Valley of the Shadow

Virginia

Pennsylvania

1859

1860

Jan

  • John Letcher inaugurated as governor.

    Virginia

  • PA emerged as industrial power, producing more than half nation's iron.

    Pennsylvania

  • National

    US Census recorded a population of 31,443,321. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection by Charles Darwin published.

06 Jan
09 Jan
11 Jan

  • Board of Directors for Central Bank of VA elected by stockholders.

    Augusta County, VA

14 Jan

  • Partial meeting of volunteer companies of Augusta County.

    Augusta County, VA

17 Jan
24 Jan
27 Jan
29 Jan

  • Military parade of "Wags" (West Augusta Guards) led by Capt. Baylor.

    Augusta County, VA

Feb
  • National

    US Sen. Jefferson Davis introduced bill to prohibit restrictions on slavery.

01 Feb
02 Feb
  • National

    Republican William Pennington elected Speaker of the House after 2 months of debate.

07 Feb

  • Convicted murderer Harrison Parrott escaped from custody with another convict and hid in mountains near Covington before being recaptured 1 week later.

    Augusta County, VA

09 Feb

  • Staunton Musical Association, consisting of Turner's Silver Cornet Band, Orchestra, and Glee Club, performed at Union Hall in Staunton.

    Augusta County, VA

15 Feb

  • Prayer meetings held at state legislature, organized by Col. James C. Austin.

    Pennsylvania

  • National

    Wheaton College chartered as Illinois Institute in Wheaton, IL.

16 Feb

  • Ladies of Staunton held 2-day "Union Fair," proceeds of which were spent on improvement of Thornrose Cemetery.

    Augusta County, VA

22 Feb

  • Staunton's military companies, Staunton Artillery and West Augusta Guard, paraded and demonstrated maneuvers.

    Augusta County, VA

  • National

    Shoemakers in Lynn, MA went on strike to gain higher wages and union recognition.

27 Feb
  • National

    Abraham Lincoln delivered address at Cooper Union, New York City, New York.

07 Mar

  • Sanford's Opera Troupe, a touring band of African-American minstrels from Philadelphia, performed in town. Rev. P.B. Reese left Methodist Episcopal Church after 2 years of ministry there.

    Franklin County, PA

12 Mar
16 Mar
  • National

    Albert Hazlett and A.C. Stephens, participants in John Brown's raid, executed by hanging.

20 Mar

  • Meeting held at Mossy Creek Academy to commemorate death of H. Jewett Smith of Harrisonburg.

    Augusta County, VA

  • National

    Stephen's College chartered in Annandale, NY.

21 Mar

  • A.J. White opened new store in town.

    Franklin County, PA

26 Mar

  • McCurdy, a young man from Bridgeport, killed Solomon Weiser during argument in Mercersburg drinking house.

    Franklin County, PA

27 Mar

  • Mr. Hunter of South Carolina gave first of his series of addresses to Sunday school children, their parents, and their friends at Lutheran Church in Staunton. Fire in Waynesboro destroyed a number of stables as well as some crops still in the fields.

    Augusta County, VA

30 Mar
31 Mar

  • Worthington Smith Lodge met at Masonic Hall in Mt. Solon to pay tribute to Henry Blakeman.

    Augusta County, VA

Apr

  • Revival at church of United Brethren in Christ stretches through April and into early May. Early in month, Board of Directors named for local branch of Central Bank of VA, and new charter for institution accepted.

    Franklin County, PA

03 Apr
  • National

    First relay of Pony Express mail service departed St. Joseph, Missouri.

04 Apr

  • Montgomery and Stouffer opened new machine shop on Queen St. specializing in agricultural machinery.

    Franklin County, PA

06 Apr

  • Local citizens recently subscribed $20,000 to form Boot, Shoe and Leather Manufacturing Company, a tannery and manufacturing concern meant to avoid sending raw goods to North for processing. N.K. Trout re-elected mayor of Staunton.

    Augusta County, VA

10 Apr
13 Apr

  • Democratic Convention of Augusta and Rockingham counties met in Harrisonburg to elect delegates to Charleston Convention.

    Augusta County, VA

  • National

    First relay of Pony Express mail service arrived in Sacramento, California.

14 Apr

  • At town meeting, people of Staunton voted to extend town limits; John F. Smith elected Commissioner of Revenue.

    Augusta County, VA

18 Apr

  • Captain Walker, Sheriff of Douglas Co., Kansas, visited Greencastle and was praised by editors of Franklin Repository as hero on front lines of free soil fight.

