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 21
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).
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Mill street, now Centre street, was then a narrow, crooked road through a commons, with but few houses scattered here and there. At the corner of Centre and Baltimore streets was Shryer's tan yard, on the north west, and the Lutheran Church on the northeast. At the corner of Bedford street, where the City Hall now stands was the house of John Clise. On the northwest corner of Bedford and Centre was Startzman's tan yard, and on the north- east corner was Thomas Thistle's house, a tavern. The Catholic Church stood on the ground now occupied by the Carroll Hall school building, adjoin- ing the present Church grounds. Immediately south of it was James White's house, and across the street lived Peter Louderbaugh. James Bean occupied a house a few hundred yards north, and above Little Valley road were two other houses, one of which was the house of Mrs. Waugh, a midwife.
Bedford street, or, as it was then called, Blocher street, boasted a very limited number of buildings. On the south side, near the corner of Centre, lived
293
RESIDENTS AND HOUSES.
1813.]
Mrs. Willison and James Moore; on the ground now occupied by Mrs. Henry Korns' residence was the house of Francis Deems; in a field, (corner of Decatur street) lived Abraham Simkins. On the north side of the street, where Jesse Korns now lives, was a block of small houses known as "Berry's Row." A short distance above were James P. Carleton's and John Lingo's, and next Eckles' Pottery, George Blocher's, (house still standing,) Jacob Shuck's and John McMahon's.
A grist mill stood at the mouth of the race, where the wharf of the Consolidation Coal Company is located. This mill was built somewhere about 1800, by Peter Devecmon, at a cost of $8,000, and was regarded as one of the finest mills in the State. It was bought by Patrick Murdoch, but payments not being made a law suit resulted after Murdoch's death.
These embraced all the houses in the town, with the exception, possibly of three or four. The whole number of houses was one hundred and thirty-eight. The taxable property amounted to $22,829, according to the assessment, which was put at very low figures. The following is a list of the names of property holders, and the amount with which each was assessed :
John Anderson. $1,080 | Daniel C. Brant's heirs. .$ 115
Harmenus Alricks 25
Jacob Blocher. 360
Robert Armstrong 25
John C. Beatty's heirs. 225
Christian Albright 100
Andrew Bruce 12
Charles F. Broadhag. 290
Upton Bruce and J Cox. 60
John L. Bugh 15
Jeremiah Berry 80
Mary Ann Boyd's heirs 330
Nehemiah Basnett's heirs. 450
Peter Bumwart .. 200
Margaret & Elizabeth Beard. 30
Upton Bruce. 700
George Blocher 252
Thomas Beall, of Samuel .. 1,815
John Bridenhart.
60
C. F. Broadhag and George Magruder. 15
Robert Beaver. 100
Hanson Briscoe 175
294
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
[1813.
Jonathan Cox $ 134 |
Peter Lowdermilk $ 125
Dennis Corbet.
20
William Lamar 240
George Clark's heirs
40
David Lynn.
30
Absalom Chambers.
50 Patrick Murdoch 205
David Cox ..
235
John McCleary's heirs. 40
George Clice's heirs
100
George Murrow.
140
Zadock Clark ..
40
Mary Myers.
30
Frederick Christman.
80
Jacob Myers' heirs.
96
David Cook.
15
William Moore. 70
75
Frederick Deems
60
William McMahon.
699
Mary Davis' heirs
37
Henry Mattingly.
65
Francis Deakins.
30
Henry McCleary 15
35
Solomon Davis
80 John Myers.
50
Hannah Entler's heirs
40
Andrew McCleary's heirs.
50
Leonard Extine's heirs
50
John McKim, Jr. 80
Michael Fisher.
100
Clement Masters 45
50
Abrahan Fawn
205
Isaac Mantz
25
John Folk.
240
Robert McCleary, Jr. Francis Madore
50
James Glenn
25
Henry Mckinley 210
John Graham
75
Mary Murdoch. 285
10
Peter Geary.
70
Jacob Neff.
598
James Hook
75
William Osborn
97
George Hebb.
230
Richard J. Orms
15
Jacob Holitzell
465
John Patterson
85
George Hoffman
230
Joseph Polson
65
David Hoffman, Sr
817
George Payne's heirs.
75
James Hendrixson
90
Thomas Price's heirs
10
John L. Hook.
71
Edward Pannell
15
John Hunter.
