Colonel Freeman McGilvery (1823-1864) of Stockton commanded the Artillery at Gettysburg in front of Pickett's Charge. He was slightly wounded at the Battle of Deep Bottom, but the wound did not heal and McGlilvery later died from an overdose of chloroform anesthesia used during an operation to amputate his finger in September 1864.

A label inside the McGilvery’s drum notes the maker, Frederick Lane, suggesting it might pre-date the Civil War. Lane manufactured and sold umbrellas and musical instruments at 92 Court Street in Boston from 1820 to 1844, specializing in bass drums for militia units.