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West Virginia: Jefferson County History

Jefferson County History

Early History of Jefferson County

Jefferson County was created by an act of the General Assembly on January 8, 1801, from parts of Berkeley County. It was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), who was then President of the United States. One of America's greatest statesmen, Thomas Jefferson was born in Shadwell, Virginia on April 2, 1743 and graduated from William and Mary College in 1762. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1767. He served as a member of the Colonial House of Burgesses from 1769 to 1774 and again in 1782, a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1775, 1776, and again from 1782 to 1785, drafted the Declaration of Independence on July 2, 1776, served as Governor of Virginia from 1779 to 1781, was appointed minister to France in 1785 and served in that capacity for three years. He was then the first Secretary of State during George Washington's Administration, was elected vice-president of the United States during John Adams' Administration and then was elected the 3rd President of the United States in 1801 and was re-elected in 1805 (serving from 1801 to 1809). He was also the founder the University of Virginia. In an ironic and endearing twist of fate, both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on July 4 (Independence Day) in 1825.

John Lederer, a German physician and explorer employed by Sir William Berkeley, colonial governor of Virginia, was the first Englishman to set foot in the county. He explored the region in 1669. In 1707, Louis Michel made a map of the future site of Jefferson County and, in 1712, Christopher Baron de Graffenreid entered what is now Jefferson County in his expedition up the Potomac River.

The first permanent English settlement in the present county was attempted in the Shepherdstown area in 1719, but no records were kept of the settlers' names. In 1727, several German immigrant families founded the town of New Mecklenburg, renamed Shepherdstown in 1798 in honor of Captain Thomas and Elizabeth Shepherd. Thomas Shepherd had received a patent on October 3, 1734 for much of the land in that area and he was the town's leading citizen until his death in 1776. Other early settlers included John and Isaac Van Meter who obtained grants to large tracts of land in the county in 1730.

Charles Town, the county seat, was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly in October 1786. It was laid out on 80 acres of land owned by Charles Washington, the youngest brother of George Washington, the 1st President of the United States. Charles Washington had moved to the area in 1780 and his home, known as "Happy Retreat" was a favorite rest stop for the wealthy and famous. The town's name was originally Charlestown.

Two other towns in Jefferson County, Shepherdstown and Harper's Ferry, hold special significance in West Virginia and in American history.

Shepherdstown claims to be the oldest town in the state. Both Shepherdstown (then know as Mecklenburg) and Romney (in Hampshire County) were chartered by the Virginia General Assembly on December 23, 1762. However, Romney claims that it is the oldest town in the state because its earliest settlers arrived before Shepherdstown's earliest settlers arrived. However, given the paucity of records in the era, it is difficult to substantiate Romney's claim, and both towns claim the title of oldest town in the state.

Shepherdstown also was the home of James Rumsey, the first man to propose using steam instead of wind to propel vessels. He built a steamer and sailed it on the Potomac River in the presence of George Washington and others on December 3, 1787, 20 years before Robert Fulton, who is generally regarded as the inventor of the steam boat, made his first successful steam voyage. Rumsey patented his invention and traveled to London in 1790 in an attempt to find investors willing to finance the construction of additional steam ships. Several ventures failed, primarily due to poor workmanship on the steam engines. He remained in London for nearly two years. On December 20, 1792, he made a presentation explaining his invention to the Society of Mechanic Arts in London. During the presentation he burst a blood vessel and died the next morning. During his time in London, Rumsey met a young man named Robert Fulton who later modified Rumsey's design and made steam navigation a success.

Shepherdstown was also the home of West Virginia's first newspaper, the Potomak Guardian and Berkeley Advertiser. It began publication in 1790 by Nathaniel Willis.

Harpers's Ferry, named for Robert Harper who settled there in 1734 and established a ferry to cross the Shenandoah and the Potomac Rivers, was the site of John Brown's famous insurrection. At 10 p.m., under the cover of darkness on Sunday, October 16, 1859, John Brown, his two sons, Oliver and Watson, and 19 others (17 white and 5 colored in all) seized William Williamson, the Harper's Ferry Armory guard as he stood guard on the Potomac Bridge. Once the guard was removed, Brown and his men took possession of the Armory Building. At about 1 a.m., on Monday October 17th, the insurgents went to the home of Lewis Washington, a slave owner, took him captive, and announced that his slaves were now free. His men also went to the home of John Allstadt, took him and his son prisoner, and announced that their slaves were free also. As the inhabitants of Harper's Ferry woke up that morning, they soon discovered that armed men were patrolling the streets and arresting anyone coming close the Armory. Finding the telegraph wires cut, the alarmed townspeople sent messengers on horseback to the neighboring towns for help. A train passing through the town from Wheeling was stopped and then allowed to continue. The trainmen spread word at the next stop that the town had been taken over. A volunteer company, under the command of Colonel Baylor, from Charles Town, arrived shortly after noon, took control of the bridge and surrounded the insurgents, who were now holed up within the Armory. Later that day, two companies arrived from Martinsburg and the Armory was attacked, with both sides exchanging fire until nightfall. Five members of the three companies attacking the Armory were killed, as were three insurgents, including John Brown's son, Oliver. During the early evening hours, the companies surrounding the Armory were able to restore the telegraph lines that had been cut by John Brown's men earlier in the day. Word of the insurrection spread quickly across the nation.

Colonel Robert E. Lee was dispatched at once from Washington, D.C. to put down the rebellion. He commanded 100 United States Marines. When he arrived on Tuesday, October 18th, he directed J.E.B. Stuart to demand an unconditional surrender. Stuart then went to the Armory's front door with a note demanding Brown's surrender. When Brown refused, it is said that Stuart leapt dramatically to the side and signaled the attack. The Marines charged the Armory, killing several of Brown's men and seriously wounding Brown, who was clubbed unconscious in the attack. Of the 22 insurgents, ten were killed at Harper's Ferry, seven, including John Brown, were captured, taken to Charles Town, tired and hanged there in December 1859 for treason, and five escaped. Those opposed to slavery viewed Brown as a national hero, while those supporting slavery viewed him as a villain. Many others supported Brown's objective, but nonetheless condemned his actions. Most historians consider John Brown's actions at Harper's Ferry a precursor to the Civil War.

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