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Tombstone symbols speak without uttering a word

By Carol Sones Shelter - | Aug 4, 2021

Sara Parrish spoke at the July gathering of the “History Buffs.” The Sullivan County native’s topic was cemeteries of the county, explaining tombstone symbols and their meanings.

Deciphering symbols etched or craved on tombstones can have specific interpretations or meanings. Examples of such were part of a program presented to the ‘History Buffs’ by Sarah Parrish on July 19. The topic, ‘The Cemeteries of Sullivan County,’ had been researched by Parrish, a native of the county, a board member of the Sullivan County Historical Society and a journalist with the Sullivan Review.

The speaker brought photos of several cemetery markers for viewing which she past among the guests. Examples included: a hand pointing upward indicates the path to heaven; flowers represent femininity and a broken column implies a family patriarch had died too early.

In addition, a tree stump could signify the deceased as young, or their occupation had been as a logger. Two hands clasped or a broken chain link denotes marriage severed by death. Other symbols of life included: a sheaf of wheat is likened to the cycle of life; a weeping willow an emblem of perpetual mourning; an oak or acorn defines a man’s strength, honor, mortality, while sheep notes the innocence of children. And too, there are symbols related to Christianity, military service, occupations and fraternal orders.

Parrish also gave distinctions and samples of community, church and family cemeteries. From her remarks, we chose the burying grounds at the southern end of Sullivan County. Research indicates that over generations, some families have filtered down into the East Lycoming area and beyond.

Parrish said, “In the Cherry Grove Cemetery, common names no longer seen within the county are Boston, while those still prevalent include Botsford and Speary.” Within the same cemetery, she said, “There are several headstone symbols there and at the Old Sonestown Cemetery.”

Parrish noted that, “Of the roughly 185 burials in the Old Sonestown Cemetery on Outlet Road, 41 percent are children under the age of eighteen. Death dates of certain years can tell us an epidemic swept through the area.”

Copies of the 67 Sullivan County Cemeteries mapped by the late Wilson Ferguson, is available at the Historical Society. Hours are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Call 570-943-5020 or email museum@scpahistory.com for more information.

NEXT MEETING

The August gathering of the ‘History Buffs’ will feature as speaker, Bill Williams, Education Director for the Pennsylvania Game Commission.  His topic will be ‘CCC Camp Morton  S-104’ in Elk Grove.  Bill will reflect on the recent marker dedication and give background on the history of the Civilian Conservation Camps.   

The meeting will occur on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021 at the Veterans Inn in Elk Grove with program beginning at 9 a.m.  Breakfast is available from 7:00 a.m. until 2 p.m.