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| Old Falkner Swamp UCC Cemetery, Gilbertsville, PA |
This blog is a way for me to not only explore my interest in 19th century cemetery symbols, but also as a way to highlight my collection of photographs of tombstone art. So for those of you who have had enough of weeping willows, you might want to skip this entry, because I have collected more interesting examples to share.
Weeping willows are a cross between the Peking willow, native to China, and the white willow, native to Europe. (according to http://www.buzzle.com/articles/weeping-willow-tree-facts.html) The weeping willow grows in Europe, Asia and North America, and has medicinal and commercial uses, besides being a graceful addition to the landscape. Its bark contains salicylic acid, used to make aspirin. Weeping willow wood is used to make cricket bats, flutes, furniture, boxes, broom handles, whistles, and fish traps.
Interestingly, weeping willows do not have long life spans, compared to some trees, as they live about 30-70 years. Weeping willows on 19th century tombstones represent both the sad mourning for the deceased and also the hope for their resurrection, as cut willow branches can regenerate and grow roots quickly if planted into moist ground.
I continue to be intrigued with the variety of weeping willow carvings that I have found in different parts of Pennsylvania and surrounding states. The willow was a common symbol on tombstones between the 1820's into the 1860's, and yet there are so many different interpretations of how to make a willow weep. So if you're like me, you'll enjoy the following photographs.
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| Scott Cemetery, Scott, PA |
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| Falls Cemetery, Falls, PA |
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| Glen Dyberry Cemetery, Honesdale, PA |
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| Clinton Center Baptist Cemetery, Clinton, PA |
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| Old Falkner Swamp UCC Cemetery, Gilbertsville, PA |
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| Edgewood Cemetery, Pottstown, PA |
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| Church Hill Cemetery, Martin's Creek, PA |
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| Church Hill Cemetery, Martin's Creek, PA |
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| Harley Cemetery, Harleysville, PA |
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| Harley Cemetery, Harleysville, PA |
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| Laurel Cemetery, White Haven, PA |
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| New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA |
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| Montgomery Baptist Cemetery, Montgomeryville, PA |
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| New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA |
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| Christ Church Cemetery, Shrewsbury, NJ |
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| Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery, Cold Spring, NJ |
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| Indian Creek Christ Reformed Cemetery, Indian Valley, PA |
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| New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA |
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| New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA |
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| New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA |
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| New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA |
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| New Hanover Lutheran Cemetery, Gilbertsville, PA |
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| New Hanover Lutheran Cemetery, Gilbertsville, PA |
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| Plainfield Cemetery, Plainfield Township, PA |
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| Mountain View Cemetery, Upper Exeter, PA |
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| Mountain View Cemetery, Upper Exeter, PA |
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| New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA |
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| New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA |
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| New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA |
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| New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA |
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| New Hanover Lutheran Cemetery, Gilbertsville, PA |
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| New Hanover Lutheran Cemetery, Gilbertsville, PA |
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| New Hanover Lutheran Cemetery, Gilbertsville, PA |
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| New Hanover Lutheran Cemetery, Gilbertsville, PA |
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| Newfoundland Moravian Cemetery, Newfoundland, PA |
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| Newfoundland Moravian Cemetery, Newfoundland, PA |
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| Christ Church Cemetery, Shrewsbury, NJ |
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| Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery, Cold Spring, NJ |
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| Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery, Cold Spring, NJ |
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| Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery, Cold Spring, NJ |
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| Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery, Cold Spring, NJ |
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| Deep Run Mennonite Cemetery East, Bedminster, PA |
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| Edgewood Cemetery, Pottstown, PA |
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| New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA |
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| New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA |
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| New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA |
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| New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA |
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| Plainfield Cemetery, Plainfield Township, PA |
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| New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA |
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| New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA |
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| St. Paul's Lutheran Blue Church Cemetery, Coopersburg, PA |
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| St. Paul's Lutheran Blue Church Cemetery, Coopersburg, PA |
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| St. Peter's Episcopal Cemetery, Lewes, De |
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| St. Peter's Episcopal Cemetery, Lewes, DE |
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| Old Falkner Swamp UCC Cemetery, Gilbertsville, PA |
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| Paupack Cemetery, Paupack, PA |
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| New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA |
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| Salford Mennonite Cemetery, Harleysville, PA |
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| Stark Cemetery, Starkville, PA |
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| New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA |
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| St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Susquehanna Depot, PA |
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| Milford Cemetery, Milford, PA |
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| Mountain View Cemetery, Upper Exeter, PA |
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| Mountain View Cemetery, Upper Exeter, PA |
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| New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA |
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| New Hanover Lutheran Cemetery, Gilbertsville, PA |
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| New Hanover Lutheran Cemetery, Gilbertsville, PA |
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| Old Falkner Swamp UCC Cemetery, Gilbertsville, PA |
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| Old Falkner Swamp UCC Cemetery, Gilbertsville, PA |
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| Paupack Cemetery, Paupack, PA |
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| Paupack Cemetery, Paupack, PA |
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| Hickory Grove Cemetery, Waverly, PA |
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| New Goshenhoppen Union Cemetery, East Greenville, PA |
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| Scott Valley Cemetery, Montdale, PA |
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| Old Falkner Swamp UCC Cemetery, Gilbertsville, PA |
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| Clinton Center Baptist Cemetery, Clinton, PA |
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| Mountain View Cemetery, Upper Exeter, PA |
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| Prompton Cemetery, Prompton, PA |
