Tombstones and Resumes

I thought about entitling this post :

Now Why Couldn't My Ancestors Do That?!

(I think you will see why is a minute.)

I found the historic cemeteries in Charleston, SC absolutely fascinating.   So many of the gravestones provided an incredible wealth of information on the person they represented. It like having a resume on the gravestone. For instance:

This is the gravestone for Captain James Ross, buried in the Presbyterian Church on Meeting Street in the historic district of Charleston.  The transcription of the stone is as follows:

HERE REST

The Mortal Remains of 

CAPTAIN JAMES ROSS

A native of the Town of Lerwick,

North Britain.

For upwards of Thirty Years,

He commanded vessels out of this Port,

And for the last Sixteen Years

Resided here permanently

As a Member of the Board of Port Wardens

And most of that time as its Chairman

The duties of which he discharged

Most faithfully

____________________of his existence

He was in the fullest sense

An Honest Upright and Noble hearted Man.

He died in this City
On the 8th October 1856
Aged 70 Years, 8 Months,
And 9 Days.
Justly and sincerely lamented
By a numerous acquaintance
And many sincere Friends.

This gentleman's name, age, place of birth, death dates, place of residence, and his occupation are all listed.  The information on Captain Ross's stone can also lead the researcher to other records for the city that mention him.  Records leading to other records is always a good thing.