Lydia Ann Ireland, wife of John Ireland. (Mt Hope Cemetery, Rochester, NY. Photo taken October 2017)
The headstone reads:
Lydia Ann
wife of John Ireland
died April 20, 1859
aged 41 years
8 months & 25 days
Friends and physicians could not save
This mortal body from the grave
Nor can the grave confine me here
When Christ doth call me to appear
I’m always drawn to headstones with epitaphs, poems, quotes, pithy sayings. But what strikes me most often when I wander among the dead are the number of women remembered simply as “Wife of.”
Susan V, wife of Wm. J. Stone.
Susan V, wife of Wm J Stone ( (Mt Hope Cemetery, Rochester, NY. Photo taken November 2016)
Elvira, wife of Charles G. Davis.
Elvira, wife of Charles G Davis. (Mt Hope Cemetery, Rochester, NY. Photo taken November 2016)
Pauline, wife of Henry Wick.
Pauline Vick, wife of Henry Vick (Mt Hope Cemetery, Rochester, NY. Photo taken November 2016)
* * * * * * * * * *
The subject of women and identity has been gnawing at me the last few years. Not women’s rights per se, although equality is of course a relevant issue.
I’m talking about identity.
A man commented to me not long ago, speaking about his former sister-in-law, the former wife of his brother, “Why is she still using our last name?” Continue reading
Buried Rochester 