Comb or Tent Graves

Today, I am shifting gears as I explore an interesting history and region of the United States known as the Cumberland Plateau.

When I visualize the region of which I am writing, I envision wide spances of continuous mountain ranges, rocky cliffs and un-populated sprawling beauty.  I think of John Denver singing of the Blue Ridge Mountains; of Native Americans (the Swanee and Cherokee) who hunted elk, buffalo and deer; and finally, I think of Daniel Boone who was famous for hunting and trapping in this vicinity.

Image source:  city-data.com

The Cumberland Plateau comprises of some of the largest stretches of adjoining forests in the eastern United States. It's location is generally in the southern portion of the Alleghany Mountains, however, it's geographic location is difficult to pinpoint, as it shares its location with several states. The forests are rich with oak, hickory and pine.  It is also rich with various North American trees such as beech, basswood, black walnut, red oak and Magnolia trees.  Plant and animal life are abundant.   

It is also difficult to describe the original settlers and people of this region, as the unfriendly, sandy soil of this region, discouraged farming.  Many early explorers and families sought this region as a place of new settlement, and those who tried to stay found only heartbreak and hardship.  We know this, because of the unique tomb stones that can be found only in this area of the United States, and the close proximity of time that deaths that occurred, especially pertaining to children.

The grave sites in this region are called "tent graves" or "comb graves".  The significance of these graves is that they are "the most outstanding style of folk graves to develop in this region.  A typical grave consists of two flat sandstone slabs leaned together to form a protective roof along the full length of the grave."   

Tent / Comb grave  [definition]- A stone structure built over an in-ground grave that is triangular in shape. It most often consists of two rectangular sandstone slabs placed together to form a gabled roof over the grave.
- Source: preserveala.org

             

 

"Graveyards of the Cumberland region are noteworthy for the variety of covered graves that have been found here... Comb graves are clearly the most outstanding style of folk graves to develop in the region.  Comb graves in the Rock Island-McMinnville area employ triangular end stones underneath to support the side slabs... most combs are accompanied by an engraved headstone, but in the Sparta area a number of cemeteries feature combs with the inscription cut on one of the side slabs." - Source: Richard Finch, Rural Life and Culture of the Cumberland region; rayhutchison.blogspot.com

Also, on Ray Hutchison's blog, he makes reference to the Spears Family Cemetery off of Old Walton Road, that is known to be the first traversed road along the Plateau, and is located near Buck Mountain, in Tennesee.  

Image source: flickr, depicting a cross, or something else?

He wrote, "The Spears cemetery is sometimes referred to as the Witches Cemetery because a number of the gravestones include a pentagram -- not likely associated with witchcraft, as this is a common symbol in comb tombstones from several other cemeteries in the region, but, combined with the unusual location of the cemetery, certainly makes for a good story."

Upon seeing this, I had to wonder, as there is apparently little known of the origin of these unique graves, except their existence by the locals.  Though, I assume the inscribed symbol shown on the grave stone above, is intended to be a Christian cross, but what if the "pentagram" symbol is a reference to the seven pointed star of the Cherokee Nation, or as seen in the picture below, of the Shawnee tribe?  I could be all wrong, but it is worth considering, since the original inhabitants were both from these Native American tribes.  

The photo (above) is from tngenweb.org/darkside and pictured, is a tin-roof tent grave, David Belle explains that he travels around that countryside exploring unusual sites and legends, and happened across this. This grave is in an abandoned cemetery with the "last known burial being a civil war veteran", and is known under the surname of Whistman, in Kentucky. 

This photo is in the same general vicinity of the previous picture, showing the interior of a grave from the Carroll graveyard, also from Kentucky.  The stick you see is actually a tree that has sprouted from under the burial site. 

Image Source: darkfiber.com, Dahlonega, Georgia
- the author of this blog is always seeking more information
about the whereabouts of these graves.

http://www.darkfiber.com/tomb/ is a fantastic resource, with a lot of information, if you are interested in learning more about these unusual graves. 

