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Michael Gannon, Stone Cutter

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The above signature is carved into a marble ledger marker located at Waverly Hall Cemetery in Harris County, Georgia. A little research led me to Mr. Michael Gannon. Census records suggest he was born between 1812 and 1820 in Ireland. He was naturalized in Charleston, South Carolina in the year 1847.


Michael and family are found in the 1860 US Federal Census for Charleston, South Carolina. They are in Ward 3, enumerated on page 9, dwelling 58, family 54 (lines 5-12):

Michael Gannon / age 40 / male / occ: Stone Cutter / b. Ireland
Mary Gannon / 35 / F / b. Ireland
John Gannon / 17 / M / South Carolina
Michael Gannon / 15 / M / South Carolina
Mary Ann Gannon / 13 / F / South Carolina
William J. Gannon / 7 / M / South Carolina
Thomas F. Gannon / 2 / M / South Carolina
James Gannon / 28 / M / occ: Stone Cutter / b. Ireland

By 1870, the craft was being passed on to his son, as both the elder and younger Michael were listed as Stone Masons. A second son, William, joined in as a stone cutter by 1880.


Michael worked at the marble yard located at 170 King Street in Charleston, per the Shole's Directory of the City of Charleston of 1878 and 1879 and the South Carolina State Business Directory of 1880 and 1881.

M. Gannon died 2 December 1881 at his home in Charleston.  Per his death certificate, Michael's age was 65 and his occupation was Stone cutter.  Burial was at St. Lawrence Cemetery.


Another researcher notes Michael Gannon's technique resulted in "distinctive lettering." An example below is from the aforementioned Waverly Hall Cemetery in Harris County, Georgia.


Note:  When we took a road trip to Charleston last year, we stayed at the historic Francis Marion hotel located on King Street. Just think -- we were right by where the marble yard was, and where Mr. Gannon worked more than 120 years ago! Very cool.

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The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"

So I answered, "O Lord God, You know."

Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!' Thus says the Lord God to these bones: 'Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live...'" (Ezekiel 37:1-5, NKJV)