West Virginia's oldest town
Encyclopedia
There has been a long-running dispute over which town in West Virginia
is the oldest. The dispute between Shepherdstown
and Romney
goes back well before West Virginia even became a state.
Shepherdstown was originally established as Mecklenburg by Thomas Shepherd
, who laid out 50 acres (202,000 m²) of his land into lots and streets. In late 1762, he presented a bill of incorporation to the Virginia House of Burgesses just 6 days before Romney's bill was introduced. The house approved both bills and, on December 23, 1762, the governor of Virginia signed them.
There was a settlement at Mecklenburg (present-day Shepherdstown) several years before there was one at Romney, which some say makes Shepherdstown the oldest town in WV. However, other people say the age should be determined by considering the order in which the towns' bills of incorporation were signed. Of the group of bills signed on December 23, 1762, Romney's preceded Mecklenburg's, so by this definition Romney should receive the distinction of being West Virginia's oldest town. Both towns claim to be the oldest, but it seems fair to say that much like beauty is in the eye of the beholder, age is in the mind of the resident.
The name Mecklenburg eventually was replaced. For years, the townspeople had used the name Shepherdstown in honor of Thomas Shepherd and, in 1798, Virginia's General Assembly made the name official.
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
is the oldest. The dispute between Shepherdstown
Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Shepherdstown is a town in Jefferson County, West Virginia, United States, located along the Potomac River. It is the oldest town in the state, having been chartered in 1762 by Colonial Virginia's General Assembly. Since 1863, Shepherdstown has been in West Virginia, and is the oldest town in...
and Romney
Romney, West Virginia
Romney is a city in and the county seat of Hampshire County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,940 at the 2000 census, while the area covered by the city's ZIP code had a population of 5,873. It is a city with a very historic background dating back to the 18th century...
goes back well before West Virginia even became a state.
Shepherdstown was originally established as Mecklenburg by Thomas Shepherd
Thomas Shepherd
Thomas Shepherd may refer to:* Thomas H. Shepherd, water colour artist well known for his architectural works* Tom Shepherd, English cricketer who played for Surrey* Thomas "Tommy" Shepherd aka Speed...
, who laid out 50 acres (202,000 m²) of his land into lots and streets. In late 1762, he presented a bill of incorporation to the Virginia House of Burgesses just 6 days before Romney's bill was introduced. The house approved both bills and, on December 23, 1762, the governor of Virginia signed them.
There was a settlement at Mecklenburg (present-day Shepherdstown) several years before there was one at Romney, which some say makes Shepherdstown the oldest town in WV. However, other people say the age should be determined by considering the order in which the towns' bills of incorporation were signed. Of the group of bills signed on December 23, 1762, Romney's preceded Mecklenburg's, so by this definition Romney should receive the distinction of being West Virginia's oldest town. Both towns claim to be the oldest, but it seems fair to say that much like beauty is in the eye of the beholder, age is in the mind of the resident.
The name Mecklenburg eventually was replaced. For years, the townspeople had used the name Shepherdstown in honor of Thomas Shepherd and, in 1798, Virginia's General Assembly made the name official.