Samuel Blocksom

There is a large, handsomely carved willow on the tablet marker at the grave of Samuel Blocksom (d. 1857).

The bold inscription is still easy to read, but the finely carved epitaph is weathered and, in this light at least, no longer legible.

SAMUEL BLOCKSOM
Died
July 12, 1857:
Aged 44 Yrs.
Samuel Blocksom (Bloxom) married Catharine Felter in 1847. The 1850 Federal Census shows two-year-old Sarah Ann, presumably their daughter, living with Samuel and Catharine.

The 1870 Federal Census, which lists Catharine as head of household, would suggest that Samuel and Catharine had several more children before his death in 1857.

1870 Federal Census image from Ancestry.com

On January 4, 1907—nearly 50 years after the death of Samuel Blocksom—the Marion Daily Mirror printed an obituary for Catherine:

While sitting in her arm chair Thursday afternoon at four o'clock, Mrs. Catharine Blocksom, widow of Samuel Blocksom and one of the oldest residents of Richland township, died suddenly, death being caused by the infirmities of old age. She died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. David Retterer, five miles south of the city, in Pleasant township, where she had been visiting for a few days.
     The deceased had been feeling very well for several days and until about thirty minutes before her death had not complained of feeling ill. While the members of the family were gathered about her, conversing on ordinary subjects, Mrs. Blocksom passed quietly to the great beyond before those about her realized that she was ill.
     Mrs. Blocksom was born in Germany and came to America when a child. Her parents name was Felton and were among the first settlers of the county. After her marriage to Samuel Brocksom, she lived for 60 years on a farm in Richland township. She was 88 years of age.
     The deceased was one of the best known women of the southwestern part of the county. She was converted to the Christian faith in Zion church and had been a member of the church since. Until the past few years, she had been very active in church work, notwithstanding her advanced age. Three daughters, Mrs. Jacob Wolfinger, Mrs. David Retterer and Mrs. Samuel Retterer and two sons, Samuel and Jeremiah survive.
     The funeral will be held in the Taylor cemetery, located on the farm where Mrs. Blocksom spent the greater part of her life.

Taylor Cemetery is on my list for a visit someday soon.

Salyer Cemetery, Marion County, Ohio