Twin urns and a broken column

The gravestone for Emily McCandlish (d. 1853), once no doubt a lovely white, has a compartmented panel across the top with three carvings: a broken column and two matched urns.

Neither symbol is unusual, but they are not so often found together. The urns are a common symbol for mourning. The column is broken to represent a life cut short.

EMILY,
Dau of R & M
M^cCANDLISH.
DIED
Sept. 21, 1853,
Ag’d 18 Yrs.
9 m. 12 ds.
At first glance, the gravestone appears to be in great shape. But a closer look at the carvings shows an unfortunate loss of detail due to weathering.

By the way, this column-plus-urns motif was popular in this cemetery, especially in the McCandlish family. Look to the left of the Emily gravestone and you can see another, standing in the shade. That is the gravestone for Elizabeth McCandlish Emrich (d. 1851), sister of Emily.

West Rushville Cemetery, Fairfield County, Ohio