Hadley Township near Barry in Pike County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
James Washington (1855-1950)
New Philadelphia Walking Tour
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 5, 2026
1. James Washington (1855-1950) Marker
James Washington was born an enslaved person in Lincoln County, Missouri. Before 1890 he brought his family to New Philadelphia to obtain a better education for his four children. He married Mary McWorter and farmed very successfully nearby. His children attended local rural Shaw School where he voted in school board elections. He is buried in the nearby New Philadelphia Cemetery and as of 2020 is the last person interred there. Much of his family resided or made visits to the area for many years.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Education • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, New Philadelphia National Historic Site Walking Tour series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
Location. 39° 41.801′ N, 90° 57.62′ W. Marker is near Barry, Illinois, in Pike County. It is in Hadley Township. It is on 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E) near County Road 2, on the left. Marker and bench are along the trail on the New Philadelphia National Historic Site grounds. Touch for map. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Illinois River Valley. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in 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 and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: LeMoyne Washington (1913-1998) (here, next to this marker); New Philadelphia Landscape and McWorter Family Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); Martin and George Kimbro (a few steps from this marker); Squire and Louisa McWorter Homestead (within shouting distance of this marker); New Philadelphia Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Pike County Historic Structures (within shouting distance of this marker); Rev. Christopher Sanborn Luce (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Free Frank and Free Lucy McWorter Homestead (about
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 5, 2026
2. James Washington (1855-1950) Marker and Memorial Bench
Also see . . .
1. James Washington at Find A Grave. (Submitted on June 11, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. New Philadelphia National Historic Site. (Submitted on June 11, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 11, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
