The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1895-03-06
From the Dover IN. J.) Index ]
GEORGE CoRYELL.
One of the Men Who Helped to Bury
George Washington.
CHESTER, N. J., Feb. 10, 1891

CHESTER. N. j., Feb. Is, 1906.
To the Editor of The Hader:'
Reading the article in the Irader Of Feb.
18th, entitled "He Helped Bury Washing
ton, l thought the following biographical
sketches of George Coryell, taken from the
history Of Lodge No. az, A. F. & A. NJ,
of Virginia, would prove interesting to the
readers of your paper: George Coryell
was born at Coryell's Ferry (now Lam
bertville), N. j., in 1869. During the first
Presidential term of Washington he re-
sided in Philadelphia, where he built for
Benjamin Franklin a gate attached to his
residence near Third and Chestnut streets.
This gate was of such elaborate finish as
to attract the attention of Washington, by
whom he was induced to move to Virginia
and settle 10 Alexandria, where he mar.
ried. He received the Masonic degrees
in Lodge No. 20 10 1906, and the follow
ing year was Senior Deacon. On several
occasions he was present 10 the Lodge
when Washington was In attendance, who
he always heard was prompt as Worship
full Master in opening the Lodge at the
time fixed by the Bylaws. Washington
was Master of this Lodge during the years
OF 1887 and 1881 AS member Of the
Lodge he attended the funeral of Wash
ington, and during the removal of the re
mains from the Mansion to the tomb re-
lieved Lieut.. Moss, delicate man, who
had given way under the weight, as one
of the bearers OF the corpse.
About the year 1896 George and his
brother built the three-story brick house,
No. 81, on the south side of Duke street,
between Fairfax and Lee Chen Water)
streets, for DIR. James Craik, who, during
the Revolutionary War Q777), was AS
sistant Director General Of the Hospital
Department Of the Army. George owned
the lot next last, and built frame house,
still standing (l875), which he occupied.
He resided in Alexandria for many
years, and for some years, about 1886,
was "Clerk OF the Market and Sealer OF
Weights and Measures. About the year
1916 he returned to Lambertville TO spend
the remainder OF bis days with his family.
The monument erected over his remains,
at Lambertvile, contains the following
inscription: "George Coryell, died Feb.
1s, A. d. 1850, aged 81 years. The last
survivor of the six men who laid the
father of our country 10 his tomb. A
brother member with General Washington
OF Lodge No. %. The poet has told his
character
II" A wits feather, and
Chief rod
An honest mans the noblest
Work OF God"
The Coryell family were Of Huguenot
stock, aud settled at and established
Coryell Ferry at an early day. 1t was to
this point that CORVALLIS pursued Wash
ingion across the Jerse VS., and was ferried
over by the Coryeil's.
Cornelius Coryell, the father Of George,
acted as guide to Washington during his
operations In that part OF New Jersey.
/ see by the minutes OF Lodge No. %
that the pail bearers of Washington were
Col. Chas. Simmons, Col. Dennis Ram
sey, Col. VIM. Payne, Col. George Gilpin,
Col. Philip Marsteller and Col. Chas. Lit
tie, all OF whom were officers OF the Revo-
luton, Masons and members of Lodge
No. %, except Col. Marsteller, who was
a member OF another Lodge.
Yours, II. P. DRAKE.