards all the officers were quar
tered on Long Island, where most of them remained
until November, 1780, when they were exchanged.
After his exchange Nat. Pendleton was a captain in
Colonel Rawlings Regiment. After the Revolution he
moved to New York, and practiced law. He was
Alexander Hamilton's second in the duel with Aaron
Burr. His descendants lived in Cincinnati. Mr. Ed
mund Pendleton, his great-grandson, now lives in
Maryland. Pendleton, Philip. Col. Philip Pendleton was at one
time during the Revolution colonel of Berkeley County
militia. Peninger, Christian. A private in Captain Shep
herd's company. Another prisoner who lost his life
on the 15th of February, 1777.
Piper, Jacob. A soldier of the Revolution from
Shepherdstown. Pollock, Thomas. A private in Captain Shepherd's
company. January 1st, 1777, he was drafted into an
other company.
Porterfield, Charles. The Porterfields are old resi
dents of Jefferson County. Charles, George, and Rob
ert were all brave officers of the Revolution. Charles
was a sergeant in Captain Daniel Morgan's company
in 1775, and was taken prisoner at Quebec. After
wards he commanded one of the rifle companies raised
by Morgan in 1777-8. He was killed at Camden, S.
C, at the head of his regiment, having been promoted
lieutenant colonel in the Virginia Line. George, per-

342 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
haps his cousin, was sergeant in his company, after
wards promoted to a captaincy. George was born in
1740 and died in 1824. Was sheriff of Berkeley
County. Robert Porterfield was adjutant of Col. Dan
iel Morgan's regiment raised in 1777. The Porter-
fields at one time owned land near Gerardstown, for
it was in that neighborhood that the Indians killed
Young Charles Porterfield in 1757.
Powell, George. A soldier from Shepherdstown
who took part in the storming of Stony Point, under
General Anthony Wayne.
Price, Isaac. An orphan boy enHsted by H. Bedin
ger for Captain Shepherd's company in August, 1776.
He writes : "All died prisoners except two. Price died
Feb. 5, 1777. He was an orphan living with James
Campbell's father."
Prime, Benjamin. A private under Captain Hugh
Stephenson. Pyle, or Pile, William. Ensign in Captain Steph
enson's company. Afterwards, in 1776, he was first
lieutenant in Captain William Brady's company raised
in 1776. He was on special service at the time of the
battle of King's Bridge. His name appears in the tax
book for 1797. R
Randall, John. A private from Shepherdstown,
said to have fought during the entire war. The Ran
dalls appear to have been members of the Protestant
Episcopal Church, as we find John Randall giving a
handsome donation to that church in 1786.
Reynolds, George. A soldier of the Revolution who
lived near Shepherdstown. In 1797 he is taxed for a
large farm, some slaves, etc. There are many of his
descendants still in the town and its neighborhood.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 343
Rider, Adam. Enlisted in Capt. Hugh Stephenson's
company in 1775. Again enlisted in Captain Shep
herd's Company in 1776. Was drafted into another
company Jan. 1, 1777. The name was sometimes
spelt Ryder.
Riger, Burkitt. Captain Burkitt Riger served under
Col. William Darke.
Riger, Leonard. Lieutenant Leonard Riger also
served under Colonel Darke. Burkitt Riger had a
farm of 212 acres in Berkeley County at the time of
the Revolution.
Robb, Philip. A private from Shepherdstown who,
probably, fought under Colonel Darke.
Roberts, James. Enlisted as a private in Captain
Stephenson's 'company in 1775. He was an armorer,
and, in 1776, enlisted again in Captain Shepherd's
company. After the battle of Fort Washington, the
company having been almost all captured had no fur
ther use for an armorer. Roberts was discharged on
the 6th of December, 1776. The Roberts had a small
farm near Shepherdstown. The names of two James
Roberts occur in the list of prisoners on board the
prison-ship Jersey. It is possible that the armorer of
Captain Shepherd's company was one of these.
Ronemous, Andrew.
Ronemous, Conrad.
Ronemous, Lewis. These were three brothers, all
served in the bodyguard of General Gates. The fam
ily was one of the first to settle in Berkeley County,
now Jefferson, where their descendants remain. Their
farms were near that of General Darke, who is buried
in the old Ronemous grave-yard, near Duffield's De
pot.

