Say It Like You Mean It

Lovely Japanese Maple in Fall Glory, West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, PA

My past blogs that highlight epitaphs have been favorably received, and I am in the middle of research for another blog (trying to decipher Pennsylvania German inscriptions, and those carved in calligraphy, nonetheless!).  So this week, here are some more easily deciphered epitaphs that I found interesting.  You'll notice the more matter-of-fact, almost bluntness of those from the 18th century, versus the dramatic and flowery prose of the ones from the 19th century.   In some cases, get your chaise lounge ready for fainting!  Happy Thanksgiving.

"My flesh shall slumber in the ground till the last trumpets joyful sound, then burst the chains with sweet surprise and in my Saviour's image rise."   Gallows Hill Cemetery, Gallows Hill, PA

"Virtue and Piety give way to Death, Else the entombed had ne'r resigned her breath."  (note that back then, "s" was written as "f.")      Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery, Cold Spring, NJ

"Death, thou hast conquered me, I by thy darts am slain, But Christ shall conquer thee and I shall rise again."     Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery, Cold Spring, NJ

"Fearless of hell and ghastly death, I broke through every foe, On wings of love and arms of faith, Christ brought me conqueror through."  Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery, Cold Spring, NJ

"If ought that's good or great could save, Spicer had never seen the grave." Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery, Cold Spring, NJ

"Here rests in God of blissful truth, Johann Konrad Edelmann, who was born on 20 November 1751, and died on 21 November 1807, at the age of 56 years and 1 day."   The bottom references a verse in the book of Matthew (Mathie) used at his funeral service.     Easton Cemetery, Easton, PA

 

"Here lies in God of blissful truth Elisabeth Jagern, one born Schreydern, who became the wife of Johannes Jagers, and was born Decmber 28, 1728 and who died December 4, 1804.  Aged 76 years, 9 months and 4 days. "     Easton Cemetery, Easton, PA

"Here rests Philipp Haag, born August 17, 1750, died September 6, 1766, aged 16 years and 20 days.  The Lord God consoles the soul of Abraham."  St. Thomas Whitemarsh Cemetery, Fort Washington, PA

John Barge, aged 7, died 1749.  "From Death's arrest, no age is free, young children die and so must we, Reader, since minutes fly so fast, Improve thy present as thy last."    St. Thomas Whitemarsh Cemetery, Fort Washington, PA

Ann Barge, aged 6 months, and Titus Barge, aged 3 weeks, died 1749.  "Interred here two infants lie who never spake but oft did cry, and here in earth must yet remain til Christ shall raise them up again."    So in the span of 4 months in 1749, the Barges lost 3 of their children, including their infant twins.   St. Thomas Whitemarsh Cemetery, Fort Washington, PA

John Barge died, age 40, in 1755.  "Life is a cheat and always show it, I thought so once, but now I know it."    His wife Ann Barge had seen her share of heartache by 1755.   St. Thomas Whitemarsh Cemetery, Fort Washington, PA

Joseph Farmer died in 1763, aged 44.  "A good companion to his friend, a loveing husband to his end, his children's loss to him is gain, his soul's returned from whence it came."   St. Thomas Whitemarsh Cemetery, Fort Washington, PA

The graves of  George & Patience Woolling, died ages 18 months and 3 years in 1738.  "Two harmless babes that only came and cried in baptism to be washed from sin and died, they've gone to rest just as they did begin sorrow to know, before they had known sin."   St. Thomas Whitemarsh Cemetery, Fort Washington, PA

"Stay, stay, Spectator, stand & spend a care, upon my dust which lyeth slumbering here, for as I am, so must you be, therefore fly from sin & think of me."   Christ Church Cemetery, Shrewsbury, NJ

"No marble can her worth impart, 'tis written on our bleeding hearts, inscribed with more than human skill, in memory live her virtues still."   Christ Church Cemetery, Shrewsbury, NJ

"Death....A brother from our side, just in the morning of his day, as young as we, he died."   Christ Church Cemetery, Shrewsbury, NJ

"His sun is gone down while it was yet day."   Christ Church Cemetery, Shrewsbury, NJ

