Early History

Three hundred years ago in 1676 the area known today as Woodsboro was a hunting and trapping ground for a tribe of the Susquehannas. Since Indian artifacts are scattered and scarce, it can be assumed that the local Indians around Woodsboro were migrants moving with the seasons in search of food. No evidence has yet been recorded of a permanent Indian settlement in the vicinity. The rock in Woodsboro district is predominately shale and limestone, both too soft to be fashioned into arrows or tools. This meant that it was necessary for the Indians to return regularly to their source of hard rock to replenish their supply of weapons and implements.

On early maps in the 1600's the interior of Maryland is designated as wilderness; only the tidewater section around the Chesapeake Bay was accessible and inhabited by the white man who arrived by boat.

Some few trappers and explorers inevitably ventured into the unknown, following the rivers and creeks and using the mountains as a point of reference. The few Indians, which were encountered caused little trouble and were usually helpful and friendly. Not until hordes of the white man had arrived and the Indians felt threatened and abused did they become hostile

One of these early trappers was named Robert Israel who apparently took up residence on Israel's Creek, as it was soon referred to for identification. Tom's Creek and Sam's Creek in the same manner undoubtedly were also named for an early inhabitant. In due course the early-scattered settlers along the water shed and small valley were referred to as "residents of Israel's Creek" as there was no town name until after the Revolutionary War. The old cemetery on Devilbiss Bridge Road and Route 194 was called Israel's Creek Cemetery which would indicate the term was used to refer to a large section of land lying north of Ceresville, where the small creek empties into the Monocacy River, to the head waters. The original land grant to

Joseph Wood was so described by Daniel Dulany and it is this small area drained by Israel's Creek on which we focus our attention.

Settlement of Woodsboro

Today Woodsboro is bordered on the south end by a graveyard and on the north end by a Memorial Park, which might lead you to think the worst of all lies in between. It is a village far from dead in its confines however, having a reputation for being rough and ready, and from the date of its first settlement has been buzzing with activity. You can hardly go through town today because there are so many cars parked. In the days two hundred years ago there was also activity but of a different kind. Woodsboro afforded one of the best stops for the stagecoaches on the route from Baltimore to Creagerstown to the west or from the route north from Frederick to Lancaster and Philadelphia. It was also this route that was first used in going to Philadelphia from Baltimore and Annapolis. It is a crossroads and as such has enjoyed a certain prominence. This road to the north and east was used inland because of the marshy conditions and large inlets around the north and west of the Chesapeake Bay.

Carrying its geographical location back some years farther when the Indians roamed our hills and valleys at will, the Woodsborough district was under the

rule of a tribe of the Susquehannas. One of their main trails, that went straight through from the Atlantic Ocean to the valuable hunting grounds in the mountains and beyond, came through this section. It is known locally as the Monocacy Road. Historians have found many things to indicate that this old trail crossed the

Monocacy below the Creagerstown Bridge at about what we know as Myer's Fording. It went from there to Harpers Ferry by the way of Gapland. This road should be kept in mind because it had much to do with the first settler in Woodsboro and how he happened to locate here.

It was a natural outcome that once the Indians had been pushed back to the west that the pioneers coming in from the various port settlements to the interior should use the old indian trails for roads, since these paths were the only ways cleared through the dense forests and usually led by good springs for drinking water. These trails were wide enough for packhorses and the early settlers moved their families and possessions by these rugged paths.

Among the early pioneer families who moved into the locality of Woodsboro were the Cramers, Stouffers, Stimmels, Shanks, Cronises, Smiths, Millers, Dudderars, Fogles, Delaplanes, Locks, Albaughs, Krises, and the Woods.

The man we are particularly interested in is Joseph Wood, one of the first of these early settlers.

Joseph Wood, was an Englishman and was born in 1693 in Gloucester, England. He sailed from Gloucester and apparently was a man of some means.

