Cape May in Cape May County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Henry Washington Sawyer

1830 – 1893

— Civil War Hero —

Henry Washington Sawyer Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 27, 2008

1. Henry Washington Sawyer Marker

Inscription. Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania May 16, 1830. Moved to Cape May (then Cape Island) in 1848 as carpenter and builder. In 1861 one of first enlisted from Cape May and assigned as 2nd Lt. of Special Guard at the capitol in Washington. Commissioned 2nd Lt. in N.J. Cavalry in 1862, promoted to 1st Lt. and Captain, and wounded and captured at Brandy Station in 1863. In Libby Prison one of two captains chosen to be executed in retaliation for execution of two Confederate spies. President Lincoln threatened to execute Brig. Gen. William H.F. Lee, son of General Robert E. Lee if Captain Sawyer was shot. Exchanged for Gen. Lee in 1864, returned to active duty and again wounded. Discharged as colonel in 1865. Returned to Cape May and operated The Ocean House. Built Hotel Chalfonte in 1876 and ran it until his death. Served 9 years on Cape May City Council, was Superintendent of the U.S. Life Saving Service for the State of New Jersey Coast and Member of N.J. State Sinking Fund Commission. Died October 16, 1893. Buried in Old Cold Spring Cemetery.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites

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• Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is May 16, 1830.

Location. 38° 55.918′ N, 74° 55.447′ W. Marker is in Cape May, New Jersey, in Cape May County. It can be reached from Washington Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is near the south end of the Washington Street Mall in Cape May. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cape May NJ 08204, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on New Jersey’s Jersey Shore.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lt. Richard Wickes (about 400 feet away,

Marker in Cape May image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 27, 2008

2. Marker in Cape May

measured in a direct line); Cape May Historic District (about 400 feet away); Roland E. White (about 400 feet away); Business District (about 600 feet away); Opera House & The Jackson St. USO Club (about 600 feet away); "The Visitor's Church" (about 600 feet away); New Cape May Hotel (about 700 feet away); Edgar Arthur Draper (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape May.

Also see . . . History of the Chalfonte. The Chalfonte website. (Submitted on August 28, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Marker on the Washington Street Mall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 27, 2008

3. Marker on the Washington Street Mall

Marker is located on the walkway on the north side of the Whale's Tail store in Cape May's Washington Street Mall.

Cape May Historic District image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 27, 2008

4. Cape May Historic District

The Henry Washington Sawyer Marker is located in the Cape May Historic District, a National Historic Landmark. This plaque is located a block north of the marker.

Hotel Chalfonte image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 27, 2008

5. Hotel Chalfonte

Henry Sawyer's Hotel Chalfonte, a National Historic Landmark, is still an active hotel in Cape May. Built in 1876, the Chalfonte is Cape May's oldest hotel, being the only survivor of a major fire in 1878 which destroyed over 30 acres in downtown Cape May.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 3,192 times since then and 289 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 28, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.