The gravestone for Mary Jane Case (d. 1853) is one of these orphan stones, broken in two pieces. One of the roses carved on the gravestone is wilting and has drooped to touch the ground.
Dau. of S.W. &
MARY CASE,
DIED
Jan. 16, 1853
AGED
14 Y’s & [_______]
Remember youth as you pass by
As you are now so once was I
As I am now so you must be
Prepare for death and follow me.
Mary Jane was listed as nine years old in the 1850 Federal Census. She was one of eight children of Seth W. and Mary Case.
By the way, the Philo Thomas household is listed two lines above the Seth W. Case household in the 1850 Federal Census. Their daughter Margaret, whose gravestone was featured here yesterday, has not yet been born.
Interesting that they chose to use that very early epitaph. Rare to see it in use in the 1800s, especially the mid-1800s. Any significance to the roses tied to her youth? (I'm too lazy to run downstairs in search of my book!) Also, do you think the stone was originally standing or was it meant to lie flat?
ReplyDeleteI think the folks around here were a bit behind when it came to "epitaph fashion," if you know what I mean. I plan to take a look at all the versions of this epitaph I've seen--and I'll be sure to make note of the dates as well. Doubt I have enough data for a real trend, but we'll see.
ReplyDeleteI'm fairly certain the gravestone was originally upright, but the earliest photo I found was 2006, and it was on the ground then as well.
As for the roses, I've never seen an interpretation of them that relates to youth. Normally it's beauty, love--even passion.