Shockey’s Counterfeit Currency

In a previous post I wrote about connections some of my Hoovers had with the Shockey family of Washington County, Maryland. In reviewing the PDF file of Maryland Historical Magazine, volume 13, number 3, I found reference to the Shockeys again. This time in relation to counterfeit money during the Revolutionary War. I’d read about this elsewhere online, but it was interesting to read about it in the minutes of the Committee of Observation for Elizabeth Town.

In reviewing reference to fines paid to the Committee by local Mennonites, I saw the following:

1777, March 1st   To Cash paid the Regulars for stand^g Guard over Isaac Christⁿ Shockey, Jn^o Tedrow and Jn^o Acton… 4 [pounds]..17 [shillings]..0 [pence] ¹

Then somewhat earlier in the document, I found the confession of John Tedrow.²

Sunday evening Feb^ry 2^d 1777… John Tedrow A Prisoner in this Town, for passing counterfeit Virginia Money, was brought before Committee, upon Examination confessed that he went to Isaac Shockeys on tuesday the 21^st of Jan^y last tarried there some Days that ^sd Shockey agreed to give hime the ^sd Tedrow 150 dollars of ^sd Counterfeit Money, in order to pass out of which Tedrow was to return one half, but afterward ^sd Shockey only gave him 78 Dollars saying there was no more sign’d, and that the person who sign’d the Money, would sign no more, at that time, because he purpos’d to have it press’d, thinking it not yet compleat, that said Tedrow when pass’d what he had receiv’d, was to repair to s^d Shockey for more, who promised to supply him therewith, and that he the s^d Tedrow might return what he pleas’d in Lieu of the 78 Dollars receiv’d that there was at Shockey’s a certain Person dress’d in white Broad-Cloath Coat Jacket and Breeches, with a velvet Cape on Coat, whom he the s^d Tedrow suspected to be the Signer of s^d Money, that s^d Tedrow asked s^d Shockey that Gentleman’s name, Shockey replied he knew it not, and that he refus’d to tell his Name to any person, that a certain Christian Hearn was at Shockeys in the Company with the aforesaid Gentleman, said he was a Captain, and came on purpose to Recruit.
Sign’d John his X mark Tedrow
Upon receiving the aforegoing Confession of John Tedrow it is ordered that a strong Guard be sent to apprehend Isaac Stophel, Felty and Abraham Shockey, and all others whom they may have reason to suspect to be concern’d with the said Counterfeit Virginia money and them or either of them bring before this Committee to answer s^d Charge and likewise to bring all Counterfeit money, Materials thereto belonging, and all fire Arms that may be found in their or either of their possessions.³

Monday Feb^y 3^d 1777… The Guard sent to apprehend the Shockeys return’d, and delivered to Committee the Bodies of Isaac, and Christian Shockey, who on Examination denied the Charge of being privy to, or concern’d with the making and passing Counterfeit Virginia Money. Ordered that the said Shockeys be confin’d in Irons in the Common Goal for this County until legally discharged therefrom Red^d from the Guard a Rifle Gun got at Valentine Shockey’s marck’d on the Butt W.S.⁴

Tuesday Feb^y 4^th… John Acton (agreeable to order) was brought before Committee, charg’d with writing & sending a Letter to Isaac Shockey at said Shockey’s Request, to the Intent that said Shockey and his Banditti might rescue John Tedrow a Prisoner, (for passing Counterfeit Virginia Money) from the Guard who then had said Tedrow in Custody, upon Examination acknowledged the Charge Therefore ordered that s^d Acton be kept in Irons close confin’d in the Common Goal, untill legally discharg’d therefrom.⁵

Saturday Feb^y 8^th 1777… Ordered that Capⁿ Andrew Linck pay David Harry £2…12…6 for his services and nine men under his Command in apprehending Isaac and Christian Shockey—and that the Shockeys pay the same to Committee.⁶

Monday Feb^y 10^th 1777… Information being made to Committee that a certain Christian Kearn and James Quigg (alias) Quick residing near Baltimore are principally concern’d, with the Shockeys, in making and passing Counterfeit Virginia Money—Resolved that a Letter be sent to the Committee of Baltimore giving them Intelligence thereof, that they may take Order therein.⁷

Monday Feb^y 24^th 1777… On Motion resolved that Letters be sent immediately to the Committees at Reading and McAllister Town informing them that this Committee has receiv’d Intelligence that a Certain Christian Kearn, James Quigg (alias) Quick and Benjⁿ Lewis are Principally concern’d in making and passing the present Counterfeit Virginia money now circulating, that they hold a Lodge near s^d Town, that the Paper of s^d money was made at the Paper Mill on Schuykill near Reading Town. That a Letter be likewise sent to the Committee at Chambers Town giving them intelligence that this Committee has been inform’d that a certain Benjⁿ Nugent near s^d Town is concern’d w^th the afors^d persons in passing s^d money, that s^d Committees may take order therein and apprehend such Malefactors.⁸

Saturday March 1^st 1777… Ordered that Baltzer Gull pay John Adair 10/6 for three standing Guard over Isaac, Christ^r Shockey, Jn^o Tedrow and Jn^o Acton, the sum of £4..17 that a Rifle belonging to Christ^r Shockey be apprais’d and sold to defray the Expence…
Ordered that Baltzer Gull pay John Fackler £2. for his and seven Men’s Services in assisting to apprehend John Acton &c living at Green Spring Furnace.⁹

March 1^st 1777…By D^o [Cash] paid to John Fockler for him & 7 Men going as Guard to Green Spring furnace for John Acton &c 2£..—..— ¹⁰

The Shockey story goes on. I found this in an online message board:

The following information is from historical newspapers available on line.

Apr. 8 1777- Dunlap’s Maryland Gazette- ” 10 Pounds Reward – Broke out of Frederick County gaol the following persons Isaac Shockey, Christian Shockey (son of Valentine), Christopher Shockey, John Tutterow and John Acton, who were committed upon suspicion of counterfeiting and passing counterfeit Virginia money.”

November 23, 1779 -Pennsylvania Packet – ” At the Court of Oyer and Terminer held at Carlisle for the Hon. Thomas McKean and William Atlee, Justices. Christopher Shockey was tried and convicted and received the sentence of death for passing counterfeit 30 dollar bills of Continental money dated 22nd July 1776”

And from legislative document ‘We hear that the execution of the sentence of death lately pronounced at Carlisle, against Christopher Shockey for the counterfeiting of paper money is ordered to be done at Carlisle on Wed. 8th of Dec.’¹¹

• Category: Research
• Tag: Bandit, Revolutionary War, Transcriptions