Tobias Lear, A Minute Account of the Last Sickness and Death of George Washington, December 14, 1799
Tobias Lear, A Minute Account of the Last Sickness and Death of George Washington, Mount Vernon, Virginia: December 14, 1799. Tobias Lear Papers.
Mt Vernon
Sunday Eveng.
Dr Mrs Barry –
The great & good man is
no more – he was taken ill with the
Croup on Saturday morng. at 3 OClock
& expired with his characteristic
firmness on Saturday at 11 OClock
P.M. I cannot dwell upon this
painful subject –
yr sly affy
Law –
The following circumstantial account of the last illness and death of General Washington was noted by T. Lear, on Sunday following his death, which happened on Saturday Eveng Decr. 14th. 1799, between the hours of ten and eleven. –
On Thursday Decr. 12th the General rode out to his farms about ten o’clock, and did not return home till past 3 oclk. Soon after he went out, the weather became very bad, rain hail and snow falling alternately, with a cold wind. – When he came in I carried some letters to him, to frank, intending to send them to the Post Office in the evening. – He franked the letters; but said the weather was too bad to send a servant up to the Office that evening. – I observed to him that I was afraid he had got wet, he said no, his great coat had kept him dry; but his neck appeared to be wet, and the snow was hanging on his hair. – He came to dinner without changing his dress. In the Evening he appeard as well as usual.-
A heavy fall of snow took place on friday, which prevented the General from riding out as usual. – He had taken cold (undoubtedly from being so much exposed the day before) and complained of having a sore throat – he had a hoarseness, which increased in the evening; but he made light of it, as he would never take anything to carry off a cold; always observing, “let it go as it came”. – In the evening, the papers having come from the Post Office, he sat in the room, with Mrs. Washington and myself, reading them, ’till about nine o’clock, and
and, when he met with anything which he thought diverting or interesting, he would read it aloud. – He desired me to read to him the debates of the Virginia Assembly, on the election of a Senator and Governor; which I did. – On his retiring to bed, he appeared to be in perfect health, excepting the cold before mentioned, which he considered as triffling, and had been remarkably cheerful all the evening. –
About two or three o’clk in the Saturday Morning he awoke Mrs. Washington & told her he was very unwell, and had had an ague. She observed that he could scarcely speak, and breathed with difficulty – and would have got up to call a servant; but he would not permit her lest she should take cold. – As soon as the day appeared, the Woman (Caroline) went into the Room to make a fire – She desired that Mr. Rawlins, one of the Overseers might who was used to bleeding the people, might be sent for to bleed him before the Doctor could arrive – And the Woman (Caroline) came to my room call requesting I might go to the General, who was very ill. – I got up & put my put on my Cloths as quick as possible, and went to his Chamber. – Mrs. Washington was then up, and related to me his being taken ill about 2 or 3 o’clk, as before stated. – I found him breathing with difficulty – and hardly able to utter a word intelligibly – I went out instantly – and wrote a line to Dr. Craik, which I sent off by my servant, ordering him to go with all the swiftness his horse could carry him, – and immediately returned
returned to the General’s Chamber, where I found him in the same situation I had left him. – A mixture of Molasses, Vinegar & butter was prepared, to try its effect in the throat; but he could not swallow a drop, whenever he attempted it he appeared to be distressed, convulsed, and almost suffocated. – Mr. Rawlins came in soon after sun rise – and prepared to bleed him. – when the arm was ready – the General, observing that Rawlins appeared to be agitated, said, as well as he could speak, “dont be afraid“, and after the incision was made, he observed “the orifice is not large enough“. – However, the blood ran pretty freely. – Mrs. Washington, not knowing whether bleeding was proper or not in the General’s situation; beg’d that much might not be taken from him, lest it should be injurious, and desired me to stop it; but when I was about to untie the string, the General put up his hand to prevent it, and as soon as he could speak, he said “more“. – Mrs. W. being still uneasy about lest too much blood should be taken, it was stop’d after about half a pint was taken from him. – Finding that no relief was obtaind from bleeding, and that nothing would go down the throat, I proposed bathing the throat externally with Salvalattila, which was done, and in the operation, which was with the hand, and in the gentlest manner, he observed ’tis very sore. A piece of flannel was then put round his neck. His feet were also soaked in warm water. – This, however, gave no relief. – In the mean time, before Doctor Craik arrived, Mrs. Washington requested me to send for Doct. Brown of Port
