History of Cumberland, (Maryland) from the time of the Indian town, Caiuctucuc, in 1728, up to the present day : embracing an account of Washington's first campaign, and battle of Fort Necessity, together with a history of Braddock's expedition, Part 20

Author: Lowdermilk, William Harrison
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Washington, D.C. : James Anglim
Number of Pages: 588


USA > Maryland > Allegany County > Cumberland > History of Cumberland, (Maryland) from the time of the Indian town, Caiuctucuc, in 1728, up to the present day : embracing an account of Washington's first campaign, and battle of Fort Necessity, together with a history of Braddock's expedition > Part 20


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37


Benjamin Tomlinson was amongst the earliest settlers in the county, and in 1789 he built the house on Will's Creek, some five miles from Cumberland, now occupied by Mrs. Alexander King, a grand- daughter.


The militia law in existence at this date caused the citizens of Allegany county much annoyance, as they were compelled to travel long distances, either on horseback or on foot, to attend the drills provided for by law. Consequently they caused a statement to be made to the Legislature setting forth their grievances, and that body in 1798 passed an act authorizing the field officers having command of the militia of Allegany county to appoint certain days for drill each year, at such place in the county as they might direct.


The subject of Roads attracted considerable atten- tion again in 1798, and in order to improve the condition of the road from Cumberland to Sideling Hill a liberal appropriation was made. A further sum of £56 5s was levied in 1802 for this purpose. In January, 1799, an act of the Legislature was secured for the opening of a road from "Martin's


279


ALLEGANY COUNTY SCHOOL.


1799.]


Ford, on the North Branch of the Potowmack, to intersect the main road leading from the mouth of George's Creek to the town of Cumberland," and Joseph Cresap, Thomas Dawson of William, and Ebenezer Davis were appointed Commissioners for the purpose of laying off this road in the most direct and convenient way; it was to be kept in order by the persons living on the tracts of land known as "The Cove," "Long Bottom," and "Lot No. 3581."


The first effort towards advancing the cause of education in Allegany county was made in 1799. On the 15th of January, in that year, an act was passed by the Legislature entitled "An act to incor- porate a school in Allegany County, by the name of Allegany County School, the purposes of which are shown by the following extract from the law, viz:


" Whereas, it is reasonable that education should be extended to the several parts of this State, and that there should be a public school in Allegany County, therefore :


Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland, That in order to the erecting and building a house and other conveniences for a county school, the persons hereinafter named shall have power to purchase one or more acres of land in or adjoining the town of Cumberland, in Allegany county, to wit: John Lynn, Evan Gwynn, William McMahon, Joseph Cresap, David Lynn, Patrick Murdoch, Hanson Briscoe, John B. Beall and John C. Beatty, who shall be visitors of said school; which said persons so nominated visitors for Allegany county school, and their successors, appointed in the manner hereinafter declared, shall and are hereby declared to be one community, corporation and body politic, to have continuation forever, by the name of The Visitors of Allegany County School, and by that name to sue and be sued, implead or be impleaded. and to make and have a common seal, and the same to break, alter or renew, when and so often as they shall think fit.


Under the provisions of this act a building was erected for school purposes on the lot now occupied by the school building of SS. Peter and Paul's Church,


-


280


HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1790-1800.


German Catholic. The School building was of brick, one story in height, and amongst the early Principals of the school were Professors Pierce and Benjamin Brown. The Academy was placed in charge of a board of visitors, who were given power to elect their own successors, and the organization is maintained to this day. The original board appointed by the act of 1798, consisted of John Lynn, Evan Gwynn, William McMahon, Joseph Cresap, David Lynn, Patrick Murdoch, Hanson Briscoe, John B. Beall and John C. Beatty, and the sum of $200 per year was granted them from the State Treasury.


The lack of data, either written or printed, renders it extremely difficult to procure a correct list of the people residing here at a date so early as 1800, especially since there are few persons living, old enough to remember distinctly such matters.


To designate the houses that are oldest is equally difficult. Certainly the most venerable of them was that known as "Washington's headquarters," which occupied the ground on which Mr. O. C. Gephart's residence now stands, and which is well re- membered by hundreds of citizens, as it was not removed until aboutthe year 1844. It was co- temporary with Fort WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS. Cumberland, and stood but a short distance from the parade ground. This old house was occupied at one time by Mrs. Bridenhart, a daughter of Michael Kershner, and she entertained


281


OLD HOUSES.