"A precious one from us has gone, a voice we loved is stilled, a place is vacant in our home which never can be filled."   This was a popular verse and I have seen it on many tombstones.   Effort Cemetery, Effort, PA

Elizabeth Mitchell died at age 25.  "A woman of exemplary virtue and chearful unfeigned piety who lived usefully and died comfortably.  Near her lies her infant daughter."   Elmwood Cemetery, Shepherdstown, WV

"The steady and uniform christian piety, the uprightness of character, the benevolent and charitable disposition of this excellent woman are inscribed on the heart of him whom she has been separated, in characters which nothing but death can obliterate."   I swoon, I swoon, what sentiment!!  Elmwood Cemetery, Shepherdstown, WV

"Beneath this little mound lies our beautiful baby Marion.  She was fair in person, lovely in disposition, and a jewel in her home.  Distant ages will never tell the sadness of our last farewell."   Elmwood Cemetery, Shepherdstown, WV

"Had he asked us, well we know, we should say, O, spare the blow.  Yes, with streaming tears should pray, Lord, we love him, let him stay.  In love he lived, in peace he died, his life was asked, but God denied."   James Lane Adams was 24.  Elmwood Cemetery, Shepherdstown, WV

"Tis a little grave but o, have care, for world wide hopes are buried there. How much of light, how much of joy, is buried with out darling boy."    Elmwood Cemetery, Shepherdstown, WV

"Dear companion, thou hast left us, here thy loss we deeply feel, but tis God that hath bereft us, he can all our sorrows heal.  Yet again we hope to meet thee, Husband, farewell, till the morn of resurrection.  For to me to live is christ, but to die is gain. (the last is from the Book of Phillp)    Elmwood Cemetery, Shepherdstown, WV

"Dulce et decorum est pro Patria mori."  Latin for "It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country."  Horace, the Roman poet, wrote this centuries ago.  And then a wiser man named Wilfred Owen called this "The Old Lie"  in his 1917 poem about the horrors of WWI.  J. James Sheads died in 1864 in a hospital in Virginia at age 18.  I hope his death was not "the old lie," but it probably was, as he died so young.     Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, PA

"Her character in life:  a devoted wife, an affectionate mother, and an exemplary Christian.  Her hope in death:  nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling."   Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, PA

"Peace to his ashes."   Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, PA

"Lay me where the weeping willow murmurs o'er my lost one's grave.  Lay me there when died commandeth, when he taketh which he gave."   Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, PA

"We loved her, oh, no one can tell how much we loved her or how well.  God loved her too and he thought best to take her home to be at rest."   Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, PA

"O let us think of all he said and the kind advice he gave and let us do it now he's dead and sleeping in his lonely grave."    "Mother, thou art gone to rest, and this shall be our prayer, that when we reach our journey's end, thy glory we may share."   Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, PA

Reginald Barclay Bevan died at age 8.  "Talium est regnum caelorum" is Latin for "Such is the kingdom of God."  Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, PA

"Farewell my husband and children all. ...your mother Christ doth call, mourn not for me it is in vain, [you'll see me] in your sight again."   Evergreen Cemetery, Jim Thorpe, PA

"Ere sin threw a blight o'er the spirit's young bloom, or earth had profaned what was born for the skies."   The sister of Edward Holmes Taylor was 16 when she died; Edward was 18 months.  "Of such is the kingdom of God."                         Fairview Cemetery, Middletown, NJ

"How sadly we miss thee."  First Presbyterian Cemetery, Flourtown, PA

"Good night, vain world, I give my last joy, I will because God likes and wants me to leave you, heaven save me, Good night, you vain world, friends, I will not dwell because I see Jesus."  Gilbert Cemetery, Gilbert, PA

"Our brother's left this world of woe for regions of eternal love; 'Twas God who called him from below to join in praising Him above."  Gilbert Cemetery, Gilbert, PA

