Harpers ferry bottle

[Digger 57]

I need help finding out about this bottle .J.C.mc graw harpers ferry W.Va. it is aqua lots of wittle marks it is a blob top .I would say this is a early one.

 

[5 gallon collector]

Hi, Digger 57,
Attached is some info taken from ancestry.com and newspapers.com. Looks as if James McGraw and his son J. C. were bottling beer. For how long, and whether they bottled other liquids -- more research needed. He came a long way from Tipperary, it's a long way to go ..... Now, for fun, if you are not familiar with "It's a Long Way to Tipperary", and even if you are, check out

for a well enunciated version of the song, an old English favorite.

James McGraw

BIRTH	30 May 1834 County Limerick, Ireland
DEATH	30 Oct 1893 (aged 59) Harpers Ferry, Jefferson County, West Virginia, USA
BURIAL	Saint Peter's Cemetery Harpers Ferry, Jefferson County, West Virginia, USA

Husband of Julia Ann & father of James, Maggie & Katie [my note: James was J. C. McGraw][James senior might have been a J. C. also?]
Son of Catherine

He operated a hardware store in Harpers Ferry and also started a beer bottling business in 1885. Three years later he built a bottling plant. His son got into the business with him in 1890. After James Sr. died in 1893, his son continued in the business, which he incorporated as the Harpers Ferry Brewery Company.

from the Brunswick, MD Herald, Nov. 3, 1893:
Mr. James McGraw, a successful merchant and highly respected citizen of Harper's Ferry, died suddenly at 6:45am on Monday, aged 59 years. The deceased was a native of Limerick, Ireland. He came to the Ferry and settled in 1854, and by strict attention to business and upright dealings with his patrons amassed considerable property. Mr. McGraw was well acquainted and had considerable business transactions with John Brown just prior to his insurrection. Brown left his horse with him at the time of his capture to settle some indebtedness. He leaves one son, James McGraw, and two daughters, Misses Maggie and Katie.

 

[5 gallon collector]

Actually, it was his wife who was from Tipperary. James Sr. was from Limerick -- I could paste a few of these, but I'll spare you.
Lots of smiles in the photo - but so many of them did not come home. Or perhaps these blokes are returning.

 

[Digger 57]

Hi, Digger 57,
Attached is some info taken from ancestry.com and newspapers.com. Looks as if James McGraw and his son J. C. were bottling beer. For how long, and whether they bottled other liquids -- more research needed. He came a long way from Tipperary, it's a long way to go ..... Now, for fun, if you are not familiar with "It's a Long Way to Tipperary", and even if you are, check out

for a well enunciated version of the song, an old English favorite.

James McGraw

BIRTH	30 May 1834 County Limerick, Ireland
DEATH	30 Oct 1893 (aged 59) Harpers Ferry, Jefferson County, West Virginia, USA
BURIAL	Saint Peter's Cemetery Harpers Ferry, Jefferson County, West Virginia, USA

Husband of Julia Ann & father of James, Maggie & Katie [my note: James was J. C. McGraw][James senior might have been a J. C. also?]
Son of Catherine

He operated a hardware store in Harpers Ferry and also started a beer bottling business in 1885. Three years later he built a bottling plant. His son got into the business with him in 1890. After James Sr. died in 1893, his son continued in the business, which he incorporated as the Harpers Ferry Brewery Company.

from the Brunswick, MD Herald, Nov. 3, 1893:
Mr. James McGraw, a successful merchant and highly respected citizen of Harper's Ferry, died suddenly at 6:45am on Monday, aged 59 years. The deceased was a native of Limerick, Ireland. He came to the Ferry and settled in 1854, and by strict attention to business and upright dealings with his patrons amassed considerable property. Mr. McGraw was well acquainted and had considerable business transactions with John Brown just prior to his insurrection. Brown left his horse with him at the time of his capture to settle some indebtedness. He leaves one son, James McGraw, and two daughters, Misses Maggie and Katie.

View attachment 238339View attachment 238340

Thank you very much.

 

[claytronix]

I need help finding out about this bottle .J.C.mc graw harpers ferry W.Va. it is aqua lots of wittle marks it is a blob top .I would say this is an early one.

Good morning,

I was born in Jefferson County WV (Charles Town) and have lived in the 25425 zip code all of my life. I’ve been a bottle digger/collector (mostly local) since the late 1990’s when I returned home from active duty (USMC). Although I am no expert, I’ve been researching the Charles Town and Harpers Ferry Bottling Works since I started. I do know a bit about your McGraw if you still have it and/or are still interested in learning what I do know. Have a great day !

 

[claytronix]

I need help finding out about this bottle .J.C.mc graw harpers ferry W.Va. it is aqua lots of wittle marks it is a blob top .I would say this is a early one.

Looks like 5 gallon collector sent you the proper info. I’d pay a fair price for that if you should choose to part with it. I do have an example but they don’t show up just every day so I’ve been searching for those for years. I’ve been in “25425” for 50 years . Have a great day !