Sullivan County, Missouri
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» cenotaph1 is not a grave marker at all. It is a monument erected in memory of someone who died elsewhere, perhaps at sea.
» epitaph is a short, written tribute honoring a deceased person, usually inscribed directly on a tombstone or monument.
» inscription is the engraved or carved text that serves as a permanent tribute to a deceased person.
B.P.O.E.: Benevolent Protective Order of Elks
F.L.T.: with each letter in a link of a chain: Friendship, Love and Truth (see I.O.O.F.)
F.O.E.: Fraternal Order of Eagles
G.A.R.: Grand Army of the Republic. It was an organization of Civil War Union Army veterans.
I.O.O.F.: International Order of Odd Fellows (see F.L.T.).
V.D.M.: verbi Dei minister (Minister of the Word of God).
W.O.W.: Woodmen of the World. Upright tree stump markers are typical of the fraternity.
Relect carved on a woman's headstone: she died a widow.
Consort: she outlived her husband.
Some examples of engraved symbols include:
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» Anchors and Ships: Hope or Seafaring profession » Arches: Victory in Death » Arrows: Mortality » Broken column: Loss of head of family » Broken ring: Family circle severed » Bugles: Military (see Trumpeters) » Butterfly: Short-lived; early death » Candle being snuffed: Time, mortality » Cherub: Angelic » Compass and Square: Masonic emblems » Corn: Ripe old age » Cross: Symbol of Christian hope » Crossed Swords: Officer in the military » Darts: Mortality » Doves: The soul, purity, innocence, gentleness » Father Time: Mortality, The Grim Reaper » Flowers: Brevity of early existence, sorrow » Flowers: Condolence, grief, sorrow » Flying Birds: Flight of the soul » Fruits: Eternal plenty » Garlands: Victory in death » Hand of God Chopping: Sudden death » Handshakes: Farewell to earthly existence » Harp: Praise to the Maker » Hearts: Blissfulness or love of Christ » Hourglass with wings: Time flying; short life » Hourglass: Swiftness of time » Ivy: Friendship and immortality |
» Lamb: Innocence » Laurel: Fame or victory » Lily or lily of valley: Emblem of innocence and purity » Morning glory: Beginning of life » Oak leaves and acorn: Maturity, ripe old age » Open book or Bible: Deceased teacher, minister, etc. » Palm Branch: Signifies victory and rejoicing » Picks and shovels: Mortality » Poppy: Sleep » Portals: Passageway to eternal journey » Rose in full bloom: Prime of life » Rosebud: Morning of life or renewal of life » Roses: Brevity of mortal life » Sheaf of wheat: Ripe for harvest, divine harvest time » Shells: Pilgrimage of life » Stars and stripes around eagle: Eternal vigilance, liberty » Suns: The Resurrection » Thistles: Remembrance » Tombs: Mortality » Torch Inverted: Life extinct » Tree stump with ivy: Head of family; immortality » Trees: Life » Trumpeters: Heralds of the resurrection> » Urn with flame: Undying friendship » Urn with wreath or crepe: mourning » Willows: Emblem of sorrow » Winged effigies: Flight of the soul |
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