Port Tobacco, whom Doctor Craik had recommended to be called, if any case should ever occur that was seriously alarming. – I dispatched a Messenger (Cyrus) to Dr Brown immediately (about nine o’clk)
Doctor Craik came in soon after, and upon examining the General he he put a blister of Cantharides on the throat & took more blood from him, and had some Vinegar & hot water put into a Teapot, for the General to draw in the steam from the nozel – which he did, as well as he was able. – He also ordered sage tea and Vinegar to be mixed for a Gargle. – This the General used as often as desired; but when he held back his head to let it run down, it put him into great distress and almost produced suffocation. When the mixture came out of his mouth some phlegm followed it, and he would attempt to cough, which the Doctor encouraged him to do as much as he could; but without effect, he could only make the attempt. – About eleven o’clock Dr Dick was sent for. – Doctor Craik bled the General a second time again about this time. – No effect, however was produced by it, and he continued in the same state, unable to swallow anything. – Doctor Dick came in about 3 o’clk, and Dr. Brown arrived soon after. Upon Dr Dick’s seeing the Genl. & consulting a few minutes with Dr. Crak, he was bled again, the blood ran slowly – appeared very thick, and did not produce any symptoms of fainting. – Doctor Brown came into the Chamber soon after, and upon feeling the Generals pulse &c. the Physicians went out together. – Dr. Craik soon after returned. – The General could now swallow a little between (about 4 o’clk) – Calomil & tarter em. were administered; but without any effect. – About half past 4 o’clk, he desired me to ask Mrs. Washington to
to come to his bed side – when he requested her to go down into his room & take from his desk two Wills which she would find there, and bring them to him, which she did. – Upon looking at them he gave her one to burn, which she did which he observed was useless, as it was superceded by the other, and desired her to burn it, which she did, and then took the other & put it away. – Soon After this was done, I returned again to his bed side and took his hand. He said to me, “I find I am going, my breath cannot continue long, I believed, from the first attack it would be fatal, do you arrange & record all my late Military letters & papers – arrange my accounts & settle my books, as you know more about them than any one else, and let Mr. Rawlins finish recording my other letters, which he has begun“. – He asked “when Mr Lewis & Washington would return“? I told him I believed about the 20th of the month. He made no reply to it. – The Physicians again came in (between 5 & 6 o’clk) and when they came to his bed side, Dr. Craik asked him if he could sit up in the bed. He held out his hand to me & was raised up, when he said to the Physicians. “I feel myself going, you had better not take any more trouble about me; but let me go off quietly; I cannot last long” They found what had been done was without effect – he laid down again and they retired excepting Dr. Craik. – He the then said to him, “Doctor, I die hard, but I am not afraid to go, I believed from my first attack that I shd. not survive it, my breath cannot last long“. – The Doctor pressed his hand hand but could not utter a word. – He retired from the bed side – and sat