The Raven ~ and ~ The Wolf and The Raven

HELLO OCTOBER!!!! 

The following post is all about our friend, the Raven.  It also contains a cool story about the wolf and the raven.

THE RAVEN

"And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain 
Thrilled me--filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before; 
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, 
I stood repeating "'Tis some visitor entreating entreating entrance at my chamber door, 
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;
This it is, and nothing more....."

THE RAVEN

Ravens are thought to be prophetic.  A Bad Omen.  A Symbol of Death.  Omnivore.   A protector of Mediums and Clairvoyants. These incredible birds get a lot of bad  press, but in reality they are highly intelligent creatures.

Ravens are the largest perching bird in the world, and the largest member of the crow family.  Its plume and appearance is jet black, with an average height of about 26 inches, and an impressive wing-span of relatively the same as their height which has been up to 3.8 to 4.7 feet.  It weighs an average of 2.3 pounds. In the wild, it can live to around 13 years - and up to 30 years! - and when seen together as a group, is called a flock.

In ancient times, it was believed that the raven represented the devil in disguise.  Norman invaders used raven emblems to symbolize death and hence, made it a symbol or a harbinger of war. 

In some cultures the raven is a symbol of magic, the mystery of the unknown, death and transformation, wisdom, protection, and prophecy. 

The raven is also frequently linked with prophecy, further enhancing its status as a bird of the occult. Not only was it a messenger of the gods, both as an informant and as a guide, but it also was thought to be the most prophetic of all birds. People are still referred to as having "the foresight of ravens".

The Raven's voice

For us humans, who hear it's call or cry "Corpse, Corpse" believe that if a raven is near a person who is ill, they may never recover.   It has been suggested that the raven's subperb sense of smell  can detect flesh that is decaying, therefore it's association with death.

Long ago, ravens were had the ability to locate sources of water.  There is a story that "Sacrificing gods" sent the raven to the skies to search for water.  During it's flight, it landed and grew hungry.  During this time, it waited for figs to ripen, and when it returned, it had angered the gods, who cursed it by giving it a terrible thirst during summer months.  It was left with a parched throat, and is why the raven croaks.  Note:  I read this story online in a few places, but cannot find a source to who were the "sacrificing gods".

"The voice is normally a distinctive deep, harsh croak, or hollow croaking honk.  Ravens have a large, complex vocabulary of sounds in their repertoire including a high knocking "toc toc toc", a dry, grating "Kraa", low guttural rattles, and some more musical calls.  Captive birds have even been taught to speak." -paganspace.net

Superstitions

A raven on the roof of the house because it is said to bring luck to everyone within. 

In western parts of England, people tip their hats to ravens as a salute.

According to Welsh tradition, if a blind person shows kindness to a raven, it will help that person regain his or her sight.

If you are silly enough to rob a raven's nest, your town will be punished by the death of a baby. 

The Cornish warn against harming a raven, explaining that the bird may be the reincarnation of King Arthur.

Ravens facing the direction of a clouded sun foretell hot weather.

If you see a raven preening, rain is on the way.

Ravens flying towards each other signify an omen of war.

Seeing a raven tapping on a window foretold death.

If a raven is heard croaking near a house, there will be a death in it.

If a raven flies around the chimney of a sick person's house, they will die.

The raven represents the profane, the devil, evil spirits, the trickster and thief, war and destruction, death and doom, the void.

"Many parts of Celtic Britain and Ireland view the raven as a good omen:

Shetland and Orkney - if a maiden sees a raven at Imbolic she can foretell the direction of her future husband's home by following the raven's path of flight.

Wales - if a raven perches on a roof, it means prosperity for the family.

Scotland - deerstalkers believed it bode well to hear a raven before setting out on a hunt.

Ireland - ravens with white feathers were believed a good omen, especially if they had white on the wings. 

