Newville in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
William Denning
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 21, 2009
1. William Denning Marker
Pennsylvania
in memory of
William Denning
the patriotic blacksmith and
forger of wrought iron cannon
during the Revolutionary War
Born 1737 - Died 1830
Erected 1890 by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Industry & Commerce • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1737.
Location. 40° 10.373′ N, 77° 23.79′ W. Marker is in Newville, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. Marker is in Big Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery, about 100 feet south of the church building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newville PA 17241, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Revolutionary War Soldiers Buried in Big Springs Presbyterian Church Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); Big Spring Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Laughlin Mill (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First National Bank of Newville (about 800 feet away); Newville War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Newville (approx. ¼ mile
this page online
Also see . . . William Denning. "William Denning, (1737-1830) American Revolution veteran for whom the park (Colonel Denning State Park) is named, was never a colonel but he is deserving of a place in history for his manufacturing of wrought iron cannons. William Denning served his country as a sergeant from March 1778 to April 1780 in Nathaniel Irish’s Company of Artillery Artificers in Benjamin Flower’s Regiment. Denning was stationed just outside of Carlisle, Pa., at Washingtonburg Forge, now Carlisle Barracks. The forge provided armaments for the Continental Army, including cannons. It is at this forge that William Denning made wrought iron cannons in a process of welding gads (strips) of wrought iron in successive layers to produce a cannon lighter and better able to resist failure during firing than cast iron cannons.
"Unfortunately, none of Denning’s cannons survive today. Historical documents help us imagine what Denning’s cannons looked like. It is not known when or who added the “colonel” to Sergeant William Denning’s name. After the Revolution, William Denning lived
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 21, 2009
2. William Denning Marker
Editor's Note: A nearby DAR marker lists Denning's rank as Private, which would have been permanent military rank at the time. (Submitted on June 4, 2009, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 21, 2009
3. William Denning Marker
At right background. At left foreground is Pennsylvania / D.A.R. monument to Revolutionary War soldiers buried in cemetery.
Internet Archive
4. The House in Which William Denning Lived
From American Monthly Magazine, Vol. XIV, No. 1, January, 1899, Page 605.
Internet Archive
5. The Big Spring Presbyterian Church
Under the shadows of which William Denning rests.
Under the shadows of which William Denning rests.
From American Monthly Magazine, Vol. XIV, No. 1, January, 1899. Page 606.
Internet Archive
6. Wm. Denning
“Well nigh forgotten was this hero of the Revolution until in 1889 the State of Pennsylvania appropriated a thousand dollars for a monument to perpetuate the memory of one who by reason of his genius and mechanical ability accomplished what to the mind of man had hitherto lain in the misty envelopments of the future as an unrealized dream. In the following year a massive granite marker was erected over the spot where he sleeps.” -- Belle McKinley Swope.
From American Monthly Magazine, Vol. XIV, No. 1, January, 1899, Page 609.
From American Monthly Magazine, Vol. XIV, No. 1, January, 1899, Page 609.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,744 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 2, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 25, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