sat by the fire absorbed in grief. – About 8 o’clk the Physicians again came into the Room, and applied blisters to his legs; – but went out without a ray of hope. – From this time he appeared to breath with less difficulty than he had done; but was very restless, constantly changing his position to endeavor to get ease. – I aided him all in my power, and was gratified in believing he felt it; for he would look upon me with his eyes speaking gratitude; but unable to utter a word without great distress. – – About ten o’clock he made several attempts to speak to me before he could effect it – at length, he said, “I am just going, Have me decently buried, and do not let my body be put into the Vault ’till in less than two days after I am dead“. – I bowed assent. He looked at me again, and said “Do you understand me” – I replied Yes Sir, “Tis well” said he. – About ten minutes before he expired his breathing became much easier – he lay quietly – he withdrew his hand from mine & felt his own pulse – I spoke to Dr. Craik who sat by the fire – he came to the bed side. – The Generals hand fell from his wrist – I took it in mine and laid it upon my breast – Dr. Craik put his hands over his eyes and he expired without a struggle or a sigh”. – While we were fixed in silent grief – Mrs. Washington asked, with a firm & collected Voice, “Is he gone“. – I could not speak, but held up my hand as a signal that he was. – “Tis well” said she in the same Voice “Tis All is now over. – I have no more trials to pass through. – I shall soon follow him”. –
Occurrances not noted in the preceding pages –
The General’s servant, *Christopher, attended his bedside & in the room, when he was sitting up, through his whole illness. – About 8 o’clk in the Morng the General expressed a wish to get up. His clothes were put on, and he was led to a chair, by the fire. – He lay down again about two hours afterwards – A blister was administerd to him, by Dr. Craik’s directions, about one o’clock, but produced no effects. – – He was helped up again about 5 o’clock – and after sitting about an hour, he desired to be undressed again and put in bed, which was done. – Between the hours of 6 and nine o’clk, he frequently several time asked what hour it was. – During his whole illness, he spoke but seldom & with great difficulty and distress, and in so low & broken a voice as at times hardly to be understood. – His patience, fortitude & resignation never forsook him for a moment. – In all his distress he uttered not a sigh nor a complaint, always endeavoring to take what was offered him, or to do what he was desired. –
At the time of his decease Dr. Craik & myself were in the situation before mentioned. – Christopher was standing by the Bedside. – Mrs. Washington was sitting near the foot of the bed. – Caroline, Charlotte, and some other of the servants were standing in the Room near the door. – Mrs. Forbes, the House-keeper, was frequently in the Room in the day & evening. –
__
* – In the afternoon the General observing that Christopher had been standing by his bedside for a long time – made a motion for him to sit in a chair which stood by the bedside. –
As soon as Dr. Craik could speak, after the distressing scene was closed, he desired one of the servants to ask the Gentlemen below to come up stairs. – When they came around the bed, I kissed the cold hand, which I had ’till then held, laid it down, went to the fire and was for some time lost in profound grief, until aroused by Christopher desiring me to take care of the General’s keys and things which he had taken out of his pockets, and which Mrs. Washington directed him to give to me. – I tied them wraped them up in the General’s Handkerchief, and took them with me down stairs; – About 12 o’clk the Corps was brought down and laid out in the large Room. –
Sunday Decr. 15th. – Mrs. Washington sent for me in the morning and desired I would send up to Alexa. and have a Coffin made, which I did. – Doctor Dick measured the body which was as follows. – In length 6ft. 3 1/2 inchs – exact
Across the Shoulders 1 – 9 – ” – “
Across the Elbows – 2 – ” – ” – “
After breakfast I gave Dr. Dick and Dr. Brown forty dolls. each, which sum Dr. Craik advised as very proper, and they left us. – I wrote letters to the following persons informing them of the melancholly event. -*
Mrs. Washington informed me that the Executors to the Generals will, were – Wm. Washington Bushrod Washington G. S. Washington Saml. Washington – & G. W. P. Custis
Bushrod Washington – Colo. Wm. Washington – Inclosed to Colo Blackburn desiring him to forward them by express –
Lawrence Lewis – G. W. P. Custis – Sent express to New Kent by Caesar
The
The President of the United States
General Hamilton
John Lewis, desiring him to give information to his brothers George, Robert D Howell & to Capt Saml. Washington –
Sent to the Post Office –
George S. Washington
Colo. Ball
Genl. Pinckney
Capt Hammond
– Sent off to Berkley on Monday Morning by my Servant Charles.
