{"id":16621,"date":"2016-09-14T12:20:28","date_gmt":"2016-09-14T16:20:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=16621"},"modified":"2020-01-30T11:33:19","modified_gmt":"2020-01-30T16:33:19","slug":"a-genealogists-delight-part-ii-more-epitaphs-from-the-18th-century","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/a-genealogists-delight-part-ii-more-epitaphs-from-the-18th-century.html","title":{"rendered":"A Genealogist\u2019s Delight, Part II: More Epitaphs from the 18th Century"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/em><\/strong>: In this article, Mary Harrell-Sesniak searches old newspapers to find more memorable epitaphs from the 18th<\/sup> century. Mary is a genealogist, author and editor with a strong technology background.<\/em><\/p>\n

Genealogists take a keen interest in cemeteries, obituaries and epitaphs. Epitaphs can provide glimpses into your ancestors\u2019 personalities \u2013 and even when they\u2019re not about anyone in your family tree, epitaphs can still provide humor, insight and entertainment.<\/p>\n

I recently wrote the article A Genealogist\u2019s Delight: Epitaphs from the 18th Century<\/a>. Here are some more 18th<\/sup> century epitaphs I uncovered during my research.<\/p>\n

Occupations<\/strong><\/p>\n

Epitaphs for specific trades are common. This ingenious blacksmith, who wrote his own epitaph, noted that his nails were driven and his work was done.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
New York Gazette (New York, New York), 30 December 1734, page 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My Nails are drove, my Work is done.
\nMy Fire dry\u2019d Corps, lies here at rest,
\nMy Soul, Smoak like, is soaring to be blest.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Many people perceive lawyers as dishonest. This epitaph commemorates a lawyer who was remembered as a wonder of God \u2013 because he was an honest man!<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Weekly Rehearsal (Boston, Massachusetts), 31 December 1733, page 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

God you must know works Wonders now and then,
\nHere lies a Lawyer, yet an honest Man.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Wit<\/strong><\/p>\n

As the lawyer\u2019s epitaph above shows, many 18th<\/sup> century epitaphs are quite witty and bring a smile to the reader\u2019s lips.<\/p>\n

Although Thomas Sheridan carried the title \u201cRev. Dr.,\u201d we learn in this epitaph that \u201cPoor Tom\u201d was \u201cmore Merry much than Wise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Virginia Gazette (Williamsburg, Virginia), 26 January 1738, page 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Who only liv\u2019d, for two great Ends,
\nTo spend his Cash, and lose his Friends.
\nHis darling Wife, of him bereft,
\nIs only griev\u2019d——-there\u2019s nothing left.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Then there\u2019s this sly epitaph, which mocked an academic at Oxford who thought the letters he wrote were so very clever.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
American Weekly Mercury (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 1 April 1736, page 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tho\u2019 what those Letters shou\u2019d contain,
\nDid never once disturb his Brain.
\nSince therefore, Reader, he is gone,
\nPray let him not be trod upon.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This next epitaph tells the story of a man who made legal claims to recover the tithes assessed against his farm. He succeeded before he died, and has \u201csince gone to receive the Reward of so Great Merit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Boston Evening-Post (Boston, Massachusetts), 6 September 1736, page 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Happy Man! he purchased Paradise for himself, and Eggs
\nand Apples for his Successors.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

There\u2019s an interesting story to this next epitaph, written for John Oakes. In his will he left a considerable reward of 500 English pounds for anyone who would write an appropriate epitaph for him \u2013 the winner to be chosen by Oakes\u2019 executor. Though many tried, the executor (not surprisingly) found none to his liking \u2013 so he wrote an epitaph for Oakes himself, and pocketed the 500-pound reward. His \u201cwinning\u201d epitaph is a marvel of brevity.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
New Jersey State Gazette (Trenton, New Jersey), 10 September 1794, page 4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here lies the body of John Oakes,
\nWho liv\u2019d and died like other folks.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The editors called this next example a \u201ccurious epitaph\u201d for \u201csturdy Richard,\u201d who had a reputation for honesty.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
New-Hampshire Spy (Portsmouth, New Hampshire), 1 February 1792, page 112<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Whose word no man e\u2019er dar\u2019d deny,
\nBut Death has given him the lye.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Then there is this somewhat bizarre example.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Newhampshire Gazetteer (Exeter, New Hampshire), 9 October 1790, page 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It begins by presenting the straightforward epitaph of John Lettuce, who died at the young age of 21:<\/p>\n

All you that come my grave to see,
\nAs I am now, so you must be;
\nTherefore prepare, make no delay,
\nFor I in my prime was ta\u2019en away.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Then the editors inserted this parody:<\/p>\n

John Lettuce complains, and indeed with some reason,
\nThat Death cut him off, ere he came in full season;
\nLet\u2019s invoke Heaven\u2019s aid, then, to stop such dire ravage,
\nAnd grant that in future each Lettuce may Cabbage.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Have you discovered any memorable epitaphs while doing your family history research? If so, please share with us in the comments section below.<\/p>\n

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