Upper Merion Township near King of Prussia in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Waterman's Monument
This 50 foot granite obelisk was erected in 1901 by the Daughters of the Revolution. It marks the site of the only identified grave at Valley Forge, that of Lieutenant John Waterman of Rhode Island, who died on April 23, 1778.
Erected by Daughters of the Revolution.
Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Heroes • Military • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1837.
Location. 40° 6.249′ N, 75° 26.295′ W. Marker is near King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, in Montgomery County. It is in Upper Merion Township. Marker is on Valley Forge Park Road (Pennsylvania Route 23), on the right when traveling east. Marker and memorial are south across Valley Forge Road from the Washington Memorial Chapel, within Valley Forge National Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2914 Joseph Plumb Martin Trail, King of Prussia PA 19406, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Loyal Patriots of Valley Forge (within shouting distance of this marker); National Patriots Bell Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); William White (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1st and 2nd Rhode Island Regiments (approx. ¼ mile away); Patriots of African Descent (approx. ¼ mile away); Varnum’s Brigade (approx. 0.3 miles away); Varnum’s Quarters (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Grand Parade (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in King of Prussia.
More about this monument. Although this monument was dedicated to all the soldiers who lost their lives at Valley Forge, it is called the Waterman's Monument due to its location near the only known marked grave, that of Lieutenant John Waterman. The actual Waterman grave marker, located on the grand parade ground near the area where Rhode Island regiments encamped, is simply marked as "JW 1778."
Also see . . . Lieut John Waterman at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on November 3, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 3,001 times since then and 144 times this year. Last updated on October 12, 2023, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 4, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 21, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Picture of Lieutenant John Waterman's grave marker. • Can you help?