Anna Morris Holstein

Anna Morris Holstein (, Ellis; pen name, Mrs. H.; April 9, 1824 – December 31, 1900) was an American organizational leader, civil war nurse, and author. From 1862 until the close of the war, Holstein was engaged in the hospital service, and after the Battle of Gettysburg, she was matron-in-chief of a hospital in which 3,000 seriously wounded men were looked after. She was the founder and first regent of the Centennial and Memorial Association of Valley Forge, and a regent of the Valley Forge Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.).

Largely through Holstein's influence, George Washington was able to purchase his headquarters at Valley Forge, which have been restored and are now accessible to the people as a historic location. Her publications included Three years in field hospitals of the Army of the Potomac (1867), Swedish Holsteins in America from 1644 to 1892 (1892), and Valley Forge : Winter of 177–78 The Darkest Period of the Revolution (published posthumously, 1903).

Early life Ellis was born in Muncy, Pennsylvania, on April 9, 1824.

She was the daughter of William C. and Rebecca (Morris) Ellis. Captain Samuel Morris, her great-grandfather, was captain of the first city troop of Philadelphia, when it served as body guard to George Washington during the American Revolution,

She and her husband sat near President Abraham Lincoln when he delivered his iconic Gettysburg Address, dedicating Gettysburg National Cemetery after the Battle of Gettysburg, the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. of which Anna was Founder and First Regent, was incorporated in Montgomery County Pennsylvania in 1878. Anna led them on their mission to save, acquire, restore and preserve General Washington's Valley Forge Headquarters and surrounding acreage as parcels became available.

To help create awareness and raise needed funds, they organized a large event that was held on June 19, 1878, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Army of The Revolution departing Valley Forge. Funds were used to purchase General Washington's Headquarters from Hannah Ogden. Subsequently additional acreage was purchased, original artifacts acquired, a tree from President Washington's Mt Vernon home was planted and renovations to restore the home back to 1777–1778 encampment completed. Those efforts led to the State of Pennsylvania making Valley Forge the first State Park in Pennsylvania in 1893.

Holstein again came into public service as a matron of the Pennsylvania Building at the World's Fair.

In Holstein's memory, the Prayer Desk was given to the Washington Memorial Chapel by the Valley Forge chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. It was dedicated June 19, 1916. The inscription was cut in brass and inlaid with pewter, and bears the arms of Washington, the Washington Memorial Chapel, the Diocese of Pennsylvania, and the insignia of Daughters of the American Revolution.

Selected works Three years in field hospitals of the Army of the Potomac (1867) Swedish Holsteins in America from 1644 to 1892 : comprising many letters and biographical matter relating to John Hughes, the "stamp officer," and friend of [Benjamin] Franklin; with papers not before published relating to his brother of Revolutionary fame, Colonel Hugh Hughes of New York; the families of DeHaven, Rittenhouse, Clay, Potts, Blakiston, Atlee, Coates, and other descendants of Matthias Holstein of Wicaco, Philadelphia are included; thirty-five family pictures and facsimile of letters of Benjamin Franklin and Reverend Nicholas Collin, D.D., are given (1892) Valley Forge : Winter of 177–78 The Darkest Period of the Revolution. Washington Headquarters Centennial and Memorial Association Patriotic Order Sons of America. (published posthumously by W. H. Richardson; Anna Morris Ellis Holstein; Centennial and Memorial Association of Valley Forge. 1903)