From simple to complex, cemeteries have come full circle

The layout of the graveyards; the style and type of gravestones; the word and symbols and carvings on the headstones — it all tells us a little about our ancestors.

Early cemeteries were known as family plots and were laid out near the home. Then churchyards took on the role of burial grounds. By the 1900s cemeteries started to look park-like.

Rocks were often piled on graves to keep animals from disturbing the body. (Superstitious folk put the rocks there to keep the dead from rising.) Headstones were made of wood or boulders.

Before 1800, gravestones were often sandstone. White marble was popular between 1830 and 1880. From 1880 to 1910, gravestones were often grey granite. After 1910, granite or marble has been used.

At first, headstones contained one line: name, age and year of death. Through the years the inscriptions became much more complex and some amounted to short biographies.

But things have come full circle. Grave markers have become more simple instead of more elaborate. A groundskeeper will mow right over the top of graves these days. It’s not unusual to see stones in modern cemeteries that lie flat on the ground and have only the name and dates of birth and death.

If you’ve ever been in an old cemetery, you’ve seen the slender, pointy slabs where the lichen has taken over. And you’ve seen those massive marble stones with ornate sculptures. You’ve struggled to read the writing on some of them. On others, the writing is intricate and the stonecutter was nothing short of an artist. Those old cemeteries may spook some people, but to others they have a serene and haunting beauty that gives a sense of comfort and peace.

The following is a list of amusing sayings provided by Lanita Sconce Smith of the Daviess County Genealogical Society —

Remember man. As you walk by. As you are now. So once was I. As I am now. So shall you be. Remember this and follow me. Written on the tombstone in reply to one above: To follow you, I’ll not consent. Until I know which way you went.

The children of Israel wanted bread. And the Lord sent them manna. Old clerk Wallace wanted a wife. And the Devil sent him Anna.– England Tombstone

John Brown is filling his last cavity.– Dentist’s Tombstone

I told you that I was sick!– Georgia Cemetery, USA

Here lies the body of Jonathan Blake. Stepped on the gas instead of the brake.– Pennsylvania Tombstone, USA

Under the sod and under the trees. Lies the body of Jonathan Pease. He is not here, there’s only the pod. Pease shelled out and went to God.– Massachusetts Tombstone

Sir John Strange: Here lies an honest lawyer. And that is Strange.– Tombstone in England

Death in the West: Here lies Lester Moore. Four slugs. From a forty-four. No Les. No More.–Boot Hill Cemetery, Tombstone, Arizona

Here lays Butch. We planted him raw. He was quick on the trigger. But slow on the draw.–Boot Hill Cemetery, Tombstone, Arizona

He got a fish-bone in his throat. And then he sang an angel note.–Schenectady, New York

In memory of Anna Hopewell: Here lies the body of our Anna. Done to death by a banana. It wasn’t the fruit that laid her low. But the skin of the thing that made her go.

Jedediah Goodwin: Auctioneer. Born 1828. Going! Going!! Gone!!! 1876.

Here lies the father of 29. He would have had more. But he didn’t have time.–Moultrie, Georgia

Grieve not for me my husband dear. I am not dead but sleeping here. With patience wait – perforce to die. And in a short time you’ll come to I. And the husband added: I am not grieved, my dearest wife. Sleep on, I’ve got another wife. Therefore, I cannot come to thee.

Here lies Pa. Pa liked wimin. Ma caught Pa in with two swimmin. Here lies Pa. For I must go and live with she.

Ellen Shannon. Age 26 years. Who was fatally burned. March 21, 1870. By the explosion of a lamp. Filled with "R. E. Danforth’s. Non-Explosive. Burning Fluid."–Girard, Pennsylvania

Harry Edsel Smith: Born 1903 – Died 1942. Looked up the elevator shaft. To see if the car. Was on the way down. It was. –near Albany, New York

Ever wonder what all those symbols mean that adorn the headstones? You might be surprised at how much a simple grave marker can tell about the person who lies there. Symbols can give clues about occupations, associations, religions, etc.

You might want to go to the internet and print off lengthier lists and carry them with you when you go tombstone hunting:

Religious: Angels mean spirituality and they guard the tomb; A single Holy Bible is often found on Christian stones; Star of David – Recognized as the international symbol of Judaism; Arrow – Mortality; Candle being Snuffed – Loss of life; Hourglass – Time has run out.

Trade or occupation; Butcher – an axe, steel knife and cleaver; Farmer: – Coulter, flail, swingletree, stalk of corn; Gardener – Rake & Spade; Mason – Wedge & Level; Mariner: – Anchor, Sextant & Cross Staff; Minister – Bible; Teacher – Open Book.

Resurrection, Eternal Life, Immortality may be represented by: Angel, Bird, Cross, Dove, Flame or Torch, Garland or Wreath, Ivy, Star, Sun and Trumpeters.

Animals: Birds – Eternal life or resurrection; Butterfly – Short-life; Dog – Implies a good master worthy of love; Dove – innocence or peace; Lamb – Usually marks the grave of a child and means Innocence; Lion – The Lion’s eternal watch guards the tomb and stands for Courage; Rooster – Awakening; Resurrection.

Plants: Fruits — Eternal plenty as in the fruit of life; Full-Blown Rose – The deceased died in the prime of life; Morning Glory – Signifies the beginning of Life; Oak leaves on tombs can stand for power, authority or victory and is often seen on military tombs; Roses signify completion and the brevity of earthly existence; Rosemary and thistle – remembrance; A Tree stands for life; stones shaped liked tree stumps usually signify that the deceased was a member of The Woodmen of the World; Weeping Willow – Perpetual Mourning.

Miscellaneous: Broken Ring — The family circle has been severed; Cherubs are angelic and signify innocence.

Hand, Pointing Up – Pathway to heaven; Hands, Clasped – Farewells or the bond of marriage;

Hands, Praying – Asking God for Eternal life; Hands, Blessing – Blessing of those left behind.

Here are the initials of a few common, and not so common, organizations: BPOE – Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks; DAR – Daughters of the American Revolution; F&AM – Free and Accepted Masons; J.O.U.A.M.- Junior Order of United American Mechanics; K.of C. – Knights of Columbus; AAONMS Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Masonic) ("The Shriners"); AUM Ancient Order of Mysteries (MASONS); FOF Fraternal Order of Firefighters; FOP Fraternal Order of Police; MOVPER Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Mystic Realm (Grotto); RTT Royal Templars of Temperance.