John Brown’s Instructions for his Tombstone Inscription

TO BE INSCRIBED ON THE OLD FAMILY MONUMENT AT NORTH ELBA.

Oliver Brown, born ——, 1839, was killed at Harper's Ferry, Va., Oct. 17, 1859.

Watson Brown, born ——, 1835, was wounded at Harper's Ferry, Oct. 17, and died Oct. 19, 1859. (My wife can fill up the blank dates as above.)

John Brown, born May 9, 1800, was executed at Charlestown, Va., Dec. 2, 1859.

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[NOTE: These directions were delivered to Mrs. Brown after John Brown’s execution.]

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 617