Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Jennie Wade Birthplace
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 9, 2007
1. Jennie Wade Birthplace Marker
In this modest weatherboard house, constructed ca. 1820, Mary Virginia Jennie Wade was born on May 21, 1843. Wade, the second of six children of James and Mary Filby Wade, spent her childhood here, attending local schools and helping with her fathers tailor shop. In 1854, the family moved to a new house on Breckenridge Street.
During the Battle, Jennie and her mother were visiting the home of sister Georgia Wade McClellan (now 548 Baltimore Street). There, on the morning of July 3, 1863, while working in the kitchen, Jennie was killed by an unknown Confederate sharpshooter, becoming Gettysburgs only civilian fatality of the fighting.
In the early 1920s, John White Johnston, a Rochester, New York businessman who had become fascinated with the Wade story, purchased this house and the Breckenridge Street house. On May 21, 1922 he dedicated a bronze plaque here in a ceremony attended by Georgia Wade McClellan.
Erected by Main Street Gettysburg, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is May 21, 1843.
Location. 39° 49.647′ N, 77° 13.864′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is at the
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast, in the 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 the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mary Virginia Wade (here, next to this marker); 233 Baltimore Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 267 Baltimore St. (within shouting distance of this marker); 223 Baltimore Street (within shouting distance of this marker); I can see them yet (within shouting distance of this marker); Annoying the enemy very seriously (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Temples of Mercy (about 300 feet away); Caught In The Crossfire (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
Other markers no longer nearby. Schriver's Saloon and Ten-Pin Alley (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Civilians Caught in the Crossfire (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. The right side of the marker features a photograph of The Birthplace of Mary Virginia "Jennie" Wade, ca. 1925. Photo courtesy Adams County Historical Society.
There is also an inset photograph of Jennie, with the caption Wade, on right,
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 9, 2007
2. Jennie Wade Birthplace Marker
Jennie Wade was shot through the door of her house when she was baking bread for the Union troops on the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg. She was the only civilian to be killed during the Battle.
Also see . . . Jennie Wade. A tragic Story. (Submitted on June 6, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 9, 2007
3. Jennie Wade Birthplace
Today, this house is one of the many museums found in the town of Gettysburg.
Library of Congress
4. Jennie Wade
Photo by William H Tipton between 1861 and 1863.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 9, 2007
5. Jennie Wade House
This is the house in which Jennie Wade was shot and killed on July 3, 1863.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, June 23, 2012
6. Jennie Wade Grave at Evergreen Cemetery in Gettysburg
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 22, 2019
7. Nearby window display for Jennie Wade
Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 6,027 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 6, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on November 10, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5. submitted on June 6, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6. submitted on January 25, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 7. submitted on February 24, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