"Dearest Mother, thou has left us, But thy loss we deeply feel, and the Lord he has bereft us, and our sorrows he will heal.  ... She will be happy there.  Weep not our loss will be her gain in Heaven to meet prepare.  Oh, her hands so meekly folded while she drew her parting breath.  She is sleeping, someone whispered, but it was the sleep of death."  Gilbert Cemetery, Gilbert, PA

"Our son has gone to a mansion of rest from a region of sorrow and pain in the glorious land by the diety blest where he never can suffer again."  Gilbert Cemetery, Gilbert, PA

Susan Levan "departed this life for that of a better" in 1856.  "Her toils are past, her work is done, and she is fully blessed.  She fought the fight, the victory won, and entered into rest.  Then let our sorrows cease to flow, God has recalled his own, but let your heart in every woe still say Thy will be done."                            Greenwood Cemetery, Howertown, PA

"Born in Pelton County, Durham, England.  Amiable and beloved husband, farewell, thy years were few but thy virtues were many.  They are recorded not on this perishable stone but in the book of life and in the hearts of thy [loved ones]." Hazle Cemetery, Hazleton, PA

"Born 1843, died 1865 of disease contracted in the service of his country during the late war for the Union as a member of Co. K, 17th Regiment, PA Volunteers."  Heidelberg Union Cemetery, Slatington, PA

"...in the 94th year of his age.  He was an affectionate husband, a kind father, a sympathizing friend, a noble patriot, a brave soldier, and a devoted Christian.  Like Abraham it may in truth be said of him.  He died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his Father, having served his country during her revolutionary struggle for liberty under Washington.  Having professed his faith in Jesus Christ while under the pastoral care of William Tennent and having acted as a caring elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Freehold for more than half a century.  He fell asleep in Jesus, the full hope in the first resurrection."  Tennent Presbyterian Cemetery, Tennent, NJ

Emma died aged 10 months, Anna aged 9 months.  "The beautiful angel came in our midst, Too lovely, too bright to remain.  She laughed awhile, twined her love round our hearts...."  Odd Fellows Cemetery, Tamaqua, PA

"Farewell my wife and children dear, though I am absent from you, do not fear, in Heaven above where all is love, we will meet to part no more.  Farewell, kind Father and Mother, and kind loving sisters and only brother, God called me home, he thought it best, I hope to meet you with the blest.  Asleep in Jesus, Oh, how sweet."    Kellers Church Cemetery, Bedminster, PA

"Farewell, farewell, dear Alberd, you have gone to that eternal shore, where grief and pain can come no more.  O may you there in peace be at rest, safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on his gentle breast.  We hope to meet you there ere long, to join with you in heavenly song."  Kellers Church Cemetery, Bedminster, PA

 

"Here lies what's mortal of Walker, deceased June 10, 1748, in the 92 year of his age.  Who long which patience bore life's heavy load, willing to spend to be spent for God, the noble portrait in a line to paint, he breathed a father, lived and died a saint, here sleeps in peace the aged sire's dust, till the glad trump arouse the sleeping just."   Tennent Presbyterian Cemetery, Tennent, NJ

"Here lies interred the body of Sarah Forman widow of Jonathan Forman and daughter of John Throckmorton Esq. who departed this life the eleventh day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, aged fifty-nine years, six months and twenty four days.  Swift was her flight, short was the road, she closed her eyes, and saw her God."  Christ Church Cemetery, Shrewsbury, NJ

Grateful for Your Service in Flanders and Other Fields

Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery, Cold Spring, NJ

How many of us had to memorize "In Flanders Fields," the WWI poem by Canadian poet, physician and solider John McCrae?  I believe it was in the 7th grade when I learned it, and I still know it to this day.  It gives me pause when I think about the words of that poem, because war never seems to really solve anything, and soldiers die for ideas, ideals, ideology.  Kind of a hollow victory in the long run, because some hearts cease to beat, while others left at home break.  But I am truly appreciative of those who stepped forward over the years and defended our country.  To those who came home and died during peacetime, thank you and thank God.  And to those who died during war, know that we will never "break faith" with you---thank you for the greatest sacrifice.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
   Loved and were loved, and now we lie
         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields.

