This tombstone has been standing at Marshallville City Cemetery for so long a tree has grown up around a portion of it. Elizabeth Rembert died 5th January 1837, at the age of 51 years – 180 years ago.
But what I really want to share with you is the signature in the bottom right corner of the stone: J. Artope.
James B. Artope was the name of a marble cutter and stone mason from Macon, GA, located about 35 miles from Marshallville. He was born 4 December 1809 in Charleston, South Carolina. I know James came to Macon by the taking of the 1840 census, and the stone above puts him there even a few years earlier. Every census record from 1850 to 1880 shows James working in the marble industry. The following is a collage of snippets from the 1860, 1870, and 1880 records.
James died 13 December 1883, and was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon. He easily made tombstones for his fellow Georgians for well over thirty years. James also passed the skill onto others with an apprenticeship program, and his son Thomas followed in his footsteps.
When walking through cemeteries in the middle Georgia area, if you look closely, you are sure to come across the signature of J. B. Artope.
Are you wondering what's up with all the "letter" posts? I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge (links to official page). This challenge lasts through the month of April, with Sundays off. Each day follows a different letter prompt, in order, from A to Z. Click here to see all my letter posts on one page (in reverse order). This blog as a whole is one of my themes – telling the tales of tombstones, primarily from those found in the Southern United States and usually the State of Georgia. You may follow along with me by email and other social media platforms listed at the top of the sidebar. I and other bloggers in the challenge on Twitter will also be using #atozchallenge.
Though this is my second year in the challenge, it's my first with two blogs. I am also participating with Lincecum Lineage. Though it is a one name study blog, my theme there is "kinfolk direct." These genealogy and family history posts all involve a direct relative.
Are you participating in the challenge, too? Please leave a link to your blog in the comments, I'd love to pay you a visit. Good luck to all involved!
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