The Hudson, from the Wilderness to the Sea
Irving chose the plot of ground where his remains now lie, for his family burial-place. A few years later, when the contents of the grave and vaults in the burial-ground of the "Brick Church" in New York, were removed, the remains of his family were taken to this spot and interred.^ A gentleman who accompanied me to the grave, superintended the removal. Mr. Irving had directed the remains to be so disposed as to allow himself to lie by the side of his mother. And when the burial was performed, the good old man stood thoughtfully for awhile, leaning against a tree, and looking into his mother's grave, as it was slowly filled with the earth. Then covering his face with his hands he wept as tenderly as a young child, f According to his desire he now rests by the side of that mother, whom he loved dearly ; and at his own left hand is reserved a space for his only surviving brother. General Ebenezer Irving, ten years his senior, who yet (18G6) resides at Sunnyside at the
age of about ninety-four years, j
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THE HUDSON.
f The remains of Mr. Irving's old Scotch nurse were, at his request, buried in the same grave with his mother. Of this faithful woman Mr. Irving once said, -- "I remember General Washington perfectly. There was some occasion when he appeared in a public procession ; my nurse, a good old Scotch woman, was very anxious for me to see him, and held me up in her arms as he rode past. This, however, did not satisfy her ; so the next day, when walking with me in Broadway, she espied him in a shop ; she seized my hand, and darting in, exclaimed in her bland Scotch, -- ' Please your excellency, here's a bairn that's called after ye ! ' General Washington then turned his benevolent face full upon me, smiled, laid his hand upon my head, and gave me his blessing, which," added Mr.