Hudson Heights in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Robert Magaw Defended this Position
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 19, 2008
1. Robert Magaw Defended this Position Marker
a brave and unselfish patriot
Robert Magaw
Colonel Commandant of
Fort Washington
who in his own words
Actuated by the most glorious cause
that mankind ever fought in
and specially charged with the duty
by General Washington
defended this position
in the momentous assault
November 16, 1776
Born at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.......1738
Member of the Committee of Safety......1774
Major of Thompsons Battalion..............1775
Colonel 5th Pennsylvania Battalion........1776
Commandant of Fort Washington..........1776
Captured November 16..........................1776
Exchanged October 25..........................1780
Colonel 6th Pennsylvania Regiment.......1780
Died at Carlisle, Pa., January 7...............1790
The Society of American Wars, Commandery of the State of New York erected this, his only memorial on the field of battle where his services were rendered to the cause of liberty, April 30, 1923.
Erected 1923 by The Society of American Wars, Commandery of the State of New York.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Patriots & Patriotism
this page online
Location. 40° 51.049′ N, 73° 56.248′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Hudson Heights. It is at the intersection of W 181st Street and Colonel Robert Magaw Place, on the right when traveling west on W 181st Street. Marker is located on the Fort Washington Collegiate Church. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10032, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. 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: (Collegiate) Reformed Protestant Dutch Church (a few steps from this marker); Fort Washington (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hudson View Gardens (about 700 feet away); George Washington Bi-Centennial Tree (about 700 feet away); Highest Point on Manhattan (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Work of Art (approx. 0.2 miles away); Maintaining the Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Modern Updates (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
Also see . . .
1. Robert Magaw. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on November 7, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. The Battle of Fort Washington, November 16, 1776 at Fort Washington, New York
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 19, 2008
2. Robert Magaw Defended this Position Marker on 181st Street
3. Battle for Fort Washington. (Submitted on October 19, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
4. The Battle of Fort Washington. A British perspective of the battle from BritishBattles.com. (Submitted on October 19, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 19, 2008
3. Robert Magaw Marker
The marker is located around the corner from Fort Washington, objective of the November 16, 1776 battle.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 19, 2008
4. Marker on Colonel Robert Magaw Place
The marker is on the corner of West 181st Street and a street named for Colonel Robert Magaw.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,387 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 19, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
