The Hill in New Haven in South Central Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Defenders' Monument

Photographed by Dave Pelland, January 26, 2009

1. Defenders' Monument

Inscription. Here July 5, 1779 citizens of New Haven with cannon prevented an invading British Army from crossing West River and thereby saved the town from destruction

Erected 1910 by Defenders' Monument Association.

Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1939.

Location. 41° 17.862′ N, 72° 56.814′ W. Marker is in New Haven in South Central Region, Connecticut. It is in The Hill. It is at the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Davenport Avenue, in the median on Columbus Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Haven CT 06519, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and monument is in the Connecticut River Valley

and on the Connecticut Shoreline.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

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 Haven County

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Soldiers' Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Knight Hospital Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); Allingtown World War I Monument (approx. 0.6 miles away); Police Department of New Haven (approx. 0.9 miles away); Al Capp (approx. 0.9 miles away); Adjutant William Campbell (approx. 0.9 miles away); Corporal Timothy Francis Ahearn (approx. 0.9 miles away); Simeon Jocelyn (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Haven.

More about this marker. Sculptor James E. Kelly also created the statues of John Buford in Gettysburg, George Washington at New York’s Federal Hall, the Monmouth Battle Monument in New Jersey and others.

Regarding Defenders' Monument. The Defenders Monument commemorates the successful defense of the West River made by the citizens at the time of the British invasion of New Haven in 1779.

Also see . . . Defenders Monument. City of Elms blog entry (Submitted on March 4, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Additional commentary.
1. Defenders' Monument Association
A

Photographed by Dave Pelland, January 26, 2009

2. Defenders' Monument

Defenders' Monument Association has been formed, under the auspices of the New Haven Colony Historical Society, for the purpose of erecting a suitable memorial where the cannon were placed to command West Bridge and the most important resistance was made. The Memorial group selected is typical of those who took part in the defense as regards age and social condition. One represents the citizen soldier, a merchant of local aristocracy in half Continental uniform; one, a well-to-do farmer, the other, a young student at Yale, and all in heroic size. The group is spirited and artistic. When completed it will be the most notable and impressive Revolutionary memorial erected in our State.

The actors on the scene we have contemplated have gone, but the spirit that animated them to battle for their liberties and their homes is the same that has inspired men to heroic deeds since the dawn of civilization. The members of this Society especially represent the heroes of that period of our country's history.

As England cherishes the fame of her Wellington and Waterloo, France her Napoleon and his conquests, as Germany reveres Frederick the Great,

Photographed by Dave Pelland, January 26, 2009

3. Defenders' Monument

at rest at Sans Souci, and America her Washington, Bunker Hill and Yorktown, so along similar lines may we not most justly honor these men of lesser fame, who in their time, by their valor and their deeds as occasion offered, contributed their share to the grand result, American Liberty and American Prosperity.

Source: Sons of the American Revolution. General David Humphreys Branch, published in 1911 in New Haven, Conn. by the General David Humphreys branch, no. 1, Connecticut society, Sons of the American Revolution

— Submitted March 28, 2009.

<i>The Defenders Monument, New Haven, Conn.</i> image. Click for full size.

circa 1920

4. The Defenders Monument, New Haven, Conn.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2009, by Dave Pelland of Milford, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 3,545 times since then and 140 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 3, 2009, by Dave Pelland of Milford, Connecticut. 2, 3. submitted on March 23, 2009, by Dave Pelland of Milford, Connecticut. 4. submitted on October 23, 2015. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.