Cresap, Michael, House
Main St. at Green Spring Rd., Oldtown, MDThe Michael Cresap House was the home of the eighteenth-century frontiersman, Michael Cresap, (1742-1775). It is reputably the oldest extant building in Oldtown whose village history dates to the seventeenth century. A Shawnee tribe had an Indian village there.
In 1741 Michael Cresap's father Thomas Cresap (c.1702-1790) a prominent frontiersman, founded Oldtown and built a fortified trading post and home. Until the establishment of Cumberland, Maryland, Oldtown was the only settlement in Maryland west of the Cononocheague Creek in Washington County.
Michael Cresap followed his father's example by building the extant structure as a trading post-home and by exploring the wilderness in search of sites for future settlement. Cresap was one of the outstanding eighteenth-century frontiersmen in the Ohio Valley although he is not as well known today as his contemporaries; Daniel Boone and George Rogers Clark. In 1774 Cresap led an expedition to clear the bottomlands of the Muskingum River for occupation. Strained relations with the Indians compounded the difficulties of Cresap's frontier party. On at least two occasions he prevented his men from attacking. The murder of a peaceful Indian family, far distant from Cresap and his party, touched off Lord Dunmore's War (April-October 1774). Cresap served in the war as a captain in the Virginia militia; he was a signatory of the peace treaty.
His stature as a leader is attested to by the fact that western Maryland volunteers at the beginning of the Revolution chose Michael Cresap to command them. In 1775 Cresap led these men to join the Continental Army at Boston, Massachusettes, covering the 550-mile journey in twenty-two days--a remarkable twenty-five miles per day. Once in New England Cresap suffered a relapse of an earlier illness which forced him to resign from his command. He died in New York City on October 18, 1775, en route home.
Cresap's home in Oldtown became the property of his widow. After remarrying she conveyed it to Michael Cresap's son-in-law, Luther Martin (c. 1742-1826), the first attorney general of the State of Maryland, and an eminent lawyer. Martin held the property for a short time; he sold it to his brother-in-law, James Cresap.
Luther Martin's association with Michael Cresap gained national notoriety in the 1790s. Thomas Jefferson in Notes on the State of Virginia published an account of the murder of the Indian family that touched off Lord Dunmore's War naming Cresap as the culprit. Through several letters published in newspapers, Martin refuted Jefferson's story. The evidence completely exonerated Cresap although Jefferson never conceded.
Local significance of the building:
In 1741 Michael Cresap's father Thomas Cresap (c.1702-1790) a prominent frontiersman, founded Oldtown and built a fortified trading post and home. Until the establishment of Cumberland, Maryland, Oldtown was the only settlement in Maryland west of the Cononocheague Creek in Washington County.
Michael Cresap followed his father's example by building the extant structure as a trading post-home and by exploring the wilderness in search of sites for future settlement. Cresap was one of the outstanding eighteenth-century frontiersmen in the Ohio Valley although he is not as well known today as his contemporaries; Daniel Boone and George Rogers Clark. In 1774 Cresap led an expedition to clear the bottomlands of the Muskingum River for occupation. Strained relations with the Indians compounded the difficulties of Cresap's frontier party. On at least two occasions he prevented his men from attacking. The murder of a peaceful Indian family, far distant from Cresap and his party, touched off Lord Dunmore's War (April-October 1774). Cresap served in the war as a captain in the Virginia militia; he was a signatory of the peace treaty.
His stature as a leader is attested to by the fact that western Maryland volunteers at the beginning of the Revolution chose Michael Cresap to command them. In 1775 Cresap led these men to join the Continental Army at Boston, Massachusettes, covering the 550-mile journey in twenty-two days--a remarkable twenty-five miles per day. Once in New England Cresap suffered a relapse of an earlier illness which forced him to resign from his command. He died in New York City on October 18, 1775, en route home.
