Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Tombstone Tuesday

William Lawson Duncan - b. 1821 - d. 1926 is buried in New Zion Union Church Cemetery, in Waiteville, Monroe County, West Virginia.
His tombstone is a square monument.
William was married three times. He is buried to the front of his name on the monument. His first wife Susan is listed on the right side of the stone. She is buried precisely in front of her name.

Susan Miller Duncan - b. 1824 - d. 1857

Directly behind William on the stone is his second wife, Jane. Who is also buried directly infront of her name on the stone.
Jane Wiseman Duncan - b. 1837 - d. 1859

To William's right, on the stone, is his third wife, Mary. She, like the others, is buried directly in front of her name on the stone. Mary Tompkins Thurmond Duncan - b. 1824 - d. 1903.
The odd shared burial grounds is layed out something as follows:
[Facing the graves] Mary - William - Susanna . The tombstone itself sits at the head of William's grave. Jane is buried directly above it. _ l _ .
This family arrangement has always fascinated me.

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