Carved in Stone

Emily Jane Price was born April 22, 1829, according to her tombstone; her death certificate said she was born April 29, 1829, in Ohio. She married Dempson Freeman on February 25, 1858 and they had two daughters. Shortly after the second one was born, her husband, Denci was drafted as a private into Company D of the 32nd Illinois Infantry for one year of service.

When the family was reunited, Denci returned to farming in Lukin and she continued to keep house. He on May 1, 1900, and was buried at Ridgley Cemetery. The 1900 census taker stated that Emily was 71 years of age and living with John A and Ida White, her daughter and family. She filed for her husband’s military pension on June 15, 1900.

The Sumner Press noted on January 27, 1910, “Grandma Freeman is still on the sick list.” Emily Jane Price Freeman died April 9, 1910 at age 80 years, 11 months, 17 days according to her tombstone. She was laid to rest next to her husband at Ridgley Cemetery, the couple sharing one tombstone.

But wait, there’s more……Emily Jane’s death certificate stated that she actually died a year later on May 8, 1911 and her age was 82 years, 11 months instead of what her tombstone says. (April 9, 1910 -80 years, 11 months, 17 days.) Which date is correct? The official record or the one carved in stone?

There are two other notations on her death certificate mentioning her burial date as being May 9, 1911, at 10 am. and that of the doctor who attended her from May 5 to 7, 1911. The informant who provided the information was her daughter, Mrs. John A White.