Ravens flying on your right hand or croaking simultaneously were also considered good omens."
~paganspace.net

Raven Lore

One for bad news,
Two for mirth.
Three is a wedding,
Four is a birth.
Five is for riches,
Six is a thief.
Seven, a journey,
Eight is for grief.
Nine is a secret,
Ten is for sorrow.
Eleven is for love,
Twelve - joy for tomorrow.

The Wolf and The Raven

"Very few mammals have symbiotic relationships with other animals. One of the few exceptions is the raven and the wolf. Ravens are sometimes known as "wolf-birds" because they form social attachments with wolves. Where there are wolves, there are often ravens that follow wolves to grab leftovers from the hunt, and to tease the wolves. They play with the wolves by diving at them and then speeding away or pecking their tails to try to get the wolves to chase them. 

The wolf and the raven have a complex relationship that is many thousands of years old. Although the wolf had been missing from Yellowstone since the 1940's, the raven had not forgotten the wolf and what their relationship meant for both of them. With the reintroduction of the wolf into Yellowstone National Park, the old ways are once again practiced by both. 

Wolves and ravens have long been connected in folklore and fact. The Nordic God Odin is often represented sitting on his throne, flanked by his two wolves Geri and Freki and two ravens Huggin and Munin. Tales of hunting interaction involving wolves, ravens and humans figure prominently in the storytelling of Tlingit and Inuit, Native American tribes of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, with the ravens appearing as form-changing wise guys and tricksters, taking advantage of both humans and wolves.

Ravens are possibly the most intelligent birds, based on their omnivorous adaptability to almost any environment, their fascination with colorful toys and glittery objects, their use of natural tools, and their diverse repertoire of sounds and vocalizations. Wherever wolves hunt, ravens are usually present, scavenging prey and sometimes leading wolves to potential prey or to carcasses too tough for even the ravens' heavy, pick-like beaks to penetrate.

Ravens not only scavenge wolf kills, but steal up to one third of a carcass by continually carrying away chunks of meat, caching and hiding them both from the wolves and their fellow ravens. A fascinating new study suggests that since an adult wolf can by itself kill any prey smaller than a large moose, the real reason wolves hunt in packs, is to minimize the portion of a carcass lost to ravens! 

And while it may seem that wolves have the short end of this symbiotic relationship with ravens, idle wolves and ravens have been observed playing together, with ravens pulling on wolf tails, and wolf cubs chasing after teasing ravens.


In several studies conducted at Yellowstone National Park where carcasses were randomly left for ravens, it showed them to be initially cautious, waiting for other ravens or other scavengers to approach first. However, when following a wolf pack they usually began feeding immediately after and sometimes alongside the wolves....

              

 

Bernd Heinrich in "Mind of the Raven: Investigations and Adventures with Wolf-Birds" wrote: "Ravens can be attracted to wolf howls. The wolves' howls before they go on a hunt, and it is a signal that the birds learn to heed. Conversely, wolves may respond to certain raven vocalizations or behavior that indicate prey. The raven-wolf association may be close to a symbiosis that benefits the wolves and ravens alike. At a kill site, the birds are more suspicious and alert than wolves. The birds serve the wolves as extra eyes and ears.""   ~wolfandravens.blogspot

Wedding Superstitions

Here Comes The Bride....


On a personal note, I apologize to anyone who may read my blog and wonder why I haven't posted in a while:  Not only has work been all-consuming but Russ proposed to me on Valentine's Day and I have exactly 103 days (3 months, 12 days; or. approximately 15 weeks) to get it all together.  





The Wedding date is set.  

The invitations have been sent.

The Hall is reserved and rented.

We have our Marriage Officiant.

The licensed caterer is hired.

The menu established.

We bought our rings, and 

RSVP's are trickling in....

Since the marriage proposal was a complete shock and an utter surprise, I have been filled with an enormous amount of nervous energy and have been working on planning and preparation.  I am making all of the decorations myself and it is a huge endeavor, but it will be worth it, as I have picked my colors and theme.

