Barney Circle in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Thomas R. Gedney
Subdued America's First Presidential Assassin
— Congressional Cemetery —
On the “cold, damp” day of Friday, January 30, 1835 President Andrew Jackson and other dignitaries attended a memorial service in the Capitol Rotunda for the recently deceased South Carolina Congressman Warren R. Davis. As the crows departed at the east portico in front of the edifice, a sinister figure, hidden behind one of the huge columns, waited for Jackson to approach. When about eight feet away, Richard Lawrence, a deranged, unemployed house painter, drew a pistol and aimed at the President — it misfired! Dropping the weapon he pulled another with the same results. Naval Captain Thomas R. Gedney and Congressman Davey Crockett lunged at Lawrence, grabbing him with his arms, knocking him down “and then pinioned him.” Gadney “held the assassin fast,” releasing him to United States Marshall Alexander Hunter.
Erected by Historic Congressional Cemetery.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #07 Andrew Jackson series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 30, 1835.
Location. 38° 52.962′ N, 76° 58.661′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Barney Circle. Marker can be reached from E Street Southeast, 0.1 miles east of Potomac Avenue Southeast, on the right when traveling east. It is in Congressional Cemetery at his gravesite. Touch for map
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John Smilie (here, next to this marker); Elbridge Gerry (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Elbridge Gerry (a few steps from this marker); Uriah Tracy (a few steps from this marker); Pushmataha (within shouting distance of this marker); Levi Casey (within shouting distance of this marker); Ann G. Sprigg (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southeast Washington.
Also see . . . CPT Thomas R Gedney. Find A Grave website entry (Submitted on July 25, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional commentary.
1. He also triggered the Amistad Case in 1839
Gedney, who would rise to Commander during his career with the U.S. Navy, commanded the Navy brig that seized the schooner La Amistad off Long Island. Aboard were 53 enslaved Africans that had taken control of the ship. Having “rescued” the ship from the Africans he was entitled to salvage its cargo, and he included the Africans in his list of cargo to be sold to pay his due. It was his suit for salvage rights that gave the Africans and their abolitionist supporters access to U.S. federal courts, and in a case that went all
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 29, 2019
2. Thomas R. Gedney Gravestone and Historical Marker
February 1799 – November 1957. Commander, U.S. Navy.
— Submitted January 22, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 575 times since then and 51 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week January 23, 2022. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 29, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
