This was a general practice in the olden time. The practice is mentioned so far back as 1635, in an account of the funeral of the Rev. Thomas Cobbet of Ipswich. The day succeeding his death, the Selectmen of the town held a meeting, and voted that Deacon Goodhue provide a barrel of wine and half a hundred weight of sugar, that Mr. Rust provide some spice and ginger for the cider, that some person be appointed to look to the drawing of the wine and heating of the cider, against the time appointed for the funeral, and that ensign Stacy see that there be effectual care taken with respect to the above named occasion.
American Republican and Baltimore Daily Clipper, Baltimore, MD, May 9, 1846