344 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Rush, Conrad. Enlisted in Captain Shepherd's
company in 1776. Taken prisoner, and is another of
the victims who died or were killed in prison Feb. 15,
1777. Russel, Nicholas. A private in the same company.
Taken prisoner and soon exchanged, as he was paid
up to the expiration of the term for which he en
listed, which was October 1st, 1778.

Sappington, Thomas. A private in the Revolution.
He lived in or near Terrapin Neck, and is buried in a
small private graveyard near the Dark Hollow woods.
Scott, George. He was second lieutenant in Captain
Stephenson's company of riflemen. Wrote like a man
of education.
Scott, William. A private in the Revolution from
Berkeley County. Received a private's pension.
Seaburn, John. First corporal in Captain Shep
herd's company. Died in prison, Jan. 15, 1777.
Seaman, William. A private in Captain Shepherd's
company, enlisted by Henry Bedinger. Taken pris
oner on the 16th of November, 1776, he lingered in
prison until the following summer, when he was al
lowed to come home to die, a prisoner on parole. He
died at his home near DarkesvUle. Henry Bedinger
says of him in a letter to Braxton Davenport, dated
July 20th, 1831, after giving a list of the men he raised
for Captain Shepherd's Company. "All of these died
in prison except WilHam Seaman. He died at home,
July 8th, 1777, a prisoner on parole. He was a son
of Jonah Seaman near DarkesvUle." It is very prob
able that this poor man, sent home to die, may have

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 345
given Captain Shepherd the data by which he was able
to obtain the dates of the deaths of all the men of
his unfortunate company who perished in prison.
Seaton, James. One of the soldiers raised by Cap
tain H. Bedinger for his company in 1783. Born in
County Antrim, Ireland. Lived in Berkeley County,
Va., and was 26 years old in 1783. This company saw
no service.
Shaner, George. A private from Shepherdstown.
Served in the Virginia Line. Was living and drawing
a pension in 1835. Has descendants in Shepherds
town. Sheetz, Adam. Sheetz had quite an eventful career.
He first enlisted in Captain Stephenson's company.
Next in Captain Shepherd's company. Taken pris
oner, but soon exchanged, he was drafted out of Cap
tain Shepherd's Company, Jan. 1, 1777, into another
rifle company. Again, in December, 1778, he was
drafted into Company No. 4 of Morgans Riflemen, un
der Captain Charles Porterfield. The Sheetzes came to
Shepherdstown from York, Pa., about the year 1762.
Their descendants still live in the house built by the
father of Adam Sheetz. It was long used as a tavern.
Afterwards Adam Sheetz had a famous gun-shop
there. SheU, Nicholas. Dr. Nicholas Shell was a surgeon
in the Revolution. He was a German, and emigrated
to Virginia a few years before the war. He acted as
surgeon in the army for six years, and at the end of
the war returned to Shepherdstown, where he died in
1803. He left a son named John N. SheU.
Shepherd, Abraham. Captain Abraham Shepherd
was born in the village afterwards called Shepherds-

