Hello Sean,
I have not seen this before, but would suspect it had some special
significance with respect to the father David Watkins of Hereford. Do
you know anything about David? Was he especially prominent in some
way? What is the date? Is the stone an especially well carved or
expensive stone? It may have had significance in pointing out that
John's ancestry came from Hereford. Was John an only son among several
sisters? In any event, the family of John (who ordered the
inscription) felt strongly about his father David and the heritage in
Hereford.
I look forward to hearing what others say on this subject.
Regards and Happy New Year
Thomas Roderick
Bar Harbor, Maine
USA
On Dec 29, 2004, at 4:00 PM, MONMOUTHSHIRE-D-request(a)rootsweb.com wrote:
MONMOUTHSHIRE-D Digest Volume 04 : Issue 426
Today's Topics:
#1 [Mon] Headstone Information [Sean Watkins
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______________________________
From: Sean Watkins <Swatkins(a)idlmail.com>
Date: December 29, 2004 3:49:24 AM EST
To: MONMOUTHSHIRE-L(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: [Mon] Headstone Information
Hello Listers
On my g-g-g-grandparents headstone in Abergavenny it states “in loving
memory of John Watkins, only son of the late David Watkins of
Hereford” before listing his wife etc. John was 65, married, had 5
children and his father wasn’t buried at the same plot. Just wondered
if this sort of thing was commonplace to mention your own
parent/family descent on your headstone? was it perhaps a mark of
respect!? or was it more to do with how a family lineage is sometimes
stated in some old publications I’ve read , i.e. “Henry ap John ap
David”?
I know that on a spinster’s death certificate they would list the
father in the absence of any husband. Anyway, obviously it was a great
help in terms of geneology!
regards
Sean Watkins