by Debra Carbaugh Robinson (Contribution by), Gerald J. Sword (Author)
A History of Blairs Valley was started in 1967 by 28-year-old Gerald J. Sword, a descendant of the Blair family who settled in Blairs Valley, which encompasses lands in Washington County, Maryland and Franklin County, Pennsylvania. It was first published in 1968. Many years later, his niece, Debra Carbaugh Robinson, discovered a second manuscript with updates, additional information, and photographs while looking through Gerald's many historic research files. Gerald had sadly passed away on April 14, 1999 and was not able to complete his second work on Blairs Valley history. His family believed strongly that he would want the information to be made available to the public. We started a page of Facebook called Conococheague Memories to share all of our historical finds with the public. It became apparent that there were many people who were interested in learning more about the origins of Blairs Valley, its people, and their history through Conococheague Memories. Many people asked us how to get a copy of Gerald's original book on Blairs Valley which had been out of print for many years. That is how this new book became a reality. The reader will find information on the Shelby, Blair, Davis, Ruckert, Feidt, Bartle, Shirley, Clopper, Dodge, Sword, Bricker, Wise, Carbaugh, Repp and other families who resided in Blairs Valley in its earlier years. Information on the Mason and Dixon Line, the Feidt House, the Sword House, the Blair Mansion, the Blairs Valley Store, Clopper's Grove Picnic Grounds, the Blairs Valley School and so much more can be found in the pages of A History of Blairs Valley, presented by Conococheague Memories.