Epitahs - Headstone Poetry

I have always been interested in headstone art and epitaphs. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines an epitaph as “an inscription on or at a tomb or a grave in memory of the one buried there.” Additionally, it is defined as “a brief statement commemorating a deceased person.”  Here are some epitaphs I recently came across in my research which speak to character and death.  

Robert W. Oliver

Robert W. Oliver (1768-1829) is the 6^th great uncle of my sons. He was born in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and died in the state of New York. He was a veteran of the War of 1812. He is buried in the Ingraham Cemetery in Ingraham, New York. His headstone reads as follows:

In Memory of

Robert Oliver

who departed this

life Dec 30^th 1829

Tis finished tis done the spirit is fled,

The prisoner is gone the Christian is dead.

The Christian is living through Jesus’ love,

And gladly receiving a Kingdom above.

Samuel Swift

Samuel Swift (1683-1747) is the 1^st cousin 10x removed of my sons. He was born and died in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Samuel was one of the wealthiest and most influential men in the town of Wilton: He was a Colonel in the militia, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (trial court), and moderator of town meetings. He is buried in the Milton Cemetery in Milton, Massachusetts. His headstone reads as follows:

Here lies Inter’d the Remains of SAMUEL SWIFT Esq who departed this Life Oct 13 1747 age 64 years.

Who never did a Slander forge

His Neighbour’s Fame to wound;

Nor Hearken to a False Report

By Malice whispered round.

Who to his plighted Vows and Trust

Had ever Firmly stood,

And Tho’ he promis’d to his Loss

He made his Promise good.

  

Anna Swift

Anna Holman Swift (1680-1769) is the wife of the above Samuel Swift. She was born and died in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Anna was the mother of 11 children. She is buried in the Milton Cemetery in Milton, Massachusetts. Her headstone reads as follows:

Her lie inter’d the Remains

of Mrss. ANN SWIFT the

virtuous Consort of

SAMUEL SWIFT ESQ.r

SHE exchanged this life for

A better MAY 19^th 1762 in the

82d Year of her Age.

Reader remember thou art born to die,

Hark from the Grave to you this is my Cry;

Withdraw, prepare, think, Act Accordingly.

Luke, XVI 31.

Sarah Swift Adams (1711-1774) is the daughter of the above

Sarah Adams

Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Swift.  Sarah was born and died in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Like her mother, she was also the mother of 11 children. She is buried in the Milton Cemetery in Milton, Massachusetts. Her headstone reads as follows:

In memory of

MRS. SARAH ADAMS

late Consort of Mr. John Adams

who died Nov. 16^th, 1774

aged 63 tears

Death is a debt to nature due,

As she has paid it so must you.

As she has paid it so must you.

In life then strive to get prepared,

To fly with her to meet the Lord.

All of the Swift headstones have a winged head. The head is referred to as the “death head.” Adding the wings, signifies that life is a fleeting thing.

Note:  All images are from Find A Grave website.