Old City in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
National Funeral For President Washington
Erected 1999 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington, the Former U.S. Presidents: #02 John Adams, and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1879.
Location. 39° 57.175′ N, 75° 8.793′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Old City. Marker is at the intersection of North 4th Street and Arch Street on North 4th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 125 N 4th St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Keys To Community (within shouting distance of this marker); Kahal Kodosh Mikveh Israel (within shouting distance of this marker); History of the Philadelphia Fire Department Mural Project (within shouting distance of this marker); Philadelphia Conference (within shouting distance of this marker); Arch Street Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Arch Street Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker); Benjamin Franklin (within shouting distance of this marker); About the Meeting House / A Master Builder / Arch Street Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Regarding National Funeral For President Washington. On Thursday, December 12th, 1799 Washington was inspecting his grounds on horseback in a freezing rain at his Mount Vernon estate in Virginia. The following morning, he awoke complaining of a severe sore throat and hoarseness which worsened as the day progressed. At approximately 3 AM Saturday, he awoke his wife Martha, telling her that he felt ill. Several eminent doctors were called who diagnosed Washington with "the quinsy" (probably acute peritonsillar abscess or acute epiglottitis) and treated him by, among other remedies, "bleeding" which most likely only served to further weaken the former President. As the day progressed, Washington's breathing became extremely labored, most likely due to swelling of his epiglottis, and, despite his doctors' efforts, his condition rapidly deteriorated and his breathing became agonal until he finally expired at approximately 10 PM, Saturday Dec. 14th, 1799 at age 67. He was interred in a tomb at Mount Vernon on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 1799
Also see . . .
1. National Funeral For President Washington - Behind the Marker. ExplorePAHistory.com (Submitted on July 21, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
2. George Washington at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on July 21, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2011, by John Intile of Toms River, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,115 times since then and 90 times this year. Last updated on June 1, 2011, by John Intile of Toms River, New Jersey. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 27, 2011, by John Intile of Toms River, New Jersey. 3. submitted on December 13, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.