Charles Town in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Green And Copeland Jr.

Photographed by Mark P Brock-Cancellieri, August 17, 2025

1. Green and Copeland Jr. Marker

Inscription. Abolitionists Shields Green and John Copeland Jr. were sacrificed at the gallows on Dec. 6, 1859 for their pursuit of freedom for all Americans. Young Green and Copeland were two of the five African American men who participated in the revolt against slavery along with John Brown in Harpers Ferry in 1859. The field to the east was the hanging site.

Erected 2025 by City of Charles Town; Green-Copeland American Legion Auxiliary 63; West Virginia Archives & History.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is December 16, 1859.

Location. 39° 17.149′ N, 77° 51.389′ W. Marker is in Charles Town, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. It is on South Samuel Street south of Hunter Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 515 S Samuel St, Charles Town WV 25414, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in the Eastern Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

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 the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: John Brown Hanging Site (here, next to this marker); John Brown Scaffold (a few steps from this marker); Site of the Execution of John Brown (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel Washington House (approx. 0.2 miles away);

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George Upshur Manning (approx. 0.2 miles away); George Washington Turner (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sergeant Littleton Tazewell Cordell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Etter Hall (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charles Town.

Green and Copeland Jr. Marker, with other nearby markers and the Gibson-Todd House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark P Brock-Cancellieri, August 17, 2025

2. Green and Copeland Jr. Marker, with other nearby markers and the Gibson-Todd House

Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2025, by Mark P. Brock-Cancellieri of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 5, 2025, by Mark P. Brock-Cancellieri of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.