    Franklin County, PA

20 Apr

  • Both Staunton hotels, the Virginia and the American, expanding and renovating facilities.

    Augusta County, VA

23 Apr
  • National

    Over next week and a half, Democratic National Convention met in Charleston, South Carolina. Southern delegates, outraged by popular sovereignty plank, walked out, and no nomination was made.

25 Apr

  • Chambersburg won court judgment preventing Council from restraining city growth.

    Franklin County, PA

Apr
May

  • State and county taxes collected during following weeks.

    Franklin County, PA

04 May
09 May
  • National

    Led by Alexander H.H. Stuart and other Unionist former Whigs, Constitutional Union Party nominated John Bell of Tennessee for Presidency.

10 May
  • National

    US House of Representatives passed Morrill Tariff Bill.

14 May
15 May

  • Over following week, local militia units staged public displays of their military training in Spring Hill, Middlebrook, and Staunton; Turner's Silver Cornet Band entertained the gatherings with music.

    Augusta County, VA

16 May

  • Board of Directors of PA Railroad adopted resolutions against interfering with politics.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    Over several days, Republican National Convention chose Lincoln over Seward to serve as presidential nominee.

18 May
23 May

  • Academy in Fannettsburg opened under direction of Rev. John C. Wilhelm.

    Franklin County, PA

25 May

  • Chambers Artillery staged night parade through town.

    Franklin County, PA

26 May

  • Mysterious pair of drifters, a German man and woman, arrived in Chambersburg with small child who did not appear to be theirs. Man and woman arrested for vagrancy and child left in Squire (Judge) Davison's care.

    Franklin County, PA

28 May
  • National

    American Peace Society met without a quorum.

29 May
31 May

  • During next several days, General Association of Baptist Church of VA met in Staunton; meeting attended by 375 delegates.

    Augusta County, VA

Jun

  • Methodists throughout region outraged by recent pronouncement of Methodist Episcopal General Conference that "the buying, selling, holding or using of human beings as chattels is contrary to the laws of God and nature."

    Augusta County, VA

01 Jun
02 Jun

  • Meeting held by Mountain Guard at Spring Hill to honor Dr. B.H. Kibler.

    Augusta County, VA

05 Jun

  • Horse broke free downtown and ran through show windows of Deckelmayer's Confectionery store, causing over $200 worth of damage.

    Franklin County, PA

06 Jun

  • Valley Spirit editor J. M. Cooper resigned over disagreements with Democratic National Convention.

    Franklin County, PA

07 Jun

  • James and Pryor Wood and Mary Sprouse arrested for murder of Benjamin Thacker.

    Augusta County, VA

09 Jun
10 Jun

  • Meeting of Staunton Masonic Lodge held in memory of James H. O'Brien.

    Augusta County, VA

11 Jun
  • National

    Southern Democrats met at Richmond, VA and then adjourned, awaiting Baltimore Convention decision.

13 Jun

  • Outdoor religious service in Chambersburg drew audience of about 700.

    Franklin County, PA

15 Jun

  • Closing exercises held at Augusta Church ("Old Fort") with address delivered by Hugh Sheffey. Allen Ewing again recaptured after escaping from jail.

    Augusta County, VA

16 Jun

  • Meeting held for volunteer military company to be formed at West View.

    Augusta County, VA

17 Jun

  • Church dedication ceremony held in Sangersville.

    Augusta County, VA

  • National

    Over next 10 days, Great Eastern sailed across Atlantic Ocean on its maiden voyage.

18 Jun
  • National

    Over next several days, Democratic Convention met again, this time without Southern Democrats, and nominated Stephen A. Douglas.

21 Jun
22 Jun

  • Annual exhibition held by pupils of Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind, with address by Rev. D.M. Gilbert. Comet visible in skies over Augusta County. Closing exercises held at Mossy Creek Academy. Allen Ewing convicted of passing counterfeit money and sentenced to life in prison.

    Augusta County, VA

  • National

    Congress authorized loan of $21,000,000 to the government.

23 Jun

  • "Junior Blues," a youth military company, held its first public parade.

    Augusta County, VA

  • National

    Government Printing Office established.

25 Jun

  • Meeting of Staunton Station Methodist Episcopal Church recommended that Baltimore Conference of M.E. Church separate from General Conference due to recent chapter included in M.E. Discipline condemning slavery as sin against God.