Found in the Archives of Maryland, volume 25, is a most amusing story. It seems that when Joseph Wood sailed to America, he had a manservant, John Hartekin. On the way to the Colonies this manservant was enticed out of Joseph Wood's service, by the guiles of a famous pirate of the time, Capt. Josiah Day, who promised him all sorts of loot and treasure if he would come join the pirates. So John Hartekin left Wood and went with the pirates. Much to his horror he overheard them one night complaining that their brigantine was too much over manned, and the pirates planned to get rid of Hartekin by throwing him overboard. The story goes on to relate that Hartekin ran from the pirates (presumably they were in port) to his Majesty's Justice of the Peace and gave the recorded testimony against the pirates. Whether he returned into the service of Joseph Wood or not, is not known, but in all probability John might not have considered his job as manservant too distasteful after his brush with the pirates.

Joseph Wood, upon coming to America, landed at a port known as White Hall in the Delaware Colony. He settled in Cecil Parish, Maryland Province. Soon afterward he purchased from King George III (with the approval of Lord Baltimore) a large tract of land in the Monocacy River Valley, now in Frederick County, Maryland, naming his plantation "Catoctin Manor". Upon Israel Creek he built one of the first gristmills in the Maryland Province. This Mill furnished supplies to General George Washington's Valley Forge Army for which the Government is yet indebted to Joseph Wood, Jr.

Upon arriving in Frederick County in 1743, Joseph Wood took refuge in the established Swiss settlement at Hauver's and made that his base of operation. At the time of this journey the Joseph Wood had six young children and must have suffered many hardships on the trip through the wilderness because soon after on July 11, 1749, his wife, Francina Wood died. Within three months Joseph Wood had married again, probably needing help with his six young children in this rigorous, new life on the frontier.

His second wife was Catherine Julien, a member of Creagerstown Julien family. Catherine Julien Wood also gave birth to six children In the early days there were very few families in the vicinity and the records show much intermarrying since the choice was limited. If it were possible to trace back all the original settlers, there would be no doubt that practically every person in the Woodsboro area would be related in some way. Originally Joseph Wood lived near the intersection of Hunting Creek and the Monocacy.

By the same token, because of such few people here, it also came about that each man was a weighty influence in his own community. Joseph Wood immediately assumed a prominent role in the affairs of the then new Frederick County.

Joseph Wood's plantation was granted from the headwaters of Israel's Creek to Ceresville where it joined the Monocacy. He had some three thousand acres of land.

One little story of how the family had things sewed up in the north end of the county is illustrated by the fact that when Joseph Wood got his petition granted for the first road in Frederick County, one of his brother-in-laws surveyed the road, another brother-in-law ran the ferry over the Monocacy at Ceresville, Joseph Wood himself was the supervisor and overseer, and his own brother, Robert, ran a tavern along the road.

By the 1760's, this active old man was between seventy and eighty years of age, and his son, Joseph Wood, Jr., gradually was assuming his father's role in the county activities.

Joseph Wood, Jr. married Anne Reed (daughter of James Reed) in 1769 when he was 26 years old, and he built for his bride a mansion of brick imported from England. It was said to be the only brick house between York and Frederick at that time, and he must have built well for it is still in a fair state of repair. It is a house almost in pure Georgian lines, copied in a simple manner what his father and mother must have remembered about the appearance and construction of Bohemia Manor where his mother had lived as a girl. It is also a crude duplicate of the Whyte House in Williamsburg. Virginia. The measurements and floor plans are almost identical.

Joseph Wood, Jr. not only immediately assumed the various duties of his father but also took on some new ones. For it is at this time that feelings was running high against England and the people of Frederick County were very active in their protests. One of the first things that they did was to contribute money to the

poor people of Boston at the time of the Boston Tea Party. Joseph Wood was one of that committee. He also served as an active member of the Committee of

Correspondence from the Middle District, which is how, the section from Pipe Creek to Ceresville was designated.

Joseph Wood, the father, contributed 8,000 pounds to the Continental Congress to support the cause of freedom. Joseph Wood, Jr. served as a colonel under James Johnson, brother of Thomas, who was in command of the Second Battalion of the Third District, which was Frederick County.

