Research Topic

Laborers

Explore the lives of laborers in the Harpers Ferry region and Jefferson County, WV, including workmen connected to quarries, transportation and infrastructure, and local industry.

This topic appears in 86 indexed records between 1831 and 1960.
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86 Indexed Records
1831 Earliest Record
1960 Latest Record
Harpers Ferry Strongest Location
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July 28, 2025
July 28, 2025

Riot On The Canal

RIOT ON THE CANAL.– The Hagerstown Herald of Freedom states that a riot on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal occurred in Washington county, about 58 miles above Hancock. The fight took place between the German and […]
August 29, 1839
December 4, 2019
December 4, 2019

Letter to Joseph H. Sherrard

Citizens request arms from Armory at Harpers Ferry. Reports a thousand Irish laborers on the C & O Canal have quit their jobs and are marching from Hancock to Old Town, destroying whatever is in their […]
January 6, 1838
May 22, 2026
May 22, 2026

Kelly agst. Smithfield, Charles Town and Harpers Ferry Turnpike Co.

Patrick Kelly Plaintiffagainstthe Smithfield, Charles Town and Harpers ferry Turnpike company Defendants This day came the plaintiff by his attorney, and the defendant being solemnly called come not, and thereupon came a Jury to wit, William […]
March 31, 1835
October 19, 2025
October 19, 2025

Railroad Riots

The disorders on the Washington rail road did not terminate with the atrocious murders detailed in our last. On the night of the 22d ult. some of the ruffians forcibly entered a tavern, kept by Mrs. […]
December 4, 1834
November 19, 2025
November 19, 2025

Murders on Washington Railroad

Shocking Outrage.– We learn that a most outrageous murder was committed last night on the Washington Rail-Road, 8th section, about 18 miles from Baltimore. It appears that a dispute arose between some of the workmen and […]
November 27, 1834
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Related Topics

Common Record Types

Geographic Concentration

Time Periods

Time Period Concentration

This topic appears most frequently during the following decades.

1830s 29 records
1860s 7 records
1840s 7 records
1900s 6 records
1910s 6 records
1850s 5 records

Frequently Associated Families

These surnames most commonly appear alongside the topic "Laborers" across historical collections.

Welsh
4 records
Moore
2 records
Strider
2 records
Higgins
2 records
Keller
2 records
Eichelberger
2 records
Giffin
2 records
Houser
2 records
Cook
2 records
Smith
2 records
Williams
2 records
Willis
2 records
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Timeline Help

A chronological listing of historical events which may have affected the lives of residents in eastern Jefferson County and surrounding areas.
1Where is this information from?
The vast majority of these accounts are taken from newspaper articles of local papers of the time period.
2How can I apply this information to my own research?

We use this timeline to help us understand the events that may have affected or shaped a person's life. Here are some ideas as to how this timeline may help your further your own research:

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