346 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
town on the 10th of November, 1754,* youngest son
of Captain Thomas Shepherd, founder of Shepherds
town, and his wife, Elizabeth Van Metre. In 1775
he joined Captain Stephenson's company of riflemen
as a lieutenant, and, in the following year, was ap
pointed captain of the rifle company raised at Shep
herdstown. At the time of the battle around Fort
Washington he was selected to command an advanced
post of fifty picked men, among whom were Henry
and Daniel Bedinger. After hours of hard fighting
they were obliged to fall back on the fort, and were
all taken prisoners. In 1778 Captain Shepherd was
allowed to go home on parole. He was afterwards
exchanged, and took no further part in the war,
though he often visited the army. He died in 1822,
leaving a large family. His wife was Miss Eleanor
Strode. Shepherd, David. Colonel David Shepherd was
born January, 1734, and died in 1795. He was the
eldest son of Thomas, and married about 1752, Rachel
Teague, of the neighborhood of Shepherdstown. He
settled near Wheeling before the Revolution, and dur
ing that period was colonel of Ohio County militia.
His son, Moses, born at Shepherdstown in 1763, may
have been the child born in Shepherd Fort while it was
beseiged by Indians.
Shepherd, John. John was born about 1749, and
died at Red Oak, Ohio, in 1812. He married, about
1773, Martha Nelson. He served in Captain WUHam
*If any Shepherd was born, as tradition says, when Shep
herd Fort was beseiged by Indians, during the French and In
dian Wars, it must have been a grandson of old Thomas
Shepherd and not a son, as his youngest son, Abraham, was
born in 1754.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 347
Cherry's Company, Fourth Virginia Infantry, from
April, 1777, to March, 1778.
Shepherd, William. EnHsted in Captain Stephen
son's company in 1775. He was born in 1737, and
married Mary Clarke, probably an aunt of WiUiam
Clarke, who taught school in Shepherdstown in 1793.
WilHam Shepherd moved to Ohio County, where he
died in 1824.
Smith, David. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775. No further records. The Smiths
owned large farms in Berkeley County at the time of
the Revolution. The name David Smith appears in
the list of prisoners on the Jersey.
Smith, William. A private in the Revolution who
lived in Berkeley County, and received a pension.
Smoote, John. A private in Captain Stephenson's
company. Snowden, Charles. A private in Captain Shepherd's
company. Died in prison, Jan. 7, 1777.
Snyder, Peter. A private in Captain Shepherd's
company. Marked "absent" after the 15th of Febru
ary, 1777. Evidently another victim of the prison-
ship barbarities. His name appears on the list of the
Jersey prisoners.
Spang, David. Enlisted by Captain Henry Bedin
ger in 1783. Lived in Shepherdstown and received a
pension as a private in the Virginia Line. Was alive
in 1797.
Spohn,  . Drafted from Captain Beeler's
militia company in 1780.
Staley, Peter. A private in the Virginia Line. Lived
in Shepherdstown, and received a pension. He was
eighty years old in 1835.
Stedman, David. A private in Captain Stephen
son's company.

348 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Steer, Thomas. A private in Captain Stephenson's
company. Henry Bedinger says of him in his joumal.
"Thomas Steer deserted 1st Dec. 1775, and went home
considerably in debt to several of his Company."
Stephen, Adam. Major General Adam Stephen
deserves a longer sketch than the limits of this
volume will justify. A Scotch phyjician, he came
to America in 1738, and first settled at Fredericks
burg, Va. He accepted a commission as cap
tain in 1754, and raised a company from the
neighborhood of Winchester. In June, 1754, he
was appointed major. In the same year he was
promoted lieutenant colonel, and fought in the battle
of the Great Meadows, and also in Braddock's defeat.
He afterwards commanded a regiment in the Indian
outbreak of 1763, and rendered the most important
and valuable services. Made a major general in 1777,
his conduct during the battle of Germantown was
severely censured by Washington and he was dis
missed from the army, on the charge of intoxication.
He has found many defenders among the historians
of the Revolution. No charge of habitual intemper
ance was ever brought against him, and many have
blamed General Washington for his action in depriv
ing the Continental army of a brave and capable offi
cer. The men of his own command were incensed at
his dismissal. Some of them refused to fight under
any other general and resigned. General Stephen laid
out the town of Martinsburg on his own land in 1778.
He died in 1791.
Stephens, or Stevens, Edward. General Edward
Stevens commanded the Berkeley County men in the
southern campaign of 1780. He was a good officer, "a
large fleshy man." He lived in Berkeley County.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 349
Stevens, Gabriel. A private in Captain Shepherd's
company. He died in prison March 1, 1777. He was
one of the men raised by Lieutenant Henry Bedinger
in Frederick County, near Stephensburg.
Stephenson, David. Major David Stephenson was
major in Colonel Daniel Morgan's Rifle Corps. There
were five Stephensons, all brothers, who lived in
Berkeley County on the BuUskin before the Revo
lution. Stephenson, Hugh. Hugh Stephenson was one of
the five sons of Richard Stephenson, who settled on
BuUskin Creek early in the Eighteenth Century.
Hugh had command of a company of riflemen during
the French and Indian War. Washington thought
highly of him, and recommended him for the command
of one of the two rifle companies raised in the Shenan
doah Valley in 1775. He was the senior captain of
Virginia troops. In 1776 he was promoted colonel,
and was employed in raising a rifle regiment when he
was taken ill, with a return of camp fever, and died at
his home on the BuUskin. He had some property near
Shepherdstown, and had gone into partnership, before
the Revolution, with David Shepherd in establishing
a rival ferry at Shepherdstown, where Swearingen's
Ferry had prior possession. Stephenson left a wife
and several children.
Stephenson, William. He was a lieutenant in
George Rogers Clarke's expedition.
Stewart, John. A private in Captain Stephenson's
company. Possibly a son of John Stewart, who kept
a tavern in Winchester in 1758, in which year he was
fined for permitting gambling in his house.
Strode, Samuel. He was a sergeant in the George
Rogers Clarke expedition. The Strodes were a