I have started to blog about my do-it-yourself wedding several times, and took pictures of the invitations and decorations I have been making, step by step.  Each time, I deleted the posts.  I realized that I am incredibly superstitious and worry that if I post my progress, it will somehow jinx the day.  Seriously....I don't want bad mojo!

As I have searched the Internet for ideas and themes, before I decided on my own, I noted that many people are using Peacock feathers as decorations - to that, I cringe - remembering my Grandmother telling my Father that Peacock feathers were bad luck, and should never be taken into a home!  This is my own superstition, so if you are using these as your theme, don't listen to me!  (But I am not alone with my irrational fear - Go ahead and Google it!) 

So, without further ado, here are some wedding superstitions from life123.com:

It is good luck for a bride to dream of her wedding day.

Feed a cat out of an old shoe and your wedding day will be a happy one.

If a cat sneezes in front of a bride on the day before her wedding, it is a sign of very good luck.

It is bad luck for a bride to read the marriage service on the day before her wedding.

A woman should not marry a man whose surname begins with the same letter as her own. It is bad luck.

It is unlucky to marry someone born in the same month as you.
It will bring bad luck to marry on your birthday.

Be sure that the marriage is completed between the half hour and the hour.

If it rains on the wedding day, the bride will cry all her married life.

Postponing a wedding is very bad luck.

It is bad luck for the bride to eat anything while she is adorning for her marriage. Wait until after the ceremony.

After the bride is completely dressed and ready for the ceremony, she must not look into a mirror again until she is wed. The bride may dress before a mirror but should leave something off until after she walks away, like a necklace or shoe or earring.

Wear earrings when you are married and you will always be happy.

It is bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the actual ceremony.

It is bad luck to make your own wedding gown.

It is a sign of very good luck to find a spider crawling on your wedding gown.

Pearls are the symbols of tears. For each pearl that the bride wears, her husband will give her a cause for weeping.

A bride should have her hair dressed and veil put on by a happily married woman.

Good luck will come to a bride if her veil is accidentally torn, especially if torn at the altar.

Bad luck comes to the bride who shows her veil to anyone other than family before the wedding.

In the saying something old, something new, the old should be something from a happily married woman, the borrowed should be an object of gold, and the sixpence, penny or new dime should be worn in the heel of the left shoe.

The bride should always be happy if she wears or carries a bit of salt.

The bridegroom should carry a horseshoe in his pocket for good luck.

The bride should step into and out of the church with her right foot first. When stepping away from the altar she should also put the right foot first.

At the altar, the bride should keep her right foot ahead of the groom's.

At the wedding, the bride should make sure she sees the groom before he sees her.

It is unlucky to give away a wedding present.

The bride should drink a glass of water after the wedding ceremony.

Give the clergy an odd sum of money for good luck.

It is bad luck for the bride to put bare feet on the floor on her wedding night. Keep slippers on or have the groom carry you to bed.

Snow Fall - A very successful Marriage Omen.

Rainy Day - There will be a Stormy Marriage.

Sunny Day - There will be a very Happy Marriage.

Sun with Showers - Good luck Omen.

"Something old, 

something new, 

something borrowed, 

something blue, 

and a silver sixpence in her shoe."

" "Something Old" stands for continuity, something linking the bride to her family and her past. Many brides choose a piece of antique family jewelry or mother's wedding gown. "Something New" represents optimism for the future: good fortune and success in the bride's new life. This can be a new gown, veil, etc. "Something Borrowed" is to remind the bride that friends and family will be there for her when help is needed. Often the borrowed item is a lace handkerchief, a necklace or the like. "Something Blue" stands for fidelity, loyalty and love: most often the bride's garter or floral bouquet has a touch of blue. And the "Silver Sixpence in her Shoe" is to wish the bride wealth: sixpence aren't common around here, so an old dime is often substituted." -thestraightdope.com

Reading Signs

11/18/13 ~ Today, when stepping outside for a break from work, we discovered a black raven with a broken wing.  We had no idea what had happened to the bird. While the bird sat helplessly on the wall, 2 other ravens flew overhead, swirling around a couple of times before disappearing entirely.  

