Newhanover-Statewide County NcArchives History .....Wilmington's Funeral For George Washington January 23, 1800
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Carolyn Shank Carolynshank@msn.com August 14, 2008, 10:43 am

  WILMINGTON -- Jan. 23 -- On Sunday last, the funeral obsequencies in honor 
of GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON, deceased, as arranged by the committee for that 
purpose, were solemnized in this town. At sun-rise, minute guns at the number 
of 16 were fired from the Gillies and Revenue Cutters moored in a line in the 
river, the bell tolling during that period. The vessels in the harbor -- more 
than 60 -- having their colors at half mast. At 10 o'clock, the bells 
commenced again, when the procession formed opposite the Lodge in the 
following order:
   CAPT. NATHAN HILL'S Troop of Light Horse
   CAPT. WALKER'S Independent Company
   Band of Music playing a Death March
   LIEUTENANT HARRIS
   Marines Commanded by CAPTAINS McKERAIL and DORSEY
   16 girls in White with black Sashes
   Physicians, DRS. LEVERET and McNEIL
   The REV. MR. HALLING
   A white Horse, with military accoutraments reversed, in sable furniture  
         and Plumes, led by an old Continental Soldier
   Supports of the Pall Bearers
   MAJOR WALKER           URN        MAJOR WRIGHT
                          on
   COL. HILL             BIER        COL. TOOMER
                        CARRIED
                          BY
                        A FEW OLD
   GEN. SMITH           SOLDIERS     GEN. BROWN 

   Mourners, Order of Cincinnati and the old Continental Soldiers
   16 Boys with mourning crape, each carrying a Spring of Laurel
           and preceded by MR. JOCELYN, SENIOR
   Ladies dressed in white with black ribbons
   Mechanical Society, preceded by MR. JOHN ALLAN, president
   Masonic Societies in the mourning of the Fraternity, preceded by the 
          Worshipful SAMUEL MASON
   Militia Officers
   State Civil Officeers preceded by the Solicitor General
   Federal Civil Officers
   Masters of Vessels
   Strangers
   The inhabitants of Wilmington preceded by the oldest fellow citizen,
          WILLIAM CAMPBELL, ESQ., in full mourning
   The procession moved at 12 o'clock, under the discharge of the minute guns, 
until it entered the Church, the Pulpit and Desk whereof, had be previously 
shrouded; -- when the Bier being placed in the centre of the Church, the 
service appropriate to the occasion was performed by the REV. MR. HALLING, who 
delivered an animated and pathetic discourse from the following text: 2nd 
Chronicles, 35th Chapter, 25th Verse. "And all of Judah and Jerusalem mourned 
for Jonah." The solemnity of the ceremony was heightened by funeral hymns 
sung at intervals, and was rendered deeply affecting by the strong expressions 
of grief exhibited on every countenance.
   The Urn being removed by the Cincinnati to the place appointed for the 
center aisle, the scene was clothed with the usual military honors.
                           

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