Category Archives: Symbolism

The Lamb and the Little Boy

Posted on October 16, 2013 by gravelyspeaking

Precious Boy JOHN T. SON OF J.H. & K. L. ALDERSON 1894-1897. The gravestone of three-year old John Alderson depicts a boy in a dressing gown with his chubby little hand gently touching the head of a small lamb.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Graves, Symbolism | Leave a comment

The G.A.R. Badge

Posted on October 5, 2013 by gravelyspeaking

ALEXANDER ST. CLAIR FEB. 24, 1828. SEPT. 25, 1900. 2ND. LEUT. CO. I. 43, U.S. C. INF. 16TH. PENN. CAV. No other event in the 19th Century had a larger affect on America than the Civil War.  It tore the country … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism, Zinc Markers | 1 Comment

The Knights of Pythias in Clay

Posted on September 25, 2013 by gravelyspeaking

The Knights of Pythias, a society based on the Greek story of friendship from 400 B. C. between Damon and Pythias, became the very first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an Act of the United States Congress.  The … Continue reading →

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The tree-stump chair

Posted on September 21, 2013 by gravelyspeaking

The variety found in the rustic movement tombstones is diverse.  In these three examples of the tree-stump chair, elegant and slim curved lines have given way to the bulkier and heavier forms made from pieces that came directly from the trees … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism, Treestump gravestones | 1 Comment

Treestump anvil

Posted on September 19, 2013 by gravelyspeaking

George Washington Carson Oct. 4, 1854 – May 14, 1932  Flora E. Hunter Carson July 27, 1855 – April 15, 1906  Tree stump tombstones, generally carved from limestone, were a part of the rustic movement of the mid-nineteenth century which … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism, Treestump gravestones | 2 Comments

Woman’s Relief Corps

Posted on September 15, 2013 by gravelyspeaking

SARAH ELIZABETH WIFE OF E. P. DRAKE DIED JUNE 4, 1894, AGED 38 Yrs. The Western White Bronze Monument Company of Des Moines produced zinc monuments.  The Woodland Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa, has many of their monuments in all … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism, Zinc Markers | 1 Comment

The Sphinx

Posted on September 8, 2013 by gravelyspeaking

BENEATH THIS STONE ARE INTERRED THE REMAINS MATT’W LAWLER Esq. OF PHILADELPHIA BORN JANUARY 1ST 1755 DIED JULY 14TH 1831   MRS ANN LAWLER HIS CONSORT BORN JUNE 5TH 1761 DIED MARCH 25TH 1835 THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED TO THEIR … Continue reading →

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The Virtue of Hope

Posted on September 5, 2013 by gravelyspeaking

The representation of the Virtue of Hope is a fairly common symbol found in American cemeteries.  It can be found on zinc monuments as a bas-relief and as a full statue carved in marble or granite on stone markers.  Hope … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism, Zinc Markers | 3 Comments

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 →

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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