Monthly Archives: August 2013

Winged Cherubs

Posted on August 31, 2013 by gravelyspeaking

JOHN ADAMS BLANCHARD BORN IN BOSTON APRIL 6, 1842 DIED IN FLORENCE ITALY MARCH 25, 1885 GEORGE DOYLE, HIS SON DIED APRIL 12, 1875 [illegible] 16 MONTHS The white marble sarcophagus tomb in the Mt. Auburn Cemetery at Cambridge, Massachusetts … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism | Leave a comment

Grief

Posted on August 29, 2013 by gravelyspeaking

WM. N. WORTHINGTON, DIED JUNE 30th, 1871 AGED 29 I SHALL GO TO HIM, BUT HE SHALL NOT RETURN TO ME.   “Grief” is a statue designed by Edward V. Valentine for the William Worthington monument in the Hollywood Cemetery … Continue reading →

Posted in Saving Graces | 7 Comments

An Empty Bassinet

Posted on August 28, 2013 by gravelyspeaking

MARY WIGGLESWORTH BORN JAN. 29, 1883. DIED DEC. 19, 1884. The intricately-carved white marble gravestone of Mary Wigglesworth, who died just shy of her first birthday, is an empty bassinet, her inscription on the pillow.  The symbolism is obvious.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Graves | 2 Comments

The hand that belonged to John Hancock

Posted on August 24, 2013 by gravelyspeaking

THIS MEMORIAL ERECTED A. D. MDCCCXCV  BY THE COM MONWEALTH OF MASSACHU SETTS TO MARK THE GRAVE OF JOHN HANCOCK   An impressive stele in the Granary Burying Ground marks the grave of John Hancock (January 23, 1737-October 8, 1793).  … Continue reading →

Posted in Famous graves | 2 Comments

Mother Goose…Believe it or not?

Posted on August 21, 2013 by gravelyspeaking

HERE LYES Ye BODY OF MARY GOOSE WIFE TO ISAAC GOOSE; AGED 42 YEARS DEC’D OCTOBER Ye 19th 1690 Here lyeth also susana goose Ye [illegible] aged 15 mo died August .[illegible]. 1687 According to some, namely a 1930s travel writer, … Continue reading →

Posted in Famous graves | 2 Comments

Anchored in the haven of Rest

Posted on August 19, 2013 by gravelyspeaking

Anchor’d in the haven of Rest In Memory of JABEZ SMITH Jun,r Lieu,t of Marines On board the Continental Ship Trumbull Born in Groton State of Connecticutt August 31, 1751 Departed this Life in Boston June 28, 1780  The death’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism | 3 Comments

The King of Terrors takes a rest

Posted on August 16, 2013 by gravelyspeaking

HERE LYES BURIED THE BODY OF MRS. ELIZABETH IRELAND WIFE TO MR. WILLIAM IRELAND AGED 52 YEARS DEC’D. OCT. Ye 12, 1738. Many symbols in the graveyard are meant to remind passersby that life is short and that all will … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism | Leave a comment

The Man of the Revolution

Posted on August 12, 2013 by gravelyspeaking

HERE LIES BURIED SAMUEL ADAMS SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE GOVERNOR OF THIS COMMONWEALTH A LEADER OF MEN AND AN ARDENT PATRIOT BORN 1722 DIED 1803   Sam Adams (1722-1803) was a firebrand who as much as anyone inspired … Continue reading →

Posted in Famous graves | 2 Comments

Transitions

Posted on August 10, 2013 by gravelyspeaking

Here lies buried The Body of Mr BENJAMIN PARKER Mercht Who Departed this Life The 14th day of November 1769 Aged 54 Years Here again on this gray slate gravestone in the Granary Burying Ground at Boston is an example … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism | Leave a comment

Memento Mori

Posted on August 8, 2013 by gravelyspeaking

Alexander Mackay Junior’s gray slate gravestone in the Granary Burying Ground at Boston displays a skull with the lower jaw missing, teeth nearly chewing on crossed bones. This symbol, like many found in cemeteries in the 17th and 18th Century … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism | Leave a comment