George Washington’s Funeral
As mentioned, William Rickard performed the military procession at George Washington’s funeral. I’ve only been able to find one newspaper clipping covering the event. The newspaper entry described in great detail the happenings at the funeral:
At the dawn of day, the Mason’s hall was dressed in black, and the piazza shrouded with velvet. The coffin was placed in slate and remained until 12:00, when a large collection of the citizens of the Mero district appeared in habiliments prepared for the solemn occasion, and moved in the following order and procession to the church:
The head of the Federal Academy. Students, two and two. Mechanics, with wands emblematical of their order. Citizens. Colonel commandant and Major of the 1st battalion. Magistrates of the county of Davidson.
Cardinal virtues of Masonry: FAITH – HOPE – CHARITY.
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These characters were represented by three ladies in black satin, with black turbans, white roses and scarfs, three sisters by birth, three sisters allied by Masonic ties.
Eight young ladies in white, trimmed with black, black scarves and wands in mourning.
Orator, supported by two young ladies, TRUTH AND INNOCENCE, with their emblems.
The three characteristics of Masonry: WISDOM-STRENGTH-BEAUTY.
There were three young ladies in white, and bearing wands with black pendants, figured with letters of gold.
The altar, elegantly trimmed with black lace, bearing the Bible, square and compass, regularly elevated with the character of PITY clothed with the shield of Mars, and bearing a spear entwined with black and tipped with gold.
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On the shield, the Cypher GW, with the words VALOR UNSTAINED. In the center, a helmet, encompassed with a laurel and sprig of Cassia. In the body of the helmet a sword in mourning, running obliquely.
It would be doing justice to the young lady who performed this character, to observe, that with her attitude, expression, and apparent feeling, the far surpassed expectation, and was universally caressed by an afflicted people.
The coffin in black, trimmed with white, bearing the mourning swords and carried by four young students of the seminary. Pall of white, trimmed with black lace, with satin loops, supported by four royal arch Masons in their full order, attended by six young ladies in white and black, wands in mourning.
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On the coffin was the all-seeing eye of Providence. Upon the breastfeeding an urn, with the representation of the Bible, square and compass, under which was this inscription:
George Washington
Died 14th Dec. 1799. Aged 68-9
With these words:
“The comfort which thou gavest, receive.”
Under the representation of an hourglass and scythe.
THE GODDESS OF AMERICA, supporting the Captain of Liberty-Protected by William Rickard, esquire, Captain of the 3rd regiment of the United States army, in elegant uniform, with the order of Cincinnati, trimmed with black. The two characters were handsomely supported-they moved with pride and solemn grandeur.
Married ladies, in black, with wands tipped with black.
The honorable John McNairy, judge of the federal district Court, supported by his Marshall: bearing a standard of white satin, with the likeness of our departed hero in the center, encircled by a wreath of laurel, with the words:
“A LAST FAREWELL.” Below the portrait: “How sweet is death, when carn’d by virtue.”
The three grand Lights. Masonic society in black aprons with black bows and scarves.
Secretary. Right worshipful master, in elegant order, with his wardens.
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President’s horse-elegantly caparisoned, boots reversed, saddle in mourning, and led by two young mulatto boys, with scarves who seemed to feel, as well to deploy their melancholy talk.
After arriving at the church, a sermon was delivered by the Reverend A. Boyd, dressed in his ministerial gown and caflock-with these words of sacred writ: The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
The orator, Dr. W. Dickson, a Masonic brother, then delivered an eloquent eulogy, marked with the tenderest sympathy, expressed with the warmest gratitude, and felt with the sincerest affection. He spoke of him as he delivered. Nothing extenuated, nor set down aught in malice.