Watch Hill in Westerly in Washington County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
Ninigret
Enid Yandell SC 1911
| — | In Memory of Clement Acton Grisco | — |
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, July 15, 2026
1. In Memory of Clement Acton Griscom Marker
Clement • Acton • Griscom
1911
Erected 1913 by Town of Westerly.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the King Philip's War 1675-1676 series list.
Location. 41° 18.721′ N, 71° 51.384′ W. Memorial is in Westerly, Rhode Island, in Washington County. It is in Watch Hill. It is on Bay Street south of Sunset Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 31 Bay St, Westerly RI 02891, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is on Narragansett Bay and in South County. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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 3 miles
this page online
More about this memorial. The cast bronze sculpture “Ninigret” by American female sculptor Enid Yandell that now sits in the Watch Hill Village park was struck in Paris in 1911. Its form is said to have been inspired by one of a troop of Indians who visited Paris with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and who sat for Ms. Yandell. It was commissioned by Frances Griscom and given to the Watch Hill Fire District in memory of her husband Clement A Griscom after his death in 1912.
The sculpture was originally placed at the junction of Westerly Road and Ninigret Avenue in 1913 as
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, July 15, 2026
2. In Memory of Clement Acton Griscom Marker (wide)
Regarding Ninigret.
Clement A. Griscom (March 15, 1841 – November 10, 1912) was an American shipping magnate and financier. This sculpture representing Chief Ninigret of the Niantic Indians was commissioned by Mrs. Griscom, who donated the statue to the Watch Hill Fire District in her husband’s memory after his death in November 1912.
Chief Ninigret of the Niantics, whom Roger Williams described as “one of the chiefe sachems,” a “chiefe souldier” and “a notable instrument” among the natives is believed to have lived at Watch Hill, on the site of the Ocean House. In 1675, Ninigret apparently refused King Philip’s solicitation to join in his campaign to exterminate the white population, remaining neutral or taking no part.
Another popular image, a portrait long-believed to be of Ninigret would later be the model for an engraved
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, July 15, 2026
3. "Ninigret” bronze (back)
Signed and dated by the sculptor in the bronze, lower right.
ENID YANDELL SC
1911 Ms. Yandell went on to become an author, advocate for women’s suffrage and Red Cross executive among her other work.
1911
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Other memorials to Ninigret, Chief of the Niantics
Also see . . .
1. Ninigret - Wikipedia. Ninigret (also known as Juanemo according to Roger Williams) (c. 1610-1677) was a sachem of the eastern Niantic Indian tribe in New England at the time of colonization, based in Rhode Island. In 1637, he allied with the colonists and the Narragansetts against the Pequot Indians. Ninigret is credited with keeping the Niantics out of King Philip's War, in which the colonists fought to prevent their homes and settlements from being destroyed by certain Indian tribes... (Submitted on July 15, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
2. Chief Ninigret of the Niantics.
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, July 15, 2026
4. "Ninigret” bronze (front)
Chief Ninigret is believed to have lived at Watch Hill, on the site of the Ocean House -- the sculpture was originally placed at the junction of Westerly Road and Ninigret Avenue in 1913 as a fountain, water flowing from the mouths of the two fish Ninigret holds. In 1936 the sculpture was relocated to the park. Next, in 1951, it was transferred to the lawn of the Memorial House of the Watch Hill Improvement Society, only to be returned to the park later.(Submitted on July 15, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
3. Enid Yandell - Wikipedia. Ms. Enid Yandell (October 6, 1869 – June 12, 1934) was an American sculptor from Louisville, Kentucky, who studied with Auguste Rodin in Paris, Philip Martiny in New York City, and Frederick William MacMonnies.
Yandell was one of a group of women sculptors known as the “White Rabbits”, who were organized by sculptor Lorado Taft to complete the numerous statues and other architectural embellishments for the Horticultural
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, July 15, 2026
5. "Ninigret” Statue and Fountain (wide)
She was an avid supporter of the women’s suffrage movement, WWI orphans’ welfare and she served as an executive in the American Red Cross.
In 1898 Yandell became the first woman member to join the National Sculpture Society. (Submitted on July 16, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
4. Chief “Juanemo” Ninigret (1610-1677) - Find-a-Grave. Sachem of the Niantics. (Submitted on July 17, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 37 times since then. Last updated on July 23, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 15, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