30
Roger Perry
600
John Hoblitzell
200 John Peter.
80
Daniel Haner
80
Martin Rizer, Jr
135
George M. Houx.
15
Anthony Reintzell .. 15
60
John Hoye.
485
Thomas Reid's heirs.
75
George Hoblitzell
80
John Ryan ..
75
Jonathan Hendrixson
40
William Roberts.
40
Clement Engle ..
15
Martin Rizer's Sr., heirs. 155
30
Lawrence Klemmer's heirs
50
Martin Rizer of Mathias.
15
Joseph Kelley's heirs.
40
Jacob Shuck.
70
Christian Kealhoover.
10
George Shuck
120
John Kime's heirs.
56
John J. Seiss.
90
Jacob Korns.
180
Robert Selby's heirs.
10
H. Korns and J. Witt.
80
Gilbert Strong 35
James Kinkead.
200
Henry Startzman
208
Samuel Lowdermilk's heirs ...
6
Michael Soyster.
151
Robert Larimore
15 John Shryer 210
John Lynn's heirs.
55 James Scott.
270
George Funke
175
John Milbourn
120
Jacob Fair.
75
Peter Gephart
111
Jane McIntosh
Beall Howard.
115
Elnathan Russell
Michael Kershner.
65
George Rizer, of Martin. 200
Nicholas Koontz.
105
James Robardent's heirs
Christian Deetz's heirs
125
Robert McCleary, Sr
Grafton Duvall.
25
Nancy McIntosh.
295
1814.]
THE WAR WITH ENGLAND.
Dickeson Simkins $ 175
| Ebenezer Vowell.
$ 474
Patrick Sullivan.
195
Benjamin G. Vaughn .. 75
Walter Slicer
1,025
John B. Wright.
65
John Scott.
200
Henry Wineow.
170
James Searight.
40
John Walls.
60
Joseph Shumate
40
Samuel Walls
40
John Searight.
120
Sarah Willison's heirs
30
Samuel Smith's heirs
230
Michael Wire
125
John Shuck.
50
Charles Worthington.
20
Benjamin Stoddert's heirs
30
Benjamin Wiley
70
George Thistle.
270
O. H. and Eli Williams
20
James Timmons.
140
John Wickard.
50
John Tomlinson ..
10
George W. Yantz
10
Josiah Thompson
15
Samuel Thomas.
15
Total. $22,829
The progress of the war of 1812-14, and the arrival off our coasts of a large number of British, who threatened the National Capital, as well as Baltimore, led the President to issue a proclamation on the 4th of July, 1814, calling upon the Governors of the various States for militia. Maryland was required to furnish one Major-General, three Brigadier Generals; one Deputy Quartermaster-General, one Assistant Adjutant-General, and six regiments, to consist of 600 artillerists, and 5,400 infantry. The Democrats and Federalists in the State were divided upon the war question, the Federalists calling them- selves the "Friends of Peace," and demanding that the government should confine itself to a defensive war, and make no pretense of war upon Canada. In the fall of 1814, they elected their candidates in this county, to the Legislature, their ticket being made up of Jesse Tomlinson, William McMahon, William Hilleary, and Jacob Lantz. The Democrats, or "war hawks," as they were called, nominated Thomas Cresap, Thomas Greenwell, Benjamin Tomlinson and Upton Bruce.
Allegany's quota towards filling the State requisi-
296
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1814.
tion was filled, there being a considerable degree of enthusiasm manifested. Two companies of infantry were formed in the county, one under Captain William McLaughlin, and the other under Captain Thomas Blair. The first was made up in the lower part of the county, while Captain Blair's company was composed largely of citizens of the town.
Captain McLaughlin's company went to Baltimore in August, and joined the First Regiment of Maryland Militia, under Colonel John Ragan, on the 11th of August, 1814, and served until October 13th, when it was mustered out, returned to the county, and was disbanded. The following is a list of the names of members of
CAPTAIN MCLAUGHLIN'S COMPANY.
Names.
Rank.
Names.
Rank.
Wm. Mclaughlin
Captain.
Busey Charles
Private.
James Hook
1st Lieut
Burrows Elias.
do
George Shuck.
2d Lieut.
Clabaugh Martin
do
Frederick Rice
Ensign.
Connelly Bernard
do
Robert Little.
Sergeant.
