Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Samuel Simon Schmucker House
Photographed By Karl Stelly, July 8, 2013
1. The Samuel Simon Schmucker House Marker
Erected in 1833, the President's House served as the home of Professor Samuel S. Schmucker during his long tenure at the Seminary. Runaway slaves reportedly received aid and temporary shelter in a nearby barn before they continued on their journey farther north. Schmucker wrote and preached against slavery:
"God has of one blood created all nations to dwell on the face of the earth, has endowed them all with certain unalienable rights and obligations, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. All who fail to labor for the extinction of slavery, are guilty of sin." When Confederate troops marched towards Pennsylvania in June 1863, Schmucker learned that the approaching Southerners planned to arrest him. He suspended classes and fled to York, Pennsylvania. Upon returning to his home after the battle, he received a great shock. "The house I occupy was most damaged," reported Samuel, "Thirteen cannon balls or shells pierced the walls...and everything...in my house, broken open by the rebels, and the contents scattered promiscuously with my books, papers, letters, etc."
Some evidence remains. Note the artillery projectile embedded in the south wall of the house directly in front of you.
Erected 2013 by The Seminary Ridge Historic Preservation Foundation. (Marker
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Education. In addition, it is included in the Gettysburg - Seminary Ridge Historic Walking Tour series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.
Location. 39° 49.835′ N, 77° 14.639′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Marker is on Springs Avenue just east of Seminary Ridge Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Marker is just off the sidewalk along Springs Avenue, about 50 feet east of the intersection with Seminary Ridge Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15 Seminary Ridge Avenue, Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dance's Battalion - First Virginia Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel Simon Schmucker (within shouting distance of this marker); Daniel Alexander Payne (within shouting distance of this marker); Cunningham's Battery - Dance's Battalion (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Valentine Hall (about 300 feet away); Co. D. 149th Pennsylvania Volunteers (about 400 feet away); Life as a Seminary Student (about 500 feet away); Gettysburg (about
Photographed By Karl Stelly, July 8, 2013
2. The Samuel Simon Schmucker House Marker
A closeup of the text
More about this marker. This marker is Stop 6 on the Seminary Ridge Historic Walking Trail.
Photographed By Karl Stelly, July 8, 2013
3. Samuel Simon Schmucker's Bible
A Confederate soldier retrieved Schmucker's Holy Bible from the pile of debris and then carefully placed it upon his bookcase, having written "J. G. Bearden of the reel army...this is the Holy Beile (sic) I pick up out of the...and has placed on the case again." inside the cover.
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015
4. The Samuel Simon Schmucker House Marker
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015
5. The Samuel Simon Schmucker House and Marker
Photographed By Karl Stelly, July 8, 2013
6. The Samuel Simon Schmucker House
Photographed By Karl Stelly, July 8, 2013
7. The Samuel Simon Schmucker House
Photographed By Karl Stelly, July 14, 2013
8. The Schmucker House - South Wall
Photo taken while standing at the marker
Photographed By Karl Stelly, July 14, 2013
9. Artillery Shell
Embedded in the south wall about 4 feet to the right of the door and about 2 feet below the roofline
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015
10. The Samuel Simon Schmucker House
Southeast Corner Showing Massive Wraparound Porch
Southeast Corner Showing Massive Wraparound Porch
Gettysburg College - Public Domain
11. Samuel S. Schmucker
He was an anti-slavery theologian and the founder of Gettysburg College
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2013, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 730 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 12, 2013, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on July 13, 2013, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 4, 5. submitted on December 7, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 6, 7. submitted on July 13, 2013, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 8, 9. submitted on July 14, 2013, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 10. submitted on December 7, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 11. submitted on July 16, 2013, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
