Another M. Muldoon & Co. Monument

As I continue the painstaking task of entering all of my Rose Hill Cemetery information into one central database (I'm up over 1,200!), I came across this quick little tidbit and thought to share.

Some of you might be readers of my Southern Graves blog (thank-you!). A post from June 2012 describes and shows the work of marble cutter Michael Muldoon. While his American shop was based out of Louisville, Kentucky, he had a studio and workshop in Italy. Seems most of the actual carving of the Italian marble was done there, possibly by a French sculptor named Charles Bullit. It's interesting to note at least one of those Muldoon creations ended up in Rose Hill Cemetery (I dare say there are likely more).

The double columned and arched monument placed for Amanda R. &
T. J. Shinholser was crafted by M. Muldoon & Co. of Louisville, KY.
It's likely made of Italian marble and possibly carved in Italy.

Amanda R. Shinholser (1818-1898)
and
T. J. Shinholser (1802-1879)

Maybe after the snow melts, I'll return and get some better photos!

To Bury Six Children

It's an unthinkable thought. So I doubt James Williams, originally from North Carolina, foresaw the heartache that would befall him when he purchased the lot in Rose Hill Cemetery about a year after it opened.

James William Lot
Central Avenue Division East, Rose Hill Cemetery

James and his wife Catherine Arnett had to make the trek to the cemetery over and over again. Six times. Seven times for Catherine, since she outlived her husband as well. I can only imagine the scene. Entering the cemetery and following the main road until it starts to slope downward. Then turning right and climbing up a slight elevation. Unfortunately, the path likely became well known and worn. No thought was required for the direction of their steps.

Funerals were held in the spring, summer, and winter. And they lost children at ages ranging from 17 months, to 15 and 29 years. No rhyme or reason is apparent.

Little Catharine Arnett, Mary Jane, Sarah Mason, and Henry James.

In addition to the four mentioned in the caption above, there was also James E., aged 15 years, and Felix A., who was a railroad fireman before his death.

Sarah Mason
Daughter of James & Catharine Williams
Died 28th July 1841
Aged 18 months & 26 days

Henry James
Son of James & Catharine Williams
Died 7th May 1859
Aged 17 Months and 25 days

In Christ He Sleeps
James Williams
Born in Edgecombe Co, North Carolina Feb 10, 1795
Died in Macon, Ga Oct 17, 1871

Catherine Williams
Wife of James Williams
Born Nov 4, 1805
Died Sep 8, 1882

The last lines of Catherine's epitaph are especially poignant, and I hope they are true --
Sweet be thy rest, Till He bids thee arise.

All photos © 2014 S. Lincecum.