Cypress Hills in Brooklyn in Kings County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Rockaway Footpath

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2010

1. Rockaway Footpath Marker

Inscription. On the eve of the Battle of Long Island in the early morning hours of August 27, 1776, General William Howe, commander of the British forces, ordered a local tavern owner, William Howard, and his son to guide several thousand British redcoats along this path in order to avoid detection by the patriot sentries believed to be guarding nearby Jamica pass.
Dedicated on the two-hundred and twenty-fifth
anniversary of the Battle of Long Island by
the Evergreens Cemetery,
August 12, 2001.

Erected 2001 by Evergreens Cemetery.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1776.

Location. 40° 41.077′ N, 73° 54.022′ W. Marker is in Brooklyn, New York, in Kings County. It is in Cypress Hills. Marker is on Bushwick Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located in Evergreen Cemetery near the office. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1629 Bushwick Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11207, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Howard’s Inn – Evergreen Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); Rudd Playground (approx. ¼ mile away); Thomas Boyland Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Callahan-Kelly Playground (approx. half a mile

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

away); Hull Street Community Garden (approx. half a mile away); New Hope Pentecostal Church of Greater Mt. Zion Inc. (approx. 0.7 miles away); Marion & Hopkinson Playground (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Marion & Hopkinson Playground (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brooklyn.

Also see . . . Evergreen Cemetery website. (Submitted on April 24, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2010

2. Marker

The office of Evergreen Cemetery is behind the marker.

Rockaway Footpath image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2010

3. Rockaway Footpath

The probable location of the trail taken by the British on the night of August 27, 1776, is marked by Evergreen Cemetery.

Grave of William Howard image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2010

4. Grave of William Howard

16-year-old William Howard, Jr., along with his father, guided the British army to the Jamaica pass, allowing them to outflank the Americans. He is buried here, not far from the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,296 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 24, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.