From what I understand, the idea was that the creditors would have the body of the parent until the children paid the debts. My ancestor Andreas Bash died in debt and years later his son Michael was petitioning the court for help in settling his estate; page 6 - Michael Bash verses Frederick Bash a/o no.1 filed March 8, 1802 page 7 - Washington County, February 12, 1811 Sir Eight or nine years ago I filled a bill in Chauncery to enable me to sell and wake a right to my fathers land lying in Washington County and since the estate has been settled to the satisfaction of all the heirs, there are every year bills of --- (sp) causing (sp) out against the estate owing I suppose to the ----- (sp) of W. Shaaffs not taking it out of court agreeable to my instructions. I hope sir you will be pleased to order it to be done and it shall be for ever acknowledged by your ---(sp) humble servant Michael Bash ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tammy Angel" <tra126@hotmail.com> To: <PAFAYETT-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2006 8:19 PM Subject: Re: [PAFAY] Lack of Tomb Stones on Graves >I had to reply with a WOW on this one....if a creditor would come steal the >body of a deceased loved one for a debt that was owed......there must have >been something wrong with them in those days, but then again.....some >creditors will hound you even if you're dead !!! > > My father died in 2002 and for a long time afterwards my mom still > received calls for him, one for the ambulance ride to the hospital when he > was transferred to a hospital farther away (which was to be paid anyway > since he was admitted ??) Solicitors still call the house asking for him, > some of them I have even told previously that he passed away and they > still keep calling.... > > I, personally have never heard of this about creditors or the devil, but > nothing surprises me...the old wives tales, the superstitions, and so > forth....some of them were funny and some of them make you wonder..... > > Tammy > > >>From: "Kimberly" <kayswhims@zoominternet.net> >>To: PAFAYETT-L@rootsweb.com >>Subject: Re: [PAFAY] Lack of Tomb Stones on Graves >>Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2006 17:59:22 -0400 >> >>I have not heard of that superstition about unmarked graves. Several of my >>ancestors are in unmarked graves. Mostly because they were poor. One >>ancestor had a marble tombstone which was stolen. Was there a poorhouse >>near the cemetery? >> >>I don't know about other states, but some people in Virginia buried their >>parent in an unmarked grave if they were afraid creditors would take the >>body for collateral when their parent was deeply in debt at the time they >>died. >> >>----- Original Message ----- From: "Angela Kendall" <ark@tampabay.rr.com> >>To: <PAFAYETT-L@rootsweb.com> >>Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2006 2:28 PM >>Subject: [PAFAY] Lack of Tomb Stones on Graves >> >> >>>Here's a new one for you. My cousin, Tom Kendall was looking for the >>>burial >>>sites of our Kendall's & Carters in the Warrenton, Virginia area and this >>>is >>>what he was told by the local funeral home: >>> >>>they would not put tomb stones on the graves because they were afraid the >>>Devil would >>>come and steal the bodies. >>> >>>Have you ever heard that religious belief before? If so what religious >>>belief does this derive from? Maybe the American Indian influence???? >>>You >>>thoughts on this would be appreciated >>> >>> >>> >> >> > > _________________________________________________________________ > Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! > http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ > > >