This cross is carved into the grave of an ancestor who died in 1891. When seen in inverse, the U shape looks serpentine, which may or may not be coincidental. The cross itself could be considered a cross pattée but it’s in the interior carvings that I’m interested in.
It’s a very unusual grave in that there’s a raised portion above the slab on which are the man’s initials, CSA service record, and totally erroneous dates (1838-1870— he in fact lived from 1832-1891 which is recorded on his actual monument- it’s almost as if it’s two gravestones, but no other member of his family had his initials or those dates of birth and death.
Because of when/where he lived I’ve even looked at KKK iconography, but it doesn’t seem to match. (I don’t know if he was involved in the Klan or not- I’ve never heard that he was and he raised an orphaned black kid, but rural Alabama in the 19th century was an even less logical and consistent place than rural Alabama in the 21st century.) The KKK did use pattee crosses, but they also used Celtic and every other kind, usually just the traditional t-shaped cross.
Anybody have an idea of what it is? Or why there’d be a second headstone (with erroneous dates) on top of the slab?
I looks a bit like a Victoria Cross, but that’s a medal only awarded to members of British armed forces (including armed forces of countries like Canada and Australia in the past).
I haven’t seen that symbol on graves before. I have a suggestion that the inside is a laurel head piece or laurel leaves, which can represent triumph, victory, military prowess, or sometimes peace.
The bit you refer to as the ‘raised portion’ is another marker. Military issued (or a copy) standard Civil War tombstone to be precise. The interred may have been moved from a military cemetery to the current location (bringing the marker with the remains), or a family member may have requested the marker for use until a private marker was purchased.
Out of curiosity- does anybody know how the lettering and symbols would have been carved in the 19th century? Was it all carved by hand or was there a form of stenciling or a stamp?
As far as I know (and I am unable to find a cite either on or off line to support this beyond personal experience) the lettering and designs would have been marked with a stencil then chiseled. Generally speaking, on soft stones (limestone, sandstone) the letters and numbers are left raised with the surrounding material removed, whereas harder material (marble, granite) the letters are chiseled into the material.
I have searched a few archives and cannot find a record of any automation equipment for stone working from that era.
