Tag: Thomas Shepherd

November 12, 1762: Shepherd Presents Incorporation Articles for Mechlenburg Town

On November 12, 1762, Thomas Shepherd presented articles of incorporation for the town of Mechlenburg to the Virginia General Assembly. Along with Romney, Mechlenburg, which was later renamed Shepherdstown, would become one of present West Virginia’s first two incorporated towns.

Shepherd established a grist mill there along the Potomac River as early as 1739, but it’s believed that German immigrants might have settled at Shepherdstown more than 20 years before. Located along Pack Horse Ford—an ancient Potomac crossing—Shepherdstown is among West Virginia’s most historic places.

At the outset of the Revolutionary War, a contingent of the famous Bee Line March to Boston started there in 1775. In 1787, James Rumsey successfully tested his steamboat on the Potomac at Shepherdstown. Then, in September 1862, Civil War fighting spilled over into Shepherdstown before and after the Battle of Antietam. Shepherdstown also served as the Jefferson County seat for six years following the Civil War.  Shepherd College, now University, was established there in 1871.

Today, Shepherdstown is known for its shops and restaurants and is home to the annual Contemporary American Theater Festival.

December 23, 1762 : Virginia General Assembly Charters Romney and Shepherdstown

On December 23, 1762, the Virginia General Assembly chartered the towns of Romney and Shepherdstown, igniting one of the longest-lasting debates in West Virginia history. The question?  Is Romney or Shepherdstown West Virginia’s oldest incorporated town? 

Some historians think Shepherdstown might have been settled as early as the 1710s or 1720s. However, its earliest documented settlement didn’t occur until sometime before 1739, when Thomas Shepherd built a grist mill in the town.  As for Romney, Job and John Pearsall had settled there prior to 1738. Still, it isn’t certain when either town was first settled.

But, since Shepherdstown and Romney were both chartered on the same day, the big question still comes down to which one came first. At that time, bills passed by the General Assembly had to be read allowed three times. Shepherdstown sometimes argues that it is older because its bill was read for the third time before Romney’s bill was.  However, both bills were signed on the same day without any indication of which one came first.  So, as for determining the oldest town in West Virginia, let the debate continue.

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