350 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
wealthy and prominent family in Berkeley at the time
of the Revolution.
Summerville, William. Captain Summerville was
one of the officers under General George Rogers
Clarke. He was, after the war, for many years post
master at Martinsburg, where he died in 1826.
Swan, John. A soldier of the Revolution from
Berkeley County. His wife was provided for by order
of the court in 1777 during the absence of her hus
band. Swearingen, Benoni. Youngest son of Thomas
Swearingen, who established Swearingen's Ferry at
what was afterwards Shepherdstown, in 1755. Benoni
was six feet, four inches, in height, dark, and ex
tremely handsome. He volunteered with George M.
Bedinger, and was in the battle of Germantown. Af
terwards he was one of the party who went to Boons-
borough, Kentucky, in 1779. After the war, he re
turned to Swearingen's Ferry, where he lived. He
was married three times. His second wife was Sarah
Bedinger, who died in 1792, at the ferry on the Vir
ginia side. Their son, Henry Swearingen, commanded
a very fine company of Shepherdstown men in the
War of 1812. They were all taken prisoners, and died
in prison, except a very few who lived to be ex
changed. Among those so fortunate was Captain H.
Swearingen. He married a Miss Breeden of near
Harper's Ferry, and died in 1817 from the effects of
his imprisonment. Miss Breedin married again, Mr.
Henry Berry, a lawyer of Shepherdstown. Benoni
married a third time, but his wife soon died. He then
moved to Lebanon in order to educate his two daugh
ters at the Moravian school there. These were the
children of his first wife. Only one of them lived to

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 351
maturity. She married Colonel Joseph Blackford.
Benoni died in 1798. He at one time represented his
district in the Maryland Legislature.
Swearingen, Hezekiah. He was a son of Colonel
Van Swearingen, born in 1747, and married Rebecca
Turner. He served in the Revolution, probably in the
western country. He died January 3, 1817.
Swearingen, Joseph. Colonel Joseph Swearingen
was one of the most prominent citizens of Shepherds
town. He first enlisted as a private in Captain Ste
phenson's Company. Afterwards was a lieutenant in
the Eighth Virginia Infantry. He fought under Col
onel Darke, and after the Revolution returned to his
home near Shepherdstown, where he died in 1821. He
was the son of Thomas Swearingen, and was born
near Shepherdstown, July 10, 1754. He served
throughout the eight years of the Revolution, accord
ing to a certificate signed by General j\Iuhlenburg. He
married Hannah Rutherford.
Swearingen, Josiah. Captain Josiah Swearingen
was a son of Colonel Van Swearingen, and was born
near Shepherdstown, March 28, 1744. He married on
the Sth of January, 1777, Phoebe Strode, daugh
ter of James Strode, Esq., a large landed proprietor
of Berkeley County. She was a descendant, on her
mother's side, through the Foremans, of the Dukes of
Hamilton. He first enlisted as a private in Captain
Stephenson's Company in 1775. Afterwards he served
under Generals Hand and Mcintosh, and was pro
moted to a captaincy. He died Aug. 9, 1795.
Swearingen, Thomas. Major Thomas Swearingen
was the eldest son of the Thomas Swearingen who es
tabHshed the ferry at Shepherdstown. He was a
brother of Benoni and Joseph, and was born in 1752.

