Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Swearingen’s Ferry and Pack Horse Ford

Photographed by Craig Swain, June 9, 2007

1. Swearingen's Ferry and Pack Horse Ford Marker

Inscription. Thomas Swearingen began operating in 1755 a ferry where Rumsey Bridge now crosses the Potomac. It was about half a mile upstream from Pack Horse Ford. During the Revolution the Ford and Ferry served the Continental Army; British and German prisoners frequently crossed the river here, being marched from Virginia to Maryland prison camps at Frederick and Fort Frederick. Ferry was discontinued in 1849, when a covered bridge was erected.

Erected by Maryland Bicentennial Commission and Maryland Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Historical Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1755.

Location. 39° 26.272′ N, 77° 47.81′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. It is at the intersection of Shepherdstown Pike (Maryland Route 34) and Canal Road, on the left on Shepherdstown Pike. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sharpsburg MD 21782, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Baltimore Metro Region

and in Western Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Blackford’s Ford (a few steps from this marker); The James Rumsey Bridge / The Battle of Antietam or Sharpsburg (within shouting distance of this marker); The People of Ferry Hill

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(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Ferry Hill Place (about 500 feet away); A View into the Past (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Blackford's Ford (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shepherdstown (approx. 0.2 miles away); In Honor of James Rumsey (approx. 0.4 miles away in West Virginia). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.

Other markers no longer nearby. Ferry Hill Place (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Ferry Hill (was about 400 feet away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Additional commentary.
1. Name and Location of the Ford
The ford here became one of the favored crossing points on the Potomac from the colonial times. The ford would go by many different names over time, and by some accounts each name was specific to a particular crossing

Markers Clustered at the Intersection of Shepherdstown Pike and Canal Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, June 9, 2007

2. Markers Clustered at the Intersection of Shepherdstown Pike and Canal Road

path along the river bed. Early settlers used the name Pack Horse to indicate the crossing point used by Indians, with a rather ambiguously defined location. Later the ford became part of the Philadelphia Wagon Road and the path used by the road was called Wagon Road Ford. Later a flour and cement mill was built upstream with a dam, known as Botelor Mill. The ford just down from the dam was then called Botelor’s Ford. The names Shepherdstown Ford and Blackfords Ford have been applied by other sources. There are several crossing points, even today, along the one mile length of river centered around the old mill ruins.

— Submitted July 28, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.

Looking Upstream at the Ford Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 28, 2007

3. Looking Upstream at the Ford Location

In the distance is a modern day railroad bridge. The various ford locations crossed the river between that bridge and the deeper channel in the foreground.

Pack Horse Ford image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 28, 2007

4. Pack Horse Ford

Looking north at the Maryland shore.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,565 times since then and 52 times this year. Last updated on August 1, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 27, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on July 28, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.