An unmarried woman

It is not uncommon to find relationships on a gravestone (son of, daughter of). Sometimes the relationship reveals marital status (wife of).

Less common is what we find on the gravestone of Mary Ann Clapham (b. 1823, d. 1897): Unmarried.

MARY ANN
DAUGHTER OF
JOSEPH AND
SARAH
CLAPHAM
BORN
FEB. 2, 1823
DIED
OCT. 24, 1897
UNMARRIED
Look at the monument in the background. Yes, Miss Clapham is named there as well. Her age is written, but (thankfully?) not her marital status.

---

Blendon Central Cemetery, Franklin County, Ohio