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 father’s 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 Gettysburg’s only civilian fatality of the fighting.
In the early 1920’s, 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 month for this entry is May 1788.
Location. 39° 49.647′ N, 77° 13.864′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mary Virginia Wade (here, next to 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); The Memorial Church of the Prince of Peace (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
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, at age 18. Georgia, her sister, on left. Center is Maria Coinfort, a friend of the family. Photo courtesy Adams County Historical Society.
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
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.
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 April 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 4,196 times since then and 125 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.
