Poetry and/or Prose
In regards to prose or poetry, mourners had a wealth of topics to draw from. Some mourners reflected traditional thoughts of death, some stoically believed their loved ones were in a far better place, others dwelled on their loss. Several epitaphs refer to heaven being far more enriched with the souls of their loved ones. While other epitaphs merely stated that the mourner would reunite with their loved one again. Both cemeteries show radically differing perceptions towards death amongst mourners. Forty-three percent of epitaphs in Old City Cemetery contained prose and/or poetry, and St. John's Episcopal Cemetery had thirty-five percent. The below examples have been divided into 5 categories: flowers, sleep, poets or writers, better place, and worth.
Flowers
The epitaph for Parry Lee Branch laments her loss and compares her to the wilting of a flower.
Parry Lee Branch Daughter of Jane Griffin Died June 10, 1879 Aged 15 years Gone like the sweet flower Neath death's fearful power |
Rebecca Scott's epitaph softens her death by using romantic terminology to describe her passing.
Sacred To the memory of Rebecca A. C. Consort of Andrew Scott Of Baltimore, Md. Who departed this life July 3rd, 1841, Aged 27 years & 22 days Leaving an affectionate Husband And one child to mourn their Irreparable loss. In youth’s full flush & hope’s bright hour Her spirit passed away She bloomed like some sweet summer flower Then sought a brighter day. [signed] H.C. Benteen Balt. Md |
Robert Alston's headstone utilizes imagery associated with children, such as the sleeping lamb and wilted rosebud. This imagery is further reinforced by comparing the child's death to the wilting of a flower.
Sacred To the Memory of Rob’t Berry Augustus Alston Born 19th Nov. 1855 Died 19th Sept. 1856 AE. 10 mos. As the sweet flower that scents the morn But withers in the rising day Thus lovely was this infant [?] Then swiftly fled its life away |
Sleep
Richard Brower's epitaph staunchly denies his death by stating he merely sleeps and how he continues to live through the memories of those who mourned him.
In memory of Richard Brower Died Dec. 12 1892 Aged 48 Yrs. Although He Sleeps His memory doth Lives And Cheering Comfort To the mourners Give. |
The mourners of Catherine Smith compared her death to a slow, peaceful sunset in which she fell gently asleep.
Sacred to the memory of Miss Catherine Smith Born In Beaufort, S.C. Dec. 25, 1812 Died In Tallahassee. Dec. 18, 1890 Asleep in Jesus, happy ending. Fading like a sunset gleam: Every Christian virtue blending As she viewed death’s shadowed stream |
Instead of lamenting his loss, the mourners of Julius Alford chose to picture him in peaceful repose after his hard fought battles.
Julius D Son of W.C. & J.C. Alford Born in Sampson Co. N.C. Jan 26 1844 Died June 23 1871 A member of the Jeff Davis Artillery of Ala. Sleep Soldier sleep! Thy battles fought Thy rest is sweet |
Poets and/or Writers
Ann Burroughs' headstone quotes the poet J. L. McCreery's poem "There is No Death" which speaks of life continuing on and immortal spirits staying near.
Ann C. Burroughs Died May 20th, 1889 Aged 73 years. There is no death! The stars go down To rise upon some other shore |
After the loss of so many children, it is little wonder that the mourners chose James Montgomery's poem "Parted Friends" which speaks of reuniting in a happier place.
Kirksey Sacred To the memory of The children Of James & Martha A.F. Kirksey [side 2] John Germany Born Jan. 6. 1846, Died Sep. 14. 1847. Mary Ellen. Born Aug. 23, 1848 Died Nov. 1. 1852. [side 3] Mary Born Feb. 18, 1840 Died July 1841 James William Born July 11 1843 Died Sept 18 1852 [side 4] There is a world above, Where parting is unknown; A whole eternity of love, Formed for the good alone; And faith beholds the dying here Translated to that happier sphere [signed] J. Ritter N. Haven CT. |
Elizabeth Graham received a massive, elaborate monument in her honor along with Edgar Allan Poe's poem "Lenore" etched upon her headstone.
IHS. Elizabeth Budd Graham, Wife of John Alexander Graham And daughter of David C. and Florence J. Wilson. Born Oct. 19, 1866; Married Nov. 24, 1887; Died Nov. 18, 1889. A dutiful daughter, a devoted Mother and a loving and Faithful wife. Ah! Broken is the golden bowl: The spirit flown for ever! Let the bell toll! – A saintly soul Floats on the stygian river; Come, let the burial rite be read, The funeral song be sung; An anthem for the queenliest dead That ever died so young, - A dirge for her, the doubly dead, In that she died so young. BESSIE |
Better Place
The mourners of Mary and Francis Eppes admit that they are saddened, but rejoice that their loved ones have the hope of a better place.
In memory Of our Beloved mother Mary Elizabeth Cleland Eppes Born January 16, 1801 Intermarried with Francis Eppes. Nov. 28. 1822, Died April 15. 1835. Also Our infant brother Francis, Born March 15. 1835. Died September 1835. [BACK] This monument Is erected by J.W. and T.J. Eppes The sons and brothers Of the departed. We sorrow but not as Others who have no hope For them also who sleep In Jesus will god bring With him. |
Medora Higs' epitaph states that she has gone where pain and suffering no longer affect her, a place in which she can rest.
In fond remembrance Of Medora Traverse Higs Who was the Daughter of John & L.W. Higs, And the adopted daughter of John & S. E. Miller, Born June 4. 1860. And departed this life Sept. 4. 1864. [side 2] Sweet Dora! Thou art gone, To the land of repose, Where sorrow and sighing And pain never come; Thy short pleasant life Was soon brought to its close For thy Father in Heaven Hath now called thee home. “though lost to sight, To memory dear.” |
Margaret Betton's epitaph rejoices in her death because she is wrapped in God's loving embrace and no longer shackled by mortal coils to this world.
Sacred To the memory of Our dear daughter Mrs. Margaret Whitaker Betton Wife of Dr. G. W. Betton. Born June 12th 1840, And died March 10th 1863. Gone to God! Be still my heart what could a Mother’s prayer In all the wildest ecstasies of hope, Ask for its darling like the bliss of Heaven. |
Irreplacable Worth
Martha Broome's epitaph mourns her loss and recognizes her worth while stating that many will follow in her footsteps.
Sacred to the memory of Martha Hardy Wife of James E. Broome And daughter of the late Joseph Hawkins. She departed this life On the 2nd of Jany. 1847 In the 34th year of her age. Though earth may boast one gem the less May not e’er Heaven the richer be? And myriads on thy footsteps press To share thy blest Eternity. |
Martha Maltbie's epitaph is arguably the sweetest and saddest epitaph in both cemeteries. The mourner essentially states that her worth was more than all the jewels in the earth.
Martha Maltbie, Born Feb. 26th 1839. Died Feb. 26th 1858 Martha, Thou was a little girl Only a little girl Yet thou wast worth the wealth of earth. Diamond and Ruby, Sapphire, Gold and Pearl To me, thou blessed little girl. |
Eugenia Philips' epitaph shows the belief that the two lovers will be united again and not even death can stop them.
[top] What is the grave to us can it divide The destiny of two by God made one? We step across and reach the other side To know our blended life is but begun. [bottom] Eugenia R. Wife of A.E. Philips Oct. 9 1885 Aged 35 yrs. & 7 mos. Rest Darling Philips |