Tombstone Tuesday - Stones by a cabin

While going for a beautiful autumn drive a few days, I happened upon a cabin I've been meaning to stop by for several years.  It is known as Workman Cabin, and is situated in the southwest corner of central park of Loudonville, Ohio, not far from where I live.

It was built on the original homestead about 1840, which was located about three miles from the town.  People had covered it with a type of siding.  It was removed and restored.   Later, it was moved on the back of a flatbed truck when it was donated to the local historical society.

Leaning up against one side of it were two tombstones, that of Hezekiah Clemens, who died in 1812.  I'm unsure of his relationship to the family.

Beside him is the tombstone of Jerutia Workman, wife of Morgan Workman.

What a beautiful centerpiece for this little town!  I wonder how many drive by and never give it a second thought...

Tombstone Tuesday - Damaged Stones

We've all seen them.

Damaged stones.

And...it breaks my heart, as I'm certain that it breaks yours, too.

I've wandered hundreds of cemeteries in my lifetime.  I've seen stones that are tenderly cared for, those that haven't had a visitor in awhile, stones that are old, and stones that are broken.

Some of these broken stones are simply laid up against a tree, or a fence, waiting for someone to take care of them and place them back where they mark the final resting place for a loved one.

However, there are many times where that just won't happen.  Time, money, and wondering where they should even be placed prevent this from happening.

However, while visiting a pioneer cemetery in Richmond, Missouri a couple of years ago, I saw what is probably one of the best answers to this problem I have ever seen.

This pioneer cemetery was filled with early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Mormons.  Much of the cemetery was extremely well-kept.  

But, there was a section that contained stones where they would never be able to find the original graves and repair the stones to be placed there.

So...this is what they did.  They laid them flat, encased in cement, with walkways between them.  They were preserved, and one could easily do a rubbing on them.

One of the best ideas I have ever seen.

Tombstone Tuesday

My dear Aunt "Burnzie".  Though I didn't know her very well or for very long,  I do remember her well.  I was 13 years old when she died.

I always felt she was beautiful - even exotic!  She just had such a gorgeous look, beautiful long, black hair, and a mysterious coloring to her skin.  Perhaps she may have even had some Native American heritage.  I can see why my father's brother, George  Russel Clemens,  fell in love with her.

Aunt Burnzie had a large family of eleven children, and lost at least five of them as babies.  It was hard to have good care in the coal camps of West Virginia.

Aunt Burnzie is buried in Limestone Cemetery, Carter County, KY.