Clemmer Lewis
do
Frederick Deems
do
Cox David ..
do
John Porter.
do
Chapman Samuel
do
James M. White.
do
Creamer John
do
Jacob Waggoner.
do
Clark Jacob.
do
Rezin Hook.
Corporal.
Connelly Edward.
do
Daniel Poland.
do
Crawford Samuel
do
John Waltz.
do
Davis Isaiah.
do
William Street.
do
Deverbaugh Benjamin
do
Joseph S. Stafford
do
Entler Michael
do
John North.
do
Erb Joseph ..
do
Busey John
Private.
Garey Frederick
do
Brown Benjamin
do
Gowar Nicolas
do
Bryan James
do
Hoblitzell Samuel
do
Barr David.
do
Hager George.
do
Barnes Nathaniel
do
Isenhart Jacob.
do
Bevans Michael
do
Jadwin Thomas.
do
Bevans James.
do
Jolley Benjamin
do
Banks Samuel.
do
Johnson William
do
Beeman Thomas.
do
Johnson John.
do
Bryan Nathaniel.
do
Jolley William.
do
Broadwater William
do
Kennedy Robert R.
do
Boyer James.
do
Kempton James.
do
1814.]
THE WAR WITH ENGLAND.
297
CAPTAIN MCLAUGHLIN'S COMPANY.
Names.
Rank.
Names.
Rank.
Kinsey David.
Private.
Porter Henry
Private.
Lantz John ..
do
Rice George.
do
Lacey Benjamin H
do
Resoner Arjalon
do
Letters Daniel.
do
Rhodes Daniel
do
Loar George
do
Russell John.
do
Lee James.
do
Rice Frederick
do
Lee Jacob.
do
Robinette Elizophr -
do
Lee John.
do
Riley Thomas.
do
Love Archibald.
do
Sterner Jacob.
do
Laughridge John
do
Shellhorn Henry
do
Lee Frederick.
do
Spencer Moses.
do
Morrow James.
do
Sherry James.
do
Martin John.
do
Spillman Peter
do
McIntire John
do
Saylor Jacob.
do
Markee John
do
Schopper Jacob
do
Myers Peter
do
Shuck John ..
do
Moore James.
do
Stoyer Absalom
do
Miller George
do
Tumbuster Jacob.
do
Michaels Abraham
do
Willson Jonathan.
do
Madore Francis
do
Willson Isaac.
do
Neff John, Jr.
do
White Samuel.
do
Northcraft M.
do
Willson Joshua.
do
Perrin Joseph
do
Whalley Levi.
do
Paxton Joseph.
do
Willison Amos.
do
Paxton William
do
Zumbuly Jacob.
do
The Company formed in Cumberland was made up of excellent material, the organization having been effected some months before. By frequent drills, and the most friendly rivalry amongst the members, a state of discipline and proficiency had been arrived at, which put them upon a footing with veterans, and Captain Blair was justly proud of his command. The following is a list of the officers and men of the company, which marched to Baltimore in the latter part of August, and was in the service of the government as part of the national army from September 2d to November 6, 1814, which time was spent at Camp Diehl, near Baltimore :
38
298
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
[1814.
CAPTAIN BLAIR'S COMPANY.
Names.
Rank.
Names.
Rank.
Blair Thomas ..
Captain.
Humphrey John.
Private.
McAtee Walter.
Ist Lieut.
Harding John.
do
Lowdermilk Samuel
2d Lieut.
Hoffman John J
do
Shaw Wm
1st Sergt.
Hall Solomon
do
Hinkle Alpheus.
2d Sergt.
Hendrixon Thomas
do
Shuck Jacob
3d Sergt.
Irons James
do
Houx George M.
4th Sergt
Irons Thomas
do
Delouhrey John
Ist Corpl.
Knott Wm ...
do
Strahan Robert.
2d Corpl.
Kight Cornelius
do
Keath James
3d Corpl.
Kennedy James.
do
Taney James.
4th Corpl
Kelly William
do
Mckinsey* Moses.
Drum'r.
Kelly Joseph.
do
Clinton* Thomas
Fifer.
Korns Charles
do
Allen John.
Private.
Kelly Moses.
do
Bernard James.
do
Kelly Samuel
Bowlie Jacob
do
Layfoot John
Bucker John.
do
Lowery John.
Burns James.
do
Long George.
do
Britton Nathaniel
do
Milholland Stephen.
Bruce Francis.
do
Moor John.
