Verbal/Material Lore – Gravestone Epitaph
“Anna”

English

Informant Data

“Mrs. Anna,” as she is named on her gravestone, was the wife (listed on her grave as consort) of Reverend Roswell Shurtleff, professor of Theology, Dartmouth College. It appears that this is the same Roswell Shurtleff as mentioned in the previous entry, and he is buried next to “Mrs. Anna.” Her full name was Anna Pope Shurtleff, and she was was born February 16th, 1784, and died March 3rd, 1826.

Contextual Data

Anna Shurtleff’s epitaph is much longer than any other epitaph seen in the Hanover graveyards. It is not, nor does it resemble, a bible verse, but the saying is definitely religious, as is to be expected on the grave of the wife of a preacher. Who gave Anna such a long and personal epitaph, and why, is unknown. Furthermore, this epitaph is on the top of the gravestone, instead of on the side, as the epitaph is for most other gravestones – again, why this is is unknown. It is worth noting that while Rev. Shurtleff’s grave does not carry an epitaph per se, it does include a lengthy description of his life and works; a description much longer than any other seen in the Hanover graveyards. Why the Shurtleffs in particular have such wordy gravestones is unknown.

Text

“In all the interesting relations of life, Mrs. Shurtleff eminently merited and enjoyed the esteem and affection of those who knew her. From an early age, she exhibited an example of amiable, active, and humble piety, relying only on the merits and atonement of Jesus Christ, her Lord and her God.”