On August 9, 1873 the steamer Wawaset caught fire and sank in the Potomac south of Washington. Among the victims were Joseph Reed's second wife, three children, an aunt and a cousin. Interred in the site are: Sarah J., aged 28 years; Sarah L., aged 7 years; Marion B., aged 7 years; Joseph B., aged 2 years and 6 months, Julia A. Kelly and Bettie A. Reed.