Inscriptions from Vermont Gravestones

For years we've wandered through cemeteries, doing gravestone rubbings. We were immediately drawn to this book, which is a collection of gravestone epitaphs, covering the years from the mid-seventeenth century to the early twentieth. Included here are several inscriptions which give us insight into Vermonters of former generations.

Brattleboro, VT:

This is in Memory of
Mr Timothy Whipple,
who departed this life
November 4th, 1796 in the 72nd Year
of his Age.

Delirium's State was worse than fate,
And vacancy of mind;
But real grace fill'd up the space,
And left a hope behind.

Randolph Center, VT:

Justin Morgan
1747 1798
This man brought to
Vermont the colt from
which all Morgan Horses
are descended.

Vernon, VT:

Dill Elmer
died Jan. 11 1804 AEt. 67

Tranquil & silent here lies Dill,
What gifts he had he managed well.
He did his best to merit fame
And left behind him a good name.
Remember Dill and do the same.

Source: Janet Greene, Epitaphs to Remember: Remarkable Inscriptions from New England Gravestones, Brattleboro, VT, 1994.