The memorial marks the resting place of Jean Banerman, also known as Jean Forbes, who died on 7 September 1681 at the age of 65. Though the original stone is now known only through 19th-century historical accounts, its inscription has been carefully preserved in various records, including Allingham’s work from 1879 and the Memorials of the Dead published between 1888 and 1891.

The graveslab first appears in historical documentation as part of the Urban Survey of Donegal, where Bradley and Dunne noted it in their 1989 publication. What makes this particular memorial noteworthy is not just its age, but the dual surname it records; Jean Banerman, alias Forbes, suggesting either a marriage or perhaps a family connection that warranted both names being preserved for posterity. Such dual naming conventions were not uncommon in Ireland during this period, often indicating complex family relationships or changes in circumstance.

Whilst the physical stone may no longer be accessible for modern visitors to examine, its documented inscription provides a tangible link to Ballyshannon’s past residents. The careful recording of such memorials by 19th-century antiquarians has proved invaluable for understanding the social history of Irish towns, preserving details of ordinary lives that might otherwise have been lost to time.