Site
The Gibson-Todd House was the site of the hanging of John Brown. The property is located in Charles Town, West Virginia, and includes a large Victorian style house built in 1891.
History
John Brown was hanged on December 2, 1859, shortly before noon, on what is now the lawn of the Gibson-Todd House. Among those present at Brown's hanging were Stonewall Jackson, John McCausland, J.E.B. Stuart and John Wilkes Booth. A note written by Brown read:
“Charlestown, Va. 2nd December, 1859. I John Brown am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land: will never be purged away; but with Blood. I had as I now think: vainly flattered myself that without very much bloodshed; it might be done.”
The house was built in 1891 by John Thomas Gibson, who led the first armed response to Harpers Ferry during Brown's raid as commander of the Virginia Militia in Jefferson County. In recognition of his services, Gibson received an original copy of Brown’s provisional constitution as well as the desk on which Brown’s death warrant was signed. Gibson went on to serve as an officer for the Confederacy. After the war he was mayor of Charles Town. When the old Jefferson County jail was demolished, Gibson saved stones from the building and built a monument to the event on the property.
The house was designed by Thomas A. Mullett, son of Alfred B. Mullett. Mullett also designed the New Opera House and the new Charles Town jail.
The Gibson-Todd home is a private residence.