1790-1800.]


several students there as boarders for some years. It was also occupied for several years by David Lynn as a residence, afterwards by George Bruce, and finally by John Kane.


In 1844 it was bought by George Blocher, who moved it to a lot on the Bedford road, a mile distant, where it was repaired and occupied for twenty-two years by John Baker. It still stands, on the ground of Christian Eichner, a short distance from Cumber- land.


About 1784 George Lowdermilk built a frame house some fifty yards west of Washington's head- quarters, and occupied it for twenty years.


The "McMahon House,"-still standing on the Southwest corner of Smallwood and Green Streets- was built about the year 1792, and had a store-room adjoining. The back building, erected several years afterwards, was constructed of brick, and was the first of the kind in the town. The brick were brought up the river in a keel boat, from some point below. The mason work was done by Henry Wineow, who was then the only brick mason in the place. Mr. McMahon was a gentleman of some wealth, and thoroughly hospitable. In October, 1794, while Washington was here for the purpose of inspecting the Western Army, on the occasion of the Whiskey Insurrection, he was the guest of Mr. McMahon, and the entire population of the town called there to pay their respects to the great man. This old house is now a deserted and dilapidated wreck, but deserves to be held in some degree of veneration, as one of the few remaining landmarks of those early days. The


36


282


HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1790-1800.


lot on which this building stood is marked "9" on the map. In this house John V. L. McMahon was born, a man of great intellect and scholarly acquire- ments.


On the north side of Green street, lot No. 31, Michael Kershner built a two-story house, with a porch, about 1790. This has disappeared altogether, unless a portion of the plastered house standing there may be a remnant of it.


A short distance west of the McMahon house, and about where Mrs. W. Landwehr's house now stands, was built a two-story log tavern, by Abraham Faw. In this building were born J. Galloway Lynn, and afterwards General E. O. C. Ord, of the United States Army. Previous to the erection of a Court House, several sessions of the Grand Jury and the Court were held there, and this tavern became the general resort of most of the persons who came to the town.


The Devecmon house, on Green street, east of Smallwood, was built about 1790, by George Dent, who was the surveyor of the town. This house is still standing, the lower story being now several feet below the street. Mrs. Dent died about 1807, in the house of Dickeson Simkins, on north Mechanic street, corner of Valley street.


Probably the first house built on the east side of the Creek was that erected by David Hoffman, a little south of the Blue Spring, on north Mechanic street. It was constructed of logs, and was about 40 x 25 feet in size.


The log house on north Mechanic street, above the "Blue Spring," was built about 1791, by an old


1


283


1790-1800.] OLD HOUSES.


bachelor, named Wyatt. It was used in 1809 by Samuel Smith, as a store house, and the Post office was then kept there, Mr. Smith being the Postmaster.


The log house, now weatherboarded, standing on the corner of north Mechanic street and Valley street, was built by Dickeson Simkins, in 1790.


About the same time the house on north Mechanic street, No. 209, next below Wegman's store, was built by Benjamin Morris, a shoemaker, and brother- in-law of Simkins, who carried on his business there.


The log house next to J. Wegman's dwelling, No. 215 north Mechanic street, was built at the same time by John Snowden Hook, a farmer, who came here from Washington County, and purchased a con- siderable tract of land, embracing what is known as "Hook's Graveyard."


The house occupied by the late Emanuel Easter, No. 132 north Mechanic street, was built about 1800, and a pottery established by Jacob Neff. Mr. Easter was an apprentice with Neff, and afterwards carried on the business up to the time of his death, at an old age, in 1877.


The house of Mrs. Charlotte Wright, No. 140 north Mechanic street, was built about the year 1800, and Mrs. Wright has now been living there continuously for more than fifty years.


A house, supposed to have been built by Jonathan Cox, stood near the spot now occupied by Lewis Smith's tavern on north Mechanic street, and David and Jonathan Cox, tanners, had a tannery a short distance above the ground now occupied by Withers' tannery. Cox's house was built of stone.


