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

Jacob Francis Wheaton

1835-1924

— Civil Rights And Education Figure —

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 9, 2017

1. Jacob Francis Wheaton, 1835-1924 Marker

Inscription. Jacob Wheaton was born in Middletown, Maryland and moved to Hagerstown in the 1850s. he is believed to be the first African-American to vote in Maryland after the civil war for casting h1s vote in the Hagerstown Mayoral Election of 1868. In 1897, he became the first African-American to sit on a petit jury in the county. He was also the first African-American court officer in Washington county, serving as a bailiff from the 1890s to 1924. Wheaton was an advocate for the creation of a high school for African-American youth in Washington county. As a result, the first 12-year program diplomas were awarded at North Street School in 1928. When the city opened a new municipal park in 1937, it was named in Jacob Wheaton's honor.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Government & Politics.

Location. 39° 37.942′ N, 77° 43.399′ W. Marker is in Hagerstown, Maryland, in Washington County. It can be reached from the intersection of West Memorial Boulevard and South Potomac Street. This marker is part of the Hagerstown

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Circle of Achievement in Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hagerstown MD 21740, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Baltimore Metro Region

and 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 least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Maurice Edward Frock (here, next to this marker); Edward Mayberry Mobley (here, next to this marker); Anna Spencer Brugh Singer (here, next to this marker); Thomas Kennedy (here, next to this marker); Matthias Peter Möller (here, next to this marker); John V. Jamison, Sr. and John V. Jamison Jr. (here, next to this marker); Mary Lemist Titcomb (here, next to this marker); William Preston Lane, Jr. (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hagerstown.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 9, 2017

2. Jacob Francis Wheaton, 1835-1924 Marker

This marker is the topmost marker on the fourth panel of the Hagerstown Circle of Achievement.

Jacob Francis Wheaton image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 9, 2017

3. Jacob Francis Wheaton

Jacob, Harriet, and Corderlia Wheaton Headstone<br>Rose Hill Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 22, 2017

4. Jacob, Harriet, and Corderlia Wheaton Headstone
Rose Hill Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,220 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 20, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4. submitted on August 23, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.