The Historic Joseph Sherfy Farmhouse at the Gettysburg National Military Park, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

The Sherfy house sits on the Emmitsburg Road in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This house, barn, and peach orchard were the center of the second day of the battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. Some of the fiercest fighting took place around this farm owned by the Sherfy Family.

Joseph and his wife Mary were pacifists and members of the Church of the Brethren. They had six children, and according to numerous articles on the family, a seventh would be born after the war. Soldiers marching up the Emmitsburg Road fondly remembered the water and bread passed out by the family. They offered what they had. The family tried to remain in their house, but were advised to move away. They were gone by July 2, 1863.

Sue Boardman and Elle Lamboy write in their article “Celebrate Gettysburg,” Reverend John Sherfy “purchased his land along Emmitsburg Road from his father in 1843.” It would eventually include a red brick farmhouse that he built. There was a barn that served as a hospital for the 114th Pennsylvania Regiment during the battle. It burned on July 2, 1863, with many wounded perishing within the barn. What is seen to today is a rebuild. Across the Emmitsburg Road is a peach orchard which became famous as a scene of fierce fighting.

Sherfy House NPS with monument to 114th Pennsylvania known as Collis’ Zouaves

According to the the site “Stone Sentinels” which profiles the various buildings and monuments on the battlefield, the family returned to their farm on July 6th, the property was a mess. The home was damaged by artillery shells and bullets. Much of their property was damaged. “The orchards and fences were destroyed. Their property was covered with dead men and dead horses. Inside the ruins of the barn were the “charred remains of the wounded soldiers who had been unable to escape the fire.”

Monument to the 114th Pennsylvania Volunteers.

After the war, Joseph Sherfy petitioned Pennsylvania for compensation for the damages inflicted on their property during the battle. Pennsylvania would not compensate the family, even after repeated promises. The U.S. government also promised compensation to the families affected by the battle. However, when filing the claim, according to Sue Boardman and Elle Lamboy, you had to prove that it was the Union soldiers who created the hardship or damage. In the case of the Sherfy, it was determined that it was in fact mostly the Confederates. So, in 1881, their claim was rejected.

Bullet holes are still evident

All was not lost for the family. They did eventually rebuild, and even sold peaches from the Peach Orchard which were in great demand, because of the role of the orchard in the battle. They continued to be hospitable to the many veterans who came by to relive the battle. In fact, it is believed that Mrs. Sherry had a wall of pictures that soldiers gave her. Mr. Sherfy died in 1882. His wife died in 1904.

According to the Adams County News on October 15, 1910, a Dr. H.L. Diehl owned the house as a summer residence. Prior to his ownership, it was owned by a Dr. E.D. Hudson who sold it in 1898, to a gentleman named Martin Stonestreet from West Virginia for $2,000. The home was sold again in 1928, from R.R. Long to Smyser E. Folkenroth according to the Gettysburg Times. It was the Folkenroth family that sold the home to the National Park Service in 1969.

Carol M. Highsmith, 1946-, Library of Congress

57th Pennsylvania monument on Sherfy Farm

Sherfy barn which burned on the second day of fighting. It was used as a hospital. Possibly a shell ignited the barn burning dozens of men alive.