RATHBONE, RUFUS COGSWELL, (b. circa 1779) In Memory of Rufus Cogswell Rathbone who departed this life January the 12th, 1842, aged 61 years. Farewell my wife and children dear, I am not dead but sleeping here; hoping in that great day to rise, to meet my Savior in the skies. (To properly read this inscription one must go to this cemetery and slide the two broken parts close together to match them up. The inscription will then become clearer. If you attempt this be extra careful not to bump the two parts together or you could cause further damage to this soft limestone. Also leave space between the parts to keep the expansion of heat and cold from causing them to touch and thus wear away the frayed ends.)
Biography
About 1805, Rufus C. Rathbone moved to the Kershaw District of South Carolina. He was a slave owner and manufacturer of homespun cloth by 1810. In 1813, he was a justice of the peace. In 1816, they moved to Madison County, Alabama. His wife died and he married second (Elizabeth Mason 3 Apr 1835) an ardent Methodist who opposed slavery. Just prior to his second marriage he freed two slaves. His will was dated January 8, 1842 and probated January 17, 1842. He had land in the "Northwestern States or Territories" that later would be sold to pay for the education of his children.
26 Jan 2015, posted on Bio section of Findagrave.com at: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GScid=25001&GRid=8190727&
