School: Maryland

Worked in Emmittsburg Maryland.

School: Maryland

Son of gunsmith John Armstrong, at least one gun known by him. See Maryland Longrifles by Hartzler

School: Maryland

Son of John Armstrong. See “Maryland Longrifles” by Hartzler

School: Maryland

Emmitsburg William Armstrong was a son of the well-known gun and whitesmith John Armstrong. A Frederick County history states that William Armstrong was an inspector of arms at Harpers Ferry for many years. In 1822 he was a master armorer at the Marine Barracks in the Washington Naval Yard. A William Armstrong is listed in Buckeystown, District 1 of Frederick County, in 1833. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryand. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker

School: Maryland

Emmitsburg Blackburn was born October 17, 1786, and was a son of Alexander Blackburn, He was apprenticed to John Armstrong to learn the gunsmith trade on April 15, 1804, for a term of three years. During the War of 1812 Blackburn was in Hagerstown and served as a private of infantry in a company known as the Hagerstown Militia. Captain George Shrycok led this company, which was part of the 24th Maryland Regiment, to Bladensburg where they found on August 24, 1814. In this same company was Samuel Hawken. Blackburn was one of 11 soldiers from Washington County who deserted in the fall of 1814. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Funkstown Dr. Christian Boerstler in 1784 left Bavaria because of German tyranny and disembarked in Baltimore with only a single shilling in his possession. In September of that year he and his wife and six children settled in Jerusalem Town. The name was later changed to Funkstown. One of his sons, Daniel was a gunsmith who advertised in 1808 “Rifle, gun and cannon powder” at the bend of the waters of the Antietam on the National Pike at Funkstown. By 1812 the business was known as Boerstler and Son and in 1816 Jerusalem Manufacturing Company. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Frederick October 8, 1776–Boone to Council of Safety, delivery of gun locks. {Maryland State Revolutionay War Papers, Hall of Records, Annapolis} For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Worked in Funkstown Maryland. See “Maryland Longrifles” by Hartzler.

School: Maryland

Funkstown The Washington County Court Minutes of April 1801 shows him as a native of Germany, gunsmith by trade, residing in Funkstown and naturalized in 1799. On April 9, 1799, William Steel, an orphan of Washington County, was bound to John Brent for 3 years to learn gunbarrel making. On September 3, 1798, he purchased from Daniel Kline lot No. 163 in Jerusalem Town, which was later changed to Funkstown. The April 1801 term of the Washington County Court reveals Brant and Christian Hawken had legal actions against one another. Again, in the February 1802 court term there was more litigation between the two. No doubt these actions were over compensation for rifle barrels. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

No biographical information available.

School: Maryland

Hagerstown Alexander Compton was the son of John Compton who, in 1797, was residing at the Mouth of the Monocacy. John advertised a reward for an insolvent debtor discharged by the Washington County Sheriff in September of 1810. On March 24, 1794, Alexander was bound to John Gonter to learn the art and mystery of the gunsmith business. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Grantsville This Compton family came from France and settled in New Jersey near New Brunswick. His father Robert and mother Lydia Brown Crompton, settled in Berlin in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, in 1813. Phineas was born in 1804 and was a tinnier and gunsmith. He married Adeling Glotfelty and lived in Elk Lick Township. They had a son Samuel who was born in 1827. At the age of 13, Samuel entered his father’s shop and learned the trades of gunsmith and tinnier. Phineas purchased 900 acres across the Mason-Dixon Line where his father had moved. Samuel later became a partner with his father but did not move to the Maryland farm but kept his residence in Salisbury, Pennsylvania. Phineas died in 1858. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Hagerstown In April of 1841 William Cookman and Joseph W. Keller took over the manufacture of guns, rifles and pistols at the old stand occupied by William Hawken on Jonathan Street between Washington and Franklin. For further reference, see Arms Makess of Maryland. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Frederick Thomas Crabb was born after 1750, according to the Federal Census Records, and was first recorded in Frederick County in 1795. He was the fifth contractor to sign an agreement to produce Charleville pattern muskets, along with Nicholas White, Jacob Metzger and Christopher Barnhizle. Razin Self was apprenticed to Crabb on January 31, 1803, to learn the blacksmith trade. In the January 11, 1805, Bartgis’s Republican Gazette Newspaper he advertised a reward for the return of Self who was a run away apprentice. In the late spring of 1807 he contracted with the Office of Indian Trade to make rifles, but by March of the following year he had departed from Frederick. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Taneytown Daniel Creamer learned the gunsmith trade from his brother Philip and in the summer of 1805 he and Philip went west. In 1809 he is shown in the day book of the Cahokia, Illinois, store of Bryan & Morrison as purchasing articles on his brother’s account. In 1816 Daniel and his brother, Casper Jr., sought local employment. Daniel was one of 23 men employed at the Harpers Ferry Armory who stocked weapons. He was paid over $40 per month in 1816. He apparently resided near the Potomac River in Washington County according to the 1820 Federal census. In that same year, he moved to the town of Harpers Ferry, (West) Virginia. Through the years he was recorded as having turned stocks, patterned guns, and stocked, banded and butted guns. By 1835 he was still employed in the stocking department. His son, Robert Creamer, was recorded as being a barrel forger. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Worked in Taneytown Maryland. See “Maryland Longrifles” by Hartzler.

