President Zachary Taylor funeral procession in NYC

President Zachary Taylor died in Washington, D.C., after a brief illness, not in New York. While his official funeral took place in Washington on July 13, 1850.

A significant, grand, and formal funeral procession and memorial pageant was held in New York City, moving from the Park, down Broadway, and to Union Square, organized by the Common Council honoring the 12th president. The funeral caisson closely resembles descriptions of the one that carried President Taylor’s coffin in Washington, D.C. Draped heavily in black and white fabric, it was pulled by eight white horses, and affixed to its top was a large figure of an eagle.