Monthly Archives: February 2018

Her Soul Takes Flight with an Angel

Posted on February 28, 2018 by gravelyspeaking

Elisabeth L. Roark wrote an article about angels titled, “Embodying Immortality: Angels in America’s Rural Garden Cemeteries, 1850—1900”, pages 56 – 111, 2007 edition of Markers, XXIV, in which she wrote Catholics had embraced the concept of angels but Protestants … Continue reading →

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Help!

Posted on February 25, 2018 by gravelyspeaking

In Victorian times, flowers took on significance as a way to send coded messages; this was known as floriography from the Latin combining flora—“goddess of flowers” and graphein—“writing”.  Each flower had a meaning that was conveyed to the viewer or … Continue reading →

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A Sign Post

Posted on February 22, 2018 by gravelyspeaking

A sign outside the gates of the Old North Cemetery announces the burial of the most New Hampshire native son within its fencing.  The sign outlines the major accomplishments of Franklin Pierce: FRANKLIN PIERCE 1804 – 1869 Fourteenth President of … Continue reading →

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Happy President’s Day, Happy Birthday George Washington

Posted on February 19, 2018 by gravelyspeaking

In 1885, Congress passed a law to recognize and celebrate George Washington’s birthday each February 22.  On June 28, 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Holiday Act (Pub.L. 90—363) and moved four holidays—Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, Columbus Day and Washington’s birthday—to … Continue reading →

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Monroe’s “Birdcage”

Posted on February 17, 2018 by gravelyspeaking

James Monroe (April 28, 1758 – July 4, 1831) was the fifth President of the United States (1817 to 1825).  Most historians rate Monroe as an above average president for the way he managed the office.  He appointed the people … Continue reading →

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Jefferson’s Epitaph

Posted on February 14, 2018 by gravelyspeaking

Thomas Jefferson (April 2, 1743 O.S. – July 4, 1826) was the third president of the United States serving in that office from 1801 to 1809, when he was succeeded by James Madison, his protégé and political ally.  Jefferson stacked … Continue reading →

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President Lincoln

Posted on February 12, 2018 by gravelyspeaking

Two hundred and nine years ago today, Abraham Lincoln, who became the 16th president of the United States, was born, as every school child knows, in a log cabin in Kentucky.  From very modest beginnings, Lincoln rose to the highest … Continue reading →

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The Father of Photojournalism

Posted on February 8, 2018 by gravelyspeaking

GILBERT HOVEY GROSVENOR, LL.D. OCTOBER 28, 1875 FEBRUARY 4, 1966 PRESIDENT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY 1920 – 1954 EDITOR NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 1899 – 1954 ELSIE MAY BELL GROSVENOR, LL. D. MAY 8, 1878 DECEMBER 26, 1964 BELOVED WIFE AND MOTHER … Continue reading →

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Under Her Feet

Posted on February 4, 2018 by gravelyspeaking

This funerary sculpture of the Virgin Mary can be found in the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois.  In addition to the symbolism of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which the Virgin Mary points to, is also the image and … Continue reading →

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Snake Eating Its Tail

Posted on February 2, 2018 by gravelyspeaking

On the massive bronze doors of the Bertram Work Neo-Classical Mausoleum in the Akron Rural Cemetery, in Glendale, Ohio, are several repeating images, one of which is the Ouroboros. This image is also found on the imposing Egyptian Revival mausoleum … Continue reading →

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