284


HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1790-1800.


George Shuck, who came here about 1790, from York, Pa., lived in a log house, where Shipley's tavern now stands, in 1800.


Thomas Beall, of Samuel, built a house on Liberty street, a short distance below the City Hall, on the opposite side. The date of its erection is uncertain, but is supposed to have been about 1785. It is still standing.


A log house, was built by John Miller about 1794, on the lot on the corner of Liberty and Bedford streets, and is still in use, immediately opposite the City Hall, and is known as the "Snyder property."


George Payne had a house in 1796, on the Little Valley Road, near "Payne's Spring," which was on his property.


Several other old buildings are still in existence, which are supposed to have been constructed previous to 1800, but their history is not positively known.


The effort to preserve the chronology of the history of the town, so far as its growth is concerned becomes exceedingly difficult at this time, since there were no newspapers in existence, and the memory of the old inhabitants utterly fails to establish dates with any degree of accuracy. Consequently the events of the next twenty years must be treated as best they may be under the circumstances.


It has been heretofore stated that in 1755 a bridge was built across Will's Creek, near the mouth of the stream. This was carried away by a freshet, and about 1790 a wooden bridge was built where the present iron bridge stands. The new structure was built upon wooden piers, and by frequent repairs and


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285


SURVEY OF THE TOWN.


1805.]


much patching was kept in serviceable condition until 1804, when it was damaged by high water. >In January, 1805, the Legislature passed an act author- izing Upton Bruce, David Hoffman, senior, Thomas Thistle, George Hoffman, and William McMahon to hold a lottery, and thereby raise a sum of money not to exceed $2,000 for the purpose of purchasing a fire engine for the town of Cumberland, and directing them to appropriate the balance of the money on hand, after making such purchase, to the erection of a bridge over Will's Creek. Whether the lottery was held is not recorded, but certainly another bridge was erected, and this was in turn washed away by a great freshet, in 1810, at which time the Creek rose to an unprecedented height, entirely flooding Mechanic street. After the bridge was destroyed, in 1810, a ferry was established, and kept in use until a new bridge was erected. The ferry consisted of a rope stretched across the Creek at the foot of Baltimore street, the ends being lashed to large walnut trees, and a flat boat being attached to a ring which was made to slip along the cable. Another wooden bridge was shortly after put in the place of the one destroyed, and this stood until 1820, when a suspension chain bridge was substituted therefor, a full description of which will hereafter be given.


The survey of the town, as made in 1787, having never been filed in the office of the Clerk of the Court of either Washington or Allegany County, as required by the law authorizing the survey, the Legislature passed an act January 27, 1805, reciting


286


HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1806


that " Whereas, Thomas Beall, son of Samuel, and other persons, did lay off a parcel of their land contiguous to the mouth of Will's Creek, in Allegany County, into lots, a great part of which have since been purchased, and considerable improvements made thereon, and there being no record of the same, the title of the proprietors thereof are precarious and uncertain; and it appearing right and proper that commissioners should be appointed to lay out and erect a town on the said lands, and to secure the purchasers of lots therein, reserving the right of the proprietors and their interests in said lands," therefore, Roger Perry, Evan Gwynn, Jonathan Cox, George Hoffman, and Upton Bruce were appointed Commissioners to have an accurate sur- vey made, and an exact plot thereof, showing the original location of the streets, lanes, lots, &c., filed in the office of the Cerk of the Court. They were required to have the lots numbered one, two, three, and so on, and these numbers were to be given as they were in the original location. They were authorized to summons witnesses for the purpose of securing such information as should be necessary to ascertain the true lines, and were then to set up boundary stones at the beginning of the lots. This act contained provisions for securing purchasers in their rights, and repealed the act of 1786.


In 1806 the provisions of this act were fully carried out by the Commissioners, Mr. George Dent having been employed as the surveyor, and the plat made by him was filed in the Land Records of Allegany County, an exact copy of which is here given. That


287


1806.] SURVEY OF THE TOWN


portion of the town lying on the east and north side of Will's Creek was first laid out in 1798.


