Towson in Baltimore County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hometown Hero
Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
— War of 1812 —
A lieutenant colonel at war’s end, Towson was later made a brigadier general. He was still on active duty, as paymaster general, when he died in 1854.
(Side Bar) Sword of Honor-Nathan Towson was fighting on the Canadian border when the British attacked Baltimore in 1814. In recognition of his service to country, Maryland gave him a sword inscribed with the actions where he nobly fought.
“This officer (Captain Towson) has so often distinguished himself, that…I have no idea that there is an Artillery officer in any service superior to him in the knowledge and performance of his duty.”
General Eleazer Ripley report of Battle of Fort Erie, August 1814
(Inscription under the sketch on the left)
Towson’s Battery (far left in this 1814 sketch) was called “Towson’s Lighthouse” because of its relentless firing during the defense of Fort Erie. By U.S. Army Captain Loring Austin-Image courtesy of Clements Library, University of Michigan.
(Inscription beside the painting in the lower center)
Nathan Towson, ca 1815. By Rembrandt Peale-Image/Courtesy Maryland Historical Society
(Inscription under the engraving in the lower right)
A fanciful engraving of General Winfield Scott (on horseback) with Nathan Towson (on foot in foreground) Image courtesy of Baltimore County Library.
Erected by National Park Service-United States Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1784.
Location. 39° 24.012′ N, 76° 36.33′ W. Marker is in Towson, Maryland, in Baltimore County. Marker is on Washington Avenue. This marker is located on the grounds of the Towson Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Towson MD 21204, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Abisado (a few steps from this marker); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Baltimore County Courthouse (about 400 feet away); Towson Library (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lynching in America / Lynching of Howard Cooper (approx. 0.2 miles away); World War I Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historic East Towson (approx. 0.3 miles away); Epsom Chapel (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Towson.
Also see . . . Nathan Towson. Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 19, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 604 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on May 19, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 14, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 19, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.