Odd find today

[Kindigger]

Someone wrote from New Mexico, wanting some tombstone pics. They were from 1851-1877. At first I couldn't find them...I had to dig them up (the stones).

Anyhoo, I found something sort of strange, and thought maybe someone could explain it.

A daughter died in 1851 at age eleven. Her stone was rather plain, but not unlike others I had found from that time in the same cemetery.... probably done by the same person.

The next daughter died in 1865 at 23. Her stone was lavishly engraved, with a hand pointing heavenward, and the words "asleep with Jesus".

The mother died in 1877 at 64. Her stone was ornate, but modest. I'm told her husband went on to live with his son in Nebraska, so he probably buried her.

The 23 year old, and the mother are buried very close to one another. Their stones face East, as do every other stone I have ever seen. The eleven year old's stone is a good 15 feet away with nobody in between.

Weird enough, but the stone is also facing west. Any ideas what the story may be behind this anomaly?

[BlackVelvetElvis]

1. Where are these graves located?

That could explain alot.

[Kindigger]

2. Rural cemetery.....

in SE Iowa, est. 1839. Many of my relatives are there. I've unearthed many buried stones out there from the same time period, which were obviously done by the same stonemason as Saraba's stone. I'm quite sure the stones were made to lay flat, and there is no indication they have ever been moved. By "unearth" I mean removing a layer of grass...sod like, but without a foundation of dirt.

The now defunct genealogical society cataloged it about 20 years ago, and there was also a restoration/cleanup. They would have known the rule of E/W orientation.

Of the hundreds of cemeteries I have lurked, this is a first. Heck, I have eleven relatives lined up in a neat row along the edge of a bluff. Three of the graves are pre-Statehood (1830-1860). I did find the plot map for that one, and it was an unwritten rule that you don't encroach on others' people/area.

I do know plots were "first come, first serve" at that time, but I can't imagine a family doing this, especially with a firstborn, young child. They were in the area, with ample opportunity to correct it.

What am I missing here?

:freak:

[IA_Seth]

3. Side Question

I have family buried somewhere in SE Iowa, around Muscatine or thereabouts I believe. What cemetery are you speaking of, and if you have a catalog of names, would you mind looking for a Solomon Jackson Moomey?

There were three Solomon Jackson Moomey's, the 3rd being my great-grand father, and I am very interested to visit any of them. After my G-G-G Grandfather Solomon I hit a brick wall and am hoping that perhaps by finding his grave stone it may include more info?

I appreciate your help!

[fudge stripe cookays]

4. Here's one, Seth....

http://www.rootsweb.com/~iamusca2/gw_mo.htm

Not sure which one he is. I'll check the rest of the page and see if any others jump out.

If I don't find him, here's the link I'm using:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~iamusca2/cemetery.html

And for more info, here's the main Muscatine County Website:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~iamusca2/index.html#CONTENTS

FSC

[IA_Seth]

5. Thanks!

That is a hell of a website you were usin there!

Yep, that is my ancestor. I really appreciate your help..it is tough. I have access to several census records but with all of my ancestors being Solomon Jackson Moomey it gets a bit confusing going up the line. From my initial research I think my GGGGrandpa had at least 3 wives?

Crazy.

Anyway, thank you. I really appreciate your help.

[franmarz]

6. The question about the stones decorations--

When I went thru our family ledger, there were some notes in the side margins which read something like--the last 3 children were attributed to John. There were many notes saying "lost at sea" so the lack of decorations on one stone could mean a lot.
In the hills of Arkansas, where my ancestors lived, they had a family private cemetery, and I was astounded to find a stone with the inscription--A favorite slave--no name. That was a far different time than I want to know about.