Sunday, February 5, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Epitaph: Death has been here
Steps away from the grave of an older Jacob Colflesh is the grave of Jacob L. Colflesh (d. 1847).
Are they father and son? Are they related in some other way? For now, I will leave their relationship to a descendant to confirm.
JACOB L,
son of
J, & E, COLFLESH,
DIED
Dec. 18, 1847,
Aged 17
Y’s 10 mo’s
26 d’s.
The epitaph is adapted from the first verse of a hymn written by English poet Jane Taylor (b. 1783, d. 1824). This hymn was often published in Sunday school hymnals for children.
Death has been here, and borne away
A [sister]* from our side:
Just in the morning of [her]† days,
As young as we, [she]‡ died.
Not long ago [she] fill’d [her] place,
And sat with us to learn;
But [she] has run [her] mortal race,
And never can return.
Perhaps our time may be as short,
Our days may fly as fast;
O Lord, impress the solemn thought,
That this may be our last.
We cannot tell who next may fall
Beneath Thy chast’ning rod:
One must be first: oh, may we all
Prepare to meet our God.
All needful help is Thine to give;
To Thee our souls apply
For grace to teach us how to live,
And make us fit to die.
* Or, brother. † Or, his. ‡ Or, he.
By the way, Jane Taylor’s most famous work is “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”
Liberty Church Cemetery, Delaware County, Ohio
Are they father and son? Are they related in some other way? For now, I will leave their relationship to a descendant to confirm.
son of
J, & E, COLFLESH,
DIED
Dec. 18, 1847,
Aged 17
Y’s 10 mo’s
26 d’s.
Death has been here, and bourn away,
A brother from our side;
Just in the morning of his days,
A blooming youth he died.
The epitaph is adapted from the first verse of a hymn written by English poet Jane Taylor (b. 1783, d. 1824). This hymn was often published in Sunday school hymnals for children.
Death has been here, and borne away
A [sister]* from our side:
Just in the morning of [her]† days,
As young as we, [she]‡ died.
Not long ago [she] fill’d [her] place,
And sat with us to learn;
But [she] has run [her] mortal race,
And never can return.
Perhaps our time may be as short,
Our days may fly as fast;
O Lord, impress the solemn thought,
That this may be our last.
We cannot tell who next may fall
Beneath Thy chast’ning rod:
One must be first: oh, may we all
Prepare to meet our God.
All needful help is Thine to give;
To Thee our souls apply
For grace to teach us how to live,
And make us fit to die.
* Or, brother. † Or, his. ‡ Or, he.
By the way, Jane Taylor’s most famous work is “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”
Friday, February 3, 2012
Riddle me this
All that is visible on the marker at the grave of James Riddle is his name—and a graceful hand with a finger pointing heavenward. Above the hand you can just make out the popular gravestone sentiment, “There is rest in Heaven.”
One online repository of gravestone photos in the area proposes that the gravestone reads Aug 23, 1863, aged 62 y 6 m 8 d, though the source of this date is not offered.
The same site shows another marker, which I did not photograph, with the inscription Father, James Riddle, 1801 — 1863.
Do we have two James Riddles? Or two markers for the same James?
Here is a hint: An Ancestry.com search reveals an 1850 Federal Census record showing a James Riddle family living in the township. James Riddle, a grocer, is the 49-year-old head of household. Among the children in the home is 9-year-old James.
Perhaps the two gravestones are for these two James Riddles: The father, born in 1810; the son, born about 1841.
When the younger James Riddle died is a mystery for now, even though the gravestone, if it is indeed his, holds the answer tantalizingly close, inches below ground in Milford Center Cemetery.
Milford Center Cemetery, Union County, Ohio
One online repository of gravestone photos in the area proposes that the gravestone reads Aug 23, 1863, aged 62 y 6 m 8 d, though the source of this date is not offered.
The same site shows another marker, which I did not photograph, with the inscription Father, James Riddle, 1801 — 1863.
Do we have two James Riddles? Or two markers for the same James?
Here is a hint: An Ancestry.com search reveals an 1850 Federal Census record showing a James Riddle family living in the township. James Riddle, a grocer, is the 49-year-old head of household. Among the children in the home is 9-year-old James.
Perhaps the two gravestones are for these two James Riddles: The father, born in 1810; the son, born about 1841.
When the younger James Riddle died is a mystery for now, even though the gravestone, if it is indeed his, holds the answer tantalizingly close, inches below ground in Milford Center Cemetery.
Milford Center Cemetery, Union County, Ohio
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Weeping... palm?
The sandstone marker at the grave of Nancy C. Saunders (d. 1849) is a simple one with a modest willow carving. Look closely at the willow: The leaves look more like palm leaves than willow leaves.
NANCY C.
wife of E. Saunders
died May 2,
1849; aged 30
yrs. 5 m. & 1 D.
If Nancy’s husband was Erasmus Saunders who is buried nearby, then she died a widow, a young widow. His gravestone shows that he died in 1840 at age 27.
An image of a Union County marriage record, available on FamilySearch.org, suggests that Nancy and (yes) Erasmus were married in 1837. Can you read it? Nancy Coodidge? Collage? I’m thinking Coolidge.
Milford Center Cemetery, Union County, Ohio
wife of E. Saunders
died May 2,
1849; aged 30
yrs. 5 m. & 1 D.
If Nancy’s husband was Erasmus Saunders who is buried nearby, then she died a widow, a young widow. His gravestone shows that he died in 1840 at age 27.
An image of a Union County marriage record, available on FamilySearch.org, suggests that Nancy and (yes) Erasmus were married in 1837. Can you read it? Nancy Coodidge? Collage? I’m thinking Coolidge.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Wednesday’s child: Ophelia Rose
The marble marker at the grave of Ophelia Rose (d. 1824) is broken and flat on the ground, but for now is easy to read, especially for an 1820s gravestone.
OPHELIA
daughter of
Warren & Lucy
Rose died
Nov. 1, 1824.
Aged 5 mo
14 ds
According the an extract of Ohio marriage records available on FamilySearch.org, Warren Rose married Lucy Hubbard (Hibbard?) on February 22, 1822 in Union County, Ohio.
After living long lives, Warren and Lucy were buried next to Ophelia in Milford Center Cemetery.
Milford Center Cemetery, Union County, Ohio
daughter of
Warren & Lucy
Rose died
Nov. 1, 1824.
Aged 5 mo
14 ds
According the an extract of Ohio marriage records available on FamilySearch.org, Warren Rose married Lucy Hubbard (Hibbard?) on February 22, 1822 in Union County, Ohio.
After living long lives, Warren and Lucy were buried next to Ophelia in Milford Center Cemetery.
Milford Center Cemetery, Union County, Ohio
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