[or-roots] Browsing Old Cemeteries

[Darlene Casteel]

Thank goodness my ancestors who made it to the Oregon Territory way back when don't have any such interesting inscriptions, but my husband's gr-gr-grandfather buried in Pocahontas Co., IA has one very similar:   "Kind friends beware as you pass by  As you are now, so once was I  As I am now, so you must be  Beware, therefore, to follow me". 

Darlene
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: cklooster at aol.com 
  To: or-roots at listsmart.osl.state.or.us 
  Sent: Saturday, January 16, 2010 10:09 AM
  Subject: Re: [or-roots] Browsing Old Cemeteries


  Les...
  In the 1960's my aunt had a slim little book called something like "Comic Epitaphs" and I recognize some of these from that book.  On the other hand, my 3rd great grandfather, Joseph Whealdon, is buried in the pioneer cemetery in Centralia, WA.  On this Quaker's grave, the inscription reads:  "Stranger pause as you pass by; as you are now, so once was I.  As I am now; so you will be.  Pause awhile and think of me".

  I do believe that at least some of the inscriptions you quote are likely to be true.  We tend to think of epitaphs as something that survivors conferred upon their loved ones, but in many cases, epitaphs were written (as were obituaries) by the individual before they died.  If there was a sense of humor involved, I can easily see an atheist deciding that his obituary should read "all dressed up with no place to go".  

  Carla 



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