Original Dr. Samuel Mudd Headstone

[L Verge]

"This may not have been an error. Although official death certificates were not yet required in Maryland, we are certain that Dr. Mudd died on January 10, 1883 from contemporary newspaper obituaries. However, there are no primary source records in existence for his oft-repeated date of birth of December 20, 1833. Dr. Richard Mudd does not cite any source record in his well-researched history of the Mudd family, and there is no surviving church record of his birth. The home of Dr. Mudd’s father, Henry Lowe Mudd, burned down around 1881, two years before Dr. Mudd’s death. All the family records were destroyed. Note that no specific date of birth is etched on the tombstone.

"It seems reasonable that the 48 years cited on the tombstone was provided by Dr. Mudd’s family. In short, we know for certain when he died, but not for certain when he was born. Why not give deference to the recollection of those who knew him best when he died, instead of those of us now living who didn’t?"

Excellent point, Bob, and one that I had never heard mentioned. Any chance that a marriage certificate would show dates of birth?

As for the missing cross atop the stone, I was told years ago that the old tombstone was propped up against a building on one of the descendant's property for years before the house was restored as a museum. Perhaps too many moves and/or droppings or knockings broke the cross.

Another interesting tidbit: The remarkable John C. Brennan was a firm believer in dousing, and several of us were with him back in the 1980s when he decided to douse the grave of Dr. and Mrs. Mudd. As you know, many believe that you can determine sex via dousing (usually employing a plumb-line). Mr. Brennan was convinced after his Mudd experiment that Mrs. Mudd is buried on the opposite side of her husband than what is shown on the tombstone -- and also what is the old practice of burying the woman to the left of her husband (closest to his heart for eternity).