RootsChat.Com
Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: loo on Saturday 16 September 06 08:56 BST (UK)
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I found an interesting poem and photo on www.imagesofengland.org.uk from the tombstone of one John Hunter, Northumberland, d.1792.
I don't think tombstones are copyright (although I'm sure someone will let me know if I'm wrong), so here goes:
My Anvil and Hammer lies declind
My Bellows have quite lost their wind
My Fires extinct my Forge decayd
My Vice is in the dust all laid
My Coals is spent my Iron gone
My Nails are drove my Work is done
My Mortal part lies nigh this stone
My Soul to Heaven I hope is gone.
The photo shows the tombstone with depictions of some of his tools decorating it; I'm sure the photo is copyright, but you can go look at it yourself.
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Loo,
Here's another one I found recently in the Notts village of Elkesley, in the churchyard there. Thomas SHIRTLIFE, who died May 7th 1847 aged 63 years:
"Here lies an honest man beneath thy feet
Who nothing hated more than mean deceit
Kind to his kindred, cordial to his friends
In peace he lived and found a peaceful end.
My hammer and my stiddy lie dead
My bellows too have lost their wind,
My fire's extinguished, my forge decayed
And in the dust my vice is laid.
My coal is spent my iron's gone.
The last nail's driven my work is done"
A very similar effort, perhaps someone produced such dedications to order...
keith
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Interesting, Keith! Ta.
I'm guessing you paid according to how many characters you wanted, so the poem could be lengthened and shortened like an accordion!