Beall Alpheus B
do
Moore Gabriel M.
Burgess Alfred
do
Martin Joseph
Bumsby William B.
do
Massor John
Broadwater Charles.
do
Martz Henry
Britt Robert
do
Murphy James Ist.
Cox John
do
Murphy James 2d ..
do do do
Case John
do
Miller Godfrey.
do
Conrade Michael.
do
Mumau David.
do
Dart John.
do
McCartney James
do
Devore Aaron
do
Majors William
do
Deaking John.
do
Morrison George W
do
Drain Thomas
do
Morris Elisha ..
do
Drain James
do
Neptune William
do
Elbin Reuben.
do
Newman John C.
do
Fisher John
do
Newman George A
do
Fling John
do
Northcraft Edward
do
Foley John.
do
Newton Athanias
do
Forsyth Joseph
do
Potter John
do
Fryer George.
do
Porter Joseph
do
Frazee Elisha
do
Poland John.
do
Gross Adam
do
Potter David.
do
Griffy John
do
Plummer Thomas.
do
Golding Wm.
do
Parkenson William.
do
Gordon William
do
Peters George.
do
Hoffman Jacob.
do
Peterman John
do
Hoff Frederick.
do
Riland Thomas.
do
Clark Zadock
do
Mckinsey Jesse
do do do do do do do
Coddington Robert
do
Morrison Arthur.
do do do
*Moses Mckinsey and Thomas Clinton had both served in the Revolutionary army. They lived in Cumberland, and on all public demonstrations were accustomed to come out on the streets and play the drum and fife.
1
.
1814.]
THE WAR WITH ENGLAND.
299
CAPTAIN BLAIR'S COMPANY.
Names.
Rank.
Names.
Rank.
Ravenscraft James.
Private.
Shockey John
Private.
Riley Elisha.
do
Shelhouse John
do
Roads Jacob.
do
Tasker Elisha.
do
Rizer John ..
do
Thrasher Peter
do
Stephen William
do
Tomlinson Jesse
do
Siford David.
do
Trull Abner .
do
Savage Samuel.
do
Taylor Mal.
do
Sapp Adam.
do
Vansickle Zachariah
do
Shepherd John.
do
Wolfe Jacob.
do
Spiker Adam
do
White James T
do
Shimer Jacob
do
Wilson William.
do
Smith Henry
do
Woodrough Samuel.
do
Shircliff Lewis
do
Winzett William
do
Stanton Joshua.
do
The officers of the First Regiment Maryland Militia, were as follows :
The officer in command at Camp Diehl was Major General Samuel Smith. John Ragan, Jr., Colonel. Stephen Steiner, Lieutenant-Colonel. John Blackford, Major Ist. Benjamin G. Cole, Major 2d. Nathan Cromwell, Adjutant. John Markle, Quarter-Master. George W. Boerstler, Paymaster. William Hilleary, Sergeant. Arthur Nelson, Ist Mate. Daniel Fitzhugh, 2d Mate. Christian C. Fechtig, Adjutant. Joab Doggett, Hospital Steward. Christian Baker, Sergeant Major. Adam Fisher, Quartermaster Sergeant.
At the January session of the Legislature an act was passed authorizing George Thistle, Samuel Smith, John Scott, Jacob Lantz, John Folck, Peter Lowdermilk, and William Lamar, Sr., to hold a lottery for the purpose of raising $2,000 to be applied to the purchase of a fire engine for the town.
In addition to the names of residents heretofore given, in 1814, the following persons were engaged in business in the town, viz :- James M. White, saddles and harness ; John Gephart, auctioneer; W. T. A. Pollock, saddles, &c .; Dr. Read, drugs, &c .; Wm. Houx, chairmaker ; John Milburn, auctioneer ; John Folck, warehouse; Zadoc Clark, hat factory ;
300
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
[1814.
Robert M'Guire, watchmaker; Dr. Veirs, physician ; Miss Bradley, teacher.
The Perry House, just across the river, in West Virginia, was built by George Calmes, in 1816, and afterwards passed into possession of Roger Perry.
In 1811 the Legislature had established "The Cumberland Bank of Allegany," to be located in Cumberland, the capital stock to be $200,000, and to be divided into four thousand shares of fifty dollars each, and the stockholders to be exempt from any liability beyond their stock. The bank was to be managed by eight directors and a president.
