A Trip to the Grave

A Class picture at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke 

 During an impressive visit to two of downtown Charleston's graveyards, I am captivated by the hidden beauty and mystery of a graveyard. Yes, I know it is a little weird, but I promise it is not as bad as it seem!

Edward Rutledge Lohndes' headstone
with a message saying " hear what the
voice from heaven declares to those who
die, released from all their earthly cares
they reign with him on high." 

This drew my attention right away when I saw how tall and pronounce it stands. It seems to have three steps to the headstone and it gives an effect of being higher then the rest. This headstone belongs to a Edward Rutledge Lohndes. He died on the 24th of March, 1853, and it is stated that he was 43 years of age and 3 months. Located at the Cathedral Church of St.Luke, it has a message stating " Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."

A headstone dedicated to the Reeves family

This Memorial was a little confusing upon first glance. It is dedicated the the Reeves family. The first name is Matthew Sully Reeves who was born in 1814, and died in the year of 1862. Then they mention an Ellen Jackson, who biological father was  a man named Edward Bounetheau (also mentioned on the tomb stone). Then the last name is Martha Bounetheau who was the wife of Matthew Reeves. Confusing I know, but it raises a lot of questions as to why Martha and her daughter did not gain the Reeves last name.

This obelisk column stand in an open area and also stands a good height off the ground. There are three cement slabs that layer up to hold the column up. Although the slabs seem to have some weather damage, the column still is beautiful. Although no names or dates are located on the column, it do have the words "Our father and mother."

Cradle grave of Eliza Simons.

The tall obelisk column is beautiful white
comparison to the dark background.

The cradle grave of Eliza Simons is mother to Dr. J, Hume Simons. It has the words "Our mother" is stretched across the top, although only Dr.Simon is mentioned on the stone. it states that Eliza was born May 20th, 1823 and died on March 1897.

Another item of interest, is this beautiful cross monument, There is a smaller cross on the printed on the cross with a crown around it. This can be symbolic to the everlasting life after death in Christianity. This grave site belongs to a Harriet and John Nowell.

Cross monument dedicated to Harriet and
John Nowell 

Just because something is small and simple does not mean it does not serve it's purpose in a big way! This small ledger stone is dedicated to Julia who was born on November 29, 1797 and died on April 27, 1842.

the crafted rose on the gravemaker.

This beautiful crafted symbol of a single rose surrounded by an arrange of leaves on a vine. There also seem to be a less , bigger rose on the side, this could symbolize an hidden beauty.

A sophisticated coral leaf arrangement with a ribbon signify a grand life liven. below are the words "Elizabeth B.Noble,"

This grand Mausoleum is surrounded by a black iron gate, With a Latin description across the top. On either side of the door stand two large upturned torches.This could mean a person's passion ended. Or an ambiguous person is buried here.

the elaborate reef. 

an elaborate craving of the "sleeping
beauty"

The grand Mausoleum with the Latin
words "OVI CHRISTO VIVI
PERIRE NESCIT."

Now this headstone had a grand carver. The detail of a young women laying down on a stone bed is remarkable. The design is very neat and dark areas really do make the women pop out. This is symbolic for the women who died is merely sleeping. 

the small ledger stone dedicated to Julia.With
the words "He giveth his beloved son."

Another creative headstone in the graveyard of St. Patrick Catholic Church. The stone has horns sticking out each top corner. On the top half, their is a picture of weeping willow trees, covering what looks to be a bull on a marble slate. This can symbolize an offering to God, like in the New Testament of the Bible.

The beautiful picture of the sacrificial bull. 

   

A step into a Grave, is a step into the past: Ruth Miller's Experience and Knowledge

Mrs.Ruth Miller (left) and Professor Harwood
as he gives a copy of his book to Mrs.Miller

Ruth Miller began her journey into becoming a phophile, after an unexpected tour through a graveyard. She was leading a group of tourist through downtown Charleston, when one of the tourist asked if they could get a tour of a graveyard. Ever since, Mrs. Miller became interested in the hidden beauty of graveyards.

Mrs.Miller is a local expert and an author, who spoke about the history behind many graveyards in Charleston. Which holds a lot of interesting characters and their tombstone is a reflection of their life. Now what makes old Charleston so interesting?  She tells us that in 1776, Charleston had more money than New York, and Boston. This is very fascinating because that was the same year that the United states was created.

A book that Mrs.Miller brought in that goes into
details of early gravestones. written by
Diana Williams combs

St. Mary Church’s graveyard is filled with headstones with the ending year 1838. This is due to the outbreak of yellow fever and it killed thousands during this time. A pastor held a sermon saying that the source of the yellow fever came from the drinking and sharing of alcohol (Ruth Miller).  People migrated from place to place during this time to avoid the deadly illness. Mrs.Miller stated “One of the clues that it was time to move north when the frogs started croaking.” The frogs would indicate that it was the beginning of summer, and time to migrate again.

Peale's painting "Rachel Weeping" shows his wife
mourning over her deceased daughter. 

“1/3 by 8 years old, a third is dead by 18 and after 18 you live forever” stated Mrs. Miller as she tried to explain the short life expectancy of the people of the 18^th century. So many graves from that time are little babies due to their poor immune systems to fight off the illness that plagued this time. The daughter of famous portrait painter Charles Wilson Peale died in 1772 of smallpox. Peale painted a portrait of his wife crying over the dead body of her daughter.
Although graveyards hold a somber atmosphere, people like Mrs. Miller find the beauty and historic meaning behind them. “Churches everywhere show the value of the architect” says Mrs. Miller. Churches of the 18th century reflects the culture of the time, and it shows how much time and dedication they put into building not only the church but the tombstones themselves. Many of the unpopular religions of the time, leaves little traces of them being here. 

For example, 17th century Judaism at the time was not as large as it is today, so many of their grave sites are modern day parking lots. "the unheard and unpopular gets plowed and covered up" said Mrs. Miller as she talked about how other religions such as the Quakers, suffered the same way.Mrs. Miller opened her mind and heart to the history of Charleston's graveyards.

She spoke about the famous and about the average men and women who lives all mattered in the end, regardless of how short it was. Her love for the architect is strong, and it shown across her face as she introduced me into a new way of looking at a sad place that is really a beautiful 

Hey Friends!

This is my two sister and I. Donnetta
on the left, Rosalind, and me on
Halloween last year.

Hey ya’ll! My name is Tomeka Adams, I am from Sumter, South Carolina (two hours away) and I live with my beautiful dramatic mom. I have two older sisters. Donnetta and Rosalind. We are pretty close and I truly admire them.They have also blessed me with 8 nieces and nephews. Note the sarcasm.

I don't know if i want a degree in nursing or to go to P.A school. What I do know is that I want to get a degree in the medical field. I have a group of friends back home that really inspire me to be the me I can be! I was a girl scout from 3^rd grade up until I graduated high school. So if you need girl scout cookies I’m ya girl!!! I graduated from Sumter High School in 2016,and I became involved in my Sumter Young Life group, a christian organization just for High school students.

My friend Sarah Catherine and I at
at a Sumter high football game. Go Gamecocks

So far I like being a college student. I enjoy the good vibe that College of Charleston gives off. It is also amazing I am able to take such an interesting FYE class. This course is something that I have never heard before, and I am very interested in the teachings of it. I really hope we have a great semester in this class and that it will open my mind up to the different things the 

world has to offer.

Me and my Young life group on a camping trip!