Verbal/Material Lore – Gravestone Epitaph
“Joseph Emerson”

English

Informant Data

Joseph Emerson was born on October 3rd, 1807, in Norwich, Vermont. He died in Hanover, New Hampshire on July 27th 1888. He was married to Anna Pope, who is buried next to him.

Contextual Data

Joseph’s epitaph is not a bible verse along, but appears to be a modified version of John 5:24. Given that most epitaphs in the Hanover graveyards were taken from the King James Bible, it is likely that this epitaph was taken from the King James version also. John 5:24 in this version reads, “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life…” Why this verse was chosen, or why is was it was modified from its original, it unknown.

Text

“He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”