The Nation's Longest Epitaph - Simeon Martin
Simeon Martin, twice Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island, is said to have the longest epitaph in the United States.
Simeon Martin
Simeon Martin was a successful Rhode Island merchant when the Revolutionary War broke out.
Martin was quick to respond to the Lexington Alarm and joined the Siege of Boston.
He spent a year with the Continental Army before joining the State Militia. His time in the war included crossing the Delaware with George Washington.
Always the Lieutenant Governor, Never the Governor
After the war, Simeon spent a large portion of his life serving in the State Assembly.
Furthermore, he continued rising in the militia, eventually receiving appointment as Adjutant General and achieving the rank of Major General.
By 1810, Martin was elected as Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island. He would serve a total of seven years in this position underneath two different Governors.
He never held the State’s highest office himself.
But Where?
During this time, Martin’s home switched States.
His town, Rehoboth, was right on the border with Massachusetts.
In 1812, the Supreme Court decided a longstanding dispute that split the town in half and placed Simeon’s estate under Massachusetts’ umbrella.
Interestingly, the people of Rhode Island didn’t seem to care about this and he continued to serve as Lieutenant Governor.
Epitaph
Unfortunately for Simeon Martin, he is best known for his death.
More specifically, he is known for his gravestone.
At 407 words, Martin’s epitaph has been argued to be the longest in the United States, if not the world.
Check out a translation of Martin’s gravestone here. He might have been more specific in death than I have in the article above.
Want to learn about other RHODE ISLAND FOUNDERS?
OK, here you go:
John Collins and the Sacrifice of Popularity for Union
Samuel Ward Sets Petty Issues Aside
Peleg Arnold - The Rare Rhode Island Federalist
Simeon Martin is way to obscure to have his own biography.
To learn more about his home State, check out the extremely interesting story told by ‘Spies in Revolutionary Rhode Island.’
If you’d like a copy you can get one through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
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