352 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
He served as a soldier in the Revolution, and went to
Kentucky in 1779. He was a surveyor. He died of
consumption contracted while in service. Two of his
daughters, Lydia, and Drusilla, married Morgans.
His son. Van, was kiUed at the time of St. Clair's De
feat. Swearingen, Van, Sr. Old Colonel Van Swearin
gen was county lieutenant of Berkeley during a part
of the Revolution. He was born May 22, 1719, in
Maryland. Married his first cousin, Sarah Swearin
gen. After her death he married Priscilla Metcalf.
He died April 20, 1788. He was the father of Josiah,
Hezekiah, etc.
Swearingen, Van, Jr. He was a son of Thomas, Sr.,
and a brother of Joseph and Benoni. He early re
moved to western Pennsylvania. At first he was an
Indian trader and was distinguished from others of
the name by the title "Indian Van." He served under
Hand and Mcintosh during a part of the Revolution.

Tabb, George. A soldier who enlisted in Captain
Stephenson's Company in 1775, with his brother Wil
liam. On hearing of the death of another brother
these young men obtained a discharge in October,
1775, and went home to Berkeley. There was also a
Captain Thomas Tabbs, or Tabb, but whether he was
from Berkeley we do not know. He commanded
Company No. 4 of Morgan's Riflemen at one time
(1778). The Tabbs were members of the Protestant
Episcopal Church, and some of them are buried in the
old P. E. church-yard in Shepherdstown.
Taylor, George. A private in Captain Stephenson's
company. Afterwards joined Captain Shepherd's

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 353
company as a private. Marked on the pay roll, "De
serted July 9th, 1776."
Thornburg, Thomas. One of the Thornburgs or
Thornboroughs of Shepherdstown, who served as a
soldier in the Revolution. (See Smythe's Shepherd
Genealogy.) He was a son of Thomas Thornburgh
and Sarah Shepherd, daughter of Thomas Shepherd.
He was born in 1752 and died in 1795. The Thorn
burgs moved to the neighborhood of Wheeling.
Tingle, George. Lived near Shepherdstown. In
1776 he enlisted in Captain John Nelson's company of
riflemen, raised in Maryland and Virginia, and joined
Captain Stephenson's company on Staten Island.
TuUis, Aaron and Michael. Two brothers who en
listed as privates in Captain Stephenson's company.
They may have been the sons of Moses TuUis, a land
owner at the time in Berkeley County.
Tunison, Garret. Dr. Garret Tunison, "arrived in
Shepherdstown in 1773. Became a resident practic
ing physician. He entered Captain H. Stephenson's
Company of Volunteer Riflemen, as a Surgeon, in
June, 1775, about the same time as myself. We
marched to Boston. There he acted by appointment
also to three other volunteer Companies, viz., Daniel
Morgan's Michael Cresap's, and Thomas Price's, the
two last from Maryland. On the 8th of July, 1776,
Stephenson received a Colonel's Commission and was
ordered to raise a Rifle Regiment. The men were en
listed for three years, and Tunison was retained as
Surgeon. * * * In September the Regiment was
ordered to Ft. Lee on the North River, and thence
across the river to the defence of Fort Washington,
where the regiment was captured. Tunison, with a
few of its officers and men being on duty at other

