Lorton in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

William Brown, M.D.

(ca. 1748-1792)

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 26, 2018

1. William Brown, M.D. Marker

Inscription. Dr. William Brown, Revolutionary War physician, was born in Scotland and raised in Maryland. After studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh, he established a practice in Alexandria. In 1775 he became surgeon of the 2nd Virginia Regiment. In 1778 the Continental Congress appointed him physician general of the Middle Department, extending from the Hudson to the Potomac River. At the military hospital in Lititz, Dr. Brown compiled the “Lititz Pharmacopeia” (1778), a collection of medical procedures and formulas for the compounding of medications. This was the first American formulary and a pioneering effort to provide standardized care. Brown is buried here in Pohick Cemetery.

Erected 2017 by Virginia Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number E-144.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Patriots & Patriotism • Science & Medicine • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1775.

Location. 38° 42.568′ N, 77° 11.669′ W. Marker is in Lorton, Virginia, in Fairfax County.

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It is on Richmond Highway (U.S. 1), on the right when traveling east. Marker is on the edge of the Pohick Church Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9301 Richmond Highway, Lorton VA 22079, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

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 the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Washingtons at Pohick Church (here, next to this marker); The Herris Stone (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wagener (about 300 feet away); Peter Wagener, III (about 300 feet away); The West Family of Alexandria (about 300 feet away); Col. John Augustine Washington (about 300 feet away); Revolutionary War Patriots and War of 1812 Veterans (about 300 feet away); Pohick Church (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lorton.

More about this marker. The Mary Elizabeth Conover Foundation inspired the placement of this marker and funded its manufacturing.

Regarding William Brown, M.D.. Dr. Brown was originally buried in the Alexander family cemetery at Preston. When the Pennsylvania Railroad bought the Preston Estate for it's Potomac Yard, the graves were moved from Preston to Pohick Church.

Also see . . .
1. William Brown (physician) - Wikipedia.

In 1777 Congress elected Brown Surgeon General. He spent a dismal winter with
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 7, 2021

2. William Brown, M.D. Marker
General George Washington in Valley Forge. His services were well used for the remainder of the war and, in recognition, he replaced Benjamin Rush as Physician General in 1788. Brown relocated to a new general hospital at Lititz, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania where he made a number of changes to improve the facilities and capacities at the hospital, including sanitation improvements and assessing the supply of affordable medications for future wartimes. His list of medications became his Pharmacopeia Simpliciorum et Effecaciorum in usum Nocosomii Militaris, and was the first of its kind printed in the United States.

(Submitted on April 23, 2022, by Lawrence Merle Nelson of Springfield, Virginia.)

2. Video General William Brown, MD Historic Marker Dedication Ceremony. On Veterans Day 2017 the Care for the Troops and Friends of General Brown, MD initiatives of the Mary Elizabeth Conover Foundation hosted a dedication ceremony in honor of William Brown, MD. The ceremony took place at Pohick Church, in Pohick, Virginia. This video was produced by the Mary Elizabeth Conover Foundation. (Submitted on April 23, 2022, by Lawrence Merle Nelson of Springfield, Virginia.)

3. Revolutionary Hope - The Story of Physician General William Brown, MD. This video documents the dedication

William Brown's Gravestone in Pohick Church Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 26, 2018

3. William Brown's Gravestone in Pohick Church Cemetery

In Memory of
William Brown M.D.
Formerly Physician General
to the Hospital of the United States
who died on the 11th of Jan'y 1792
in the 44th Year of his Age.
this Tablet is inscribed
by
his affectionate & afflicted widow.

His zeal & fidelity as a patriot
his patience, diligence and skill as a physician,
his benevolence courtesy & integrity as a Man,
Secured him
the applause of his country,
The honor & emoluments of his profession,
the respect of the wealthy,
and
the veneration of the poor.

Let
the grateful witness of his virtue in domestic life
and
that as a Husband, Father and Master,
he was tender, instructive and humane
that he live without guile,
and died without reproach.

ceremony of a historic marker recognizing the service of Physician General William Brown, MD. He served in the American Revolutionary War and was responsible for managing the hospitals between the Potomac and Hudson Rivers. He was a visionary in his efforts to provide standardized care to all the troops. During war and while running a hospital in Lititz, Pennsylvania he published a field manual on care for all the physicians in the Continental Army. He is buried at Pohick Church, Pohick Virginia. (Submitted on April 23, 2022, by Lawrence Merle Nelson of Springfield, Virginia.)

Revolutionary<br>Soldier image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 26, 2018

4. Revolutionary
Soldier

1775 1783
Placed by the
Susan Riviere Hetzel
Chapter, D.A.R.

William Brown's Grave in Pohick Church Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 26, 2018

5. William Brown's Grave in Pohick Church Cemetery

The stone next to William Brown's is not the grave of his wife Catherine Scott Brown (1740-1813) but that of Mrs. Susan P. Alexander.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 27, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,659 times since then and 100 times this year. Last updated on April 10, 2025, by Lawrence Merle Nelson of Springfield, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on December 27, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 2. submitted on March 7, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 27, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.