Shepherdstown in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
The Spirit of 1775
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 12, 2011
1. The Spirit of 1775 Marker
Less than half mile eastward is the famous spring around which, from their rendezvous on lands of Morgan and Bedinger, July 17th, 1775 Captain Hugh Stephenson’s Company of Virginia Riflemen, 98 volunteers started on their bee-line march to Boston Town, 600 miles away, reporting to General Washington on August 11th. They all pledged to meet at this spring fifty years hence, if alive.
Officers
Captain Hugh Stephenson
Lieutenants
First William Henshaw
Second George Scott
Third Thomas Hite
Fourth Abraham Shepherd
Ensign William Pyle
Sergeants
First Samuel Finley
Second William Kelly
Third Josiah Flagg
Fourth Henry Bendinger
Corporals
First John Crawford
Second David Miller
Third Henry Barrett
Fourth George Michael Bedinger
Surgeon Garrett Tunison
Meeting at the spring in 1825, only two of the five survivors were able to keep their pledge:
Maj. Henry Bendinger of Berkeley County
and
Maj. George Michael Bedinger of Kentucky.
Erected 1932 by National Society Daughters of the American Revolution – Pack Horse Ford Chapter
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is July 17, 1836.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 39° 25.577′ N, 77° 48.913′ W. Marker was in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. Marker was on S Duke Street / Kearneysville Pike (West Virginia Route 480), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Shepherdstown WV 25443, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named Spirit of 1775 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Elmwood Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Memorial To Confederate Soldiers (approx. 0.2 miles away); Welcome to the Confederate Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Confederate Dead (approx. 0.2 miles away); Elmwood Cemetery Vault (approx. 0.2 miles away); Confederate Soldiers in Elmwood Cemetery / Colonel Henry Kyd Douglas (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shepherdstown Rally Point (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shepherdstown.
More about this marker. It appears
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 12, 2011
2. Bee-Line March Marker
Also see . . . Pack Horse Ford Chapter. Pack Horse Ford has an important place in the history of the Virginias, since its situation determined the site of Shepherdstown and opened the way to the settlement of the Shenandoah Valley. By this route, the famous company of patriots, organized at Morgan's Spring, made their "Bee Line March to Boston;" and had the honor of being the first company of soldiers from south of the Potomac to be greeted by General Washington. The Pack Horse Ford Chapter, NSDAR, erected a monument and tablet to these brave soldiers at the south end of Shepherdstown on October 28, 1932. (Submitted on August 2, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 12, 2011
3. The Spirit of 1775 Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 12, 2011
4. Marker on S Duke Street
Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,164 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on October 2, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 15, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
