The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-01
TOMBSTONES In VIRGINIA
CURIOUS EPITAPHS OVER THE
BODIES OF THE +. F. v.
Quaint Inscriptions Recording the
Virtues Of the Dead-Notable Exam
pies i'm the Curtis Family.


sured his Virginia auditors that he had
seen in Christ Church graveyard, Alexan-
dria, tombstone on which after the name
of the lady buried below were the words:
"One of the first families of Virginia, OF
such IS the kingdom Of heaven"
Upon close inquiry 1t proved that the in
scription told the passer-by that the good
dame was related ''to several of the first
families Of Virginia and Maryland" but
there was no warrant for the supposititious
conclusion given to the epitaph. Neverthe-
less some quaint epitaphs are found in Vir-
ginia graveyards.
Richard Cole, of Westmoreland county,
neighbor of Col. John Washington, dying in
1914. left will with instructions as to his
burial. On a tombstone of black marble to
be brought from England his "coate ar
mour" was to be "engraven in brasse'' and
under it the epitaph:
Here lies Dick Cole, q grievous sinner,
That died a little before dinner,
Yet hopes in heaven to find place
To satiate his soul with grace
This whimsical provision of the will was
revoked in a codicil. Perhaps Dick Cole
thought it wiser not to state the exact hour
of his decease, even for the sake of a good
rhyme for sinner"
The early Virginian's fealty to church
| and king is made prominent in the epitaph
Of Col. Tully Robinson, of Accomac coun-
| ty, who died in 1923 at the age of sixty-five.
"A gentleman honorable, an ornament to
all places. He was loyal to his prince, UNI
shaken to his friend and true believer in
| the Church Of England"
Christianity and the Church Of England
| were synonymous terms at this period in
! the Old Dominion. On the armorial tomb
| stone of young wife, Lettuce Turberville
who died in 1892, are told that she was
." beautiful, but not vain; witty, but
| not talkative. Her religion was pure, fer
vent, cheerful and Of the Church Of Eng
| land"
A little later the Baptist was domiciled in
the Virginia of the revolution, and so We
read on the tomb of Peter Cox. who died in
| 1892:
He was in principle moderate Calvin
| list; by profession Baptist, and IN life and
| conversation real Christian
In Augusta county, where the Scotch
| Irish Presbyterians planted that vigorous
| son and other notable men, the church OF
| Thinking Springs boosted a good pastor in
the Rev. John McCue. After twenty-seven
| morning" In September, 1918. The wording
| of his epitah is a little singular:
Having served his generation in digni-
| duties. he was suddenly removed from Ia
Dor S rest.
| In contrast to the many loving tributes
| the apparent gibe at matrimony to be found
! in the famous inscription on the tomb of
| Col John Custis placed there, is apollo
| getical1y stated, by his owne positive or
| ders:''
Underneath this marble tomb lies the
| body of the Hon. John Custis, ESQ, of the
city of Williamsburg and Parish Of Bruton,
form r1x- nfI mn fCb nm he . Of
! Virginia and Co. of Northampton, aged n
years and yet lived but seven years, which
was the space of time he kept bachelor s
| home at Arlington, on the eastern shore Of
| Virginia.
| 1t has been suggested that, as the mar
| ried life of Colonel Custis was. after all.
! one years, some of his unhappiness might
| have been caused by his children.
BE married in 1705 Frances Parke. a beau
| tiful high-spirited girl. eldest daughter Of
Col Daniel Parke. who had been aid-de-
| camp to Marlborough and Governor of An
/ tigua. 1t was a love match, and a letter
ship, in which the lover. after the fantastic
| fashion of the time, styles his betrothed
"Fidelia'' and himself 'Veramour.'
He calls on the angels to guard his dear
| arms land sure they won't refuse their
/ protection TO a creature so pure and charm
ing that 1t would be easy for them to mis-
But "veramour'' and "Fideiia' began
| their uuarrels soon after the honeymoon.
| and with them at least marriage seemed to
have proved. a failure. "Fidelia" died
young of smallpox, leaving son and
| daughter, and Colonel Gusts had been
an exacting husband he proved himself an
| arbitrary parent.
cause the latter refused to address his
| lovely cousin, Evelyn Byrd, of Westover.
The fair Evelyn loved another. and cared
| nothing for young Gusts, who was four
| years her Junior. SO. after much conten-
ton and long waiting. John Custis was al
length allowed to marry to suit himself
land his heart and hand were given to pref
I ty Martha cambridge. the future Lady
I Washington of Mount Vernon.
But If Colonel Gusts meant by his GYM
/ fcal epitaph TO warn young bachelors
against matrimony, doctrine Just the OBJ
posite is incuIcated In the inscription over
the grave of "a hapless would-be benedict
| who, too late. repented him OF his forlorr
celibate condition. This grave is to be found
| near Cherry Point, I'm Northumberland
county. Virginia. and the epitaph is as fol.
lows:
+. Here lies the body OF Izatis Anderson
late OF this country, who was born or The
7th day OF February, 1779, and died the
18th day OF August, 1S23 aged forty-fo,u
years six months and seven days He was
worthy and estimable man, a kind neirh
Dor. a faithful friend and q good citizen
In other relations OF life he might hayl
4 -.