354 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
points, escaped the general destruction." (Letter of
Henry Bedinger, dated Nov. 12, 1830.) Dr. Tunison
continued to serve as a surgeon in other corps of the
army. After fhe Revolution he retumed to his old
home in New Jersey.
Turner, Joseph. A private in the Revolution from
Shepherdstown. He is said to have been a man of
great strength and size. His descendants still live in
the northern part of Jefferson County.
Turner, Thomas. Captain Thomas Turner appears
to have first volunteered in Captain WilHam Morgan's
company in 1776-7. Was afterwards promoted to a
captaincy. He married Sallie Swearingen, a sister of
Col. Joseph Swearingen. He owned a large farm in
Berkeley County, and was living in 1797.
U
Unseld, Henry. A private in the Revolution from
Shepherdstown. V
Van Cliff, — •  . Ensign Van Cliff was in service
under Generals Hand and Mcintosh. He lived in
Berkeley County.
Van Metre, Hance or Johannes. Captain Hance
Van Metre commanded a company of Berkeley
County militia at the time of the Revolution.
Van Metre, Isaac. A private in the George Rogers
Clarke campaign.
Van Metre, John. Captain John Van Metre also
commanded a militia company. On the 18th of Oc
tober, 1780, he "was sworn as a Major in the Militia
of the County." (Minutes of Berkeley Co., 1780.)
Vardine, Stephen. The drummer boy of Captain
Stephenson's, and afterwards of Captain Shepherd's,

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 355
company. He was captured but soon exchanged. His
name appears on the muster roll of a company of the
Virginia Line, in 1779.
Vaughan, Patrick. Enlisted as a private in Cap
tain Stephenson's Company. Afterwards re-enlisted
in Captain Shepherd's company. He died Nov. 13th,
1776, perhaps in a skirmish with the enemy, but more
probably in hospital, as the pay roll says "died," not
"kiUed." Vining, William. One pf the men enlisted by
Henry Bedinger in 1783. He was born in County
Cork, Ireland, and lived in Chester County, Pa.
W
Wagoner, Andrew. ]\Iajor Andrew Wagoner lived
near Bunker Hill. He was elected to Virginia House
of Assembly in 1792. The Wagoners were among the
first settlers, and at the time of the Revolution owned
a farm in the southern part of the county.
Wagoner, Philip. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company. Philip was very probably one of the rifle
men captured after the surrender of Fort Washington,
and may have perished in prison, as there are no fur
ther records concerning him.
Wallace, George B. Lieutenant colonel of Colonel
Morgan's rifle regiment.
Wallace, James. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775. Received a pension after 1833 as
private in the Virginia Hne. Lived, after the war, in
Alleghany County, Pa. Was 76 in 1832. Wrote a fine
hand, and was evidently a man of education.
Waller, William. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775, and in 1776 in Captain Shepherd's
company. Taken prisoner and marked on the pay
roll "dead, Feb. ISth, 1777."

