Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Abraham Brian Farm

— Gettysburg National Military Park —

Photographed By Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

1. Abraham Brian Farm Marker

Inscription. Abraham Brian, a free black man, lived on this 12-acre farm with his wife, Elizabeth, and two children. He purchased the land in 1857, grew wheat, barley, and hay, and tended a small apple and peach orchard. Afraid of being captured and sold into slavery, Brian and his family left their home when Confederate troops entered Pennsylvania. Following the battle, they returned to find their home riddled with bullet holes, windows smashed, and furniture thrown about the yard. The crops and orchard were ruined, and their farm fields a graveyard for hastily buried soldiers. Brian repaired his home, replaced his fences, and farmed this land until 1869, when he moved to town and worked at a local hotel.

(captions)
In mid-July 1863, photographer Mathew Brady recorded this image. Brian, like many farmers, filed a claim with the federal government for $1,028.00 in damages to his property. He received $15.00.

S.G. Elliot mapped the temporary graves of Union and Confederate soldiers. Each mark represents a grave.

Erected 2021 by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 3, 1863.

Location.

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39° 48.933′ N, 77° 14.1′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker can be reached from Hancock Avenue, half a mile north of Pleasonton Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Located right behind the Brian House at the spot where two sidewalks meet. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Hancock Ave, Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Brian Farm (a few steps from this marker); 107th Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); 111th New York Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Third Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); High Water Mark Walking Tour (within shouting distance of this marker); Ninth Massachusetts Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); 11th Mississippi Infantry Regiment (within shouting distance of this marker); Third Division (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

Also see . . . Gettysburg National Military Park. National Park Service (Submitted on April 27, 2022.)

Closeup of the S.G. Elliott Burial Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

2. Closeup of the S.G. Elliott Burial Map

From the marker

Photographed By Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

3. Abraham Brian Farm Marker

The marker and the Brian House

Photographed By Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

4. Abraham Brian Farm Marker

Another view of the marker and the Brian House

Photographed By Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

5. Abraham Brian Farm Marker

This view looks towards the west. Hancock Avenue can be seen in the close background, with the Emmitsburg Road a short distance beyond it. The fields beyond are where part of Pickett's Charge moved across on the afternoon of July 3, 1863.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 239 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 26, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.