School: Maryland

Swanton The village of Swanton is located in present day Garrett County, just south and slightly east of Deep Creek Lake. He was in the immediate area where Abel Browning worked. He was the grantee of land which bordered the town which he purchased on April 17, 1912, from Prudence Friend. This appears to be a parcel of land that had belonged to Benjamin H. Deming. He was the grantor of 1 acre to Burdette E. Lawrence on May 12, 1921. Probably due to non-payment, he was the grantee of this same acre on May 8, 1922. He was the grantor of the first purchase to Andrew and Doris Friend in July 20, 1929. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Graceham John DeMuth is listed as contributing 54 rifles to General Hand’s contract at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for Continental rifles in 1794. On February 16, 1796, apprenticeship records show DeMuth was living in Frederick County, training Henry Koch. The Moravian Church Records reveal Johann Demuth was married to Catharina and a daughter, Sophia Theresia, was baptized on August 27, 1797. During this period there were four Demuth families in the Moravian Settlement at Graceham. By 1828 he was in Bushkill Center, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Hagerstown Ernst Dietz was active in the German Reformed Church where the only language used was German. On March 15, 1786, an indenture in the land records between Jonathan Hager Jr., son and heir at law of the estate of his father, sold to Ernst Dietz of Elizabeth Town of Washington County aforesaid gunsmith lot No. 358. This was signed and sealed by another gunsmith, Alexander Clagett. On April 2, 1789, Dietz sold this house and lot to John Sleigh and the same day, what was probably his shop on lot No. 90, to William Kreps. The April 19 Maryland Herald and Hagerstown Advertiser stated that William Kreps has removed his shop and place of abode to the house formerly occupied by Rust Dietz, gunsmith. In the fall of 1799 a letter awaited him at the Hagerstown Post Office which means that he was probably no longer a resident. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Sharpsburg Hundred At the request of Andrew Eavey, the following deed was recorded on the 25th day of June, 1770. “Towits, this indenture made the 20th day of June in the year of our Lord 1770, between Jacob French of the County of Frederick and the Province of Maryland of the one part, to Andrew Eavey of the County and Province aforesaid, of the other part… In consideration of the sum 150 pounds current money…part of a tract of land called Huckleberry Hill situated and being in the county and Province aforesaid on a draft of Antietam called Dicktons.” {Frederick County Courthouse, Liber N, Folil 207-207} Patriotic people from this area were some of the first to demonstrate on a county-wide basis for independence. On January 4, 1775, Andrew Eaby represented the Conoccocheague Hundred at a meeting held in Fredericktown concerning the formation and arming of militia. Andrew may have been related to an armorer from the French and Indian Wars named Thomas Eaby. That man was active from Fort Cumberland, west to Fort Ligonier and Fort Pitt. On 22 May 1780 Thomas Eaby “produced a discharge signed by Adam Stephen, Colonel of the First Virginia Regiment, for the Service of Thomas Eaby as an artificer for the time of his enlistment in the late War between Great Britain and France.” {Yohogania County, Virginia Court Records, p.410}. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Baltimore Lewis Ealer was born in 1791 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was in business for himself as a master lock and gunsmith in the Fell’s Point section of Baltimore in 1822. In 1827 he moved to Oldtown. He returned to Philadelphia in 1837 where he continued to follow the trade. In 1857 he went to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was in partnership with his son. Franklin A., who was born in Maryland in 1832. Lewis was again in Philadelphia in 1865. He was married to Susanna and had 5 children. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Frederick Benjamin and his son John were general gunsmiths prior to the Civil War and were located on the south side of Patrick Street west of Bentz Street in Frederick. By the 1880s they were advertising as Benjamin Ebert & Son at 67 West Patrick Street. In 1895 they were advertising hardware and changes. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Frederick The 1860 federal census showed Samuel Ebert as a gunsmith working in Frederick, aged 27. He was a son of Henry and Polly Tice Ebert, who were married in November of 1822 and both were from Frederick. He may have been related to and the mentor of Benjamin Ebert. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Baltimore The 1860 federal census for Baltimore listed Samuel Engels as a gunsmith, aged 37, residing at 13 Townsend St., Baltimore For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Frederick County Jacob Ernst may have been a relative of the gunsmith Adam Ernst. A Jacob Ernst married Mary Smith on June 21, 1758. Jacob the gunsmith was a resident of Frederick County and is included in the 1790 federal census. In July of 1803 a letter was awaiting him at the Frederick-town Post Office, however he was living in Adams County, Pennsylvania. He returned from Berwick Township and was listed as a resident of Frederick County on October 11, 1811, when he purchased the tract of land called Peter’s Promise. By 1820 he was living in Franklin Township, York County, Pennsylvania. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Frederick County Maryland. See “Maryland Longrifles” by Hartzler

