Hagerstown in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Hagerstonians in the Civil War

Dr. John Absalom Wroe, 1817-1874

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 13, 2017

1. Hagerstonians in the Civil War Marker

Inscription. This home was constructed around 1838. During the Civil War, it was the home of Dr. John Absalom Wroe and his family. A native of Virginia, Wroe helped to treat wounded Confederate and union soldiers who were left in the City when the rebel army evacuated Hagerstown in July, 1863. Family lore states the Wroes hosted General Robert E. Lee and his staff for dinner during the Confederate occupation of the town. The Wroe children pranked the Confederate officers by hiding their side arms, which they removed for dinner, in a barn in the back yard. The Wroe family opened their home to Major Henry D McDaniel of the l1th Georgia Infantry after he was wounded at the Battle of Funkstown in the retreat from Gettysburg. They cared for him until he was sent to a prisoner of war facility. Major McDaniel later served as Governor of Georgia.

In 1923 the Womens club of Hagerstown purchased the property. A service club that was created during World War 1, the Womens Club converted the home for use as a boarding home for ladies, containing 21 guest rooms, a dining hall and a small auditorium.

Fascinating Fact
In 1901, Hagerstown resilient

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Mary Landon Mason married the aged former Confederate General Edward Porter Alexander. In her old age, Mrs. Alexander lived here at the Womens Club until her passing in 1946. She was one of the last surviving widows of a Confederate general.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 39° 38.593′ N, 77° 43.498′ W. Marker is in Hagerstown, Maryland, in Washington County. It is at the intersection of South Prospect Street and Library Alley, on the right when traveling south on South Prospect Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 31 South Prospect Street, Hagerstown MD 21740, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Western Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At

31 South Prospect Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 13, 2017

2. 31 South Prospect Street

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mount Prospect (within shouting distance of this marker); 102 South Prospect Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Treatment of the Wounded (about 300 feet away); Hagerstonians In The Civil War (about 300 feet away); St. John's Church (about 300 feet away); Shenandoah Valley Railroad (about 400 feet away); 113 South Prospect Street (about 400 feet away); 112 South Prospect Street (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hagerstown.

Dr. John A. Wroe's home<br>as it appeared in the 1870s image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 13, 2017

3. Dr. John A. Wroe's home
as it appeared in the 1870s

Close-up of photo on marker

Dr. John A. Wroe image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 13, 2017

4. Dr. John A. Wroe

(seated at right) in a family portrait with his siblings and parentsClose-up of photo on marker

General Porter Alexander and his wife, Hagerstown resident, Mary Landon Mason image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 13, 2017

5. General Porter Alexander and his wife, Hagerstown resident, Mary Landon Mason

on their wedding day in 1901.Close-up of photo on marker

Hagerstown Women's Club<br>National Register of Historic Places image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 13, 2017

6. Hagerstown Women's Club
National Register of Historic Places

Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 588 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 19, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.