(some humorous, some sad) 

Sometimes the personality of a person shines through in his will or on his tombstone. The following are excerpts from actual wills and tombstones. 

In his will, Alexander Spence left nothing to his wife "only allowing her now wearing apparel for her paraphernalia. " In other words, he left her the clothes on her back and nothing more. 

Heinrich Heine in his will left his wife all of his assets on the condition she  remarry "because then there will be at least one man to regret my death. " 

Christopher Hoomes in his will came to grips with his wayward lifestyle and made ready for his exit from this world. He identified the illegitimate child he had by his first mistress and seven additional childrenhe had by his second mistress with whom he was cohabiting. He specified that his current mistress, Elizabeth Freeman, was to be allowed to live on the land he had given to her sons "so long as she remains chaste and unmarried. " 

Old tombstones sometime reflect a person's personality or character and sometime how the person met his or her demise. Some are humorous and some are sad, but all tell a story. Here are a few examples from old graveyards. 

Abial Ledoyt son of Jacob & Polly Perkins who was drowned August 17, 1826
Aged 13 years & 14 days

THIS BLOOMING YOUTH IN HEALTH
MOST FAIR
TO HIS UNCLE'S MILL-POND DID
REPARE
UNDRESSED HIMSELF AND SO
PLUNGED IN
BUT NEVER DID COME OUT AGAIN"

Next to Capt. Mathias Marin, U.S.N., 1818-1895, lies the body of his dog. 

Faithful Unto Death
My Friend
Jack Hammett
The Best of Dogs
Aged 11 Years
IN LIFE EVER AT MY SIDE, ALWAYS
READY TO COMFORT AND PROTECT
ME. DYING AT MY FEET IN HIS OLD
AGE, HE NOW RESTS BESIDE THE ONE
HE LOVED.
CEASE CARPING FOOLS YOUR GIBES
AND SNEERS
A TRUE AND FAITHFUL FRIEND RESTS
HERE.
HE LOVED HIS MASTER, TO HIM WAS
TRUE:CAN THE RECORDING ANGEL SAY THIS
OF YOU?

James Anthony son of James & Elizabeth Anthony

For eighteen years attached
To the United States Navy
Died Dec. 9, 1857
In the 73 year of his age.
HE SPENT HIS LIFE UPON THE SEA
FIGHTING FOR THE NATION
HE DOUBLED HIS ENJOYMENT
BY DOUBLING ALL HIS RATIONS"

Capt. Samuel Jones Leg which was amputated July 7, 1804
(Later the captain moved to another location, where the rest of him is buried.) 

Josiah Haines Died May 29, 1838 
Age 60 

HE WAS A BLESSING TO THE SAINTS,
TO SINNERS RICH AND POOR,
HE WAS A KIND AND WORTH MAN
HE'S GONE TO BE NO MORE.
HE KEPT THE FAITH UNTIL THE END
AND LEFT THE WORLD IN PEACE;
HE DID NOT FOR A DOCTOR SEND
NOR FOR A HIRELING PRIEST"
CEMETERY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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