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.
By 1810, the total population of Jefferson county was 11,694. The number of slaves was 3,488.
100 Men from Jefferson County enlisted in the military in Charles Town in order to fight in the War of 1812. Men from Jefferson County seved in the 55th Regiment of the war.
President James Madison signs a declaration of war against Britain . Both the House of Representatives and Congress were divided on the issue, however ultimately voted in favor of war due to the Britain's attempts to restrict U.S. trade, Britain's violation of maritime rights and the impressment of U.S. merchant seamen, and Britain's encouragement of Indian hostility towards Americans trying to expand West.
A notable flood at Harper's Ferry causes considerable damage to property due to a rainy spring.
The Shenandale Springs resort opens to the public, beginning with about ten wooden cottages. In 1821, a two story hotel was added to the property. The large spring on the property was reported to have a mild laxative quality, while the other mineral springs featured a slight odor of sulphur.
A detailed history on the resort by William Theriault is located online here.
The first "West" Virginia library of record was opened in Harpers Ferry by the Harpers Ferry Library Society.
An epidemic of malignant disease stalked travelers and residents of eastern Jefferson County. The outbreak caused many fatalities in Shepherdstown and Harpers Ferry. This "unknown" disease may have been a form of Typhus Fever.
The first newspaper marketed to women was published by John S. Gallaher in Harpers Ferry and titled the Ladies Garland. The paper was published from February 14, 1824 to June 7, 1828 every Saturday evening at the Harpers Ferry Free Press, and was one of the very first papers targeted specifically to women in the United States.
View libraries which possess issues of this paper or find out more about the life of John Gallaher.
The armory was entirely consumed by fire, causing $100,000 worth of damage to buildings, materials, and equipment. The fire also caused the loss of wages of 200 laborers, estimated between 10 and 20,000.
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