Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 March 1885 — Rare Epitaphs. [ARTICLE]

Rare Epitaphs.

Among the communications which you have printed on this subject I have not observed any reference to the wellknown one in Massachusetts. A sorrowing and pious parent had inscribed the following two lines to the memory of his dead child: We can not have all things to please us, Poor little Tommy’s gone to Jesus. A sympathetic reader, mistaking the point of the lament, added the lines: Cheer up, dear friend—all may yet be well. Perhaps poor little Tommy’s gone to h—! The following, on a blacksmith, is in Shropshire. I forget where: My sledge and anvil lie declined. My bellows, too. have lost their wind! My tire’s extinct and forge decay’d, And in the dust my body’s laid; My coal is out, my iron’s gone. My nails are drove, tny work is done. If not too long for your columns the following epitaph (I believe unpublished in any generally accessible form), in Brumfield Church, Suffolk, will interest students of “style”: Between the remains of her brother Edward And her husband Arthur, Here lies the body of Bridgett Applewhaite, Once Bcidirett Nelson. After the fatigues ot a married life, Borne with incredible patience For four years and three-quarters, bating three weeks, And after the enjoyment of the glorious freedom Of an easy and unblemished widowhood. For four years and upwards She resolved to run the risk of a second marriage tied; But dea h forbade the banns; And having with an apoplectic dart (The sama .nstrument with which he had formerly Dispat. hed her mo the?) Touched the most vital part of her brain, She must h»ve fallen directly to the ground (As one thuuder-stvook). If she had not been > atch’t and supported by - her intended nusbaud. Of which invisible brui<c. After a strugg e for above sixty hours W,th that grand enemy to lit.; (Hut the c rtain and mer. iful friend to helpless old age). In terrible convulsions, plaintive groans, or stupefying sleep. Withou recovery of speech or senses. She died on the 12th day of Sept, in ths year of our i,ord 17.31, And of her own age 44. I beg to inclose copies of two curious epitaphs, both of which are to be seen in the graveyard at Wigtown, in Gallowayshire, Scotland. Here lies the corps of Andrew Cowan, of Croft Angry, who died June 6. 177b’ aged 70 years. And hfs son William lies beside him, wno died the '•(st of February, 1775, aged 17 years. And b s son John ot honest fame, Ot stature small and a leg lame; Content he was with portion small. Keened shop in Wigtown, and that’s all. Died August 21st, 1770, aged 32 years. In memory of the “Wigtown Martyrs" : Here lyes Margrat Willson, Doughter of Gilbert Willson in Glenvernooh, who was Drowned >. . . ... ..... ‘ I jet "earth an d'St’dhe still witness beare ' Their lyes a virgine Martyre Here, Matter'd for owning Christ Supream Head of his church and no more crime But not abjuring Presbytry . And not owning Prelacy. They her condemned by unjust law. Within the Sea Ty’d to a stake. The actors ot this cruel crime Was Lagg Strachan, Winram, and Graham. Neither young years nor vet old age Could stop the fury of their rage. —Oor. London Spectator. - «*» IM - - - -