The upper ferry Port Deposit, Maryland

historic buildings in port deposit

in 1729, thomas cresap established regular ferry service near smith s falls (in upper port deposit area) crossing susquehanna lapidum; referred smith’s ferry or upper ferry. in 1731, road susquehanna upper ferry toward philadelphia, far jurisdiction extends, authorized. in same year, in jurisdiction south of river, petition submitted road mill @ rock run peach bottom, pennsylvania. upper ferry later purchased colonel john creswell , came known creswell s ferry .

this location , lapidum across river northern-most navigable deepwater ports on susquehanna. ships chesapeake met river barges , wagons loaded lumber, grain, coal, whiskey, tobacco , other goods floated downriver port of deposit. in days, difficult float goods downriver, since there many rapids , hazards, remained convenient way goods leave of country drained susquehanna above falls. further, since number of roads converged @ ferry crossing, goods carted or “rolled.”<

as 1790s, forests on susquehanna being logged , timbers floated downriver points near ferry landing. in 1812, town platted creswell’s landing. same year governor levin winder signed bill changing name creswell’s landing port deposit prevent continued confusion resulting multiple unofficial names.