I got up close to it to observe its utter blackness, with the only difference in any part of its body being its brown eyes, which shifted from brown to a luminous green, as the sun reflected into them.  Usually, I am very  fearful of birds or when I encounter a wild creature, but experienced nothing of the kind today.  I felt indifferent, and undaunted. (And yes, we did call the Bird Rescue).  

When we came back inside, a 

co-worker asked me for 

something, and when I opened 

my desk drawer, I discovered a 

black rabbit’s foot key chain 

that my Mom had given to me. I 

put it there months ago and 

forgot about until now.  This 

key chain my Mom has had for many, many years.  Someone gave 

it to her before she met my Dad, so it is over 55 years old!

I have been embarking upon an inward journey, as of late, 

specifically to strengthen my knowledge surrounding 

clairvoyance and my spiritual self.  This was a strange 

coincidence, and I wondered what the Raven symbol meant?

The RAVEN

Ravens are associated with having psychic abilities 

and sometimes clairvoyants use their feathers as a 

tool to hone in this ability.  “If a Raven has flow into your life, 

you can be sure something unusual will be happening, something 

out of the Void, from the Great Mystery.  While you can’t fully 

prepare for the mysterious, it is good to meet Ravens without fear, 

and an appreciation of their magic.”

“The raven is also frequently linked with prophecy, further 

enhancing its status as a bird of the occult. Not only was it a 

messenger of the gods, both as an informant and as a guide, but it 

also was thought to be the most prophetic of all birds. People are 

still referred to as having "the foresight of ravens.”  Or to have 

Raven’s knowledge, which came from Ireland meaning that a seer 

possesses supernatural powers.”  Ravens are birds of prophecy – it 

is the protector and teacher of seers and clairvoyants.” 

The Rabbit’s Foot?  Due to the animal rights movement, and the 

fact that rabbits feet are no longer produced as good luck charms -  

(and, what you do find today are not real rabbits feet) - it difficult

 to find information online regarding their symbolic meaning, other

 than what we already know.  

The rabbits foot is a universal token of Good Luck,  Health,

 Happiness, and Success. 

One other tidbit:  In order for a rabbits foot to be lucky, it should 

be given or passed down to you.

So, what does this mean?  I have to stop and ground myself to prepare for anything.  I am not one to seek out the negative, and typically avoid drama, like the plague.   I can only assume that change is on the horizon.  Good or bad, I shall deal with it as life presents itself.  That is all I can do!    ~Denise

Once Abandoned, Now Restored, Williamstown, VT

This is West Hill Cemetery, located off of Route 64 in Williamstown, Vermont.  I believe the earliest death recorded here was in circa 1772 and it was used through approximately 1835.  The cemetery was left somewhat abandoned and very little maintenance was done for a long time.  It is also known as "Henry Road Cemetery."

Only recently the Town's Cemetery Commission has taken great care to restore this neglected site.  The grounds keeper for all of the cemeteries does an exceptional job of maintenance and care.  This dark and dreary cemetery of old is now decorated annually with Veteran flags and markers, the fence is repaired, the lawn is mowed, trees were removed.  The sign "West Hill Cemetery" now marks the road on the highway.  It is a bright and lovely spot to visit, thanks to the dedication of the Commission and volunteers, respectfully.  It is now being utilized for new burials, as well.

About 20 years ago, I ventured into this cemetery with my parents, and was able to record some amazing epitaphs which were rather Gothic in nature.  Most were from the early 1800's.  I am so happy that I recorded them, as today the print is gone and they are not readable.   Had I not recorded them at that time, they would have been lost forever!!!  I have posted a few of the epitaphs at the end of this blog, and I hope that you appreciate the pensive poetry, as much as I do.  

The following 4 photographs are of a grave that a tree grew around.  A very skillful person with a saw was able to remove the tree without harming the grave.  

