Donegal - Ballyshannon

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Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives
Donegal Index
Copyright

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File contributed by: C. Hunt

BALLYSHANNON

'I enclose a correct copy of the three CRAWFORD tombstones
inscriptions within the rails.  Outside there is another
CRAWFORD family, the representative of which latter is Mr.
Robert CRAWFORD, Stonewold.  You will see what an affecting
tale is indicated on the middle stone, - all the family were
cut off with consumption.

I send copy of FORSTER tombstone, which is in a perfect
state; and my interpretation of the symbols.

There is a defaced motto on the JONES' stone. I can read all
the rest of the inscription. THere is a Crusader's stone
that I unearthed some years ago; it is leaning now against
the church wall, near the door as it had been removed from
its true place, and stuck down in an obscure grave, where it
sunk out of sight at last; by accident I came on it.

There is a partially-injured stone of the sixteenth century,
with a well cut round the sides;  these words appear' :-

	"BERNARD CON. ONEIL AB ORIS BELLESENIENSIS
	QUI OBIIT PRIDIE NOW JUN ANNO DOMINI 15 .."

The figures on this stone are - A ship, crescent moon.
cornucopia, and three right hands. On a shield is a Latin
inscription, defaced, with "HOC" legible in strong sunlight.
 There is also a tomb of the MAJOR's, 1751 with an elegant
Latin inscription'

	[From the Rev. S.G. Cochrane.]
					------------
'Three altar-tombs within rails':-

			   NORTH
"This stone was erected by Thomas William CRAWFORD,
 Esq. Surgeon of the Donegal Regiment, to the memory
 of his beloved son Samuel Peile CRAWFORD: He died
 5th June, 1825, aged 19 yrs. Beside him are the
 remains of his Brother Edward Pakenham CRAWFORD and
 grandaunt Miss M. WOODS."
		------------

		  [Center]
"Underneath are deposited the remains of Thomas William
CRAWFORD, late Surgeon of the Donegal Regt., who departed
this life 21st July 1842, aged 59 years.  Also of Margaret
his wife who died 4th July, 1841, Aged 58 years,  Also of
their daughter Mary Ann, who died 16th July 1842, aged 17 years.
And of their daughter, Georgina, who died 24th May, 1843,
aged 22 years."
		------------
		   SOUTH
Underneath this stone is placed the mortal remains of Hessy
Marie, daughter of T. W. CRAWFORD, of Rockville, Esq., Surgeon
of the Donegal Regiment., who died on the 8th of July, 1833,
aged 14 yrs. in full reliance of redemption through the blood
of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Beside her are interred her brothers
Henry George and T. W. Seth Crawford.
			____________________________________________

Above the following inscription are to be seen - a
grey-hound, a hunting cap, and a falcon; and below these, a
shield, with three hunting horns in chief, and a dog in
base, with motto "RECREATION" underneath and a winged
angel's head on each side.

"Here lieth ye body of Mr. Francis FOSTER | who died March
ye 14th 1782, aged 82 years |  Also Mrs. Catherine FORSTER
[sic] wife to the above, | died Septr. ye 17th, 1782."

'"FORSTER" - forester.  A number of heraldic plays upon the
name -dogs, falcon, cap, motto, all puns on FORSTER =
woodman.  The angel heads at ends of ribbons point to a
spiritual meaning, viz. 'resurrection of flesh.'
The symbols express belief in a pleasant, joyous life in the
country and a joyful hereafter in the body restored.'
					----------
"This monument was erected by |John JONES in memory of
his father | Edward, who departed this life | August 20th,
in the hundred and ninth | year of his age, Anno Domini 1712"

On this stone we have a cross-crosslet, the sun and moon, a
stag on top, a coffin, an hour-glass, death's head and
cross-bones, and winged angels' heads.  The motto is
illegible'



Source:
Journal of the Association for the Preservation of the
Memorials of the Dead in Ireland FHL# 1279252