Harpers Ferry in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Heyward Shepherd
On the night of October 16, 1859, Heyward Shepherd, an industrious and respected Colored freeman, was mortally wounded by John Brown's raiders in pursuance of his duties as an employee of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company. He became the first victim of this attempted insurrection.
This boulder is erected by the Daughters of the Confederacy and the Sons of Confederate Veterans as a memorial to Heyward Shepherd, exemplifying the character and faithfulness of thousands of Negroes who, under many temptations throughout subsequent years of war, so conducted themselves that no stain was left upon a record which is the peculiar heritage of the American people, and an everlasting tribute to the best of both races.
Erected 1931 by Daughters of the Confederacy and Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Sons of Confederate Veterans/United Confederate Veterans, and the United Daughters of the Confederacy series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is October 16, 1859.
Location. 39° 19.399′ N, 77° 43.805′ W. Marker is in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. Marker is at the intersection of Potomac Street and Shenandoah Street (Business U.S. 340), on the right when traveling east on Potomac Street. The marker stone stands against the north wall of the Stephenson Hotel building, about 30 feet west of Shenandoah Street. The hotel is now a museum interpreting the story of John Brown's Raid. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Harpers Ferry WV 25425, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Harpers Ferry History (here, next to this marker); "I just had to speak out" (here, next to this marker); White Hall Tavern (a few steps from this marker); John Brown Monument (a few steps from this marker); Lewis and Clark (within shouting distance of this marker); Armory Grounds (within shouting distance of this marker); Short-lived Sanctuary (within shouting distance of this marker); John Brown's Last Stand (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harpers Ferry.
Also see . . .
1. John Brown's Raid. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on August 20, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. The Making of Harpers Ferry. Humanities & Social Sciences Online website entry: This article discusses the controversies surrounding the Shepherd monument. (Submitted on September 2, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
3. "An Ever Present Bone of Contention:" The Heyward Shepherd Memorial from West Virginia History. West Virginia History website entry (Submitted on March 21, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia.)
Additional keywords. Harpers Ferry, John Brown
Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 7,985 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on November 11, 2018, by Daniel Eisenberg of Boca Raton, Florida. Photos: 1. submitted on December 24, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 2. submitted on August 19, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 20, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 6. submitted on December 24, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.