Author Archives: gravelyspeaking

The Baldwin Angel and the Artist

Posted on March 29, 2020 by gravelyspeaking

“Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.” Saint Mark 10:15 Like many great artists, Frank Hering (February 15, 1874—January 15, 1949), took commissions that included … Continue reading →

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Seated Hope

Posted on March 26, 2020 by gravelyspeaking

The representation of Hope can be easily found in American cemeteries.  Hope is most often portrayed as a woman standing and leaning against an anchor.  In these examples from the Spring grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio, Hope is seated.    … Continue reading →

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The Language of Flowers

Posted on March 21, 2020 by gravelyspeaking

The stained-glass window in the mausoleum in Westview Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia, features a trellis of red roses.  In Victorian times, flowers took on significance as a way to send coded messages; this was known as floriography from the Latin … Continue reading →

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Poet Laureate

Posted on March 19, 2020 by gravelyspeaking

1857 1827 FRANK LEBBY STANTON THIS OLD WORLD WE’RE LIVIN’IN IS MIGHTY HARD TO BEAT, YOU GET A THORN WITH EVERY ROSE BUT AIN’T THE ROSES SWEET! The monument marking the grave of Frank Lebby Stanton is a massive rough-cut … Continue reading →

Posted in Famous graves, Saving Graces | 1 Comment

Presidential Recognition for a Storyteller

Posted on March 14, 2020 by gravelyspeaking

JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS BORN EATONTON, GA. DEC. 9TH 1849.  DIED ATLANTA, GA. JULY 3RD 1908 “I SEEM TO SEE BEFORE ME THE SMILING FACES OF THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN SOME YOUNG AND FRESH, AND SOME WEARING THE FRIENDLY MARKS OF AGE.  … Continue reading →

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Marble and Bronze

Posted on February 24, 2020 by gravelyspeaking

The same sculpture appears in three cemeteries very far apart—Greenwood Cemetery in Phoenix, Arizona, Crest Lawn Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia, and Kraft-Graceland Memorial Park in New Albany, Indiana.  They are all have the exact same statue of a man standing … Continue reading →

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A Tiny Hand Print

Posted on February 21, 2020 by gravelyspeaking

Alice Hattie Wilkinson Born May 20, 1879 Died July 15, 1880 In the front row of the Brick Chapel United Methodist Church cemetery just outside of Greencastle in rural Putnam County Indiana, is a small, highly ornate monument with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Graves, Symbolism | 1 Comment

“His Accidency”

Posted on February 16, 2020 by gravelyspeaking

JOHN TYLER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 1841 1845 BORN IN CHARLES CITY COUNTY VA MARCH 29 1790 DIED IN THE CITY OF RICHMOND PRESIDENT JOHN TYLER MARRIED FIRST LETITIA CHRISTIAN BORN NOVEMBER 12 1790 DIED SEPTEMBER 10 1842 INTERRED … Continue reading →

Posted in Presidential graves, Symbolism | 1 Comment

Hoosier Artist

Posted on February 13, 2020 by gravelyspeaking

HENRY W LAWTON MAJOR GENERAL – U S V BORN MARCH 17, 1843 DIED DEC. 19, 1899 KILLED IN ACTION PHIIPPINE ISLANDS MARY C LAWTON WIFE OF HENRY W LAWTON The Henry Ware Lawton marker is in the Arlington National … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism | 2 Comments

Immortality Symbols

Posted on February 10, 2020 by gravelyspeaking

IN MEMORY OF LOUISA B. FYFFE WIFE OF JEHU WILKINSON BORN AUGUST 19, 1844 DIED MARCH 5, 1880   REST IN PEACE The Monumental Bronze Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut, produced what was billed as ‘white bronze’ cemetery markers from the … Continue reading →

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