In the Archives of Maryland are original letters of Joseph Wood, Jr. to the Committee of Safety 1775-6.

"I hereby certify that I have this day received twenty two men for the Flying Camp which were enrolled by Lieutenant Elisha Beall which appeared to me to be able bodied men, two of which he intended for Capt. - Joseph Wood, Jr., July 27, 1776

"At the request of Lt. John Hellen, I have this day Reviewed and Passed twelve able bodied effective men for the Flying Comp. I also Reviewed and Passed, on the 14th, instant, twenty four effective men for the Flying Camp for Ensign William Beatty, Jr. eight of which he requests may be appointed for Lt John Hellen’s Warrant. – Joseph Wood. Jr. July 20, 1776

"Ordered that the said Treasurer Pay to Col. Joseph Wood Fifteen Hundred Doll out of the Money remitted by Congress for the Purchase of Provisions to be delivered over to Col. William Beatty to be ex pended and Accounted for. Ordered that the Said Treasurer Pay to Col. Joseph Wood, Jr. seven Hundred and ninety six pounds, twelve shillings and four pence for the use of Col Beatty, fourteen pounds for the use of John Gabrel, one Found one Shilllng and Eight Pence for the use of John Geruer, Eleven Pounds eight shillings for the use of John Cookerly and the further Sum of One Hundred and five Pounds Ten Shillings due to himself – April 16, 1778

"Ordered That Commissions issued to Upton Sheredine, William Blair, William Beatty, Jacob Young, Christopher Edelin, James Johnson, William M. Beall, Carlton Tannehill, William Luckett, Jr., John Lawrence, Joseph Wood, Jr., John Haas, John McAllister, John Ross Key, William Winchester, Jr., Phillip Thomas and John Kleinholt appointed Justices of the Peace for Frederick County – November 21, 1778

"Ordered that the Western Shore Treasurer pay to Joseph Wood, Jr. One Hundred and Ninety Pounds and seven Pence for the use of John Shockey. Three Pounds Fifteen shillings for the Use of William Weyor and also Three Pounds fen shillings for the use of Nich. – November 21, 1778

"Ordered that Commissions issued to John Hanson. Jr., Launcelot Jocques, William Murdock Beall. Conrad Grosh & Joseph Wood appointed Judges of the Court of Appeals for Frederick County. – May 25, 1778

During the Revolutionary War, Washington stayed at the Old Inn in Woodsboro, which gave him rest and refreshment, and encamped his footsore army on the adjacent hills, which surrounded the home of Col. Joseph Wood.

Hearsay about Woodsboro among the old residents has it that they remember their grandparents telling about the campfires on the hillsides. The residents pointed with pride to the old edifice where Washington stayed. The town was then on the great highway to the South, by way of Frederick, York, and Lancaster to Philadelphia. The Old House, which served Washington for a headquarters, was built of split logs and filled in with mortar and stone. It became a tavern and until 1855 bore the sign of Washington mounted on a white charger with drawn sword in hand.

Col. Joseph Wood, Jr. remained in the service of his country until the war was over, apparently as recruiting officer and quartermaster.

The Declaration of Peace was celebrated with public demonstrations of joy in Frederick Town and in all parts of the western section of the state. According to the Maryland Gazette -

"On the 25th of April 1783, it is related that a number of people living on Israel’s Creek met at Rocky Hill Chapel, having previously engaged a clergyman, instead of the Hession Bond, thinking it their duty before they gave loose to the effusions of joy, so natural on being relieved from the calamitous circumstances under which they had so long labored, to pay tribute due to the Supreme Dispenser of all good by offering up their most grateful and hearty thanks for blessed interference in the American cause, and for this having been pleased to conduct us through the war in so miraculous a manner, and at the conclusion of the same to make us free and sovereigns and independent states. To pray for his divine blessings, etc-, after which there was delivered an excellent sermon much to the purpose."