Mrs. Stuart was sent for in the Morning. – About 10 o’clk Mr. Thos. Peter came down – and about 2 came Mr. & Mrs. Law to all whom I had sent on Saturday Evening. – Dr. Thornton came down with Mr. & Mrs. Law. – Dr. Craik tarried here all this day and night. –
In the evening I consulted with Mr. Law, Mr. Peter & Dr. Craik on fixing a day for depositing the body in the Vault. – I wished the ceremony to be postponed ’till the last of the week, to give time to some of the General’s Relatives to be here: But Dr. Craik & Dr. Thornton expressly gave it decidedly as their opinion that, considering the disorder of which the General died, being of an inflammatory kind, it would not be proper, nor perhaps safe to keep the body so long, and therefore Wednesday
was
was fixed upon for the funeral, to give allow a day (Thursday) in case the weather should be unfavourable on Wednesday –
Monday – Decr. 16th.
People are directed to open the Vault, clean away the rubbish from about it & make everything decent around it. –
Dr. Craik, Mr Peter & Dr. Thornton left us after breakfast. – Mrs. Stuart and her two daughters came here in the forenoon. – Mr. Anderson went to Alexa. to get a number of things preparatory for the funeral. – Clothes Mourning Clothes were ordered for the family, domestics & overseers. –
Information being received from Alexa. that the Military, Free Masons &c. were determined to show their respect to the memory of the General, by attending his body to the grave – measures were taken to make provision for the refreshments of a large number of people, as some refreshment wd. be expected, as they Mr. Robt Hamilton wrote a letter informing that a Schooner of his would be off Mt. Vernon to fire minute guns on the funeral of the deceased. – Gave notice of the time fixed for the burial to the following persons by Mrs. Washingtons desire. – Mr. Mason & family – Mr. Peake & family – Mrs. Peake – Mr. Nickols & family – Mr. McCarty & family – Miss McCarty – Mr. & Mrs. McClanahan – Lord Fairfax & family – Mr. Triplett & family – Mr Anderson & family – Mr Diggs – Mr. Cockburn & family
Mr
L. W. Massey & family. –
I wrote also to the Revd. Mr Davis to read the service. – Mrs. Washington desired that a door might be made for the Vault, instead of having it closed up as formerly, after the body shd. be deposited – Observing – “That it will soon be necessary to open it again.“
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. –
Wednesday Decr. 18
About 11 o’clk numbers of persons began to assemble to attend the funeral, which was intended to have been at twelve o’clk: but as a great part of the Troops expected could not get down in time, it did not take place till 3. – Eleven pieces of artillery were brought down. – And a Schooner belonging to Mr R. Hamilton
came
came down and lay off Mt Vernon to fire minute guns. – The Pall holders were as follow – Colonels – Little, Simms, Payne, Gilpin, Ramsey, & Marsteller – and Colo. Blackburn walked before the Corps. –
Colo. Little, Simms & Deneal and Doctr Dick took the ar formed the arrangements of the Procession – which was as follows – The Troops – Horse The Troops – Horse & foot – Music playing & solemn dirge with muffled Drums. – The Clergy – viz The Revd. Mr. Davis – Mr. Muir, Mr. Moffatt, & Mr. Addision – The Body borne by Officers & Masons, who insisted upon carrying it to the grave. – The Principal Mourners – viz. Mrs. Stuart & Mrs. Law – Misses Nancy & Sally Stuart – Miss Fairfax & Miss [Dennier?] – Mr. Law & Mr. Peter – Doctor Craik & T. Lear – Lord Fairfax & Ferdinando Fairfax. – Lodge No. 23. – Corporation of Alexandria. – All other persons, preceded by Mr. Anderson, Mr. Rawlins, the Overseers, &c. &c –
The Revd. Mr Davis read the service & made a short extemporary speech – The Masons performed their ceremonies – and the Body was deposited in the Vault. – All then returned to the House & partook of some refreshment – and dispersed with the greatest good order & regularity. – The remains of the Provision were distributed among the Blacks. – Mr. Peter, Dr. Craik & Dr. Thornton tarried here all night. –
To
Mrs. Barry
Baltimore
