For week 46 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge, we’re exploring the topic of Tombstones. Tombstones, headstones, gravestones – whatever you want to call them – often contain fascinating symbolism. Most of my family's stones aren’t particularly ornate or unusual. I’ll focus on a few of the more interesting stones from a branch of my father’s side of the family, the Woods family because they are typical representations of gravestones common in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Isaac and Abigail (Stevens) Woods are my 7th great-grandparents and resided in Groton, Massachusetts. Isaac was born in 1699 and was the son of Nathaniel Woods and Alice Goble. He died in 1775. Abigail was born in 1702 and was the daughter of John Stevens and Sarah Snow. She died in 1781. The couple is buried in The Old Burying Ground in Groton. Their tombstones contain iconography that was typical in the 18th century.
Both stones feature what is known as “soul effigies” at the top. These winged faces represent the soul’s ascent to Heaven.
Memento Mori is carved at the top of both stones. This literally translates to “remember you must die.” While that sounds depressing and morbid, it is believed by historians that this was potentially meant to be an uplifting reminder to make the most of life.
Isaac’s grave contains the following inscription:
In this Grave is deposited
the Remains of Lieut Isaac
Woods who
departed this Life on
Ye 31st of March 1775
In ye 76th year of his Age
While Abigail’s contains this inscription, which has the word “relict.” In this context, it means widow:
ERECTED
In memory of Mrs. Abigail Woods
Relict of Lieut Isaac
Woods who departed
this Life Decr 24th
1781 In the 80th year
of her age
Their son, Thomas Woods, is also buried at The Old Burying Ground. He died at the young age of 28 in 1756. Instead of a soul effigy, the top of his stone is engraved with a skull, which symbolizes death, and four hexafoils. Hexafoils, sometimes called “daisy wheels” are also commonly seen on old gravestones and are thought to serve as symbols of protection. The scrollwork framing the inscription may symbolize either the unraveling of or continuity of life.
Another of their sons, my 6th great-grandfather, Henry Woods, was born in 1733 and was a veteran of the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. He fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill as a major, and was later promoted to colonel. After the war, he served as a general in the militia. His headstone in the Walton Cemetery in Pepperell, Massachusetts is adorned with some of the most common gravestone iconography of the 19th century, when neo-classical philosophies were in vogue. The urn and willow tree motif are sentimental in nature. The willow tree is an ancient symbol of mourning, and the urn represents the ashes/body of the deceased. The columns on either side of the inscription are unbroken, indicating a long life. A life cut short too early would be depicted by broken columns.
During the 18th century, the inscriptions on headstones changed, and sometimes became more detailed. They might honor the well-lived life of the departed, recognize their achievements, or include epitaphs. Henry’s stone commends his military service, his intelligence, and his commitment to his family and community:
ERECTED
in memory of
Gen. HENRY WOODS,
who died March 5th, 1804.
Aged 70 years.
He served his country in her contest for the
obtainment of freedom and independence, and
has since sustained with honor several important
offices both civil and military. He was no less endeared
to his family and his connections by his disposition
to disseminate knowledge and promote the social
virtues, than to the community by his public spirit
and charity.
Tombstones not only honor our ancestors, but furnish genealogists and family historians with valuable information. The simplest, unadorned stones contain names and dates. More ornate stones contain symbols, detailed inscriptions, epitaphs, and more. There may be symbols representing occupations, religions, cultures, or fraternal orders. Learning to interpret the less obvious messages on these stones can yield important clues about the pasts of our forebearers.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/24582493/isaac-woods
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10800951/henry-woods
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