This sculpture is part of Watts' tomb located in the cemetery to the left of Trinity Church.
The statue depicts Watts, a bit larger than life-sized, standing with a full length robe over several other layers of clothing. He wears a formal wig and holds a scroll in his right hand while looking determinedly forward. The bronze work has a heavy green patina. It was sculpted by George Edwin Bissell in 1890, 54 years after Watts' death. The piece is set on a stone plinth about 5 feet high with his name inscribed on the front.
The inscription on the back reads:
"VIR AEQUANIMITATIS
JOHN WATTS,
BORN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK AUGUST 27, 1749 (O.S)
AND DIED THERE SEPTEMBER 3, 1836 (N.S.)
LAST RECORDER OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
1774-1777. NO RECORDS DURING THE REVOLUTION.
SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
JANUARY 5, 1791 - JANUARY 7, 1795
MEMBER OF CONGRESS 1793 - 1795
FIRST JUDGE OF WESTCHESTER CO 1806
FOUNDER AND ENDOWER OF THE LEAKE AND WATTS
ORPHAN HOUSE IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK; ONE OF
THE FOUNDERS AND AFETRWARDS PRESIDENT OF
THE NEW YORK DISPENSARY 1821 - 1836. &c &c &c"
Wikipedia's page on Watts (
visit link) has an additional photo of the work and informs us:
"John Watts (August 27, 1749 New York City - September 3, 1836) was an American lawyer and politician from New York City who represented New York in the U.S. House.
Life
He was the son of John Watts (1715–1789) and Ann (DeLancey) Watts (d. 1784). He completed preparatory studies and studied law. He was the last Recorder of New York City under the English Crown, appointed in 1774.
Watts was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1791 to 1793, serving as Speaker during these three terms. He was a member of the commission to build Newgate Prison in New York City (1796–1799).
Watts was elected as a Federalist to the 3rd United States Congress, and served from March 4, 1793, to March 3, 1795. He was defeated in his run for re-election by Edward Livingston.
He was a judge of Westchester County, New York from 1802 to 1807.
Watts married his cousin Jane DeLancey, and their only son was Robert J. Watts to whom John G. Leake, a distant wealthy relative who died childless, left his extensive properties. Robert inherited Leake's personal property (the real estate was escheated to the State because of technical problems of the "will") but died very soon. The grieving father then founded and endowed the Leake and Watts Orphan House with the Leake inheritance.
John Watts died in New York City and was laid to rest in a vault in Trinity Churchyard.
He was the grandfather of Philip Kearny, who was interred in Watts's vault until being removed to Arlington National Cemetery.
Archibald Kennedy, 11th Earl of Cassilis was Watts's brother-in-law, and Archibald Kennedy, 1st Marquess of Ailsa was Watt's nephew."