From George Washington to James Craik, 9 April 1793
To James Craik
Mount Vernon Aprl 9th 1793
Dear Sir,
On thursday, 1 Oclock afternoon, it is proposed to pay the last Office (in funeral obsequies) to my deceased Nephew; at which I should be glad to see you. The funerl Service will be in presence of a few friends only; & dinner for these will be ready at half after two Oclock; at which I shall expect you.1
Mrs Washington mentioned Mr Porter (as an intimate of Her late husbd) and I should be glad to see him on the occasion2—I do not, as it is intended to be a private burial, go beyond this in formal invitations, but if you shd see Colo. Fitzgerald, Mr Herbert, & Colo. Gilpin, who, I believe, were among the first & most intimate, of his acquaintances, & would mention these circumstances to them I should be obliged to you and happy in seeing them.3 I am &ca.
ADf, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW.
1. GW wrote this letter on Tuesday, 9 April, giving those whom he invited two days’ notice for the funeral of George Augustine Washington, who had died on 5 February. On this same date GW sent a similar invitation to David Stuart and asked Bryan Fairfax to officiate at the ceremony.
2. George Augustine Washington’s widow, Frances Bassett Washington, probably was referring to Thomas Porter, a merchant in Alexandria.
3. John Fitzgerald, William Herbert, and George Gilpin were Alexandria merchants.