In 1796, the U.S. Government purchased a 176 acre parcel of land from the heirs of Robert Harper.
The second "West Virginia" newspaper, titled Impartial Observer, is established at Mecklenburg (Shepherdstown). This newspaper also printed the first book ever to be printed in present day West Virginia -- The Christian Panoply, Containing an Apology for the Bible in a Series of Letters Addressed to Thomas Paine. The book, written by Richard Watson, D.D., Lord Bishop of Llandaff, England, in 1796, was republished numerous times in America, and has been digitized here.
A school for young men, The Charles Town Academy, was incorporated. The academy prepared young men to enter institutions of higher learning.
While sources vary on when construction actually began for the U.S. Armory at Harpers Ferry, construction began sometime between the years of 1797 and 1799, with 1798 being the most likely year for the ground breaking.
Mecklenburg is renamed to Shepherds Town in honor of Captain Thomas and Elizabeth Shepherd. It was Thomas Shepherd who provided land for and laid out the town.
The town of Smithfield, present day Middleway, was legally established by an act passed by the Virginia General Assembly. The town had been unofficially "established" in 1734 by John Smith, Sr., and his two sons John, Jr., and Rees who had built grist and hemp mills on Turkey Run. The mills currated a small farming and milling community in the area. The town is famous for the Legend of Wizard Clip (see video). For more information on the history of Middleway, visit the Middleway Conservancy.
The first guns produced from the Harpers Ferry Armory were manufactured and assembled in 1799. The armory produced ammunition and spare firearm parts, as well as manufactured muskets, rifles, and pistols.
William Little is appointed first sheriff for the newly formed Jefferson County by Governor Monroe and had four deputies: Cyrus Sanders, Benjamin Stephenson, William Little, Jr., and John Sanders. Sheriff Little served until 1803.
A portion of Berkeley County breaks off to become present day Jefferson County.
Work was completed on the Patomack Company canals in 1802, and the canals were opened for business.
The Patomack Company excavates a 580-yard canal near Virginius Island.
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