Henry Washington Sawyer
1830 – 1893
Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania May 16, 1830. Moved to Cape May (then Cape Island) in 1848 as carpenter and builder. In 1861 one of first enlisted from Cape May and assigned as 2nd Lt. of Special Guard at the capitol in Washington. Commissioned 2nd Lt. in N.J. Cavalry in 1862, promoted to 1st Lt. and Captain, and wounded and captured at Brandy Station in 1863. In Libby Prison one of two captains chosen to be executed in retaliation for execution of two Confederate spies. President Lincoln threatened to execute Brig. Gen. William H.F. Lee, son of General Robert E. Lee if Captain Sawyer was shot. Exchanged for Gen. Lee in 1864, returned to active duty and again wounded. Discharged as colonel in 1865. Returned to Cape May and operated The Ocean House. Built Hotel Chalfonte in 1876 and ran it until his death. Served 9 years on Cape May City Council, was Superintendent of the U.S. Life Saving Service for the State of New Jersey Coast and Member of N.J. State Sinking Fund Commission. Died October 16, 1893. Buried in Old Cold Spring Cemetery.
Marker can be reached from Washington Street, on the right when traveling east.
Courtesy hmdb.org
