19th Century Masonic Tombstones

[boozie]

Call me weird, but there are two things I enjoy looking at in a cemetery. Civil War stones and Masonic stones of the 19th Century. I have seen several that are very unique in my area, I will shoot a few with a camera later on when the weather is nice and post them.

I was hoping that some of you might do the same in your home areas.

Here is the one that made me curious about the Lodge in the early 90's. The compass and square is a little hard to see because of the moss. This is one of my gg- grandfathers, he did not serve in the war. He was a charter member of the Wallace Lodge #495 in Fountain County ,Indiana and served as the first J.W. of the lodge.

[Bushrod Carter]

DUDE!

Boozie, I thought Hicks and I were the only wack jobs that wondered around cemeteries taking photos of Masonic headstones!

As a matter of fact I was going to start a thread on this very subject in the next few days because I am working on a paper and visual presentation entitled "Memento Mori: A History of Masonic Grave Stones."

So, Brothers, PLEASE add to this discussion! I still need example of different stones from around the country.

Here is a fun example that I add. This is from the Old City Cemetery in Nashville. I will add to this thread often in the coming days and weeks!

[Greg Barnett]

I, too, have a profound intrest in cemetaries and Masonic tombstones. I will post some pics from the Old Gray here in Knoxville.

Cheers

[thad gallagher]

Good, I no longer have to try to explain to my 5 year old son that Daddy isn't too wierd for taking these pictures and stopping at every old cemetray we pass. I have some pics that I will also post soon.

Best reagrds Brothers,
Thad Gallagher

[Annette Bethke]

Gentlemen,
My real job is with the Texas Historical Commission's Cemetery Preservation program. We walk through cemeteries and take pictures all the time and love it. I get to look through photos of Texas cemeteries on a daily basis if I find any great masonic examples I'll see what I can do about posting them.

[thad gallagher]

Here are a couple from near me. These headstones are from a small cemetery in the middle of a corn field. Not only does it have these Brethern, but there are multiple War of 1812 vets there, and a couple of ACW vets that I have been able to research. I am attempting to get in touch with the lodge that was nearest to these and see if I can obtaine any info. Enjoy.

This info I could read off of this one is:

Horatio P. Dye
Died Oct. 22, 1859

[thad gallagher]

The other one:

John Gunn
Born in Oxfordshire England, Jan. 1, 1800
Died April 8, 1873

It also has a War of 1812 marker with it, interesting...

[Bushrod Carter]

Annette,

POST AWAY! Please share some pics of Texas Masonic tombstones with us!

Thad,

GREAT pics!

Here is another from the Old Nashville Cemetery. Hummm. I have an image of the entire stone, but keep getting a "failed" message while trying to up-load it.

Anyway, this Brother seems to have connections to two different Fraternal organizations. Looks alot like the pin Brother Greg posted on the material culture thread, doesn't it?

[thad gallagher]

Well, after reading some of the postings on this thread, I felt inspired and made a trip out. The cemetary I went to, Woodland Cemetary, is the largest in Dayton, OH. It has some big names there, such as the Wright Bros, Erma Bombeck, and even Clement Vallandigham. There is a large CW section as well. I have not been there since I began the search for light. I have been there many times looking for CW headstones, as well as for realtives funerals. Due to its size I drove around and just stopped for ones that caught my eye. I think I will be doing some more walking when it warms up. I realize I am very new to Masonry, so I have to ask if there is a link between it and the "Odd Fellows", or just another fraternity? I have noticed alot of markers with both.

The marker for Daniel Eichelberger appeared to have a date of 6/2/53 or 58. Nice to seen one pre-ACW. I will have more to come.

Patrick, I will send more on to you, along with more details if you would like for your studies.

[boozie]

Bros. Pat and Thad, great pics! I don't believe I have ever seen anything like the one in your first image Pat. Thanks for posting them, I hope to see many more on here from all over the country. As I said before,i'll take some when the weather is a little better here. Six inches of snow and a cemetery don't mix.

At least I don't feel so alone as far as touring cemeteries.