The Virginia and Maryland Bridge Company at Shepherdstown
MSA SC 5330-5-6
(updated September 7, 2001)
Timeline
1755-1765? Thomas Swearingen began operation of a ferry
1816 John Blackford takes over operation of the ferry
January 29, 1819 Maryland passes "An act incorporating a Company to erect a Toll Bridge across the Potomac River, opposite Shepherd's-Town" (Chapter 73, Laws of Maryland, 1818). It names the company as The Potomac and Shepherd's-town Bridge Company and John Blackford is listed as one of the agents of the company. The law stipulates the bridge company can contract with the owners of land on the Maryland shore for the "priviledge of an abutment." If the parties can not agree on a price, then nine men would be established to set a price for the purchase of the land. It also provides that damages must be paid to the ferry operator if the bridge abuts his property and that Virginia must assent to the act. It appears that a bridge was not built under this law.
February 4, 1819 The Maryland General Assembly's Resolution 8 requested that the governor forward the law to the legislature of Virginia.
February 16, 1821 Virginia passes "An act incorporating a company to erect a toll-bridge across the Potowmac river, at or near Shepherds town" (Chapter 78, 1820-1821). Its important features include allowances for subscriptions to be taken up to $60,000, the creation of "the Shepherdstown bridge company," and the stipulation that the act would be in force "...so soon as the legislature of the state of Maryland shall declare the assent of that state, to the erection of the said bridge, by an act of the said legislature corresponding in its provisions with the provisions of this act."
February 2, 1822 Virginia passes "An act to amend 'an act incorporating a company to erect a toll-bridge across the Potowmac river, at or near
Shepherdstown" (Chapter 66, 1821-1822). It authorizes stock subscriptions upon 30 day notification in Jefferson County newspapers.February 22, 1822 Maryland passes "An act concerning the Shepherd's Town Bridge Company" (Laws of Maryland, Chapter 225, 1822). It gives Maryland's assent to the Shepherd's Town Bridge Company and stipulates the bridge company can contract with the owners of land on the Maryland shore for the "priviledge of an abutment." If the parties can not agree on a price, then a jury of 9 would be established to set a price for the purchase of the land. It also provides that damages must be paid to the ferry operator if the bridge abuts his property. It does not appear that a bridge was built at this time, however, a bridge does not appear to have been built until the early 1850's.
December 6, 1827 Virginia sends a copy of a law and resolution providing for erection of a toll bridge over the Potomac at Shepherdstown. It requested the Maryland Legislature pass a law in response to the Virginia law.
March 4, 1828 Maryland General Assembly Resolution 31 requests the Governor notify the Governor of Virginia that Maryland's 1822, Chapter 225 law "fully provided" for the erection of a toll bridge.
January 17, 1848 Virginia passes "An ACT incorporating the Maryland and Virginia bridge company" (Chapter 225, 1847)
Authorized John M. Jewett, Willoughby W. Webb, William Shortt, John H. M'Endree, Edmund J. Lee, Vincent M. Butler, and Thomas Hammond, to raise capital stock up to $60,000 to erect a toll bridge across the Potomac at Shepherdstown. It created "The Virginia and Maryland Bridge Company at Shepherdstown." Required notification of meetings be posted in newspapers in both Jefferson County, VA and Washington County, MD. Authorized the company to use writ of ad quod damnum for securing property in Virginia. Also required the company had to purchase the "...ferry right, lands, tenements, and hereditaments at said ferry, or for damages to the same, or without his or their consent otherwise obtained..." And it would not be in force until the Maryland legislature assented to the erection of the bridge with an act that corresponded to the provisions of this act.March 2, 1848 The Maryland legislature passes "An act incorporating the Maryland and Virginia Bridge Company." It gives Maryland's assent to the Virginia Act.
July 2, 1849 As stipulated in the Virginia act and assented to in the Maryland Act, Henry & Eliza Blackford sells the ferry "the lands, landings, and appurtanances on both sides of said river" Deed recorded in April 28, 1851 WASHINGTON COUNTY COURT (Land Records) Virginia and Maryland Bridge Company from Blackford, Liber IN 5-50, Folio 654-656, MdHR CR 34,158, MSA CM1130-50.
1850s construction begins on a covered bridge on stone abutments across the Potomac that is completed prior to 1852. Total cost of $21,255.
November 2, 1861 Court of Appeals rules that the Virginia and Maryland Bridge Company at Shepherdstown, must pay taxes on the bridge. The assessment was for "...the entire bridge of the complainant, (except so much of the abutment on the Virginia shore as may be beyond the limits of Maryland, as prescribed by the charter to Lord Baltimore,) and all the lands and improvements on the Maryland side of the river, but no the toll-house and other improvements on the Virginia shore, which are conceded to be within that State."
1861 The bridge was destroyed in June 1861
Rebuilt after the Civil War
1889 Destroyed by the flood of 1889
Rebuilt as an iron truss bridge with a toll house on the WVA shore.
1936 Destroyed by the flood of 1936
June 6, 1838 State Road Commission purchases the bridge and property associated with the Shepherdstown bridge for inclusion into the state road system.
WASHINGTON COUNT CIRCUIT LAND RECORDS (Land Records) Deed Liber EO 207, Folio 143-144, MdHR CR 36,648, MSA CM1131-1571939 Known as the James Rumsey Bridge completed in 1939. It carries Route 34 over the Potomac.