Tuesday, April 26, 2011

A gravestone carver’s error?

The grave marker for Abigail Marks (d. 1856) in Powell Cemetery is substantial and attractive, with a scroll carved to cascade down the front of the marker.


ABIGAIL M.
WIFE OF
M.C. MARKS;
DIED
Sept. 1, 1856
AGED 25 Y’RS
2 MO’S 5 D’S.
Remember friends as you pass by,
As you are now so once was I;
As I am now so you must be.
Prepare for death and follow me.


The bonus on this gravestone is the carver identification in the lower right beneath the epitaph:

Willims & Monnier
Colum’s O.

In a recent Genealogy Tip of the Day, Michael John Neill reminded us that our ancestors really did not care how their names were spelled.

Sometimes your ancestor’s name also identified the family business. What if, say, a print ad showed the business name misspelled?

Willims?

Though there are no others in my collection, there are photos online of gravestones that clearly bear the mark of Williams & Monnier of Columbus, Ohio.

Bet Monnier carved this one.

Powell Cemetery, Delaware County, Ohio

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