When the bank issued its notes, by some misun- derstanding as to the orthography of that much abused word " Allegany," the engraver spelled it " Alleghany," and as the notes had been put in circulation before the error was discovered, in order to avoid the expense of new plates, as well as the inconvenience of calling in the circulation, an act was secured at the June session of the Legislature, in 1812, changing the name to "The Cumberland Bank of Alleghany."
The officers of the bank, chosen at its first election were, Upton Bruce, President ; and M. Wallace, Cashier.
In 1814, in consequence of the war, the Eastern banks suspended specie payments, and on the 17th of September, 1814, the Cumberland Bank followed their example.
About 1812, the first newspaper in Cumberland was established, by Samuel Magill, and was called the "Allegany Freeman." It was Democratic in
301
THE FIRST NEWSPAPERS.
1814.]
politics, and was edited in a very vigorous manner.
On the 13th of January, 1814, William Brown established the "Cumberland Gazette," a sixteen- column Federalist paper, published every Thursday.
The offices of these two papers were located on
Mechanic street, near Baltimore street.
Their
columns were given up entirely to war news, politics and advertisements. Local matters were wholly ignored, and the most offensive personalities freely indulged in, together with a great many high-flown patriotic sentences.
In the organization of the Maryland Militia, the 50th regiment was ordered by the Council to be organized in Allegany County, and the following officers were appointed : Thomas Greenwell, Lieu- tenant-Colonel; John Folck, Major; Captains, John McElfish, Dennis Beall, Conrad Corbus, Joseph France, and Thomas Porter; Adjutant, Levi Hil- leary. It does not appear that they acquired any great proficiency, or that they ever held even so much as the annual "cornstalk" drill.
September 27th, the town was brilliantly illumi- nated in honor of the gallant victory won by Captain MacDonough, on Lake Champlain, wherein he vanquished a British fleet greatly his superior. Processions paraded the streets, singing and shouting, and the entire population took part in the celebra- tion.
The town was incorporated in January, 1815, at which time the Legislature passed an "Act to provide for the appointment of Commissioners, for the regula- tion and improvement of the Town of Cumberland,
1
302
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1815.
in Allegany County, and to incorporate the same." This act provided that five judicious and discreet persons residing in the town, and holding real prop- erty therein should be elected by ballot on the first Monday of June, 1816, and on the same day every year thereafter, at the Court House, by the free white male citizens of the age of twenty-one years, who had resided in the town one whole year next preceding the election, and that the five persons having the highest number of votes should be declared elected. These Commissioners were ordered at the first election to choose one of their own number as Chief Burgess for that year. They were required to meet at least four times each year, on the first Monday of May, July, October and December, and oftener if necessary, to attend to the business of the town. They were incorporated under the name of "The Chief Burgess and the other Commissioners of the Town of Cumberland." The limit of taxation for town purposes was fixed at one dollar for every one hundred dollars' worth of property. They were authorized to employ a clerk and a bailiff, who were to receive a reasonable compensation.
In 1816 an additional act was passed by the Legis- lature, appointing Roger Perry, William McMahon and John Scott commissioners to lay off, locate, mark, bound and number into lots, streets, lanes and alleys, the land lying between Flat street and the Potomac river, and between Smallwood and Chase streets, but exempted from city taxation all the lots thus laid off until they should be improved.
At the January session of the Legislature, in 1816,
303
THE GLASS FACTORY.
1816.]
a petition was granted for the incorporation of the Cumberland Water Company, the object being to introduce soft water into the town. The Company was authorized to raise a capital of $10,000, by the issue of 500 shares of stock at $20 per share. The subscription books were to be opened under the care of John Scott, Peter Lowdermilk, Samuel Smith, George Thistle, David Schriver and Michael C. Sprigg, who were to have ample powers and privi- leges. The project was never carried into effect.
On the first Monday in June, 1816, the first elec- tion in the town was held for Commissioners, and the following persons were chosen: David Shriver, Jr., George Thistle, Henry Mckinley, John Hoye and John Scott. These Commissioners met at once, and elected from their own number John Scott to be Chief Burgess. Thomas Pollard was then appointed Clerk to the body.