356 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Walls, George. A rifleman of Berkeley County. In
1781 he wrote Jefferson that all his company might
be re-enlisted for the war. What company it was
does not appear. He was a major.
George Walles, of Berkeley, owned a farm of 270
acres in 1780.
White, Robert. Judge Robert White was born
March 9th, 1731. He joined Captain Stephenson's
company of volunteer riflemen as a private in 1775.
He was afterwards promoted second lieutenant in
a company of the Twelfth Virginia, Col. James
Wood's regiment, March 1st, 1777. Was badly
wounded at Short HiUs, N. J., June 26, 1777. Pro
moted first Heutenant Sept 1, 1777. Transferred to
Eighth Virginia, Sept. Uth, 1778, when Colonel Wood
took command of that regiment. Again wounded in
1778. Promoted captain 1781, and served till close
of war. Was a distinguished jurist and judge of the
General Court of Virginia, from 1793 to 1826. He
married ArabeUa Baker of Shepherdstown, daughter
of John Baker and Judith Howard Wood Baker. She
was descended from Henry Howard, Duke of Nor
folk. Williams, Henry. Drafted from Captain Edward
Worthington's company of Berkeley County militia
in 1780.
Williams, Thomas S. Enlisted in Captain Stephen
son's company. The name appears in list of Jersey
prisoners. WiUis, Francis. July 25, 1781, Major Francis Wil
lis of the Light Dragoons wrote to General Daniel
Morgan to say that his troops only awaited accoutre
ments to be ready to march. These were Berkeley
County troops.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 357
Willis, John. Major John Willis was a prisoner on
Long Island with Henry Bedinger in 1776-80.
WilHs, Robert Carter. A gentleman of large prop
erty living in the western part of Berkeley County.
In 1777 he was lieutenant colonel of Berkeley County
militia. Willis, Thomas. Captain Thomas Willis may have
been the son of R. C. Willis. He was a captain in the
Virginia Line.
WUson, William. Enlisted in Captain Shepherd's
Company in June, 1776. Taken prisoner and died or
was killed Feb. 15, 1777.
Wine, Jacob. Same as above. Another victim who
died Feb. 15, 1777.
Wohlfarth, Johan Martin. In 1765 there were
only nine families of Lutherans in Shepherdstown.
So says the record of that church. Among these were
Heinrich Biidinger and Martin Wohlfarth. In 1722
the evangelist, Michael Wohlfarth, wrote to a friend
that he was going from Philadelphia to visit North
CaroHna through the Valley of the Shenandoah.
Martin Wohlfarth, was, very probably, the son or
grandson of this evangelist, who may have remained
in Shepherdstown on his return from North Carolina.
At any rate Johan Martin Wohlfarth is buried in the
graveyard that appears to have been the first burial
ground used in Shepherdstown, the church yard of
what is now the German Reformed Church, but which
used to be a union church. What connection Mar
tin Wohlfarth had with the army cannot be accurately
determined. Perhaps he took supplies to the army
from Berkeley County. At any rate he was with Cap
tain Stephenson's men in some capacity in 1775 and
in 1776, when they were at Roxbury Camp and Staten
Island.

358 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Wolf, George. A private in Company 4 of Colonel
Morgan's riflemen.
Wolf, Michael. Enlisted in Captain Shepherd's
company. Did not die in prison, though taken captive
at Fort Washington.
Worthington,  . There were several Worth-
ingtons in the Revolution from Berkeley County.
One was a captain of militia in 1780. One, the
father of Thomas Worthington, was killed, or
died, during the war. He appointed William Darke
the guardian of his children. His daughter married
Dr. Edward Tiffin, of Berkeley, who moved to Ohio,
and was one of the first governors of that State. His
son, Thomas, married Eleanor Strode Swearingen,
daughter of Josiah Swearingen. They moved to Ohio,
and Thomas Worthington was a prominent politician,
M. C, and governor of Ohio. The Worthingtons may
have been the first settlers of the southern part of
old Berkeley County. Robert Worthington built Pied
mont on what was then called Worthington's Marsh,
in 1736.
Wright, George. A private drafted from Captain
Worthington's militia company in 1780.
Wright, James. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company in 1775.
Wysong, Jacob. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company. "Was a drummer." So says the article in
the Virginia Free Press of 1750. However, Stephen
Vardine was the drummer of that company. Perhaps
Wysong was the fifer. The article also gives the name
of Fayette Wysong as a fifer in the Revolution. This
is a mistake. Fayette was born during or after the
Revolution, and named for La Fayette. He was a
fifer under General St. Clair in 1791.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 359

Yancey, James. Enlisted in Captain Stephenson's
company. The Yanceys were a prominent family of
Rockingham County, Va. There were also a Captain
Charles and a Robert Yancey in the Revolution, but
there is nothing to prove that any of them lived in
Berkeley County.
Yeasley, Michael. A private in the Pennsylvania
Line. Lived in Shepherdstown after the Revolution
and owned some houses there.
Young, Charles. A private of the Virginia Line
from Berkeley County. He was in the artillery, and
was placed on the pension roll in 1834.
Young, Chrisley. A private, served in the South.
Lived in or near Shepherdstown.

