Grave Images & Messages

Soul Effigy and stars.

Since I was young I have always been wandering around cemeteries and the older the better. Growing up predominantly in New England my interest was spurred early. It was only natural that it led to genealogy and a love of history but I have also always been interested in symbols and the graveyard is full of symbolism.
In Puritan New England they believed that death was permanent and final, death was to be feared and many people actually suffered severe anxiety over their fate upon death. Children were taught from a young age that there was no guarantee of reaching heaven even if one led a strict and devout life.

They did not believe in graven images so the only grave decorations upon their stones were frightening "Death's Heads". Skulls chewing on crossed bones were the most common early decoration. As the puritans lost their hold upon a growing new nation, a new more hopeful attitude started to take over and the skulls then began to be portrayed with wings, suggesting the deceased had ascended to heaven and then the skulls gave way to cherubs or human faces with wings as shown above. Occasionally they were rough portrayals, effigy's of the deceased. These came to be known as "Soul Effigy's". These images suggested that there was every possibility of something more than the finality of death. This stone was found in a cemetery in Clark county, Ohio.

Acanthus leaves.

This stone also shows an acanthus leaf decoration. This was a thorny foliage which symbolized the difficulties that one experienced throughout life. It also symbolized protection. The stars represented divine guidance.

Weeping Willow with Obelisk monument beneath,

My favorite decoration though is the Weeping Willow tree and this is a lovely example. So graceful and detailed, the scene complete with its own miniature gravestones (above). This one found in a small cemetery south of Dayton, Ohio. The willow symbolizes of course, grief and sorrow at the loss of the loved one but also the promise of resurrection. The willow tree will continue to survive and flourish even as its limbs are removed.

Sheep with willow and grave.

This gravestone, besides depicting a Weeping Willow and a gravestone has a sheep as its focal point.
Again very detailed and this usually signaled that this was grave stone of a child or young person, it stands for innocence and refers to them being a lamb of God.

Stylized Weeping Willow, 1833.

Another stylized weeping willow tree above, circa 1833. Below is an interesting stone one of two that were made by the same carver obviously. Each appears broken in the same way on the same side so I wonder if it was actually made this way, as it does appear smooth. Each had the same interesting star motifs and the radiating sun. The six pointed star symbolizes creation, this one has a spiral in its center, and the shining sun promises ever lasting life.

Variety of stars and shining sun.

This was a hauntingly beautiful stone carving, one of which I have never seen before; the image of the deceased lying upon a bed with a draped curtain above, an angel with beautiful wings coming to guide them to heaven. The drape represents the thin veil that separates the mortal existence on earth from the after life beyond.
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Angel over sleeping figure, drape.

A beautiful angel with a prominent star decoration upon her forehead, looking towards heaven. The star I believe suggesting one who is led by divine guidance.

Angel with star on forehead. 

This lovely stone speaks volumes as it depicts the face and wings of an angel in the corner overlooking the sad scene of gravestones, one small one broken, a dead tree and a sleeping lamb all of which points to the fact that this is the grave of a young child, its life taken too soon.



Gravestones, sheep, broken dead tree and angel looking over.

This monument has a beautiful crown atop. The crown symbolizes reward and glory. It is said to suggest that in life you face trials and hardships and when you die you will experience victory in the afterlife. It is also a popular symbol used on gravestones of masons.

Monument with crown.

As I walk amongst these stones and the usually beautiful and serene surroundings I can't help but reflect that death is a mystery to us all. These monuments are for ourselves as much as they are for the loved one that they celebrate and remember. Each stone stands for a life. Every one has a story.

Barn Quilts of Miami County, Ohio

Martha Washington Star, Laura, Ohio.

Furthering our exploration of the Ohio countryside we decided to do part of the Miami County Barn Quilt driving tour. What are barn quilts? Well, apparently it was started in Adams County Ohio in 2001 by Donna Sue Groves who had an idea to paint a barn quilt sampler and attach it to her barn as she wished to honor her mother and her Appalachian heritage. It grew instead to the plan of the first 'trail' with 20 quilts. Apparently the idea spread to neighboring Brown county and a group of quilters who loved the idea and so on it goes.
The Martha Washington Star above is on a barn built ca. 1880 and is on a Century farm meaning it has been owned by the same family for over one hundred years.

Ohio Star, Troy, Ohio.

 

Miami County has 66 quilts in total. An artist by the name of Rafael Santoyo, originally from Villa Modera, Mexico is the folk artist that has painted these wonderful quilt patterns.
The barn above is also over a hundred years old. The Ohio Star quilt pattern has been in use since the early 1800's.

Algonquin Charm Troy, Ohio.
 

 The majority of the barns that we have found thus far are visible from main roads, though some are far off in the distance. We saw 13 of the 66 on this trip. The Algonquin Charm is on a barn built in 1950.

Evening Star, Pleasant Hill, Ohio.

 Quilt trails have now spread to forty eight states and Canada with over 7000 quilt paintings proudly being displayed. The Evening star quilt above was chosen because it was a favorite of the owners
Grandmother. The barn is post and beam ca. late 1800's.

Country Farm, West Milton, Ohio.

 Miami County was founded in 1807 and has a long history of quilting from its earliest pioneers as I read in the Centennial history of Troy, Piqua and Miami Counties published in 1909. The barn above was also built in the 1800's.

Heart Wreath, West Milton, Ohio.

I love the names of the quilt patterns; Joseph's Coat, Country Farm, Evening Star, Wood Lily and Weathervane, Gaggle of Pinwheels, Snail's Trail, Princess Feather, Wild Zinnias, Patriots, Card Trick, Aviator's Compass, Fall Fancy... so many more to see and discover. Some of the families
chose patterns that they just liked or to represent family members as in the heart wreath above.



Wood Lily, Pleasant Hill, Ohio.
 

Simply made by using exterior latex paint on a plywood signboard and then affixed to the barn. There
are many sites on line now giving full directions for creating your own quilt art.


Maple Leaf, West Milton, Ohio.

I discovered some information on the Miami County website, see link below,(http://homegrowngreat.com/attractions/barn-quilts/)
about the patterns chosen by various families and the histories of the farms; the Maple Leaf above was chosen because the farm has a woods with Maple trees that they tap for syrup.

Beggar's Block, Laura, Ohio.

The name Beggar's Block quilt, also known as Charm or Old Feller's quilts, got it's name because women would ask each other for scraps of cloth to use in their quilts which they collected in order to complete one.



Mexican Cross, Ludlow Falls, Ohio.

Driving through Miami County is a pleasure in of itself; picturesque farms, quaint small towns, and
scenic drives along the rivers, country cemeteries and charming old churches,  covered bridges and
a mixture of architectural style homes from log cabin to Federal style to late Victorian.

Goshen Star, Pleasant Hill, Ohio.

I love how one woman's idea has spread into a true labor of love across the country and beyond. The Goshen Star above is a pattern from the early 1900's.

Weathervane, Covington, Ohio.

Weathervane quilt has a nice story behind it; apparently the barn ca. 1902 originally had a weathervane but it was stolen. The artist decided to give them a weathervane that could not be stolen and painted this one for them.



Joseph's Coat, Covington, Ohio.

This is a two story timber frame bank barn built in the early 1800's and has a stone foundation. The family chose this colorful pattern, Joseph's Coat, as both of their grandmother's were quilters who used similar designs.

On another day we will head out again and continue on our barn quilt tour. We have 54 to go after all!