Sacred to the memory of Mary Jane, consort of Stewart Rounds and daughter of Peter and Achisheth Miller, who departed this life June the 10th A.D. 1840 aged 19 years 3 months and 7 days.  ‘Her body sleeps beneath the dust, till Jesus comes to raise the just.  Then shall she wake in sweet surprise and in her Saviour’s image rise.’  Maysville Cemetery, Mason County, Kentucky.

I couldn’t resist sharing this beautifully carved stone from the Maysville Cemetery in Mason County.  The leaves, cloth draped through rings and the urn prominently placed in the center are all icons used in cemeteries during this time period – but carved into the stone as in this example, not atop the stone as in later years.  The side columns are extraordinary for this time period.  The amount of writing on the stone gives us a clue that this family, while not necessarily wealthy, is well off.

Know all men by these presents, that we, Stewart Rounds and John W. Duncan, are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Kentucky, in the penal sum of fifty pounds current money, for the payment of which well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors or administrators, jointly and severally, firmly be these presents, sealed with our seals and dated the 15^th day of July 1836.

The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas a marriage is intended to be had and solemnized between the said Stewart Rounds and Mary Jane Miller.  Now, if there be no legal cause to obstruct the same then the above obligation to be void, else to remain in full force and virtue.

                                                  Stewart Rounds, John W. Duncan

This young woman, daughter, wife, did not live long enough to have her name included in the federal census; that began in 1850 when all members of the family were listed.  In the 1840 census for Mason County Stewart Rounds is listed as a male, aged 30-40 years.  One male under five is included, as well as one female 20-30.  I would say this is Mary Jane.  The census was probably taken before her death.  She must have had one little boy, so perhaps a piece of her still lives on through her descendants.