New Market in Shenandoah County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Pro-Union Civilians

Jessie Rupert and the Zeilers

— Civil War New Market —

Pro-Union Civilians Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 31, 2024

1. Pro-Union Civilians Marker

Inscription.

Pro-Union Civilians. Jessie Rupert and the Zeilers. , During the Civil War, New Market's most prominent pro-Union residents, outcasts in this largely Confederate community, lived at this intersection. Jessie Rupert was the principal of the New Market Female Seminary, which stood in front of you, while the Zeiler family - Ferdinand, Caroline, and their daughter Mollie - lived in the pale blue building to your right., Ferdinand Zeiler was born in Germany in 1811 and served in the Prussian army before immigrating to the United States. He settled in New Market in 1847. When New Market voted in favor of secession in 1861, Zeiler was the only man to vote against it. Hating war and its horrors, he was unafraid of his hostile neighbors and wore a pistol to discourage altercations., Born in Scotland in 1831, Jessie Rupert immigrated to the United States at a young age. Educated in New England, she moved to Lexington, Virginia, where she taught Sunday school for Black children alongside VMI Professor Thomas Jackson. In 1858, she moved to New Market and became principal of the Seminary., In 1861, townsfolk hung a Confederate flag on the Seminary's porch. A defiant Jessie set it on fire. As an infuriated mob gathered, Solomon Rupert, the Justice of the Peace and a friend of Jessie's, took her to jail to protect her. Jessie was soon taken to the new Confederate general in the Valley to face judgment, but to her relief he was her old friend Thomas Jackson - now known as Stonewall. He greeted her warmly, pardoned her, and gave her a guard for protection., Jessie and Solomon soon married. Solomon died tragically in 1867. Jessie's misfortunes mounted when she was ousted as principal of the seminary, evicted, and charged back rent - but she would then build and run the Woodworth Cottage Institute just 250 yards to your right., After the Battle of New Market, both the Zeilers and the Ruperts opened their homes to care for the wounded of both sides., (Captions):, Jessie Rupert, Solomon Rupert, New Market Female Seminary, c1910. , Image courtesy of Harvard University, Caroline Zeiler in later years., Ferdinand Zeiler in later years., Mollie Zeiler, This marker was made possible through the generosity of Tom and Lesley Mack.

During the Civil War, New Market's most prominent pro-Union residents, outcasts in this largely Confederate community, lived at this intersection. Jessie Rupert was the principal of the New Market Female Seminary, which stood in front of you, while the Zeiler family - Ferdinand, Caroline, and their daughter Mollie - lived in the pale blue building to your right.

Ferdinand Zeiler was born in Germany in 1811 and served in the Prussian army before immigrating to the United States. He settled in New Market in 1847. When New Market voted in favor of secession in 1861, Zeiler was the only man to vote against it. Hating war and its horrors, he was unafraid of his hostile neighbors and wore a pistol to discourage altercations.

Born in Scotland in 1831, Jessie Rupert immigrated to the United States at a young age. Educated in New England, she moved to Lexington, Virginia, where she taught Sunday school for Black children alongside VMI Professor Thomas Jackson. In 1858, she moved to New Market and became principal of the Seminary.

In 1861, townsfolk hung a Confederate flag on the Seminary's porch. A defiant Jessie set it on fire. As an infuriated mob gathered, Solomon Rupert, the Justice of the Peace and a friend of Jessie's, took her to jail to protect her. Jessie was soon taken to the new Confederate general

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in the Valley to face judgment, but to her relief he was her old friend Thomas Jackson - now known as Stonewall. He greeted her warmly, pardoned her, and gave her a guard for protection.

Jessie and Solomon soon married. Solomon died tragically in 1867. Jessie's misfortunes mounted when she was ousted as principal of the seminary, evicted, and charged back rent - but she would then build and run the Woodworth Cottage Institute just 250 yards to your right.

After the Battle of New Market, both the Zeilers and the Ruperts opened their homes to care for the wounded of both sides.

(Captions):

Jessie Rupert

Solomon Rupert

New Market Female Seminary, c1910.
Image courtesy of Harvard University

Caroline Zeiler in later years.

Ferdinand Zeiler in later years.

Mollie Zeiler

This marker was made possible through the generosity of Tom and Lesley Mack.

Erected 2024 by Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil • Women. A significant day of the year for for this entry is May 31.

Location. 38° 38.942′ N, 78° 40.252′ W. Marker is in New Market

Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 31, 2024

2. Pro-Union Civilians Marker

, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. It is at the intersection of North Congress Street (U.S. 11) and Seminary Lane, on the right when traveling north on North Congress Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9335 North Congress Street, New Market VA 22844, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Seminary (here, next to this marker); First Integrated Church (here, next to this marker); Thomas Garland Jefferson (within shouting distance of this marker); The Clinedinst-Crim House (within shouting distance of this marker); Wickes House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The New Market Crossroads (about 400 feet away); Miss Abbie Henkel House (about 400 feet away); The Old Home of William F. Rupp (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Market.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 314 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 12, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.