Upon leaving the chapel they were all most kindly invited to Col. Wood's where there was a most elegant entertainments prepared. After dinner the following toasts were drank to:

• The United States of America
• Gen. Washington and the Northern Army
• Gen. Greene and the Southern Army
• The King of France
• The King of Spain
• The United Provinces
• The Marquis of Lafayette
• Count de Grass and his fleet
• Count Rochambeau and his army
• The French Ambassadors at Congress
• The American Ambassadors in Europe
• Peace, Liberty and Independence
• May the peace now concluded be perpetuated

During the time these toasts were going around, there were fired thirteen platoons, and as many cheers given by nearly two hundred people, in whose countenance you might see joy and gladness. In the evening the Colonel's (Wood's) house was illuminated and bonfires made. The whole was concluded with propriety and decorum.

The young Colonel after the war had the opportunity to buy more land - for the General Assembly by various acts, confiscated all the estates of the parties accused of treason during the American Revolution. The lands thus confiscated were resurveyed and subdivided and then sold by the state at public sale. Among these lands were 8,983 acres, belonging to Daniel Dulany. This tract was confiscated by an act of November 1780 and the sales thereof appropriated to the redemption of the certificates granted to the soldiers of the Maryland line.

These certificates were received as specie in payment of the land or lots thus purchased. The sale took place October 10, 1781, Joseph Woods purchased:

• Better Than None - 35 acres
• Carmack's Trouble - 25 acres
• Good Neighborhood - 164 acres
• No Whiskey - 14 acres
• Pay Cost - 8 acres
• Quaker's Good Will - 4 acres
• Second Purchase - 3 acres
• The Crooked Billet - 139 acres
• The Worst of All - 78 acres
• Wood's Town Land - 100 acres
• Wood's Mill Land - 229 acres
• Wood's Mill Land =223 acres
• Wood's Gain - 182 acres

The town of Woodsboro was laid out in February 1786, and comprised of about forty acres. The tract upon which Woodsboro stands was near the northern boundary of the famous Monocacy Manor.

The first settlement or village had been called Wood's Town but the plat of Col. Wood designated it was Woodsberry. Afterward it was called Woodsborough and later shortened still further to Woodsboro. The forty acres were divided off into eighty lots, each two hundred and forty-seven feet by sixty-six feet. The original streets are Frederick, Second and Third. Each of these streets is thirty-three feet wide and runs north and south. There are two alleys sixteen and one-half feet wide. Another full size street, Elizabeth Street, runs east and west through town. Specific rates, conditions and restrictions were specified on the original patent:

"Rates - That each purchaser of Lot or Lots on said Town of Woodsberry pay unto the Proprietor Joseph Wood his heirs or assigns the sum of three pounds Current Money for every Lott he may purchase on demand and seven Shillings and sixpence Current Money annually forever for each lot as a ground rent unless otherwise agreed upon -

"Conditions - that the purchaser or possessor of one lot adjoining of either side of Frederick Street is to build a dwelling House on some part of the Ground not less than to cover four hundred Foot of Ground either of Brick, Stone, Frame, or hewed Logs with a shingle root, and either a Brick or Stone Chimney thereto to be completed by the eighth day of February one thousand seventeen hundred and eighty eight, but if any purchaser from the Proprietor should purchase two lots to have two Years longer to build on the second lots, and if should purchase three lots to hove two years longer to build on the third lots. But if not purchased of the proprietor they are to be complied with as first purchased of the Proprietor. And those that may purchase lot or lots in the said Town of Woodsberry adjoining of either side of Third Street is to build as the Dimensions above on the other lot on Frederick Street. And if has only one lot may have three years from the eight Day of February next to build on. And if has two lots may have five years from the eight of February next to build on the second lot - And if has three lots may have seven Years from the eight dag of February next to build on the third Lot, but if not purchased of the Proprietor they must be comply with as when purchased of the proprietor first.

"Restriction - that in Case the yearly Ground Rent as before specified is not paid yearly or within thirty Days thereafter the Proprietor may distress or warrant for the same, and the lot forfeited to the proprietor if he chooses to take the same. And the Buildings mentioned to be done of the different Lots is not completed by the time above mentioned the lot and lots not complied with in the buildings - the lot or lots to be forfeited if the Proprietor chooses and become again to him in fee simple.

