I was fascinated to see the engraving on this old tombstone: 58 years, 10 months, and one day. They were pretty precise on the exact age of this gentleman, weren't they?
Considering the labor involved in carving those stones by hand, you would have thought they wouldl try to minimize the details provided. Maybe the addition of the month and year was a way for apprentice stone carvers to get more practice. Or maybe it was an extra task the master carver gave his apprentices when they showed up later for work.
Is the gravestone for Harriet, wife of Samuel or for Samuel himself?
ReplyDeleteYes, they were! I see that all the time at the cemetery by me for deaths in the late 1800s/early 1900s. I'm not sure why that was or why it changed
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim. As someone who is 58 years, 0 months, and 4 days old, you've given me reason for great optimism.
ReplyDeleteOn the up side, I've never met Samuel.
I am xx years, 2 months and 3 days....happily lagging behind both Harriet and Bill....
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to visit old cemeteries from time to time. Amazing how the stones hold up through the years, and weather.
Scary the amount of time that one can spend wandering through graveyards, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI like the way you toned this shot.
ReplyDeleteConsidering the labor involved in carving those stones by hand, you would have thought they wouldl try to minimize the details provided. Maybe the addition of the month and year was a way for apprentice stone carvers to get more practice. Or maybe it was an extra task the master carver gave his apprentices when they showed up later for work.
one word - Virgo.
ReplyDeleteAll engraved with love! A beautiful capture and endearing memory (for someone)! :)
ReplyDeleteWere they as specific in life as they were in death?
ReplyDeleteNice tones with the rusty orange.
I love the monotone composition. I have a picture of one of my husband's ancestors and they counted down the days also.
ReplyDeleteI've seen some too that counted like that from about that period, sort of reinforces the notion of living each day to the fullest.
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