Location: New York, NY USA

Surname/tag: Burton
NY Times on Burial: Published: February 14, 1860
The erroneous announcement that the funeral of the late WILLIAM E. BURTON would take place from St. Thomas' Church, yesterday afternoon, attracted quite a crowd to that point, consisting of actors, authors and artists, and others drawn to the spot by mere curiosity. Even the police, with unusual vigilance, came to the spot in large force, prepared to regulate the crowd which it was anticipated would be present. But no signs of opening the church were apparent and, after loitering about the vicinity for some time, the assemblage gradually dispersed -- various explanations being given of the mystery. It was asserted positively that Mr. BURTON had been interred on Sunday morning; that, owing to the peculiar domestic relations of the deceased, the services were held privately, to avoid a scene; that Mr. BURTON had requested his physicians to cover his corpse with a sheet immediately upon his death, and not to allow any one -- even of his family -- to view it.
The fact was, the time and place of the funeral were alike kept private purposely. In vain did many of Mr. BURTON's intimate friends apply at his late residence for information; the invariable answer was that no one knew when the funeral would take place. As late as 2 o'clock yesterday the TIMES Reporter was informed at the residence that no information could be given as to the coming ceremonies, though an hour and a half later the funeral procession left the house.
So strictly private were the proceedings that neither the officiating minister or the sexton were notified as to the exact time until a few hours previous. The reason assigned for this was the earnest request of Mr. BURTON immediately before he became insensible.
The only persons present at the funeral services, which took place at the house in Hudson-streets, at 3 o'clock, were the widow, the daughters, the adopted son, the physicians -- Messrs. CRANE, CLARK and PHILLIPS -- Mr. EDWARD WALKER,, a member of Mr. BURTON's Lodge, Mr. CRAM, the legal adviser of the deceased, and the officiating clergyman, Rev. S.H. WESTON, Assistant Minister of Trinity Church. The exercises consisted simply of the short service of the Episcopal Church, including an affecting and appropriate prayer.
The body was encased in a splendid solid rosewood coffin, with solid silver mountings. The following was the inscription on the plate:
"WM. EVANS BURTON, Born Sept. 24, 1802, Died Feb. 10, 1860."
Precisely at 3 1/2 o'clock the funeral procession, consisting of four carriages and the hearse, started from the house, and wended its way slowly to the Hudson-street Cemetery, but a few squares distant, large crowd accompanying it on the sidewalk. At the cemetery gate the procession formed in the following order, and walked to the grave:
The Sexton, THOMAS MASLIN. The officiating clergyman, Rev. S.H. WESTON, reading the service. The widow, supported by Mr. CRAM. Other relatives and physicians. The body was placed in a vault belonging to the sexton, where it will remain until a lot is purchased in Greenwood Cemetery -- probably until April next. Mr. BURTON's family vault is in Philadelphia.
The will of Mr. BURTON has not yet been offered for Probate. It is rumored that some difficulty may occur as to the disposition of his property.
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His second wife Caroline and mother of his children was separated since 1850 when Jane and her son, who was adopted by Burton, show up on census. The term 'widow' in the obit probably refers to Jane.