"And Whereas the Proprietor Joseph Wood has completed a Well in the Cross Street of Frederick and Elizabeth for the good of the inhabitants of the Town and others forever when any Repairs may be wanting to be made any person using the said well and making the repairs shall be paid by a joint expense of the Town that may make use of the well according to the Head of every family using the same and on failure there of to be compelled thereto to him that makes the repair and not to make use of the Well thereafter."

The town is most beautifully located in a bottomland surrounded by hills and is on the Frederick and Pennsylvania Railroad and the Woodsboro Turnpike. It is ten and a half miles from Frederick near Israel's Creek and Monocacy River. It lies in the midst of a fertile and salubrious country, diversified and undulating.

Col. Joseph Wood, despite all the bright promise of his youth, filed for bankruptcy in 1793 - result of being land poor and having to pay off his sisters in hard money. He retained only the clothes on his back and that of his family. Probably a broken ill discouraged man, old before his time. His children ranged from 72 to 20.

The Germans

The land grant given to Joseph Wood was perhaps typical of the northern part of the western shore of Maryland.

Maryland was claimed by the English crown but for the most part it was a wilderness, unexplored and un-surveyed. The English owned the land, but it fell to the Germans to settle on the territory, cultivate and reap the crops, and bestow the German religion, customs and language on the area.

The Germans arrived in large numbers both from the ports of Philadelphia and Annapolis bringing with them a rich heritage which predominately permeated local culture until prior to the Civil War.

Most of the early settlers in Woodsboro came from German parentage. Many came from the Palatinate to escape religious dissention, a succession of wars, and

over-population. English landowners in America were also actively recruiting immigrants to settle on their extensive holdings with the enticement of cheap or free land upon their arrival here. (This was an era when Britain was expanding and colonizing world wide because of the sovereignty of the sea.)

The Germans responded enthusiastically and overwhelmingly, bequeathing to the Woodsboro area approximately two hundred years of immaculate self-supporting farms, a tradition of frugalness and common sense and industriousness not found in their English landlords. Most families brought with them a skill or a trade of the times, pursued in their new homeland. Without the German element among our early settlers the success of developing the resources of the new provinces would have been quite doubtful.

The language barrier between the settlers and English authorities produced many mutilations of the original German words. A gradual accommodation between 1750 and 1850 resulted in English predominating in schools and commerce until finally third and fourth generations of Germans absorbed the of the local English language but retained much of the folklore and traditions of their original culture, thus enriching and stabilizing the entire area.

Woodsboro has retained about the same status that it had in 1812 when a traveler, August Palmer wrote: "We left Frederick and passed through a well farmed and verdant country to Woodsboro where we stayed. Woodsboro is a neat town of 80 houses mostly brick. It has a good stone meeting house with a spire."

Another traveler in 1790 counted as many as 350 wagons within the space of three days. It is easy to imagine the activity and services that accompanied this many vehicles with all the animals and people involved.

Civil War

During the Civil War when Gen. Jeb Stuart's Cavalry was passing through Woodsboro, the soldiers are reported to have captured some young men returning from a picnic at Whiskey Springs (Centerville). Gen. Stuart took the young men with him at gunpoint and forced them to become guides for his impending attack on Gettysburg.

Many farmers lost horses and livestock of all varieties; some stolen and some paid for in Confederate money, which proved to be worthless. The residents of Woodsboro became very adept in concealing their possessions and animals from Rebel forays. Numerous local residents recall tales their grandparents related describing the method and places of protecting their property.

The sound of cannons could clearly be heard in Woodsboro during the Battle of Gettysburg.

With the exception of isolated forays of Gen. Stuart's, Woodsboro did not appear to be involved militarily in the Civil War. However, with strong ties to the north, and with practically no slaves, Woodsboro undoubtedly leaned toward the Union.

Read other articles on Woodsboro history