Near Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Widow Tapp House

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 10, 2007

1. The Widow Tapp House Marker

This is the Fifth in a series of markers along a walking trail on the Tapp Field. It can be reached from a parking lot off the Orange Plank Road.

Inscription. The Tapp Farm exemplifies the lifestyle of most Wilderness residents. Catharine Tapp, age 55 in 1860, leased her land from the Lacy family who owned nearby Ellwood. The Widow Tapp shared her modest 1-1/2 story log home with five relatives and a laborer. She owned no slaves.

The Tapps operated a subsistence farm, planting corn and keeping a few pigs and milk cows. A crib, stable, and small orchard were the property’s other improvements.

Although it survived the Battle of the Wilderness, the Tapp House fell into disrepair and eventually disappeared. Archeologists located the house site in 1989. Like so many other anonymous places, the Civil War transformed this isolated homestead from local obscurity into national recognition.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. 38° 17.503′ N, 77° 43.573′ W. Marker is near Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker can be reached from Orange Plank Road (County Route 621), on the right when traveling west. Located at stop five of the walking trail of the Widow Tapp Farm. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Spotsylvania VA 22551, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within walking distance of this location. The Home of Widow Tapp (here, next to this marker); Brink of Victory (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); In The Nick of Time (about 600 feet away); Lee-to-the-Rear (about 600 feet away); In the Nick of Time (about 600 feet away); Lee to the Rear! (approx. 0.2 miles away); Texas (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lee to the rear! (approx. 0.2 miles away).

More about this marker. The bottom right of the marker contains In 1865 painting of the Tapp Cabin by George Leo Frankenstein. The left portion of the marker features a photograph with the caption Archaeological students discovered the Widow Tapp House site based on historical research, sophisticated remote sensing technology, and traditional archaeological methods.

This marker was replaced by a new one named The Home of Widow Tapp (see nearby markers).

Widow Tapp Farm image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 10, 2007

2. Widow Tapp Farm

This field, one of the few open areas in the Wilderness, was the site of the Widow Tapp Farm. It saw intense action on May 6, 1864, during the Battle of the Wilderness.

Stop Five on the Widow Tapp Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 16, 2008

3. Stop Five on the Widow Tapp Trail

Tapp House Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 16, 2008

4. Tapp House Location

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,399 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 9, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3, 4. submitted on March 10, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.