William Penn Annex East in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Washington's Death and a Renewed Hope for Freedom

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 23, 2017

1. Washington's Death and a Renewed Hope for Freedom Marker

Inscription. When President John Adams ordered a day of mourning throughout the nation to mark George Washington's death in 1799, Reverend Richard Allen saw an opportunity for the Free African Community of Philadelphia to expand the meaning of liberty. He called on Americans to honor the first president by imitating his will in which he freed his slaves, and by heeding the Free Africans' increasingly bold petitions to Congress.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #02 John Adams series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1799.

Location. 39° 57.026′ N, 75° 9.001′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex East. It is at the intersection of Market Street and South Independence Mall East (5th Street), on the right when traveling east on Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "I will fear no Evil" (here, next to this marker); "I and my household" (here, next to this marker); History Lost & Found (here, next to this marker); "An Act respecting fugitives from Justice" (here, next to this marker); Suppressing the Opposition (here, next to this marker); The Keeper of the House (here, next to this marker); "We shall come to a civil war" (here, next to this marker); "Burn this treaty to Hell!" (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Dirty Business of Slavery (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); The House & the People Who Worked & Lived In It

Washington's Last Illness image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 19, 2017

2. Washington's Last Illness

This 1800 hand water colored etching of “Washington in his last illness attended by Doc.rs Craik and Brown” by an unknown artist hangs in the Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.

“American engravers enjoyed a steady market in the late eighteenth century with the booming demand for illustrations and popular prints. Following the Revolutionary War, George Washington’s status as a national icon spurred the fledgling industry into supplying inexpensive portraits to meet public demand. Washington’s death on December 14, 1799, would prompt an outpouring of oratorical and pictorial tributes. This deathbed scene, which alludes to published accounts of the president’s final moments, shows a physician taking Washington’s pulse with the aid of a stopwatch. Americans purchased souvenir handkerchiefs that featured this image on one side and a complementary mourning picture on the other.” – National Portrait Gallery

(was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); "I am free now" (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. Marker is associated with a National Park Service audio-visual presentation on the subject.

Also see . . .
1. Washington’s Will: A Decision to Free His Slaves. (Submitted on March 31, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Reverend Richard Allen Autobiography. (Submitted on March 31, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Richard Allen Bio. (Submitted on March 31, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 23, 2017

3. Washington's Death and a Renewed Hope for Freedom Marker

Looking east from the President's House partial reconstruction

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 463 times since then and 124 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 31, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 2. submitted on November 2, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 3. submitted on March 31, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.