---John McCrae

A Resident of Flanders Field, memorialized here, Rosedale Cemetery, Montclair, NJ

Yes, that is my father posing with a gun at Evergreen Cemetery, Jim Thorpe, PA.  Pop served in the Navy during 'Nam. 

A Confederate casualty at Sharpsburg/Antietam.  "A Martyr to the Southern Cause."  Elmwood Cemetery, Shepherdstown, WV

Pearson was in the 153rd PA, in the same regiment as my g-g-g-grandfather John Koken.  Greenwood Cemetery, Howertown, PA

John Buffington was a Union Lt. who was awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry in action at Petersburg, VA in 1865, as he was the first enlisted man in his division to mount the parapet of the enemy's line.  Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Taneytown, MD

Capt. Henry Biddle of the Pennsylvania Reserves was mortally wounded at the Battle of New Market Cross Roads and died in Richmond, VA in 1862.  Also known as the Battle of Glendale, part of the Seven Days Retreat.  Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA

Pvt. Francis Veasey, who died from wounds sustained during the First Division's Soissons offensive (near the Marne).  Veasey was one of 8,365 men who died or were wounded in this offensive.  Northwood Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA

Flags, Guns and Fixed Bayonets, Laurel Grove Cemetery, Port Jervis, NY

"Soldier of the war of 1776, enlisted under Washington as he passed through Taneytown."  Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Taneytown, MD

A war not talked much about, being the only one where the US invaded a country because it wanted some of its territory.  Manifest destiny at its lowest.  St. Mathew's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Bedminster, PA

David Myers, captured at the Battle of the Wilderness, died at Andersonville [Prison], aged 25 years, 8 months and 23 days. At the bottom, it says "A dutiful son and a true soldier."  Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, PA

A Confederate soldier who survived the war, Elmwood Cemetery, Shepherdstown, WV

Major John Knott, Confederate cavalry who was killed at High Bridge Battlefield, VA, while leading  a charge of his regiment, aged 31.  "Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble."  ---Book of Job  Also "The voice in battle came, He started forth to hear, A mortal pierced his frame, He fell, but felt no fear."  (poetic license on James Montgomery)  Elmwood Cemetery, Shepherdstown, WV

Confederate soldier Henry Snyder died age 28 in 1864.  His widow Mary Virginia lived for 45 years without him.  Elmwood Cemetery, Shepherdstown, WV

Henry Loyns was part of the Stonewall Brigade.  It is highly possible that he came out of the woods at Chancellorsville and ambushed Grandpa Koken, causing Koken and companies to run in the opposite direction.  Elmwood Cemetery, Shepherdstown, WV

Fairview Cemetery, Middletown, NJ

I forget sometimes that they have been around since 1790.  St. Peter's Episcopal Cemetery, Perth Amboy, NJ

Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery, Cold Spring, NJ

Doylestown Cemetery, Doylestown, PA

Another resident of Flanders Field, memorialized here with his parents.  Glenwood Cemetery, West Long Branch, NJ

 

Grand Army of the Republic fraternal member (tho he was in the Navy), Fairview Cemetery, Middletown, NJ

 

Another member of PA 153rd, Lower Saucon Christ Lutheran Cemetery, Hellertown, NJ

Symbol in zinc, Paupack Cemetery, Paupack, PA

GAR Civil War Veteran's marker, Lower Saucon Christ Lutheran Cemetery, Hellertown, PA

 

The 2nd GAR post organized in the US, Mount Hope Odd Fellows Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA

A Comrade of George H. Thomas GAR Post, No. 5, Chicago, IL.  Major General George Thomas was the "Rock of Chickamauga," and his defense there saved the Union Army from being completely routed.  He was a Virginian but stayed with the Union.  He is buried in Troy, NY.  Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Newark, NJ

U.S.G.P. stands for Ulysses S. Grant Post.  Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Newark, NJ

GAR Kearney Post 55, William Penn Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA

  

Glenwood Cemetery, West Long Branch, NJ

GAR Post #8 in US, Northwood Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA

A member of GAR Post 18, Northwood Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA

