Roles and/or Relationships
In Old City Cemetery, 17 percent of the headstones contained epitaphs concerning roles and/or relationships; whereas, St. John’s Episcopal Cemetery had 16 percent. Out of the epitaphs examined, the headstones fell into 3 subcategories: community, roles, and youth.
Community
Senator Westcott’s epitaph lists the various roles he filled
within the community. His epitaph reads: James Diament Westcott Born May 12, 1802 At Alexandra, VA Died Jan 19, 1880 At Montreal Canada James Diament Westcott Moved to Tallahassee in 1829: Secretary of the Territory From 1829 to 1834 and at Times Acting Governor: United States District Attorney Member of the Territorial Legislature; Member of the Constitutional Convention of 1838, held at St. Joseph; Senator from Florida in the United States Congress from 1845 to 1849. He was a learned and skillful Lawyer, and a citizen of marked Influence during his residence in Florida. |
Professor John Grant’s epitaph reveals his contribution to the community though education. It reads:
Prof. John A. Grant Born at Bristol Eng April 13th 1805 Died in Tallahassee Aug 2nd 1858 AE 53 yrs Distinguished for his Many attainments 31 years of his life A teacher: 21 of which He devoted to the Education of Southern youth Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. |
Reverend Donald Auld’s epitaph tells of his virtues and the role in which served his community. His epitaph reads:
Rev. Donald John Auld, M.D. A native of Charleston, S.C. Died Oct, 22, 1857 In the 48 year of his age And 19 of his ministry Pastor of the Presbyterian Church In Tallahassee Humble, diligent, devoted, and Eloquent in his Master’s cause He fell at his post a faithful watchman Affection grieves and rears this Perishable memorial Yet rejoices to believe that the fruit of His labours will be as stars in his crown Of rejoicing forever. Precious in the sight of the Lord is The death of his Saints. |
Roles
Princess Murat’s epitaph lists her various role as a wife, sister, and friend. Her epitaph reads:
Sacred to the memory of Princess C.A. Murat Widow of Col. Charles Louis Napoleon Achilles Murat And daughter of the late Col. Bird C. Willis, Of Virginia. Who departed this life on the 6th of August 1867, in the 64th year of her age. A kind and affectionate wife And sister, A sincere and devoted friend. None knew her but to love her None named her but to praise. This monument Is erected to her memory By her bereaved Brother and Sisters. |
Mariano Papy’s headstone reveals his roles of husband, father, son, brother, and Christian.
Sacred To the memory of Mariano D. Papy Who was born in St Augustine Oct 9. 1824 And died in Tallahassee July 8. 1875. Aged 50 years & 9 months. A tribute of Affection. [side two] This stone is erected To commemorate his virtues And commend his example to Those who shall come. [side three] As a husband and father He was affectionate, confiding, And tender; As a son and brother Devoted and true: As a Christian Humble and sincere. |
Noah Thompson’s headstone shows the love felt by his family and the various roles he filled as husband, father, master, and friend.
This monument Is erected By his wife and daughter To commemorate the love Felt for him while living and the sorrow occasioned by his death [side two] Sacred To the memory of Noah L. Thompson Born in Bertie Co, N. Carolina September 1812 Died August 1854 A devoted husband, Kind Father, Lenient Master, And true friend. |
Youth
Horatio Morgan’s headstone was dedicated to the virtues of his youth. It reads:
Sacred To the memory of Horatio, Son of James and Celia Morgan Born in Murfreesboro, N.C. 6th Jan. 1815: Died in Tal: 28th Decem. 1830; Wanting but a few days of completing His 16th year. To a virtuous & well culti-vated mind he added a sweet &intellig-ent disposition, which rendered him an interesting youth, and one that was loved by all who knew him. His parents had resided but a short time In Florida when this there[sic] firstborn this Amiable & affectionate son in the flower of youth, was taken from them. As a sm-all token of the love & affection which they bore him they have erected this to be to his memory and whose heart must cease to throb ere they forget him. |
Alexander Brevard’s gravestone depicted him as a precocious youth and of the despair felt by his parents.
HERE be the mortal remains of ALEXANDER JOSEPH BREVARD. Son of Theodore W. and Caroline A. Brevard, He was born in Alabama On the 14th Dec. A.D. 1833, And died on the 24th of Nov A.D. 1848, In the State of Florida. With an intellect and affections, Developed far beyond his years, He was as much a source of joy and comfort In the present, As of hope and pride, in the rich promise of A brilliant future. Lo the crushed spirit of his bereaved parents There is no balm that is of Earth Their stay and refuge is faith in A blessed Immortality, Though Jesus Christ “the resurrection and the life.” |
Edward Barnard’s headstone revealed not only his virtues, but that he was full of promise, which was never fulfilled due to his untimely death.
In memory of Edward Thomas Barnard Born in Tallahassee Sept 22nd 1839. Died of yellow fever While in the discharge of his duties as resident student at the U.S. Marine hospital in New Orleans LA R.I.P. [side 2] E.T. Barnard only child of Mary J. and Dr. E. Barnard of Tallahassee. aged 19 yr.'s & 26 days. [side 3] Health sat upon his blooming cheek life sparkled in his eye, genius conspired in what he spoke to raise our prospects high. [side 4] This monument erected to commemorate departed worth by his affectionate uncle T.B. |