Tree that grew around the grave of Mr. William Robinson

A very crooked grave, marked only by initials and a star.

The cemetery is now once again, acting as a permanent home to new residents.  This grave memorializes John Clark for his love of auto racing.

Some stones are virtually beyond repair.  As you can see, moss and time has eaten away the letters on this stone, and it is unreadable. 

A lovely, ornate fence surrounds this plot.

Cenotaph for Henry M. Smith, twice wounded in the Civil War. 

Willow engraving - very common through out the world.

"Gravestone carvers created weeping willows alone or with Greek-inspired urns, obelisks, or monuments.  The most obvious meaning of a weeping willow would seem to be the “weeping” part…for mourning or grieving for a loved one.  The saying “she is in her willows” implies the mourning of a female for a lost mate.  And while the Victorians took the art of mourning to new heights, the weeping willow was not just a symbol for sadness."

"A native of Asia, the weeping willow is a fast growing tree that can reach fifty feet high and fifty feet wide.  It tolerates most any soil and roots easily from cuttings.  Because of this, they are often the first trees to appear in a disturbed site, giving them a reputation as “healers and renewers.” In many cultures, the willow is a sign of immortality, and is associated with the moon, water and femininity.  The weeping willow also has connections to Greece as Orpheus, their most celebrated poet, carried willow branches with him on his journey through the Underworld. The Greek sorceress Circe planted a riverside cemetery with willow trees, dedicated to Hecate and her moon magic.  It was common to place willow branches in the coffins of the dead, and then plant young saplings on their grave". - callmetaphy

West Hill Cemetery Epitaphs - many are no longer readable -(recorded around 1989):

"Weep not my friends nor mourn too much

'Twas God that gave the heavy touch

Submit to His afflicting stroke

Nor by your murmurings Heaven provoke

My flesh shall slumber in the ground

Till the last trumpet joyful sound

Then burst the tomb with glad surprise

and in my Savior's image rise."

-Mrs. Jacob Burnham, d) 22 Nov. 1805, age 25

"My friends, my friends,

Don't weep for me

But see that you prepared be

For that great solemn awful day

When heaven and earth 

Shall be on fire, the mountains quake,

Sea's retire

And all creation in dismay."

Ester Walcott, d) 22 Feb. 1810, age 80

"Here sleeps what late was lovely, bright and gay

Closed are those eyes that beamed a cheery ray

The quiet hand of death is on that tongue

On whose accents of we fondly hung."

-Lucy Crane, d) 1816, age 10

"Oh you see me now in death's cold arms

Closing my eyes on all your worldy charms

Oh when my youthful mates you chance to see

Warn them of death, you bid them, think of me."

-Abia Crane, d) 1814

"Weep not for me, but let each falling tear

Drop for yourselves, you yet must wander here

In this dark veil where sins and sorrows grow

But death will find you, God, the hour doth know."

-Joseph Crane, d) 1819

"Read this and reading learn your fate

The aged and the youth must die

How frail is life, how short its date

The sentence sure, the season night." 

- Miss Catey Smith, d_ 1814

"Blessed are the dead which die 

In the Lord, that they may rest

from their labors, and their words 

do follow them."

-Deacon Richard Martyn, d) 1816

"My Savior will my life restore

And call me from my dark abode

My flesh and soul shall part no more

But dwell forever near my God."

- John Martin, d) 1814

Unfortunately, I did not record names or dates of the following - they are some of the best I have ever found:

"Incessant rapid roll the wheels of time

Year after year in swift succession speeds

How short man's infancy to prime

From prime how decrepit age succeeds."

'Life is a journey soon to cease

A race that is not over long

All infants wail an old man's song -

Until the last trumpet sounds

Then he will rise among the blessed

To be in endless glory crowned."

My favorite epitaph - ever:

"The storm that wracks the winter sky

No more disturbs its repose,

That summer's evenings' latest sigh,

that shuts the rose."