School: Maryland

Middleburg “Frederick County, TO WIT. The State of Maryland, to the Sheriff of Frederick County, GREETING. We command you that you take Charles Everett, gunsmith, if he shall be found in you Bailiwick, and him safe keep so that you have his body before the Justices of our next County Court, to be held at the Court-House, in Frederick-Town, in and for the said County, on March 14, 1812, to satisfy unto Captain Shaffer as well the sum of fifteen dollars current money…promise to pay or cause to be paid unto the foresaid Shaffer the sum of $15 for breeding a bright bay mare colt. Joshua Delaplane of Double Pipe Creek celebrated eight year old mahogany bay horse named Telegraph. He sold the mare with fold and is liable to pay. {Frederick County Sheriff’s Warrant} For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Baltimore Peter A. Favier advertised at three different locations in Baltimore from 1837 until 1853. In 1852 he stated he was a gun, rifle and pistol maker, having constantly on hand a large and general assortment of doubles and single barrelled bird and ducking guns, rifle and pistols made to order. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Cumberland Amos Fisher advertised in the 1880s as a gun and locksmith at 36 Polk Street, Cumberland. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

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Frederick “I humbly beg the favour of you, to send me a Certificate to Exempt me and my People of the Militia Duty, by the Bearer M. Abraham – For which there Names is Jacob Reaser, Thomas Lawrence, Jacob Dunkle, Henry Fisher, Woodward Evitt, my Prentice is out now to Guard the Prisoners & my Captn. told me I should soon to on the Powder Guard, but if you will send me a Certificate, since I am in Contract with you, I shall be Exempt, when there is any Work to do for the Publick I always do it, and am willing to Oblige the Publick as much, in the Gun Way as I am able, which I think is more service to the Publick, as if I was to go with the Militia. I Petitioned to the Assembly to be Armorer for the County, which would be more Benefit to the Publick as Cast, I was informed by the Lieut. of the County that there was several Barrels in the Magazine which has no stocks, locks nor Mountain, so if you send me you Order to get them I shall add them to the November, as I have to make, and if you have the Power to get an Armorer I should be glad to serve. Sir I am your…Sevt. at…–Jacob Reaser.” {Maryland State Revolutionary War Papers, December 1778, Hall of Records, Annapolis} For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

The federal census of 1860 for Randolph County, (West) Virginia, census listed Nelson Fitzwater as having been born in Maryland in 1816, working as a gunsmith. His wife Sarah, aged 34, and their children were born in Virginia. They were residing in the house of a shoemaker named John DeWitt. For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Hagerstown The Maryland Herald & Hagers-Town Weekly Advertiser of Jan. 17, 1806, had a list of letters remaining in the Post Office in Hagers-Town. “George Fischach, George Flegel, care of George Kreps, Gunsmith.” Flegel was apparently in employment of Kreps in the gunsmith line as an apprentice or journeyman. In 1814 Flegel was armorer of the U.S. Arsenal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in 1819 Flegel was a Master Armorer there. During the period from 1820 to 1830 he was a gunsmith in private practice in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Hagerstown He and his wife are listed in the 1790 federal census of Washington County with no children. In 1802 Thomas Shuman brought suit against Nicholas Hawken, Jacob Nichol and John George. From this legal action it can be assumed these three gunsmiths were associated in business. A letter was left at the Elizabeth Town Post Office for him in 1803 and 1804. A John George Jr. married Elizabeth Schlenker of Hagerstown in 1823. For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Hagerstown Maryland. See “Maryland Longrifles” by Hartzler