APPENDIX B
Bibliography archives
FREDERICK County Records. These records,
beginning in the year 1743, up to 1772 when
Berkeley County was formed, have been examined
for wills, deeds, etc., of the earliest settlers. Berkeley
County Records. Wills, and deeds, etc., fumish in
formation of the period of the Revolution.
Some manuscripts in the Congressional Library and
the list of landowners in Berkeley have been of
assistance. The landholders names were kindly fur
nished the writer by Dr. S. Miller, of New York, who
owns the original roll.
Other manuscripts largely quoted in this volume are
the letters and other papers of the Bedingers and
Swearingens, who lived in Berkeley County during
the Revolution. BOOKS AND pamphlets
Cartmell, T. K. Lower Shenandoah Valley. A
huge book, poorly indexed and arranged, but contain
ing some valuable information.
Engle, J. M. History of the Engle Family in the
Shenandoah. Washington. 1906. Contains some
matters of interest concerning a few of the earHest
emigrants to Berkeley County.
Foote, W. H. Sketches of Virginia. Lippincott
County 1856. Contains some interesting facts con
cerning the early settlement of the Valley, but little
about Shepherdstown.
Graham, J. R., D. D. Planting of the Presbyterian
Church in Northern Virginia. Winchester, Va. 1904.

HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN 361
This book is scholarly and useful, but Dr. Graham en
deavors to prove that Shepherdstown was called Po
tomoke as early as 1719. At that time the river was
not known by any other name than Cohongoroota
above Alexandria, and Potomoke must have been
near that place.
Aler F. V. History of Martinsburg. Very Ul-
constructed book without an index, but contains some
sketches of prominent citizens of Berkeley County,
written by Hon. C. J. Faulkner, that are valuable.
Bittinger, Lucy F. The Germans in Colonial Times.
A very well written and interesting account of early
German life in the colonies, especially in Pennsylvania.
Published by J. B. Lippincott in 1901.
Hening, W. W. Statutes at Large. Contains much
of value to any historian of any part of Virginia.
Howe, Henry. Historical Collections of Virginia.
Charleston, S. C. 1846. A valuable history of Vir
ginia. AUen, the Rev. Benjamin. The Life of B. AUen.
He was one of the first ministers of the P. E. Church
in Shepherdstown. His life contains some notices of
early residents.
Meade, Wm. Old Churches, Ministers, and Fam
ilies of Virginia. Lippincott, 1872. Contains many
brief sketches of early residents of the Valley, prin
cipally those belonging to the P. E. Church.
Palmer, Dr. W. P., and others. Calendar of Vir
ginia State Papers. Of much value to aU students of
American history.
Rupp's Thirty Thousand Names of Foreign Emi
grants in Pennsylvania from 1727 to 1776. This vol
ume affords data with regard to the arrival of many of
the French and German emigrants who helped to
settle the Valley of Virginia.

362 HISTORIC SHEPHERDSTOWN
Norris, J. E. History of the Lower Shenandoah
Valley. Chicago. 1890. Contains much of value and
is the most important contribution yet made to the
subject of the colonization of the Valley.
Kercheval, Samuel. History of the Valley of Vir
ginia. Woodstock 7 Va. 1902. An old and valuable
authority, but not very full on the subject of Shep
herdstown. Lewis, Virgil. All Mr. Lewis's books on the sub
ject of West Virginia are of value to the student of
the subject Particularly his History of West Vir
ginia, and his Biennial Reports of State Archives.
Smythe, Genealogy of the Shepherd, Duke and Van
Metre Families. This book contains much hitherto
unpublished matter about these and other old families
of Berkeley County, and is of much use, and, as a
general thing reliable. Published in Lancaster, Pa.,
in 1909, by S. Gerdon Smythe.
Wayland, John W., B. A. and Ph. D. German Ele
ment of the Shenandoah Valley. Accurate and pains
taking, a compilation of great value and showing much
research. Spark's Life and Writings of Washington. These
volumes have been searched for information about
the French and Indian War.
Spottswood Papers. Contain letters of Governor
Spottswood about early discoveries in the Valley, etc.
Other sources of information are the volumes of
American Archives, Archives of Pennsylvania, many
newspapers published in the Shenandoah Valley, and
such periodicals as the Virginia Magazine of History
and Biography, and the West Virginia Historical Mag
azine, etc.