The miller’s wife

The grave marker for Lydia Slough (d. 1852) in Oak Grove Cemetery is only partly visible. Her year of death and (presumably) age at death are buried. If there was an epitaph, it is buried as well.

The rectangular marble tablet is carved with a rosebush in full bloom, its branches mostly downturned. Under the bush is a lamb, a familiar symbol for Christ.

Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)

LYDIA,
Wife of
M. G. SLOUGH,
Died Apr. 7
[1852]
The year of death is not visible today, but Delaware County Burials (published online by Delaware County Genealogical and Historical Societies) comes to our rescue once again. It shows Mrs. Slough’s date of death as April 7, 1852.

Matthias Slough and Lydia Hollenbaugh were married in Delaware County on May 17, 1845. The 1850 Federal Census shows Matthias (miller) and Lydia living in nearby Franklin County with four young children, James Slough (lawyer), and William Hollenbaugh (laborer).

Marriage record image, FamilySearch.org

1850 Federal Census image, Ancestry.com

Fast forward to 1880 and we find Matthias, an invalid at 62, living in the home of his daughter Abigail and family. Delaware County Burials lists Matthias Slough’s date of death as February 9, 1882.

1880 Federal Census image, Ancestry.com

Oak Grove Cemetery, Delaware County, Ohio