The spot given was situated in Jackson Street (now Hudson Avenue), near York Street, abutting the Navy Yard wall. The street was named after the owner of the land. The name was afterward changed to Hudson Avenue.
The land was formally deeded by Jackson to the Tammany Society in 1803. When all things were ready the society caused the remains collected by Jackson, with all the bones found upon the beach, to be committed to the tomb with appropriate ceremonies.
The arrangements for laying the corner-stone were completed, and the 13th of April, 1808, fixed for that interesting ceremony. The order of exercises was as follows: At eleven o'clock the procession formed at the ferry, foot of Main Street, marched through that street to Sands Street, thence to Bridge Street, along Bridge to York Street, through York Street to Jackson, and thence to the ground.
As Major Aycrigg had ever manifested unabated interest in this labor of love, he was properly selected as grand marshal of the day.
The first division of the procession consisted of a company of United States marines, under command of Lieutenant-Commandant Johnson. The second division was composed of citizens of New York and Brooklyn. The third division embraced the committees of the various civic societies. The fourth division contained the Grand Sachem of the Tammany Society, Father of the Council, and orator of the day. The fifth division carried the corner-stone with the following inscription:--
IN THE NAME OF THE SPIRITS OF THE DEPARTED FREE. Sacred to the memory of that portion of AMERICAN FREEMEN, SOLDIERS AND CITIZENS, who perished on board the PRISON SHIPS OF THE BRITISH at the Wallabout during the REVOLUTION. This corner-stone of the vault erected by the TAMMANY SOCIETY OR COLUMBIAN ORDER
Nassau Island, Season of Blossoms, year of the discovery the 316th, of the institution the 19th, and of the American Independence the 22d.
JACOB VANDERVOORT, } JOHN JACKSON, } BURDETT STRYKER, } Wallabout ISSACHAR COZZENS, } Committee. ROBERT TOWNSEND, JR., } BENJAMIN WATSON, } SAMUEL COUDREY, }
Daniel and William Campbell, builders, April 6, 1808.
The sixth division was composed of a detachment of artillery under command of Lieutenant Townsend.