Author Archives: gravelyspeaking

First Burial

Posted on January 25, 2012 by gravelyspeaking

Not far within the gates of the Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta is an eroded and faded ornamented-top marble tablet, the inscription lost to the elements.  But for the survey done of the cemetery in the 1930s by Franklin Miller Garrett, the name … Continue reading →

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Six Feet Under

Posted on January 23, 2012 by gravelyspeaking

Garden cemeteries were laid out and designed so they could be a respite from the cities that surrounded them. Not only were the cemeteries intended to be burial places for the dead but a park that families could go to … Continue reading →

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End of the Trail

Posted on January 22, 2012 by gravelyspeaking

Among the many unique and beautiful monuments in the Oakland Cemetery, in Atlanta, Georgia, is Ben Perry Jr’s gravestone. His marker is a rounded-top tablet with a bas-relief replica of the sculpture, The End of the Trail, a powerful tribute mourning the … Continue reading →

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Niobe

Posted on January 21, 2012 by gravelyspeaking

The monument of James Richard Gray (September 30, 1859-June 25, 1917, THE HEART OF OAK THE STRONG ARMS THE BUSY HANDS ARE DUST) and May Inman Gray (March 6, 1862-January 6, 1940, “MY TASK ACCOMPLISHED AND THE LONG DAY DONE) … Continue reading →

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The Lion of the Atlanta

Posted on January 20, 2012 by gravelyspeaking

Today a friend of mine, Renet Bender, has written a guest post about a cemetery that she likes and one of her favorite monuments within it, The Lion of Atlanta.  The Ladies Memorial Association commissioned T. M. Brady of Canton, … Continue reading →

Posted in Famous graves | 17 Comments

United Daughters of the Confederacy

Posted on January 19, 2012 by gravelyspeaking

Just as the women of the North had founded an organization to honor the service of their soldiers, so did the women of the South.  Any female 16 years of age or older who can document direct lineal or collateral … Continue reading →

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The Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War

Posted on January 18, 2012 by gravelyspeaking

 The National organization of the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1861 – 1865 (DUV) was founded May 30, 1885 by Olive Howard, Harriet Knapp, Eva Merwin, Frank Merwin, and Bertha Martin.  On June 3, 1885, the first … Continue reading →

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President Garfield, wounded by an assassin, killed by his doctors

Posted on January 15, 2012 by gravelyspeaking

The tomb, in the Lake View Cemetery was designed by George H. Keller, is a circular tower 50 feet in diameter soaring 180 feet high made of Ohio sandstone. Wrapped around the “porch” of the monument are five bas-relief panels … Continue reading →

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The last two ocean voyages by Columbus

Posted on January 14, 2012 by gravelyspeaking

Ordinarily I don’t write about graves, tombs, or funerary symbolism outside of North America, but this is a brief interlude into the world outside my regular “beat”.  I took these photos when my family and I were on vacation in … Continue reading →

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Dove

Posted on January 11, 2012 by gravelyspeaking

  Many symbols found on gravestones have multiple meanings. The dove is one of those.  Several references in the Bible refer to the dove as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 3:16 reads, “And Jesus, when he was baptized, … Continue reading →

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