Monthly Archives: January 2015

A mistake in slate

Here lyes buried The body of Mrs. SARAH MORTON Wife of Mr. LEMUEL MORTON Who departed this Life April 17th 1785 in ye 23 Year of her Age. In Her. United all that’s fair & good, Short was her Race … Continue reading

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The soul effigy with a wig

In Memory of Mr JOHN CROWNINSHIELD Son of Mr. Clefford CROWNINSHIELD Obt. June 1 1777 AE t. 49 Years.   Gr-Gr-Grandfather: Johann Caspar Richter Gr-Grandfather: Johannes Caspar von Kronenschieldt  Gr-Grandmather: Elizabeth Allen Grandfather: John Crowninshield 1696 – 1761 Grandmother: Antiss … Continue reading

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The Crown Hill Cemetery Gates

The gates and the waiting station at the Crown Hill Cemetery at Indianapolis, Indiana, were designed by Adolph Scherrer in 1885—a busy year for him, as he was also supervising the construction of the Italian Renaissance-style Indiana Capitol building. The … Continue reading

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Public Enemy #1 betrayed by the Lady in Red or was it Orange?

John H. Dillinger Jr. 1903 – 1934 The most notorious Hoosier is undoubtedly John Dillinger, infamous for a year-long crime spree from 1933 to 1934.  Dillinger was born at Oak Hill, an Indianapolis neighborhood but mostly raised in neighboring and … Continue reading

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An oddly-shaped pearl

Jacob Burnett February 22, 1770 – May 10, 1853 Rebecca Wallace Burnet August 23, 1778 – January 3, 1867 Jacob Burnet was a prominent citizen and early leader in Ohio, serving in various elected and appointed posts including, serving on … Continue reading

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Lysicrates

Joseph Earnshaw September 16, 1831 – January 13, 1906 Neoclassical designed monuments can be found in many large urban cemeteries in the United States, including Spring Grove Cemetery at Cincinnati, Ohio. The Joseph Earnshaw Grecian Corinthian-style monument was based on … Continue reading

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Death’s dusky hand

Andrew Erkenbrecher July 4, 1821 January 3, 1885 Andrew Erkenbrecher was a German immigrant who came to America with his parents when he was a child.  He was quite industrious and worked in a series of jobs until he founded … Continue reading

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Light the Way

The door as a motif in funerary art symbolizes mystery.  The door is the pathway from the earthly realm to the next.  In this example, the mystery seems to be lifted—here the mourning figure appears to leading the way to … Continue reading

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Coming Apart at the Seams

SARAH ELLIS DAUGHTER OFJ.A. & S. B. LAURIE, DIED FEB. 12, 1879 AGED 19 YRS, & 3 MOS.   TAKE THEM O FATH ER IN THINE ARMS AND MAY THEY HENCEFORTH BE A MESSENGER OF LOVE BETWEEN, OUR HUMAN HEARTS … Continue reading

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The Anchor and the Cross

Often when found on a gravestone, the anchor represents an ancient Christian symbol. Early Christians used the symbol in catacomb burials beneath the city of Rome.  There it was used as a disguised cross.  The anchor also served as a … Continue reading

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