Hanover in York County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Mary Shaw Leader
Pioneer Newspaper Woman
— 1835-1913 —
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 5, 2022
1. Mary Shaw Leader Marker
Her first-hand report of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address bore witness to its greatness. In her account for the Hanover Spectator she garnered Lincoln’s words from his own lips. She helped the world to long remember. Her fellow townsmen pay this belated tribute to her courage, enterprise and foresight that we may never forget.
Erected by popular subscription and dedicated on November 16, 1941, under auspices of the Hanover Chamber of Commerce and Jennie Wade Auxiliary No. 12 of Paul E. Lau Commandery No. 66 Patriotic Order Sons of America.
Erected 1941 by Hanover Chamber of Commerce; and Patriotic Order Sons of America.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Communications • Patriots & Patriotism • Women. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 19, 1863.
Location. 39° 47.358′ N, 76° 58.4′ W. Marker is in Hanover, Pennsylvania, in York County. Marker can be reached from Baltimore Street (Pennsylvania Route 94) just south of O'Neill Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Marker and gravesite are located in Old Section F, in the northeast quadrant
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hanover Civil War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); In Search of Peace (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pleasant Hill Hotel Becomes Hospital (approx. 0.6 miles away); Battle of Hanover (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Warehime-Myers Mansion (approx. 0.6 miles away); Welcome to the Hanover Area Historical Society (approx. 0.6 miles away); Women Tending to Wounded (approx. 0.6 miles away); Profiles in Union Cavalry Courage (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hanover.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Mary Shaw Leader: Female Civil War Newspaper Reporter.
Mary Shaw Leader was a 28-year-old female newspaper reporter whom, legend says, walked from Hanover to Gettysburg to record President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863. In the November 27, 1863 edition of the Hanover Spectator, she called the address, “A remarkable speech.” The legend states that Mary Shaw Leader was one of the few reporters to write down Lincoln’s entire speech. Leader’s family owned the HanoverSpectator, and at the time of the June 30, 1863 Battle of Hanover and the July, 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, the newspaper was owned by her mother, Maria. So the Hanover Spectator was owned by a woman, and its chief reporter was a woman during the Civil War. (Submitted on May 9, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 5, 20222. Mary Shaw Leader Marker
2. Hanover Woman Covered the Gettysburg Address for her Mom’s Newspaper. Cannonball blog entry:
Crowds begin to gather along the Baltimore Pike just south of Gettysburg, Pa., on November 19, 1863, in anticipation of dedication ceremonies for the new National Cemetery. Among the crowd is Mary Shaw Leader, a newspaper correspondent for the pro-Republican Hanover Spectator. Mary was among the minority being a female reporter covering the lengthy proceedings. The President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, arose to give a few brief remarks. The rest is history.(Submitted on May 9, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. Mary Shaw Leader. Find A Grave entry (Submitted on May 9, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 5, 20223. Mary Shaw Leader Marker (on right)(looking south • Mount Olivet Cemetery Chapel in background)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 387 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 9, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
