Beyond the Grave: Stories Behind (and under) Grave Markers

Grave markers aren't just pieces of concrete in the ground, they have a significantly deeper meaning to them. When you pass away, will you want a plain piece of slab, or do you want something that means something to you that everyone else can see? Headstones are important for some people to show who they are even after they're gone.

Camille Wish

Last Monday my class and I went on a field trip to another cemetery (this time being in the light so it wasn't as scary, but I did have to say sorry to every "body" I stepped over.

We visited Bethel United Methodist Church, which was originally founded in 1797 but a newer building was created in 1851 which is the main building today. We were given a tour by a member of the church, Camille Wish.

"This church also homed a few Yankees during the Civil War, where they stayed to be nursed back to health, but left on Sundays so the church could proceed with their services" as Camille said. Some of their drawings on the church walls were recently discovered during renovation.

The documentation for the burials in the graveyard were also lost during the war time, so the amount of graves that are known today in that cemetery isn't accurate, seeming that there is probably hundreds of lost memorials there. We were asked to identify 10 different headstones in the graveyard, so here are the 10 I decided to document:

Headstone

-Left: Eleanour Julia Stewart, wife of John William Miles. She was born April 18, 1860 and departed Earth on May 5, 1901.

-Right: Simon Verdier Stewart. He was born on November 25, 1856 and died May 21, 1897

It seems as though they are relatives, maybe even siblings because of their same last name and similar dates of birth.

Ledger

-Seth T. Prior, born January 24, 1813 and died May 24, 1871.

-Rebecca Prior, born February 22, 1814 and died April 22, 1889, wife of Seth T. Prior.

-"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord"

Headstone

-Veronee
T.W. Veronee
his widow
-Adeline Veronee

-"At Rest"

Die in Socket

This headstone is for all of the unknown/lost people who were buried there before but were never found.

They were all members of the church, some being free and some enslaved.

"All share this hallowed ground. Their lives will be an inspiration forever. They are not forgotten."

Die in Socket

-Margaret, wife of J.F. Steinmeyer. Born June 28, 1811and died October 14, 1884

-"She is not dead but sleepeth"

Die in Socket

-John Fredrick Steinmeyer, born December 20, 1807 and died August 5, 1894.

-"Asleep in Jesus"

Die in Socket

- Adolph B. Steinmeyer, born February 4, 1831 and died July 21, 1900

-Most likely the son of John and Margaret Steinmeyer

Ledger

-Left: Emily Andrew, 3rd daughter of Jas. R. & Martha K. Mood. Born sept. 28th, 1850's, died June 28th, 1870. She was 12 years and 9 months old when she passed away. Roses symbolize beauty, hope; unfailing love

-Middle: Catherine Frances, daughter of Jas. R. & Martha K. Mood, she died of yellow fever on September 6th, 1858. She was 3 years old. Birds symbolize christianity or peace.

-Right: James Just, only son of Jas. R. & Martha K. Mood, born May 24th 1800, and died Dec. 27th 1869. He was 9 years, 7 months and 3 days old. Roses symbolize beauty and hope.