The Commissioners in making their return, sub- mitted the following remarks, which were filed together with the map, and an accurate description of each lot :


The Town of Cumberland had grown into considerable size before the passage of the law authorizing its being laid out, and as no correct plat had been preserved of its ancient location, or boundaries set up, by which it could be ascertained correctly, the Commissioners for the want of some guide of this kind met with considerable difficulty in assigning to each lot its due and proper situation, particularly so, on the east side of Will's Creek, where the lots being of no given size, and the streets crooked and irregular one lot became of little service in leading to the establishment of another; the conveyances or titles by which many of the lots were held were very imperfectly drawn, and many blunders com- mitted, so that they frequently served rather to add to our perplexity than furnish us with correct information. The Commissioners, nevertheless, trust they have produced as perfect a return as could be desired or ex- pected, and that besides the advantage of every man knowing how and where to find the precise situation of his lot, many disputes will be quieted from the having a settled and determined record to refer to. Several additions have been made to the Town as just laid off, and as each addition begins with number 1, 2, and so on, it follows that there are five lots thus numbered in the Town of Cumberland, a circumstance it was impossible for the Commissioners to avoid under the restriction of the law giving them their powers. At first glance of the plat this may seem like confusion, but which it will be easy to avoid if where in searching for any number due regard be had to the addition it is distinguished by as lying in. There are on the plat two lots numbered 219, which could not be avoided, as by some error conveyances had been made to two different persons for two adjoining lots by this number, but to distinguish we have called one the senior and the other the junior lot. Occasionally on our approach to the neighborhood of some metalic substance, we found our selves led astray from the attraction of the needle; sometimes we were unable to discover where the cause lay, though the effect was quite plain. It was observable that in passing by where had been several years back a smith shop the attraction from small particles of iron concealed under the ground was very considerable, and would have thrown us totally into confusion had it not been discovered in time. So that in any future


288


HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1810.


running due caution ought to be paid to this circumstance. The Com- missioners ask for their intentions, and their return, a fair and liberal interpretation, and while they are confident strict and equal regard has been paid to each particular interest, express a hope their labors will be found to have given order, form and certainty to what was heretofore perplexed, confused and doubtful, and that each proprietor of a lot in the Town of Cumberland may discover its situation, extent and limits, by a reference to the plat, and without an appeal to the remedy at law, which is always attended with expense and delay.


ROGER PERRY, EVAN GWYNN, JONATHAN COX, GEORGE HOFFMAN, W. BRUCE.


The accumulation of the records of the Court rendered it necessary that a proper place should be provided for their preservation, and in 1806 the Legislature authorized the County Commissioners to levy the sum of $1,200, which was to be collected in one, two and three years, for the purpose of building offices for the reception of the papers and records of the County, and for the proper accommodation of the Clerk of the Court. Such a building was erected on the public grounds in the vicinity of the Court House, and just where the Academy building now stands. It was occupied continuously until the com- pletion of the new Court House in 1840.


In 1810 an act supplementary to the act erecting the town was passed authorizing the appointment of a Street Supervisor, and directing that all monies collected as taxes on the property on the west and east sides of Will's Creek should be expended on that side on which it was collected, except so much as might be necessary to pay an equal proportion of the salaries of the Clerk and Bailiff.


289


1813.] RESIDENTS AND HOUSES.


The following is a sketch of the houses standing in 1813, from the most reliable data that can be obtained, taking the oldest streets in succession, and beginning with the west side of the Creek.


On the south side of Green street, where it is intersected by Water street, stood a house and shop, which was used by a man named Glenn, who was a nail-maker; the brick building now used as the residence of the Chief Engineer of the Water Works, was erected by Roger Perry, in 1811; next was the Dent or Devecmon house; opposite Glenn's nail-shop was the house of Captain Thomas Blair, who was a hatter; nearly opposite the Dent house was the house of Michael Kershner. These com- prised the houses east of Smallwood street. West of this street were, on the south side, William McMahon's dwelling and store, and Faw's tavern; on the north side were the houses of Rev. Mr. Ken- nedy, a minister; Mr. Glissan; the old guard quarters; George Hughes, and Andrew McCleary.


On Rose Hill was the residence now occupied by J. G. Lynn, Esq., which was built by his father, in 1810. The house now occupied by Dr. James M. Smith was built in 1810, by Upton Bruce, who resided there.


