His Excellency the General on Memorial Day

 

Washington's Tomb from a 1907 postcard

The New Tomb of General George Washington, called such because his body was moved to this new structure in 1831 due to the deteriorating conditions of the original family vault. 

The original tomb circa 1818

The new marble sarcophagus was finished in 1837 and was produced by Joseph Struthers of Philadelphia. The General lies in the tomb with his wife and 23 other family members.

The General died December 14  1799 after suffering an acute throat infection and was laid to rest. Some details of the preparations from his personal secretary Tobias Lear. (Of local interest, Lear was briefly married to Fanny Bassett, daughter of Burwell Bassett I of Eltham.)

Tuesday – Decr. 17.

           Every preparation for the mournful ceremony was making. – Mr. Diggs came here in the forenoon, and also – Mr. Stewart Adjutant to the Alexa. Regt. to view the ground for the procession. – About one o’clk the Coffin was brought from Alexa. in a stage. – Mr. Ingle the Cabinit maker, and Mr. McMunn, the plumber came with it, also Mrs Grater, with the shroud. – The body was placed laid in the Coffin, at which time I cut off some of the General’s hair & gave for Mrs. Washington. –

The Mahogany Coffin was lined with lead, soddered at the joints – and a cover of lead to be soddered on after the body should be in the Vault. – The whole put into a case lined & covered with black cloth. –

You can take a virtual tour of the vault site here.

And from 2023 here. 

The Tomb of Washington- Mount Vernon

A digression.

Did you know that George Washington is still holds the highest rank of any member of the United States Armed Forces? This is thanks to a resolution of Congress passed during the nation's Bicentennial, the purpose of which was to give Washington the rank that had originally been created for him but through a quirk of history had never been  bestowed.

Joint Resolution

to provide for the appointment of George Washington to the grade of General of the Armies of the United States.

Whereas Lieutenant General George Washington of Virginia commanded our armies throughout and to the successful termination of our Revolutionary War;

Whereas Lieutenant General George Washington presided over the convention that formulated our Constitution;

Whereas Lieutenant General George Washington twice served as President of the United States of America; and

Whereas it is considered fitting and proper that no officer of the United States Army should outrank Lieutenant General George Washington on the Army list: Now, therefore, be it George Washington. General of the Armies of the United States, posthumous appointment.

Effective date.Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That (a) for purposes of subsection (b) of this section only, the grade of General of the Armies of the United States is established, such grade to have rank and precedence over all other grades of the Army, past or present.

(b) The President is authorized and requested to appoint George Washington posthumously to the grade of General of the Armies of the United States, such appointment to take effect on July 4, 1976.

Approved October 11, 1976.

100 Years Ago

          Virginia Highways Gradually Being Whipped Into Shape by State Department.

 . . .

The Coast-to-Capital highway, or Route 9, has its origin at the Hampton Creek bridge, near Old Point Comfort. From there to Lee Hall the highway is of concrete. From Lee Hall through Williamsburg and Toano to Diascund Creek is under construction and will be concrete surfaced. Bids will be opened on June 7 for the construction at eleven miles of concrete highway from Diascund creek to Providence Forge.

 A survey has been completed and plant have been prepared for a gravel read from Providence Forge to Bottoms Bridge, a distance of 10.8 miles. From Bottoms Bridge to Richmond has been surveyed and plans have been prepared for the early completion of the road from Richmond to Seven Pines. That leaves four miles not taken care of.

 . . .

-News Leader, 30 May 1923

                            

              POSTMASTER AT QUINTON CHARGED WITH EMBEZZLING

J. H. Johnson, postmaster at Quinton, New Kent county, was arrested by federal agents today, charged with embezzlement of government funds, the authorities alleging that they have found a shortage of his accounts. He was given a hearing before United States Commissioner Melvin Flegenheimer, but waived examination, and was sent on to the October term of the grand jury. Bond was fixed at $2,500.

 Johnson was arrested at Quinton Deputy Marshal Grant on a warrent sworn out by Inspector B. B. Webb of this city. Inspector Webb stated today that he knew nothing of alleged shortage in the accounts of office until he made an examination last Monday.

 The accused postmaster was placed in his position by Miss Myrtle Anderson Bailey, of Quinton, wife W. R. Bailey. Mr Webb said that appointment is a temporary one, that the selection of a permanent a successor to Mr. Johnson will probably be held in the next few weeks.

-News Leader, 21 April 1923

                    QUINTON POSTMASTER ENTERS GUILTY PLEA 

J. H. Johnson, former postmaster at, Quinton, New Kent county, who was arrested some months ago on a charge of embezzling government, funds to the amount of $2,335.27, pled guilty today In the United States district court. Sentence will be pronounced this afternoon by Judge D. Lawrence Groner.

-News Leader, 14 December 1923

     SENTENCED TO 7 MONTHS. 

J. H. Johnson, formerly postmaster, at Quinton, New Kent County, who pled guilty in United States district court yesterday to charges of embezzling government funds to the amount of $2,385 was sentenced to seven months in the city Jail by Judge D. Lawrence Groner. Johnson has already begun serving his term. 

-News Leader, 15 December 1923