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Report on New York Funeral Obsequies for William H. Harrison

New York (N.Y.). Common Council · 1841

A contemporary 1841 report by New York's Common Council documenting the city's memorial ceremonies following President Harrison's death.

This report documents the public mourning in New York following Harrison's death in office.

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Report on New York Funeral Obsequies for William H. Harrison
Report of the Committee of Arrangements of the Common Council of the City of New York for the funeral obsequies of William H. Harrison, 1841.

About this source

What it is

This 1841 report was prepared by the Common Council of the City of New York, describing the arrangements made for funeral observances honoring President William H. Harrison after his death. It includes an oration delivered by Hon. Theodore Frelinghuysen, Chancellor of the University of the City of New York.

Why it matters

Harrison's sudden death only a month into his presidency shocked the nation, and cities across the country organized public mourning. This report shows how officials in New York organized formal ceremonies and speeches to honor him, revealing how deeply his death affected the public and how communities expressed collective grief for a national leader.

Look closer

  • Why might a city council feel it necessary to formally document its mourning arrangements?
  • What does the inclusion of a formal oration suggest about how presidents were memorialized in this era?
  • What does this official report leave out about ordinary people's personal reactions to Harrison's death?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of William Henry Harrison on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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