I discovered the grave of Martha Bell Aston, first wife of Charles Samuel Aston (of John Aston family, Powhatan County, Virginia) last week in Grand Junction Cemetery, Hardeman County, Tennessee.

Because of a stonecarver's error (or eccentricity), the gravestone for Martha Bell Aston had listed as her husband, "G. S. Aston." This grave, however, is the grave of Martha Bell Aston, whose husband was "C. S. Aston." (Engraving errors are common.)

The gravestone reads:

Martha M
Wife of
C. S. Aston
DIED
Aug. 4, 1856
AGED
21 yrs 9 mos
&
7 days

Beautiful. Beloved.
Good. Happy:
all avail not.


Martha Bell and Charles Samuel Aston were married on 6 Dec 1847.

Interesting note: Charle's father was Daniel Thomas Aston, son of John Aston of Powhatan County, Virginia. Daniel Aston settled Wilson County, Tennessee, in the early 1800s. But another Daniel Aston, son of Rev. War veteran, Alexander Aston, also settled Wilson County. This other Daniel Aston married a Jane Bell. And a Robert D. Bell served as administrator of his estate. The Bell connection, thus, argues for a possible connection between the two Daniel Astons.

~mac king aston