    Augusta County, VA

28 Jun

  • Commencement exercises held at Wesleyan Female Institute.

    Augusta County, VA

  • National

    Southern Democratic Convention nominated John C. Breckinridge.

29 Jun

  • Governor Letcher and Richmond Mayor Joseph Mayo passed through Staunton. Exhibition and picnic held at Old Providence Church in honor of first anniversary of Oakland Seminary. Waddells of Staunton invented new car couple, designed to unite railroad cars easily.

    Augusta County, VA

31 Jun

  • Closing exercises held at Loch Willow School, with address by Rev. John Baker.

    Augusta County, VA

03 Jul

  • Over following week, Governor Letcher and Mayor Mayo of Richmond visited Staunton and were received by local militia companies. Staunton Artillery and Augusta Guards paraded at Staunton Armory and had their firearms inspected. "Junior Blues" (youth military company) also paraded. Lorenzo Sibert of Mt. Solon exhibited his "Virginia Pacificator" gun, which could be fired 49 times without reloading. During same week, commencement exercises held at VA Female Institute.

    Augusta County, VA

04 Jul
05 Jul
  • National

    Passage of Wyandotte Constitution, prohibiting slavery in Kansas.

07 Jul

  • Torch-light procession held by Augusta Fire Association.

    Augusta County, VA

10 Jul
11 Jul

  • Rev. Jacobs Harden executed by hanging for murder of his wife.

    Franklin County, PA

12 Jul

  • Women of Methodist Episcopal Church held 2-day fair at Union Hall. Elijah Hunter arrested in Lynchburg for stealing horses from John Churchman and returned to Staunton after brief escape from authorities.

    Augusta County, VA

13 Jul

  • Robinson and Lake's Great Southern Menagerie and Circus arrived in Augusta County for 2-day visit.

    Augusta County, VA

14 Jul
20 Jul
23 Jul
Jul

  • Farmers strongly urged to slaughter their diseased cattle. Town waterworks broke down.

    Franklin County, PA

01 Aug
02 Aug

  • Sunday school of Mossy Creek Church held public celebration.

    Augusta County, VA

04 Aug
06 Aug

  • Directors of the Poor appointed James Cheritan steward of Poor House.

    Franklin County, PA

10 Aug

  • Just as Staunton's streets were being repaired from previous flooding, new flooding hit town, destroying repairs and damaging more property over course of several days. Street fight broke out near store of Bledsoe and Brothers. Many citizens called to answer indictment for involvement. African-American man working for Central Railroad Company died of "congestion of the brain" after drinking too much water in the heat.

    Augusta County, VA

16 Aug
22 Aug
24 Aug

  • Two days of divisive meetings of local Democratic factions.

    Augusta County, VA

25 Aug
27 Aug
30 Aug

  • Speech given in Staunton by ex-Governor Smith at invitation of Staunton Breckinridge and Lane Club. Greenbrier Agricultural Society addressed by Rev. Dr. Plumer.

    Augusta County, VA

31 Aug
Aug

  • William Patterson found guilty in County Court "of receiving stolen bacon" and sentenced to prison and ten lashes. West Augusta Guard visited Monticello Guard of Charlottesville. Formation of local Douglas and Johnson Club and of local Democratic States Rights Club.

    Augusta County, VA

Sep-Oct

  • Intense political activity surrounding upcoming elections, including formation and meetings of political clubs and large political rallies.

    Franklin County, PA

01 Sep
03 Sep
04 Sep

  • Spectator announced that Lorenzo Sibert had obtained patent for his "Virginia Gun."

    Augusta County, VA

07 Sep

  • Celebration held at New Hope for all Sunday schools on Mt. Sidney circuit. West Augusta Guard met to thank military units, public officials, and citizens of Charlottesville for hospitality at recent encampment.

    Augusta County, VA

  • National

    Steamship Lady Elgin collided with schooner Augusta on Lake Michigan, killing nearly 400 people.

08 Sep

  • First meeting of Augusta County Union Party club held at Academy in Mt. Sidney and chaired by William Crawford. Meeting held in Mt. Sidney to form Bell/Everett Club. Union Party club met at New Hope; S.B. Finley, president.

    Augusta County, VA

09 Sep

  • Masons met at Masonic Hall, Staunton, to pay tribute to William Young, a recently deceased member.

    Augusta County, VA

10 Sep

  • Staunton Artillery held 5-day encampment at Stribling Springs; greeted with music and luncheon upon their return.

