ABRAHAM BRIAN
Abraham Brian (sometimes spelled Bryan or Brien) and his family lived in a small white house on twelve acres on the west slope of Cemetery Hill. By 1863, Brian had lived in Gettysburg for over twenty years. He initially worked as a laborer, but by the time of the battle, had gained a level of economic independence, evidenced by his purchasing of land.[1] On their farm, the Brian family grew wheat and barley, and also had a vegetable garden.[2] As Lee’s army was invading Pennsylvania, Brian and his family left Gettysburg, lest they be captured by the invading Confederates and sold south into slavery.[3]
During the battle, bullets and shells home damaged the Brian considerably, as it stood directly in the path of the Pickett-Pettigrew Assault on July 3.[4]
Following the battle, Brian returned to Gettysburg. He hired himself out to assist with the burial of soldiers in the National Cemetery at the price of $1 per body. Eventually, Brian petitioned the government for damages, requesting more than $1000. The only money he ever received was a payment of $45 (some sources say $15).[5] He and his family stayed on the land until they sold it in 1869.[6] Abraham Brian died in 1879, and was buried in the Sons of Goodwill Cemetery.[7]
The Brian home and barn still stand today in Ziegler’s Grove on Cemetery Hill, approximately where the National Park Service parking lot is located today (see fig. 1, below).
[1] Margaret S. Creighton, The Colors of Courage: Gettysburg’s Forgotten History (New York: Basic Books, 2005), 61; Allen C. Guelzo, Gettysburg: The Last Invasion (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2013), 105
[2] Creighton, The Colors of Courage, 133
[3] Ibid. 125
[4] Ibid. 152
[5] James McPherson, Hallowed Ground: A Walk At Gettysburg (New York: Crown Journeys, 2003), 126; NPS Marker, Gettysburg National Military Park.
[6] Guelzo, Gettysburg: The Last Invasion, 426
[7] Creighton, The Colors of Courage, 221
During the battle, bullets and shells home damaged the Brian considerably, as it stood directly in the path of the Pickett-Pettigrew Assault on July 3.[4]
Following the battle, Brian returned to Gettysburg. He hired himself out to assist with the burial of soldiers in the National Cemetery at the price of $1 per body. Eventually, Brian petitioned the government for damages, requesting more than $1000. The only money he ever received was a payment of $45 (some sources say $15).[5] He and his family stayed on the land until they sold it in 1869.[6] Abraham Brian died in 1879, and was buried in the Sons of Goodwill Cemetery.[7]
The Brian home and barn still stand today in Ziegler’s Grove on Cemetery Hill, approximately where the National Park Service parking lot is located today (see fig. 1, below).
[1] Margaret S. Creighton, The Colors of Courage: Gettysburg’s Forgotten History (New York: Basic Books, 2005), 61; Allen C. Guelzo, Gettysburg: The Last Invasion (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2013), 105
[2] Creighton, The Colors of Courage, 133
[3] Ibid. 125
[4] Ibid. 152
[5] James McPherson, Hallowed Ground: A Walk At Gettysburg (New York: Crown Journeys, 2003), 126; NPS Marker, Gettysburg National Military Park.
[6] Guelzo, Gettysburg: The Last Invasion, 426
[7] Creighton, The Colors of Courage, 221