This is my favorite marker as well as my favorite epitaph. I came across it in Old Burying Ground cemetery in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, where I'd gone to photograph Willa Cather's grave.
Sacred
to the memory of
Amos Fortune
who was born free in
Africa a slave in America
he purchased liberty
professed Christianity
lived reputably &
died hopefully
Nov 17 1801
Age 91
(I'm ashamed of this but it took every bit of self-control I could muster to not swipe that little marble or granite cross that was casually leaning against Amos' stone.)
Best epitaph ever. I have read Amos Fortune's biography now with 4 of my 5 children. It's a story every American child should know.
ReplyDeleteThis was loveely to read
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