Washington street was then a very steep and rough road. There were but four houses on the south side, one built by Mr. Deakins, and afterwards bought by John Hoye; the old Washington head- quarters; a frame house a few yards west of it, and a brick house on the site now occupied by Hon." William Walsh's residence. On the north side were 37


290


HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.


[1813


the Court House and jail, the Clerks' office, and the house built by Roger Perry.


On the ground north of Fayette street, near the present railroad line, were Hanson Briscoe's house, the Methodist Church, the Academy, and a small house in the rear of the ground now occupied by the residence of Mr. R. D. Johnson.


These comprised all the houses on the west side of the Creek.


On Bedford street, now Baltimore street, a black- smith shop stood near the banks of the Creek, and in close proximity to the bridge; on the southwest corner of Baltimore and Mechanic streets was a frame store house; on the ground now occupied by Mrs. S. Thress's store, was a log house, built by Robert McCleary. (This was torn down and re- placed by a brick house in 1830). On the north side Peter Gephart had a dwelling where McKaig's block stands, below Liberty street; near the corner was Dowden's house. Between Liberty and Mill (now Centre) streets the ground was occupied by John Shryer's tan yard, and on the northwest corner of Baltimore and Centre stood the old Lutheran Church.


On Liberty street there were no houses, except those occupied by Captain Thomas Beall of Samuel, and John Miller.


Mechanic street was at that time the main street, and the houses located there were as follows, taken in sequence from the south to the north: On the west side below Harrison street, Elnathan Russell's house and blacksmith shop, both still standing at the offset in the street; A. Rogers, butcher; Nicholas


1813.7


RESIDENTS AND HOUSES. 291


Koontz; Michael Fisher, cooper; Henry Wineow, brickmason; Thomas Dowden, blacksmith. Between Creek and Baltimore streets :- first, Slicer's tavern, the Cumberland Bank, Wyatt's drug store, corner Baltimore. Between Baltimore street and Bedford street :- Reeside's, or McKinley's, hotel, (old National) John Scott, Dr. Reese, McGill's drug store, E. Vowell's store, Samuel Lowdermilk, Peter Lowdermilk, har- ness and saddlery shops; William Shryer's cabinet shop, George Hoblitzell's store. Between Bedford street and the Blue Spring :- The first house was where the gas works stand, and was occupied by a shoemaker named McDonald; then came Adam Zeigler's store; Jacob Neff's pottery; W. Boyd, a Methodist Episcopal minister; James Simmons, butcher; Robert McCleary, and Jacob Korns, black- smith, just below the Blue Spring. Above the Spring were Samuel Smith, store and post-office; Henry Korns, comb-maker; M. Soyster, tan yard; Jacob Soyster, saddler, and Wm. Beard. West side of Mechanic street: - First, Martin Rizer's house ; between Harrison and Baltimore streets, Michael Kershner's new house; Arthur Rose; John Boward; Christian Deetz; N. Bassnet; George Hoffman, and on the southeast corner of Baltimore, John Murrell's store. Between Baltimore and Bedford :- Barton Carico's tavern; Justice's store; Ryan's tavern; C. F. Broadhag's store; George Hoblitzell; Jacob Saylor ; John Gephart, hatter; Solomon Davis, tailor, and Jacob Hoblitzell's store. Between Bedford street and Little Valley Road :- John Scott's mill, (corner Bed- ford,) George Thistle; Peter Lowdermilk; Jacob


.


292


HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.


[1813.


Shuck; Dr. Murray; Henry Baker; Benjamin Wiley; Francis Madore, (corner of alley below Railroad viaduct); Michael Wire's drug store; Wolf; George Cox, Jonathan Cox, tanyard; James Hook, wheelright; John Wickard, farmer; Jacob Sease; B. Howard ; Henry Korns; Dickeson Simkins' "Three Butts Hotel." North of Little Valley street :-- Thomas Clin- ton; Peterson ; Elias Hook ; Hector McIntosh, comb- maker; Stricker, tailor; Crawford, shoemaker; David Shultz, wagon-maker; John Rowe; Jonathan Hen- drixon, carpenter; Peter Lichlider ; and Starner.




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