Washington’s Inaugural Procession Came Through Rahway In 1789 And Was Twice Reenacted
Submitted by Al Shipley, City Historian and Rahway Library Research Consultant
The most important news to circulate through Rahway back in the day when St. Georges Avenue was the main carriage route between New York and Philadelphia, was that General George Washington had been elected President of the United States. This was especially glorious news to those living in Rahway because it meant that the famous general would be passing directly through their town as he traveled from Mount Vernon to New York City to be inaugurated as their country’s first president. Those who were here in 1789 would stage an enthusiastic celebration as they welcomed Washington and on two occasions in later years, 1939 and 1989, reenactments of the inaugural journey would be recreated and celebrated.
Congress officially declared Washington to be the first president on April 6, 1789. As soon as the announcement was made, horsemen sped out of New York City heading for all corners of the new republic to spread the news. One of the most famous of these messengers was Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, who was given the honor of carrying the word to Mount Vernon to personally inform Washington. Thompson most likely followed St. Georges Avenue, so it is quite possible Rahway heard the news first hand.
On the morning of April 16, 1789, after bidding farewell to his beautiful Virginia home, Washington started the journey that would take him to the nation’s capital. If he had any doubts of his popularity when he left Mount Vernon, they were eliminated when his procession moved along the route. In every city, cheering citizens celebrated the general’s arrival. Streets and fences were lined by young and old alike trying to get a glimpse of Mr. Washington. Special ceremonies were conducted at Alexandria, Georgetown, Baltimore, Wilmington, Chester, Philadelphia, Trenton, Princeton, Brunswick, Woodbridge, Rahway and Elizabethtown.
Washington’s coach and procession entered Rahway on Thursday morning, April 23. A number of military companies including Captain Condict’s Company of Newark, Captain Wade’s Company of Connecticut Farms, and Captain Meeker’s company of Elizabethtown had arrived early that morning with orders to greet the President-elect and escort him to Elizabethtown. It is recorded that a considerable number of citizens were on hand and that they gave the distinguished visitor a tumultuous reception. Tradition holds that Washington was met by this large military and civilian contingent near the corner of St. Georges and Westfield Avenues. After a brief ceremony, the legendary general was led to Elizabethtown where he breakfasted in Samuel Smith’s inn and later visited with the Honorable Elias Boudinot. (Over the decades, many who have grown up in and around Rahway have had the belief that Washington visited the building now called the Merchants & Drovers Tavern Museum. Research done in the 1990s has dispelled that traditional legend when it was found that the historic inn and tavern was not built until the 1790s, a few years after Washington rode by.)
On Sunday, April 23, 1939, Rahway turned back the pages of history 150 years and once again welcomed “George Washington” as his historic inaugural trip was reenacted. When the coach, turned onto St. Georges Avenue from Route 27, it was met by a color guard of the city’s veteran organizations and their auxiliaries, police officers, and Boy and Girl Scout troops. At Central Avenue the high school band joined the line of march. It was reported that over 2,000 spectators viewed the parade with the greatest number standing between Central Avenue and Scott Avenue. The high point of the program was a half hour stop at the Girl Scout house (today, the Merchants and Drovers) where Washington was welcomed by local and state dignitaries, members of the D.A.R., Kiwanis and Rotary club members, and representatives from both the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.
Fifty years later, a triumphal return of “Washington” was again staged in 1989 marking the 200th anniversary of the journey. The State Constitutional Bicentennial Commission of New Jersey coordinated the event and scheduled all stops, including Rahway, to be historically accurate as to time and location. Thus, on the chilly morning of Sunday, April 23, Washington’s coach entered Rahway at 7:30 A.M. where it was greeted by over 1,500 citizens who had congregated at the intersection of St. Georges and Westfield Avenues. A special part of the program came when Washington led a procession into the historic Rahway Cemetery for a memorial service and wreath laying ceremony at the grave of Abraham Clark, signer of the Declaration of Independence. Following the graveside visit, the entourage was treated to a colonial style breakfast in the Merchants and Drovers, after which, Washington thanked his hosts, boarded his carriage, and with a final wave continued on to Elizabeth.
(above) Washington’s coach rolls along St. Georges Avenue near Stone Street in the 1939 reenactment. Washington was portrayed by Denys Wortman, a cartoonist for the World Telegram.
(above) Washington and two other dignitaries place a wreath at the grave of Abraham Clark during the 200th anniversary in 1989. Professional actor William Somerfield played Washington.
