HI STO RY
AMELUNG: FREDERICK’S OWN
HISTORIC GLASS-MAKER
BY MARY ROSE BOSWELL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF FREDERICK COUNTY
America has long been known as “the land of opportunity,” and this
is the story of one individual who traveled all the way from Breman,
Germany, to Maryland to set up a successful business in 1784.
In the 1780s, the United States was a new and independent
nation. Its abundance of natural resources and manufacturing
opportunities attracted many investors and craftspeople from
overseas. One of Maryland’s most talented immigrants was
Johann Friedrich Amelung (1741-1798). After the Revolutionary
War, America looked very promising to entrepreneurs like
Johann Friedrich (whose name was anglicized to John Frederick
after arriving in the U.S.).
Amelung’s area of expertise was in glass making. Today, when
we dine and shop in Frederick, we take glassware for granted,
but in the 18th century, it was highly prized. Americans drank
from glassware that was designed for every kind of beverage, from
rum to punch. They wore glass buttons on their clothes and glass
jewelry. Sugar bowls were made of glass, as were presentation
pieces to celebrate a special achievement or occasion. Most of
these goods were still imported from Britain, but America’s
craftspeople began experimenting with glass making as early as
1608 in Jamestown, Va. Three glassmaking concerns began in
Frederick County in the 18th century, all preceding Amelung’s,
and all closing before he arrived.
With 11 years of experience in the business, Amelung was
confident he would do well in the United States. He had learned
details of the trade from his brother, who had leased a mirror and
window glass factory in Germany. The business ran into trouble,
however, which prompted Johann Friedrich to branch out on his
own. Amelung chose Maryland as the site for his new investment,
perhaps due to a meeting with a Baltimore merchant while in
Bremen. To prepare for the journey, Amelung sold his wife’s
mortgaged farm for about $2,500, with the understanding from his
wife and her sister that the money would be used to purcha