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Historic Newspapers
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County Convention (August 17th, 1859)
From The Herald of Freedom & Torch Light; Hagerstown, MD
Summary: The recent American Party County Convention selected delegates for the upcoming State Convention. Those selected were J. Dixon Roman, A.K. Syester, Isaac Nesbitt, F.D. Herbert, H.W. Dellinger and Richmond Gregory. Ten persons from each district were also selected for the County Central Committee.
Negro Woman for Hire (August 24th, 1859)
From The Herald of Freedom & Torch Light; Hagerstown, MD
Summary: Advertisement: Alexander Mitchell will soon have a “Negro Woman for Hire,” who is accustomed to housework.
District Meetings (September 14th, 1859)
From The Herald of Freedom & Torch Light; Hagerstown, MD
Summary: Recent district meetings of the American Party were held in District No. 1 (Sharpsburg), District No. 2 (Williamsport), District No. 3 (Hagerstown), District No. 5 (Hancock), District No. 7 (Smithsburg), District No. 8, District No. 9 (Leitersburg), District No. 10 (Funkstown), District No. 11 (Sandy Hook), District No. 12 (Fairplay) and District No. 13 (Cearfoss). The meetings selected delegates for the upcoming party County Convention, the names of whom are provided.
(October 6th, 1859)
From The Carroll County Democrat; Westminster, MD
Summary: An unnamed African American girl, owned by John W. Swartsbaugh, was gored by a bull
All for Love (October 14th, 1859)
From The Valley Register; Middletown, MD
Summary: A slave belonging to Mr. Benton of Sharpsburg hanged himself because his owner wouldn't sell him to go South with his girlfriend.
Harper's Ferry Riot (October 21st, 1859)
From The Valley Register; Middletown, MD
Summary: Excitement over abolitionist insurrection has subsided, John Brown and 4 others jailed and to be tried in Jefferson Co., VA, Cook and Hazlet captured in PA, Lynch/Stabaugh in VA. [To find this article look at 2nd page 10/28/1859)
Insurrection at Harper's Ferry (October 21st, 1859)
From The Valley Register; Middletown, MD
Summary: Details of John Brown insurrection, with names of persons killed, wounded and captured
A Negro Woman for Sale (October 26th, 1859)
From The Herald of Freedom & Torch Light; Hagerstown, MD
Summary: Advertisement: Jos. T. Van Lear from near Williamsport offers for sale a nineteen year-old “negro woman,” who is a slave for life.
The Harper's Ferry Insurrection (October 26th, 1859)
From The Herald of Freedom & Torch Light; Hagerstown, MD
Summary: After the insurrection at Harpers Ferry, article provides an account of what the band did in Washington County, including their time at the Kennedy farmhouse preparing for the raid, and how they avoided detection.
Local News (October 27th, 1859)
From The Carroll County Democrat; Westminster, MD
Summary: An attempt to liberate slaves belonging to three different men was discovered and thwarted
