Maryland State Archives

Contains information relating to ferries above the Great Falls beginning in the colonial period.

See:

1) note regarding Van Swearingen ferry to Shepherdstown,,

2) ferries that patent the right of way:

Robert Harper's "Dear Bought"
is a patent to the right of way across the water.

Note: Several secondary sources state that an original ferry operated in
this vicinity in 1734, possibly by Peter Stephens, and that Harper
purchased "squatters rights" in 1747. Dear Bought dates from 1757.
 

John Nelson's "Hobson's Choice"

Note: this tract has a narrow strip that goes to the Virginia shore. It may
be the location of an early ferry in Frederick County. [as of 12/11/00 DS had notlocated a
specific ferry at this spot as of yet], and

3)the Archives of Maryland, especially:

http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000019/html/am19--289.html

Assembly Proceedings, April 30-May 14, 1696. 289

...That a Clause be Added to the Act appointing Ferries that
no led Horses be Ferried over Potomack River but such as
shall have particular passes and that the Ferry men be Cau-
tious how they sett over any Ordinary Person with a Good
Horse....

http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000009/html/am9--509.html

[Sharpe to Baltimore.] Letter Bk.IV

Annapolis the 20th of April 1761.

"... I beg leave
to inform Your Ldp that there never hath been since the
Country was settled any Money paid by the Keepers of Fer
ries in this Province for Leave or Lycence to keep them most
of the Ferries over the Rivers in this Province are supported
& the Keepers of them paid by an Allowance made them
every year in the County Levy, & those who are not so paid
demand & receive from Passengers such Rates as they have
themselves settled. I perceive that in Virginia there is an p. 186
Act for Regulating Ferries & settling the Rates which Pas
sengers are to pay at each of them, but the Keepers of such
Ferries are not obliged to pay any money for Lycences to
keep them, nor can I learn that there are any Lycenced Fer
ries in the Northern Colonies except one from the City of
N York to Long Island, at the Disposal of the Corporation of
that City, & the Ferry over the River Skuilkill near Philaa"

http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000047/html/am47--226.html

1781
from several circumstances I have mett lately in the transaction of business
it Appears to me necessary some regulation should be made by the
Executive power of the State in the Passage of ferrys within this
State, we are very dependant on the unreasonable Humour of the
Keepers of many of the ferrys lately at Johnsons ferry I had a Pub
lic waggon detained a Considerable time untill Hard money was pro
cured to pay the passing it,—delay is often given to Express riders
M. G. Green by Colo Carrington writes me very Pressing for a
number of Waggons required from this and the Delaware State how
far the State is to Comply I don't presume, but much distress is Occa
sion'd in the Southern Army for the want of Waggons to make the
Supplies.

4) operating ferry: White's Ferry

see 20th century court case concerning ferry "Jubal Early"?

Bonds for Ferries in Montgomery County

from:

T413
Montgomery County Circuit Court Dockets and Minutes 1783-1806 1/32/14/48

Montgomery County Court Minute Book November 1783:
Mary McCloud's keeping ferry over Potomack between the two falls of Potomack at the place she now lives at agreeable to Act of Assembly/ Mary McCloud £50 Joseph Magruder £50 Nin[ian]. [B? or R?] Magruder £50

Montgomery County Court Minute Book March Court 1784:
For Beatty's Keeping ferry over the River potomack at Geroge Town agreeable to Act of Assembly, Charles Beatty £50
Richard Brooks £50
Edward Magruder £50


For Bonun keeping a ferry at George Town over potomack Christiamea [?] Bonun £50
William Fue [?] £50
Thomas Graves £50


Montgomery County Court Minute Book March Court 1788:

For Hamilton's keeping a publick ferry over Patowmack at George Town 4/
Richard Hamilton £50
Benjamin W. Jones £50
Thomas Barclay £50


Montgomery County Court Minute Book September Court 1796:


For Mary McCloud's keeping a ferry over potowmack 4/ paid
Mary McCloud £50
Ninian Magruder £50
Charles Warnor £50
[?] keeping a ferry over the River potomack 4/ paid
Conrad Myers
Zachariah Ellis [all three] £150
Enias Campbole

Montgomery County Court Minute book March Term 1798:

For Conrod Myers keeping a publick Ferry over patowmack river at the place known by the name of Conrod Ferry 3/9 paid
Conrod Myers £50
Walter Williams £50
Charles Ogden £50
For James Thompsons Keeping a Ferry over Potomac River at George Town 3/9 paid
James Thompson £50
John Andre £50
Benjamin Lacey £50
For John Mason mercht keeping a publick ferry over patowmack river at the Corner of Water and Frederick Streets 3/9 paid
John Mason £50
John McGault £50
William Wallace £50
For Thomas Stiles keeping a publick ferry over patowmack river at the place commonly known by the name of McClonds Ferry 3/9 paid
Thomas Stiles £50
Laurel [?] Bell £50
George Behagrud [?] £50

Minute Books without references to ferries: Montgomery County Court Minute Book August 1779,
Montgomery County Court Minute Book March 1780,
Montgomery County Court Minute Book August 1780
Montgomery County Court Minute Book November 1806
ecp/ds 12/11/00]