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Meaning of Gravestone Inscriptions

K

karro

master brummie
I was recently delighted to find a photo of my great great grandfather's headstone on the memorial photos at this forum. What I'm wondering is if anyone could provide any insight into the inscriptions on the headstone. Reading between the lines so to speak.

John's wife Anne Hannah died first. Her inscription states: "Therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the son of man cometh"

I know that she died soon after giving birth to her 9th child. Perhaps not in childbirth but that's possible.

John's inscription states: "He has fought a good fight. He has finished his course. He has kept the faith."
Do such inscriptions suggest a religous family or some other meaning? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Karro
 
Thanks to Google They are quotes from the Bible,
Matthew 24:44
"Therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the son of man cometh"
Click to expand...
Timothy 4:7
He has fought a good fight. He has finished his course. He has kept the faith."
Click to expand...
 
What was the shape of the headstone & did it have any pictures on it? Both can tell you a lot https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headstone The inscriptions are certainly Christian as they are New Testament passages but it would be hard to tell what denomination or how fervently the family believed from this.

You could read into Anne's that she died early? Perhaps even died doing something she ought not to have?

You could infer from John's that he lived to old age, perhaps after 70? Possibly that he was active in his church? Possibly that he had a long illness but didn't complain too much?
 
Anne was 39 years when she died. I'm certain that her death was unexpected as she had just given birth to their last child. John bought a large headstone for her. It stood upright with a rounded corners. There is a spray of small flowers carved above the inscription.
John was in his 70th year when he died. It is possible that he had been ill. He wrote his Will about three months before his death. He may well have known that his health was failing.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Karro
 
Ann Hannah Burley died on Sept 3, 1867 39 yrs
John her husband died on November 11, 1896 at 70 yrs
Also remembered on the tombstone between Ann & John is thier first son John who only lived 2 months, died in 1851.
 
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