The Jeremiah Culp House

The Historical Significance and Story Behind The Jeremiah Culp Property

During the Battle of Gettysburg, the house was owned and inhabited by Jeremiah Culp, alongside his pregnant wife, Rebecca, and their children. Jeremiah briefly served in the army but was discharged due to medical reasons. He later played a role as a Union Army recruiter. It is worth noting that Confederate troops approached the house during the battle, demanding Jeremiah to provide names, which he courageously refused.

Within the house, Jeremiah and his uncle, George, operated a woodworking cabinet shop located around what is believed to be the present-day kitchen and laundry room. George also owned a house in Gettysburg, which was unfortunately burned down by the Confederate Army's 9th Regiment of Alabama Volunteers as an act of vengeance for the destruction inflicted by the North. A note left by the Alabamians for George conveyed the retaliatory and warning nature of their actions.

As the Confederate Army marched into town, General Lee himself passed right in front of the house on York Street. According to an account by a girl residing a few houses away, she witnessed General Lee riding down the road on his white horse, accompanied by his handsome aide.  While the battle raged on, she and her family sought shelter in their home, just down the road from Jeremiah's house.  She indicated Confederate soldiers took notice of her sister's beauty, begging her sister to sing.  It is evident in her account the families living in the homes on York Street had direct contact with Confederate soldiers.  The girl mentions how her sister cleverly performed Union songs to the soldiers lying in the street, while the soldiers responded with popular songs from the South.

The proximity of the house to the fighting is evident in the testimonies of various individuals. The pastor of the church on the corner of York Street, where Jeremiah and Rebecca were married, recalled wounded soldiers lining the street, with himself and other civilians hiding in basements but endeavoring to offer water to the injured as bullets passed by. A Culp relative, who ventured out to provide water, narrowly escaped a bullet that grazed her head, leaving her permanently without hair. Pot marks, now believed to be bullet marks, on the side of the Jeremiah Culp House further confirm its exposure and proximity to the fighting and gunfire.

The woodworking cabinet shop played a crucial role during the battle. Confederate troops entered the Culp House and repurposed Jeremiah's woodworking bench as an operating table, converting the home into a Confederate field hospital. Historical accounts depict limbs piling up outside what are now the kitchen or laundry room windows. 

Leveraging their woodworking skills, Jeremiah and Uncle George also crafted coffins for the numerous deceased. Notably, one of these coffins was intended for Confederate General William Barksdale, but it was ultimately used to bury the only civilian casualty of the battle, Jennie Wade. Her body and coffin were later relocated to the Evergreen Cemetery, where she rests near her sweetheart, Jack Skelly. A perpetual flag adorns her monument, a poignant tribute to her sacrifice, and the Jennie Wade house is a popular museum to visit for tourists.

Wesley Culp, a well-known Gettysburg resident, and Jeremiah’s cousin, spent his childhood in the town and formed lasting friendships with Jennie Wade and Jack Skelly. Seeking opportunities in the South, Wesley left Gettysburg to pursue a career in carriage making. However, with the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in the Confederate Army as part of the Stonewall Brigade. As a prisoner of war, Wesley crossed paths with Jack Skelly, who entrusted him with a letter for Jennie Wade, their mutual friend, and Jack's sweetheart. Wesley returned to Gettysburg in July 1863 and fought near his family farm until he tragically lost his life in battle. The exact location of his death and burial remains uncertain, with speculations ranging from his family farm on Culp's Hill to an unmarked grave on the battlefields. Portraits of Wesley Culp, Jennie Wade, and Jack Skelly can be found in the upstairs hallway of the Jeremiah Culp House, further preserving their memory.

As the Battle of Gettysburg raged on, Jeremiah Culp's family sought shelter in the basement of their York Street home. The basement, still maintaining its original features of an uneven floor and low ceilings, serves as a poignant reminder of the family's experience during the battle. Amidst the chaos, Jeremiah's wife, Rebecca, went into labor and gave birth to their son, Jeremiah Meade Culp, on July 4th, the day after the fighting ceased. This newborn became known as the "Battle Baby" and was named after the newly appointed Union General, George Meade. Sadly, the young Jeremiah Meade Culp passed away shortly after his birth and was laid to rest in the Culp Family Plot in the Evergreen Cemetary.  Jeremiah and Rebecca were eventually buried alongside him, and visitors can pay their respects to the family today when visiting the cemetery in downtown Gettysburg.

Following the war, Jeremiah and Rebecca Culp went on to have more children, and their descendants continued to reside in Gettysburg for several generations. The family's and property’s historical significance were recognized when plaques were placed on homes that withstood the battle, including the York Street property known as the "Home of the Battle Baby."  In fact, the Jeremiah Culp House was the first property to receive the Civil War Building Plaque.  Myra Rebecca Culp, one of Jeremiah and Rebecca's children, was present at the plaque ceremony. Born just fifteen months before the battle, she was believed to be one of the last surviving witnesses to the Gettysburg battle until her passing in 1957. Myra Rebecca Culp's portrait can be found in the living room parlor book nook, a testament to her connection to history. Additionally, the Culps are referenced in the recently opened museum, "Gettysburg, Beyond the Battle," dedicated to the stories of civilians during the battle. Notably, Jeremiah Culp's saw from his workshop is on display, offering visitors a tangible link to the Culps' past.

The house located at 141 York Street stands as a powerful symbol of the lasting impact of the Battle of Gettysburg on the lives of the Culp Family and the entire community. This historic residence serves as a relic, preserving the stories and memories of those who experienced the battle firsthand.  It is a place where visitors can reflect on the lives of Jeremiah, Rebecca, and Wesley Culp, pay tribute to the "Battle Baby" Jeremiah Meade Culp, and immerse themselves in the stories of civilians who bore witness to the historic events that unfolded in Gettysburg. 

NOTE: **Information deemed Reliable but not Guaranteed.**  

All information is believed to be true through various methods of research including Internet searches, published books, journal accounts, historical society videos and content, and interviews.