Gowanus in Brooklyn in Kings County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Maryland Regiment Burial Site

Revolutionary War Heritage Trail

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2008

1. Maryland Regiment Burial Site Marker

Inscription. The vicinity of 3rd Avenue and 9th Street is the presumed location of the burial site of the more than 250 soldiers of the Colonel Smallwood Regiment from Maryland. Nearby, in the swamps of Gowanus, during the Battle of Brooklyn on August 27, 1776, approximately 400 gallant men, under the command of General William Alexander, also known as Lord Stirling repeatedly attacked a British force many times their number. Their objective was to cover the American retreat across the Gowanus Creek to Brooklyn Heights.

The Marylanders held the British forces in check until the afternoon of August 27, 1776, taking heavy casualties from the British guns at the Old Stone House (Vechte-Cortelyou House) located at present-day 4th Avenue between 4th and 5th Streets. After the battle, the British buried the Maryland dead in mass graves on a hillock in the midst of the swamp. The exact location of the burial ground is unknown.

Erected by State of New York.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1776.

Location. 40° 40.28′ N,

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73° 59.429′ W. Marker is in Brooklyn, New York, in Kings County. It is in Gowanus. It is at the intersection of 9th Street and 3rd Avenue, on the right when traveling west on 9th Street. Marker is in front of the American Legion building on 9th Street and 3rd Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brooklyn NY 11215, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast

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

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: American Legion Rawley Post 1636 (here, next to this marker); Maryland Heroes (here, next to this marker); Old Stone House (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Old Stone House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Washington Park Stadium Wall (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Old Stone House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Carroll Street Bridge (approx. half a mile away);

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 7, 2026

2. Maryland Regiment Burial Site Marker

The marker has weathered but remains legible.

St. Mary's Star of the Sea World War Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brooklyn.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Old Stone House (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been permanently removed); The Battle of Brooklyn (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. The right side of the marker contains a picture of Lord Stirling leading the Maryland Regiment in the battle. Image Courtesy of the Guard Bureau.
The bottom left of the marker features a picture of “Lord Stirling at the Battle of Long Island. Emmet Collection, Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs, The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations. Next to this is a map showing “A plan of the Battle of Brooklyn. This map highlights the approximate location of this historic site.”

Also see . . .
1. Battle of Long Island, August 27, 1776. (Submitted on November 1, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. The Battle of Long Island 1776. A British perspective of the battle from BritishBattles.com. (Submitted on November 1, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Brooklyn Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2008

3. Brooklyn Marker

American Legion Rawley Jr. Post 1636 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 7, 2026

4. American Legion Rawley Jr. Post 1636

Marker at the American Legion image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2008

5. Marker at the American Legion

Two markers, both relating to the fallen Marylanders, are found at this location.

Old Stone House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2008

6. Old Stone House

Most of the Maryland casualties during the August 27, 1776 Battle of Brooklyn occured in front of this Stone House, located several blocks north of the marker in Byrne Park.

Battle at the Stone House Diorama image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2008

7. Battle at the Stone House Diorama

This diorama of the Marylanders fighting with the British Troops is located in the Old Stone House.

Maryland Regiment Burial Site? image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, August 24, 2019

8. Maryland Regiment Burial Site?

The vacant lot adjacent to the Legion Hall may be the actual burial site.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 5,279 times since then and 100 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 1, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on February 8, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on November 1, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on February 8, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 5, 6, 7. submitted on November 1, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 8. submitted on December 28, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.