“I am prepared to die”

Justice John McLean

A handsome obelisk—not too tall!—marks the grave of John McLean (b. 1785, d. 1861), a lawyer and politician who served in the United States Congress, as U.S. Postmaster General, and as a justice on the Ohio and U.S. Supreme Courts.

Not familiar with McLean? Paul Finkelman of Albany Law School writes, “Few Justices have worked so hard, for such a long period of time, and had so little impact on the Court.”

Also inscribed on the obelisk are the names of McLean’s first wife, Rebecca E. McLean (b. 1786, d. 1841), and her (their?) granddaughter, Rebecca A. Richards.

JOHN M^cLEAN.
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE
SUPREME COURT OF
THE UNITED STATES
BORN MARCH 11, 1785,
DIED APRIL 4, 1861.

IN
memory of
REBECCA E. M^cLEAN,
wife of
JUDGE M^cLEAN,
She was born 11^th March 1786,
and died 5^th December 1841.

IN
memory of
REBECCA A. RICHARDS,
Grand daughter of
Mrs. M^cLEAN.

  

Instead of an epitaph, Mrs. McLean’s inscription includes her last words:

“I have endeavored to make my calling and dev–
otion sure, and through the assisting grace
of God, I have accomplished it. I am
prepared to die. My way is bright. I
have no fear.”

A FindAGrave contributor writes on Mrs. McLean’s memorial page, “She was originally interred at Methodist Cemetery (Catherine St. in Cincinnati). She was re-interred at Spring Grove Cemetery 8/20/1861.”

Several family members are buried in unmarked graves nearby.

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Spring Grove Cemetery, Hamilton County, Ohio