Gettysburg Daily

David McMillan House on Seminary Ridge



The front of the McMillan House from West Confederate Avenue. This view was taken from the west facing east at approximately 5:00 PM on Wednesday, April 16, 2008.

The McMillan House is a privately owned structure on Seminary Ridge. Located along West Confederate Avenue, this structure was the home to David McMillan (1800-) and his family. The 1860 census lists him as a farmer, but he was also involved with the Methodist Episcopal Church on East Middle Street. A David M. McMillan was shown in the church records as having his pastor’s license renewed in 1869. The Star and Banner chose this beautiful, warm day to photograph this residence.

See our posts on the McMillan House Orchard on September 23 and September 24, 2008.


The west and south sides of the McMillan House. The 1860 census shows that David McMillan (1800-) lived with Adelaide “Ada” McMillan (1841-), Laura M. McMillan (1843-), Caroline L. McMillan (1845-), and Oscar D. McMillan (1839-). View from the southwest facing northeast at approximately 5:00 PM on Wednesday, April 16, 2008.



The north side of the McMillan House. The 1860 census shows that David McMillan (1800-) was a farmer, owning real estate valued at $4000, and personal estate valued at $400. View from the north facing south at approximately 5:00 PM on Wednesday, April 16, 2008.



The north and east sides of the McMillan House. Interestingly enough, the 1860 census lists David McMillan (1800-) as a Gettysburg resident, not a Cumberland Township resident. His total wealth of $4400 placed him 92nd in rank among Gettysburg residents. View is from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 5:00 PM on Wednesday, April 16, 2008.



The rear of the McMillan House. View from the east facing west at approximately 5:00 PM on Wednesday, April 16, 2008.



The southeast side of the McMillan House. Elizabeth Thorn described United States troops marching to the first day’s battlefield by the McMillan House. The soldiers view of the house would have been from this direction. View from the southeast facing northwest at approximately 5:00 PM on Wednesday, April 16, 2008.



The south side of the McMillan House. Confederate Major William J. Pegram’s Artillery Battalion of four batteries was lined up on the second and third days from the McMillan House south to the area of the North Carolina State Monument. View from the south facing north at approximately 5:00 PM on Wednesday, April 16, 2008.



On the second and the third days of the battle, Confederate artillery in this area targeted United States artillery on Cemetery Hill, approximately one mile away. The most conspicuous landmark for Cemetery Hill is the light green or light blue water tank seen in the distance, between the tree, to the left of the McMillan House. View from the west facing east at approximately 5:00 PM on Wednesday, April 16, 2008.