Frederick Jerome Posey

Frederick Jerome Posey (1815-1881) was born in Frederick County, Maryland, and in 1836 moved to Hagerstown, Maryland, where he worked as a journeyman silversmith. He and his wife, Elizabeth McCardle, whom he married in 1839, moved to Shepherdstown in 1842.

Even though he advertised his services as a clock, watch, and music box repairer, Posey is better known as a silversmith who produced various utensils from coin silver. His shop was located in the Entler Hotel.

Posey was the keeper of the town clock during the years he resided in Shepherdstown. The clock, a gift to the town from Rezin D. Shepherd, the grandson of the town’s founder, was originally housed in the old Episcopal church on High and Church Streets.  It was moved to what is now McMurran Hall in 1860.

Returning to Hagerstown in 1846, Posey opened a jewelry store and was a well-respected citizen, serving on the boards of the Hagerstown Bank, the Hagerstown Gas Light Company, and the Lutheran Church.

An opponent of slavery, Posey abetted the escape of a group of slaves from Washington County, Maryland, in 1857, loaning his carriage to the group attempting to flee to Canada. The runaway were caught in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, just over the Maryland line..

Posey retired in 1864 due to failing health. He died in 1881.

The Historic Shepherdstown Museum has on display several silver spoons crafted by Posey.

More information about Silversmiths of Jefferson and Berkeley Counties: Preserving the History of the Eastern Panhandle One Spoon at a Time is available on our website.