Charles Irving Thornton Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Significant dates

Charles Irving Thornton Tombstone
U.S. National Register of Historic Places

A closeup view of the tombstone, seen in April, 2017
Location in Virginia Show map of Virginia Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	West of Cumberland, off Oak Hill Forest Rd., Cumberland State Forest, near Cumberland, Cumberland County, Virginia
Built	1842
NRHP reference No.	80004186
Added to NRHP	November 25, 1980

Charles Irving Thornton (born January 20, 1841 – died March 12, 1842) was a baby from Virginia, United States. He lived for only 13 months and 19 days. His special tombstone is located in Cumberland State Forest in Cumberland County, Virginia.

What makes his grave so unique? It's one of only two gravestones in the entire world with words written by the famous author Charles Dickens. It's also the only one like it in the United States! This special tombstone is listed on both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.

The Story Behind the Tombstone

Charles Irving Thornton was the son of Anthony and M. I. Thornton. They lived in Cumberland County, Virginia. Charles passed away on March 12, 1842, when he was just over a year old.

A doctor named Dr. Deane was caring for the child. After Charles died, Dr. Deane felt moved to write to Charles Dickens. He asked Dickens to write a special message, called an epitaph, for the child's grave.

Dickens had recently visited Virginia as part of his trip across the United States. By the time Dr. Deane wrote to him, Dickens had already traveled to Ohio. It's not completely clear why Dickens agreed to write the epitaph. He had some strong disagreements with certain practices in Virginia at the time. Despite this, he still wrote the touching words for the little boy's grave.

You can still visit Thornton's grave today. It is in a part of the state forest that can be hard to find. However, park rangers are happy to help direct visitors to the site.

A Special Message from Dickens

The epitaph on Charles Irving Thornton's tombstone was slightly changed from what Dickens originally wrote. It is a beautiful and sad message from the famous author.

THIS IS THE GRAVE

of
a Little Child
whom God in his goodness
Called to a Bright Eternity
when he was very young.
Hard as it is
For Human Affection
To reconcile itself
To Death
In any shape
[and most of all, perhaps
at First
In this]
HIS PARENTS
Can even now believe
That it will be a Consolation to them
Throughout their lives
and when they shall have grown old
and grey
always to think of him
as a Child
IN HEAVEN
"And Jesus Called a little Child unto
him, and set him in the midst of them."
He was the son of ANTHONY and M.I. THORNTON
Called CHARLES IRVING.
He was born on the 20th day of January 1841,
and he died on the 12th day of March 1842.
Having lived only 13 months and 19 days.

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Charles Irving Thornton Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.

Charles Irving Thornton facts for kids

The Story Behind the Tombstone

A Special Message from Dickens