Early in 1816, Messrs. Roger and Thomas Perry erected a glass factory, on a lot of ground near the site of the residence of Mr. John B. Widener. They found sand suitable for their purposes on Will's Mountain, in the vicinity of the Narrows. The first glass they produced was from a coal fire, and proved to be very green. This blast was worked up into green bottles. Wood was then used for fuel, and some very excellent glass turned out. The manufactured article was sold in the towns East- ward, as well as in Pittsburgh. Mrs. Grace Neill has in her possession at present several pieces of glass made at this factory, which she carefully preserves as interesting relics. The management of
304 .
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1819.
this enterprise did not yield the expected results, and after the lapse of a few years, about 1819, the Messrs. Perry felt compelled to abandon it, they having sustained heavy losses, and feeling unable to make any further ventures. Some portions of the old building are still standing.
The projected establishment of slack water naviga- tion on the Potomac river, between tidewater and Cumberland, led to the most extravagant expectations of commercial progress in Cumberland, and owners of lots bordering on the river expected to realize fortunes in the sale of their property. Several persons, anticipating heavy trade by the new water route to be opened up by the Potomac Company, erected warehouses for storing goods, intending to engage in the forwarding business. Amongst others, John Folck built a large brick warehouse on the river bank, near where Mr. A. L. Miller's residence now stands. The failure of the project rendered the speculation unprofitable, but the warehouse was used some years afterwards as a warehouse and store room at a time when a considerable business was done on the river in transporting coal and merchandise by means of flat boats.
By an act of the Legislature of 1812 a considerable sum of money had been appropriated for the improve- ment of the road from Cumberland to Winding Ridge, and the old pike leading from the mouth of Will's Creek through Sandy Gap to the old Braddock Road was built. The ford at the foot of Creek street was passable and frequently used, as repeated disaster overtook the bridge over the stream. In 1820 the
305
THE SUSPENSION BRIDGE.
1820.]
bridge was carried away by a freshet, and the county authorities, determined to provide against any proba- ble contingency of the kind in the future, after examining the bridge architecture of the period, con- cluded to erect a suspension bridge of iron chains, upon a plan invented by James Finley, of Fayette County, Pa, in 1796. Mr. Finley's were the first suspension bridges introduced into the United States, and he had already built several spans of 200 feet .* The County Commissioners contracted with Valentine Shockey to construct one of these bridges over the Creek, and in 1820 the Chain Bridge was built. The piers were single locust posts, there being two at each end, braced together at the top. The span was 1152 feet clear. Two chains stretched from one side of the Creek to the other; the deflection was one- sixth of the span. "The double links, of lẻ inch square iron, were ten feet long. The centre link was horizontal, and at the level of the floor; and at its ends were stirruped the two central transverse girders. From the ends of this central link the chains were carried in straight lines to the tops of the posts, 25 feet high, which served as piers or towers. The back stays were carried away straight, at the same angle as the cables; and each end was confined to four buried stones of about half a cubic yard each. The floor was only wide enough for a single line of vehicles. All the transverse girders were ten feet apart, and supported longitudinal joists, to which the floor was spiked. There were no restrictions as to travel; but lines of carts and wagons,
*Trautwine's Civil Engineers' Pocket Book.
39
+
306
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1822.
in close succession, and heavily loaded with coal, stone, iron, &c., crossed it almost daily, together with droves of cattle in full run. The slight hand-railing of iron was hinged, so as not to be bent by the undulations of the bridge. Six-horse wagons were frequently driven across in a trot. The iron was of the old-fashioned charcoal, of full thirty tons per square inch ultimate strength. The united cross- section of the two double links was 7.56 square inches, which at thirty tons per square inch, gives 227 tons for their ultimate strength, or say 76 tons with a safety of 3." The work was all done by Mr. Shockey in his own shop, and was of the most durable and satisfactory character. Amongst the several work- men who were engaged with Mr. Shockey in building the bridge was Godfrey Richards, father of Mr. Isaac Richards, one of the old citizens of the town. In 1831, several of the posts or piers gave way, and Jonathan Witt was employed by the Commissioners to replace them. This was done by the substitution of new and heavier locust posts, the work when completed being declared more permanent than ever before.
In 1822 George Bruce was Sheriff of the county. In September of 1823 the "Maryland Advocate," a Democratic paper, was established by John M. Buchanan, the " Allegany Freeman" having been dis- continued.
In October, at the town election, Samuel Magill was chosen Chief Burgess, and John McNeill, Jr., was appointed Clerk. An ordinance was passed by the Commissioners requiring all property owners on Mechanic street to pave their sidewalks.
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