Category: Harper

In 1864 the legislature allocated $15,000 for a revenue cutter named “Palmas” to be built at Harper.

In 1879, the status of Harper was elevated to city.

The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Liberia was incorporated in 1880 and granted the right for it and its subordinate lodges to make, hold and convey real and personal estate. Named as officers were James M. Thopson (master), Daniel F. Wilson (senior warden) and Samuel D. Ferguson (junior warden) of the Morning Star Lodge, Harper, Maryland County.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1864, p. 34; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1879, pp. 7-9; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1880, pp. 11-14.

In 1880, the legislature authorized the selection of a suitable town lot in Harper on which was to be built a market house.

The local St. Mark’s Protestant Episcopal Church was formed in 1881. Named as officers were Samuel D. Ferguson (pastor), James W. Ashton (senior warden), Joseph A. Gibson (vestryman), Francis O. Thorne (vestryman), Turner P. Stewart (vestryman) and Tilman T. Brewer (vestryman), all of Harper.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1880, p. 17; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1881, pp. 3-4.

In 1881, the legislature approved a pension of $180 for resident James T. Carroll, retired light house keeper.

In 1883, the legislature approved three defense related construction projects in Maryland County: $500 for a stone gun house in Harper, $600 for fortification at Jacksonville and $500 for fortification at Tubman Town.

The local Ebenezer Baptist Church was formed in 1883, led by E.W. Diggs, Charles McIntosh, J.W. Simpson, E.B. Cummings, Adam Barker, Richard Webster, Boston Moulton and A.B. Jackson.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1881, pp. 9-10; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1883, p. 14; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1883, p. 14.

The legislature in 1888 approved $250 for repair to the causeway that connects Latrobe and Hoffman Station.

In 1895, the city charter was altered by the legislature.

In 1896, the legislature established one court martial each in Harper and Monrovia and fixed parade dates for the various brigades and regiments.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1888, p. 10; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1895, p. 9; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1896, pp. 19-20.

The legislature in 1897 approved the establishment of factories by foreign traders doing business in the ports of Robertsport, Monrovia, Marshall, Grand Bassa, Greenville and Harper at the principal coastal trading points, other than ports of entry.

In 1914, the local Apollo Circle No. 1 was incorporated.

Resident Samuel Alexander Colston Howard was restored to citizenship in 1921, suggesting he was previously convicted of a crime.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1897, pp. 14-15; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1914, p. 7; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1921-22, pp. 22-23.

In 1921, a local lot of land taken over by the government of Liberia under the German liquidation fund during the war was returned to Corinna A. McGill, a resident of the city of Monrovia, who had inherited it from R. S. McGill.

In 1921, the legislature fixed port and harbor dues at $35 for Monrovia, Buchanan and Harper, $25 for Greenville, and $10 for all other ports.

In 1923, Marsh Street running west to McGill Street was closed, and, one year later, so too was a portion of Russwurm Street between Maryland Avenue and Gregory Street.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1921-22, pp. 23-25; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1921-22, pp. 6-8; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, Acts 1923-24, pp. 8-9; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1924-25, p. 6.

The status of Harper was changed in 1923 from a city to a commonwealth district, replacing the mayor and council with an administrative board, appointed by the national government, to include a police superintendent, sanitation director, director of public works and headed by a commissioner.

In 1927, another local street was closed; this time it was a portion of McGill Street between Marsh Street and a mangrove swamp.

Daubeny Cooper and Company was incorporated in 1931, with the following proprietors: Daubeny Bartholemew Cooper, Sr.; E. J. Cooper, E. J. L. Cooper, D. B. Cooper, Jr., A. E. G. Cooper and M. O. E. Cooper.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1923-24, pp. 28-31; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1927-28, p. 6; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1931, pp. 28-29.

The local Woman’s Progressive Culture Club was formed in 1931. Named as officers were  J. Angelique Dossen, president; C. B. Harmon, vice president; I. K. Ferguson, treasurer; T. R. Andrews, secretary; S. Jane Diggs, assistant secretary; and D. F. Gardiner, critic.

Former judge James Henson Dent received an annuity of $300 “the period of his lunacy.”

Resident Henry J. R. Cooper, Sr., received a ferry franchise in 1934 to cross from Sassa-wood and Marshall on one side of the Hoffman River to Puduke graveyard and Government Wharf on the other.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1931, pp. 31-32; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1931, pp. 38-39; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1934, pp. 30-31.

n 1935, the local  “Kru Town Literary Club” was formed by Alexander J. K. Hney, president; Elizabeth M Toobo, lady president; John W. Lewis, vice president; S. J. Sachor, secretary; John N. Davis, assistant secretary; Elizabeth W. Weah, treasurer; J. W. Twegbay, doctor; William R. Roberts, assistant doctor; F. J. Pearson, master of ceremonies; Peter T. Hney, speaker; Lewis Nmah Harmon, marshal; Ernest B. Brown, assistant marshal; B. D. K. Bestman, musician; Peter K. Freman, musician.

Members: S. D. Solo, J. K. Nimley, William Moore, J. E. Minor, J. T. Tubman, Samuel B. Mensah, Charlie Chapman, J. E. D. Hney, Doe Gbeh, Nmah Weday, Mary Addy Mensah, Kaffah Weadi, Mary Markine, Mary Nyenday Wilson and Sapo Weay.

Resident Jacob S. Cummings was restored to citizenship. He was sentenced in 1934, but lived as an “upright” citizen since his release from prison.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1935, pp. 34-35; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1938, p. 57.