School: Maryland

Frederick Jacob Haeffer was born in 1782 and was not known as a master gunsmith but as a journeyman. He can be found in the federal census of Frederick County in 1790. Within the next 10 years he was a freeman gunsmith in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. During the War of 1812 he returned to Frederick and can be found in the 1820 federal census. Jacob Haffer is shown on the roster of Capt. John Brengle’s Company of Frederick militia, which was raised in four hours in response to the invasion of Maryland. His will of June 15, 1827, is recorded in the Frederick County Courthouse. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. Jacob Heffner, 1 male under 10, 2 males 26-45, 1 female to 45. {1820 census; handwritten in the margin, “Died-last night in his forty fifth year of age Mr. Jacob Heffner of the county. Buried in the Lutheran graveyard of this city. {Diary of Jacob Engelbrecht, July 27, 1827} For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Emmitsburg Jacob Harner was listed in the 1820 U.S. Census in Frederick County. He bought John Armstrong’s gunsmith tools for $28 on October 21, 1822. He is listed in the transaction as being from Frederick County. On June 13, 1827, he bought several lots, and in October of that year he is shown in a land transaction as residing in Adams County, Pennsylvania. For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Baltimore James Harris was born in 1820 in Maryland. He is listed from 1852-1876 at two locations in the Baltimore City Directories. In his first ad he mentioned rifles made to order. He was succeeded in 1877 by Edward Melchoir. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Baltimore James Haslett was born in 1773 in Ireland. Haslett was apprenticed int eh gunsmithing business in Europe to one of the most renowned lines of gunmakers. He came to America about 1798. His wife’s name was Mary and they settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They had three daughters and one son, who was his namesake. Haslett became superintendent in the arms factory of Robert McCormick. In 1803 he was working on his own in the City of Brotherly Love but came to Baltimore in June of that year. His superb work was highly favored throughout Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. During the War of 1812 he was instrumental not making, but in purchasing, weapons for the state while serving as a major of the 11th Brigade, Maryland Militia. In later years he retired to his estate at Drum Point, Calvert County, where he died on August 15, 1833. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Hagerstown There are two mwn by the name of George Hawken during this period in Washington County and at least one was a gunsmith. George of Christian Sr. was born July 16, 1782. George of Christian Sr. was born Febuary 19, 1781. Both are recorded in the 1810 Federal census as residing in Elizabeth Town. The gunsmith, no doubt, was the one recorded in the July 5, 1809, local news sheet which revealed “married Sunday evening last by Rev. Rotroff, George Hawken to Miss Margaret Kreps, daughter of George Kreps, of this town.” The December 13, 1809, Maryland Herald and Elizabeth-Town Advertiser noted, “George Hawken, gunsmith, has lately commenced business in shop next door to John Kausler, 3rd door below bank.” In 1821 a George Hawken was working at the armory at Harpers Ferry. The only indenture for a George Hawken in the Washington County Courthouse was recorded on January 19, 1829, for the sale of a tract known as “Hit The Mark” in Washington County. At this time Jacob Hawken and George Hawken of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, as joint owners, conveyed the land to Henry Butterbaugh, who was also of Franklin County. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Hagerstown Jacob was born in 1785 or 1786, the third son of Christian Hawken Sr. He was employed at the National Armory at Harpers Ferry and after the War of 1812 he proceeded west and by 1818 was in St. Louis. With the death of his father in 1821 he returned to Hagerstown and married Catherine Allison in March of 1822. Returning to St. Louis he once again came home when he and a George Hawken disposed of the tract known as “Hit The Mark” on January 19, 1829. Jacob and his brother Samuel T. continued to make the famous half stock frontier guns in St. Louis. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

John Hawken was born March 19, 1784, second son of Christian Hawken, while his parents were on the frontier in North Carolina for a short period of time. The October 4, 1809, local Hagerstown paper records “married last evening by Rev. Rotroff John Hawken to Miss Hannah Long, daughter of John Long of this county. “He was not listed in the equity case for the estate of his father in 1821, so apparently he was deceased. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

School: Maryland

Samuel T. Hawken was born October 26, 1792, the fourth son of Christian Sr. and Juliann Hawken. Samuel volunteered in Captain George Shryock’s Hagerstown militia during the War of 1812 and fought at Bladensburg. On June 14, 1815, he announced tht he had commenced the business in the shop occupied by his father in Hagerstown. On September 19, 1815, he married Rosanna Oster in Hagerstown and the following year moved to Xenia, Ohio, where his wife died on April24, 1821. He returned to Hagerstown with his three small children and, leaving them with his mother in early 1822, went to St. Louis, Missouri, and worked with his brother Jacob. He remarried Martha Ritchey, of Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, and he died in St. Louis at the age of 91. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.