Cresap's home in Oldtown became the property of his widow. After remarrying she conveyed it to Michael Cresap's son-in-law, Luther Martin (c. 1742-1826), the first attorney general of the State of Maryland, and an eminent lawyer. Martin held the property for a short time; he sold it to his brother-in-law, James Cresap.
Luther Martin's association with Michael Cresap gained national notoriety in the 1790s. Thomas Jefferson in Notes on the State of Virginia published an account of the murder of the Indian family that touched off Lord Dunmore's War naming Cresap as the culprit. Through several letters published in newspapers, Martin refuted Jefferson's story. The evidence completely exonerated Cresap although Jefferson never conceded.
Exploration/settlement; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Maryland played a pivotal role in the American Revolution: Maryland was the site of several important battles during the American Revolution, including the Battle of Camden, the Battle of Cowpens, and the Battle of Yorktown. Additionally, Maryland's own soldiers played a crucial role in the war effort, including the famous "Maryland 400" who held off a British attack at the Battle of Long Island in 1776.
About Allegany County
Allegany County Timeline
Allegany County, located in western Maryland, has a rich and diverse history that stretches back thousands of years. The region was home to Native American tribes, including the Susquehannocks and the Seneca, before the arrival of European settlers. In the 18th century, the French and British fought for control of the area, with the British ultimately establishing dominance and building Fort Cumberland in present-day Cumberland.
During the 19th century, Allegany County experienced significant growth and development due to its close proximity to the National Road, a major transportation route connecting the East Coast to the Ohio River Valley. The county became an important logistical hub and saw the establishment of towns and industries such as manufacturing, coal mining, and transportation. In 1854, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was completed, further boosting commercial activity in the region.
Allegany County played a significant role during the American Civil War. Located on the border between the North and the South, the county was heavily contested and saw multiple skirmishes and battles, including the Battle of Folck's Mill. The war had a lasting impact on the county, causing economic disruption and leaving scars on the landscape.
In the 20th century, Allegany County continued to experience changes in its economy and demographics. The decline of traditional industries such as coal mining and manufacturing led to a shift towards service industries, healthcare, and education. The county is home to Frostburg State University and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, which both contribute to its cultural and tourist attractions. Today, Allegany County combines its historical significance with its modern developments, offering a unique blend of heritage and progress.
During the 19th century, Allegany County experienced significant growth and development due to its close proximity to the National Road, a major transportation route connecting the East Coast to the Ohio River Valley. The county became an important logistical hub and saw the establishment of towns and industries such as manufacturing, coal mining, and transportation. In 1854, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was completed, further boosting commercial activity in the region.
Allegany County played a significant role during the American Civil War. Located on the border between the North and the South, the county was heavily contested and saw multiple skirmishes and battles, including the Battle of Folck's Mill. The war had a lasting impact on the county, causing economic disruption and leaving scars on the landscape.
In the 20th century, Allegany County continued to experience changes in its economy and demographics. The decline of traditional industries such as coal mining and manufacturing led to a shift towards service industries, healthcare, and education. The county is home to Frostburg State University and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, which both contribute to its cultural and tourist attractions. Today, Allegany County combines its historical significance with its modern developments, offering a unique blend of heritage and progress.
Allegany County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Allegany County, Maryland.
- 1789 - Allegany County was established by the General Assembly of Maryland.
- 1791 - The county seat was established in Cumberland.
- 1801 - The National Road, a major highway, was authorized to be constructed through Allegany County.
- 1811 - The first courthouse in Cumberland was completed.
- 1824 - The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal began construction in Cumberland, becoming an important transportation route.
- 1851 - The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad reached Cumberland, further enhancing transportation in the county.
- 1862 - Allegany County played a significant role in the American Civil War as a transportation hub and defense location.
- 1920s - The county experienced economic growth due to coal mining and the manufacturing industry.
- 1950s - The construction of Interstate 68 provided better transportation access to Allegany County.
- Today - Allegany County continues to be a picturesque area with a mix of rural and urban landscapes, attracting visitors with its natural beauty and historical sites.