Woodlands Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA

Zinc representation of GAR symbol, Union Cemetery, Blakley, PA

West Long Branch United Methodist Cemetery, West Long Branch, NJ

Ladies Auxiliary of United Spanish War Veterans, Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Newark, NJ

Zeilin was a Marine, "Into thy hands, I commend my spirit, for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord."  Zeilin's father Jacob was the 7th Commandant of the Marine Corps (highest ranking officer in corps and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff).  Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA

When they thought WWI was the only World War....Laurel Grove Cemetery, Port Jervis, NY

1st Lt. G.M. Harris died age 27 of wounds received in an engagement with the Modoc Indians at the Lava Beds in California in 1873.  The Modocs killed many emigrants using the Oregon Trail, and the US govt forced the Modocs onto a reservation with the Klamath tribe.  There was not enough food on the reservation and the Modocs left to reclaim their lands in Oregon and Calif.  In Nov. 1872, the US Army was sent to force them back, and the Modoc escaped to what is now the Lava Beds National Monument.  A band of about 50 warriors held off 3,000 Army troops for several months.  In June 1873, the Modocs gave themselves up.  The US govt executed some of the Modoc leaders and sent the rest to Indian lands in Oklahoma.   Later, they were given permission to return to their own lands in Oregon.  Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA

 

Sheldon was a member of the 9th GAR post, Lynn Cemetery, Lynn, PA

Another naive marker, the only world war, Maple Grove Cemetery, Pleasant Mount, PA

Mauch Chunk Cemetery, Jim Thorpe, PA

Memorial to Frederick Schlicher, died in France.  I wonder if he is buried here?  New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA

St. Peter's Episcopal Cemetery, Perth Amboy, NJ

I am not sure if this is the grave of a military musician or a civilian one.  Isaac S. Gerhard was born about 1842, died 1894.  New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA

I have only seen these in NJ.  I wonder if veterans' groups in PA have made sure veterans have markers that state either WWI or II?  WWI Signals Corps member, in the Telegraph Battalion, Glenwood Cemetery, West Long Branch, NJ

,

A portion of the monument to Commodore David Porter (1780-1843), the first person buried in the Woodlands Cemetery, Philadelphia.  He started his maritime career at age 16, and at age 18 was a midshipman on the USS Constellation.  He was a POW in Tripoli for 2 years during the Barbary Wars, captured 3 ships from the pirate Jean Laffite, adopted and raised David Farragut, (who became the first admiral of the US Navy), and commanded the USS Essex during the War of 1812.  He was court-martialed for invading Puerto Rico to rescue a fellow commander ("unsanctioned excessive naval action").  So he resigned and joined the Mexican Navy, only to be asked by President Jackson to serve as US Ambassador to Turkey, which Porter did until he died.  (Now THAT is an obituary)  Woodlands Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA

Frank Shaffer died in 1898 in Lexington, KY while serving his country in the Spanish American war, aged 19.  He had entered the service in July and died in Division Hospital in September of typhoid fever.  Lower Saucon Christ Lutheran Cemetery, Hellertown, PA

Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Newark, PA

Lt. Frederick Compton, Light Cavalry, killed at the 2nd Battle of Bull Run, aged 25. Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Newark, NJ

Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Newark, NJ

Corporal Seely most likely died during the Spanish American War.  Fairview Cemetery, Middletown, NJ

Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA

Joseph Reynolds was wounded at the Battle of Spotsylvania, died aged 19.  West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, PA

George Jago died July 15, 1863, aged 28.  Possibly from wounds suffered at Gettysburg a few weeks earlier?  "The tired soldier bold and brave now rests his weary feet.  And the to shelter of the ground, George made his last retreat."  Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Flourtown, PA

"Fear not that ye have died for naught, the torch ye threw to us we caught.  Ten million hands will hold it high, and freedom's light shall never die.  We've learned the lesson that ye taught in Flanders Field."     New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA

 Hmm....No, if we had really learned the lesson, there'd be no more wars.  But thanks to all service personnel that sacrifice every day for the United States of America.  God bless you and keep you safe and bring you home. Preferably vertically and not horizontally.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!!

Uh, yeah, in case you needed a close up of that gun.  :)