Society Hill in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Thaddeus Kosciuszko
A Champion of Human Rights
— Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 19, 2022
Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived in a second floor room of Ann Relf's boarding house from November 1797 to May 1798. Kosciuszko was one of a number of highly trained European military officers whose imagination was seized by the ideals of liberty and human dignity embodied in the Declaration of Independence. Kosciuszko arrived in Philadelphia from Poland in August 1776, one month after the adoption of the Declaration, and offered his services to the United States.
As a military engineer he contributed to the American victory at Saratoga and to the defense of West Point throughout the Revolution. After the war, Kosciuszko returned home and in March 1794, again championing the cause of liberty, led his countrymen against Russian rule. After some initial successes he was defeated, captured by the Russians, and imprisoned.
In August 1797, Kosciuszko returned to Philadelphia to a hero's welcome. During that time he entertained many visitors, Vice President Thomas Jefferson among them, and successfully petitioned Congress for back pay. He received close to $19,000 and a grant of 500 acres in Ohio. Throughout his life Kosciuszko condemned slavery. He also promoted education for free blacks. When Thomas Jefferson learned of Kosciuszko's death in Switzerland in 1817, he remarked that Thaddeus Kosciuszko had been “as pure a Son of Liberty as I have ever known.”
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Civil Rights • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1794.
Location. 39° 56.606′ N, 75° 8.835′ W. Marker has been reported damaged. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Society Hill. Marker is at the intersection of South 3rd Street and Pine Street, on the right when traveling south on South 3rd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Pine St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named Thaddeus Kosciuszko (a few steps from this marker); St. Peter's (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Peter's Churchyard (within shouting distance of this marker); Capt. Charles Massey House (within shouting distance of this marker); Tribal Chieftains (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named St. Peter's Churchyard (about 400 feet away); Thomas Neval (about 500 feet away); Philip Syng Physick (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Also see . . .
1. General Thaddeus Kosciuszko 1746 - 1817. Hero of America and Poland (Submitted on August 19, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Thaddeus Kosciuszko at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on July 21, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,248 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 27, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2, 3. submitted on August 10, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.