West Kingston in Charlestown in Washington County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)

The Great Swamp Fight

19 December 1675

Photographed by Dwight C. Brown Jr., circa ca 1968

1. The Great Swamp Fight Marker

Inscription. Attacked
within their fort upon this island
the Narragansett Indians
made their last stand
in King Philip's War and
were crushed by the united forces
of the Massachusetts Connecticut
and Plymouth Colonies
in the
“Great Swamp Fight”
Sunday 19 December 1675

This record was
placed by the Rhode Island Society
of Colonial Wars
1906
Note: A second marker, now missing, was placed on the opposite side of the obelisk on Nov. 3, 1916. It read: In memory of
Major Samuel Appleton
of Ipswich, Massachusetts
who commanded the
Massachusetts forces and
led the victorious storming
column at the
Great Swamp Fight
Dec. 19, 1675

This Tablet placed by the
Rhode Island Historical Society
1916

Erected 1906 by the Societies of Colonial Wars of Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Parks & Recreational Areas • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the King Philip's War 1675-1676 series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 19, 1675.

Location. 41° 28.118′

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N, 71° 35.736′ W. Marker is in Charlestown, Rhode Island, in Washington County. It is in West Kingston. It can be reached from South County Trail (Rhode Island Route 2) 1.4 miles south of Kingstown Road ( Route 132), on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4425 S County Trail, West Kingston RI 02892, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Narragansett Bay

and in South County.

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 one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Washington County Jail (approx. 3.7 miles away); Griffin's Hollow (approx. 5.4 miles away); Dedicated to All Patriots (approx. 5.7 miles away); In Memory of All War Veterans (approx. 5.7 miles away); Rhode Island National Guard (approx. 5.8 miles away); Medal of Honor-Honor Roll (approx. 5.8 miles away); Jewish War Veterans (approx. 5.9 miles away); Address by President Abraham Lincoln (approx. 6.1 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Great Swamp Fight (was approx. ¾ mile away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. The obelisk is located about 1 mile south of intersection of South County Trail (Rt 2) and Great Swamp Monument Road, slightly west of the intersection with Liberty Lane. It is depicted on Google Earth. There was a historical marker sign there at one time. Turn left and go south to the end which is a cul de sac.

The Great Swamp Fight Marker - Appleton image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barbara Lema, September 2, 2012

2. The Great Swamp Fight Marker - Appleton

There may be a vehicle gate closed at about 2/10 mile, but follow the trail south to the monument.

The 20-foot tall obelisk is centered among four massive boulders, engraved with the names of each of the four United Colonies (Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut, and Rhode Island).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Also see . . .
1. Great Swamp Fight - Wikipedia.

The Great Swamp Massacre or the Great Swamp Fight was a crucial battle fought during King Philip's War between the colonial militia of New England and the Narragansett people in December 1675. It was fought near the villages of Kingston and West Kingston in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

(Submitted on April 19, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

2. Second Battle of Nipsachuck Battlefield - Wikipedia.

Many Narragansetts, based in southern Rhode Island, had fled... ...after the Great Swamp Fight, a devastating assault on their central village by a combined English and Indian force in December 1675. The Second Battle of Nipsachuck Battlefield is a historic military site in North Smithfield, Rhode Island. A largely swampy terrain, it is the site of one of
Photographed by Barbara Lema, September 2, 2012

3. The Great Swamp Fight Marker - Rhode Island Boulder
the last battles of King Philip's War to be fought in southern New England, on July 2, 1676.

(Submitted on April 19, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

3. Queen's Fort - Wikipedia.

Queen's Fort is a historic site in Exeter, Rhode Island. A round, rocky hillock, the site has long been described as the site of a Native American fortification constructed before 1676 by Queen Quaiapen and members of the Narragansett Indian Tribe who survived the Great Swamp Massacre.

(Submitted on April 19, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

4. The 1676 Battle of Nipsachuck: Identification and Evaluation (NPS).

The Second Battle of Nipsachuck (Battle of Mattity Swamp) on July 2, 1676 was the

culminating action of Connecticut’s six-month campaign against the Narragansett during the

latter half of King Philip’s War (late December 1675 – early July 1676). (This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service)

(Submitted on April 19, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

Photographed by James Clayton Sattel, February 1

4. The Great Swamp Fight Marker

Major Samuel Appleton Memorial Marker image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Providence Public Library, unknown

5. Major Samuel Appleton Memorial Marker

The now-missing memorial marker for Major Samuel Appleton. Date unknown. Hosted by the Providence Public Library at https://provlibdigital.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A15845.

Photographed by Glen Prentice, May 12, 2022

6. The Great Swamp Fight Marker

Was there in February 2022. It looks like someone tried to piece it back together, unfortunately it's still impossible to read.

Courtesy of Providence Public Library

7. The Great Swamp Fight Marker

Historical photo, date taken unknown, of the now missing Major Samuel Appleton memorial marker located near the obelisk.

The Great Swamp Fight Obelisk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barbara Crudale, Volunteer, Smith's Castle, RI, June 2, 2003

8. The Great Swamp Fight Obelisk

Marker can be seen directly in front of the obelisk.

Courtesy Providence Public Library

9. The Great Swamp Fight Marker

Historical photograph, date taken unknown.