Wakefield in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg
1746-1807
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 9, 2018
1. John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg Marker
Serving
His Church
His Country
His State
See photos for additional text
Erected 1980 by Saint Pauls Lutheran Church.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Government & Politics • War, US Revolutionary.
Location. 38° 57.214′ N, 77° 4.168′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Wakefield. Marker is on Connecticut Avenue Northwest near Ellicott Street Northwest, on the right when traveling south. This marker is in a triangular park (Muhlenberg Park) bounded by Connecticut Avenue, 36th Street NW and Ellicott Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4900 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20008, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Three R's (approx. 0.3 miles away); Schools (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fort Reno (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Ponce de Leon Apartment Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Reno (approx. 0.4 miles away); Suburban Style (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Reno
this page online
More about this marker. Two of the bronze plaques on the bench/wall around the statue are difficult to find because they are overgrown by the Chinese Holly bushes that stand behind the monument.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 9, 2018
2. Clergyman
Born at Trappe Pennsylvania October 1, 1746
Eldest son of Anna and Henry Melchior Muhlenberg
Attended University of Halle Germany 1763
Ordained Lutheran minister 1768
Pastor Lutheran churches New Jersey
Married to Anna Meyer 1770
Ordained Episcopal minister 1772
Pastor Lutheran and Episcopal Churches Woodstock Va. 1772
Preached his “time to pray, time to fight” sermon 1776
and recruited a regiment from Virginia
He was the “fighting parson of the American Revolution”
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 9, 2018
3. Soldier
Commanded Eighth Virginia regiment
which became the “German regiment” of the Continental Army
Fought at Charleston and Philadelphia
Promoted to Brigadier General 1777
Wintered with his troops at Valley Forge 1777-1778
Fought at Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth and Stony Point
Member, Royal Arch Masonic Lodge, Philadelphia 1779
Named Commander of all forces in Virginia 1780
Fought at Portsmouth and Yorktown
Promoted to Major General 1783
Retired November 3, 1783
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 9, 2018
4. Statesman
Received land grant of 11,662 acres in Ohio River valley
“in consideration of seven years service
as Brigadier General in the Virginia Continental Line”
Founder-member of the society of the Cincinnati
Elected vice president of Pennsylvania 1787
Elected to first House of Representatives 1788
Re-elected third Congress 1791-1795, sixth Congress 1799-1801
Elected to the United States Senate 1801
Served as Collector of Customs, port of Philadelphia 1801-1807
Died October 1, 1807 at age 61
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 9, 2018
5. John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg Marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 9, 2018
6. John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 9, 2018
7. Caroline Hufford © 1980
Signature of Caroline Muhlenberg Hufford, a descendant of John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg and sculptor of this statue.
Library of Congress
8. John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg
Soldier
Soldier
This detail of a print by Frederick Girsch entitled “Die Helden der Revolution”, “The Heroes of the Revolution” shows the “fighting parson” in the Revolution.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 339 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 11, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 7, 8. submitted on January 16, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
