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Subject: [BAGBY] Robert Bagby of Lewis Co., Ky., son of Wm & Drusilla
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 08:05:53 EST

I suppose everyone has noticed the discrepancy between the date of birth
given for Robert Bagby of Lewis County, Ky. in Clarence & Elaine's recent
posts and the age at death allegedly given on the fortuitously unearthed
tombstone.

We are told that the tombstone reports his death in 1827 at "age 45," but the
birth isr 5 April 1779. (I am aware that someone gave it as 4 April on an
earlier post, but I have it as 5 April according to Creasy, at least per my
copy.) As the 1779 birthdate came ultimately from the Wm & Drusilla family
Bible, I think it deserves substantial credence.

Death at age 45 in 1827 would place Robert's birth in late 1781 or 1782, so
this is a three year difference from the Bible.

My proposed explanation is this: the most common mistake in reading
gravestones is between the numbers 5 and 8. The line used to trace that last
swirl that makes a 5 into an 8 was often carved very narrowly, and as the
rest of a stone erodes, that line is often not apparent to casual observation.

If the tombstone actually said that Robert died at age 48, that would match
the birth date in the Bible if he died late in the year 1827. We know that
he died after Oct 27, as that is the date of his will. Thus, there is no
real question on that score.

Obviously, if we have list members who live near Vanceburg / Quincy, they
could easily check my theory out by looking at the actual tombstone, assuming
that it hasn't been covered up by debris from another flood.

Barry Wood

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