    Augusta County, VA

12 Sep

  • Women of Staunton Baptist Church and Sunday school held fair at stone house adjoining office of Staunton Spectator, with proceeds going to the "Foreign Mission Cause."

    Augusta County, VA

  • Republican campaign officially began in Chambersburg with arrival and public address by Morton McMichael of Philadelphia.

    Franklin County, PA

13 Sep

  • Meeting held at courthouse in Staunton to organize a Bell/Everett Club.

    Augusta County, VA

14 Sep
18 Sep
19 Sep

  • Fayetteville Band selected over Chambersburg Brass Band to play at county fair in October.

    Augusta County, VA

20 Sep

  • Fair held by women of Churchville for benefit of Churchville Methodist Parsonage.

    Augusta County, VA

24 Sep

  • Local delegates selected for Farmers' Assembly in Richmond.

    Augusta County, VA

26 Sep
27 Sep
29 Sep
Oct

  • Andrew Curtin elected governor.

    Pennsylvania

Oct
02 Oct
03 Oct
06 Oct

  • Bell/Everett pole raised in Mt. Sidney and crowd addressed by Hugh Sheffey.

    Augusta County, VA

12 Oct
17 Oct
19 Oct
22 Oct

  • Bayard Taylor, traveler and orator, lectured in Franklin Hall on "Life in the Arctic Regions."

    Franklin County, PA

25 Oct

  • George Washington Lodge of Masons took possession of and consecrated their building on Second Street.

    Franklin County, PA

Nov

  • Republicans won large majority in new state legislature.

    Pennsylvania

02 Nov
03 Nov

  • Meeting of Augusta Rifles in Fishersville.

    Augusta County, VA

06 Nov

  • In Augusta County, John Bell received 2553 votes, Stephen Douglas 1094, and John C. Breckinridge 218.

    Augusta County, VA

  • VA voted for John Bell for president.

    Virginia

  • In Franklin County, Abraham Lincoln received 4151 votes, John Bell 76, Stephen Douglas 822, and John C. Breckinridge 2515.

    Franklin County, PA

  • PA voted for Abraham Lincoln for president.

    Pennsylvania

  • National

    Abraham Lincoln elected president and Hannibal Hamlin elected vice president.

09 Nov

  • "Water Suit" between Mr. Sol Haber and J.J. Kennedy concluded in favor of Haber in the amount of $513.

    Franklin County, PA

14 Nov
17 Nov
11

  • Iron bridge in Gas Alley finally repaired.

    Franklin County, PA

21 Nov

  • Over 3 days, Franklin County Educational Assocation met for its seventh annual meeting, with discussions on penmanship, geography, reading, phonetics, grammar, and arithmetic.

    Franklin County, PA

23 Nov

  • Benjamin Bagby and Richard Johnson given job of widening Lewis Creek to save Staunton from further flooding.

    Augusta County, VA

26 Nov
29 Nov
30 Nov
Nov

  • Financial panic reached Franklin.

    Franklin County, PA

01 Dec

  • Monument erected at gravesite of Dr. H.H. Kibler of Spring Hill.

    Augusta County, VA

  • Joseph Dunwoody, conductor on Cumberland Valley Railroad, killed while attempting to uncouple two cars.

    Franklin County, PA

03 Dec
  • National

    In his last speech to Congress, James Buchanan argued that South did not have right to secede from Union.

07 Dec
12 Dec

  • Religious revival at Presbyterian church in Chambersburg.

    Franklin County, PA

13 Dec
  • National

    Seven senators and 23 representatives from 9 southern states issued statement claiming that secession was only option left for Southern people.

14 Dec
15 Dec

  • Storm dropped foot of snow on Augusta County.

    Augusta County, VA

17 Dec

  • Jeremiah S. Black of PA appointed Secretary of State.

    Pennsylvania

18 Dec
  • National

    Crittenden Compromise proposed.

20 Dec

  • Staunton Musical Association gave their seventh public concert at Armory Hall. Women of Lutheran Church held pre-Christmas festival.

    Augusta County, VA

  • Edwin M. Stanton appointed Attorney General.

    Pennsylvania

  • National

    South Carolina seceded.

21 Dec
26 Dec
  • National

    Maj. Anderson moved his federal troops from Fort Moultrie, South Carolina, to Fort Sumter, South Carolina.

29 Dec
30 Dec
  • National

    South Carolina troops seized US arsenal at Charleston.

1861

1862

1863

1864

1865

1866

1867