Captain John Crane

Crane Cemetery

Last summer I spent a week in New York and found time to visit a few of the cemeteries. It was just as I imagined. Lots of wonderful old stones containing beautiful epitaphs and symbolism.

In this small cemetery is Captain John Crane, an American Revolutionary war soldier.

1st Presbyterian Church Cemetery

In Memory of
Ephraim son of
Billy & Rhoda
Trowbridge who
departed this life
May 8, 1791 in
the 14 year of
his age

I found an interment list online. It shows his death as Mar but you can clearly see May on the stone.

Many old stones in this cemetery.

Tombstone Photo of the Week

1st Presbyterian Church Cemetery

Tombstone Photo of the Week

Crane Cemetery

The Thousand Lotus Memorial Terrace

Situated on the northwestern slope of the Chuang Yen Monastery in Carmel, NY. There are two terraces that contain 1,050 and 2,076 stell niches, respectively. Each niche can hold two urns.

The half circle design and the statue of the Amitabha Buddha, which overlooks the terrace, symbolize the Western Paradise in Pure Land Buddhism.

Twice a year, in the spring and autumn, there are ceremonies in which the ashes of the deceased are placed in the terraces.

Tombstone Photo of the Week

Kelly Cemetery

Angry

Just minutes after entering the Kelly Cemetery I saw this. I was so angry I wanted to scream. I have seen my share of cemeteries where the big old stones have been toppled over, but never this. Should I not be shocked? The person[s] that did this should be made to publicly apologize to any living family and the community. Then he/she should be ordered to do 5 years of community service in the local cemeteries, mowing, raking and trimming, with the work being inspected daily. And, they would need to make an annual contribution to the Association of Gravestone Studies [or like organization] for those same 5 years. It still makes me mad, because the others I didn't photograph had profanity written on them.

Tombstone Photo of the Week

Gilead Cemetery

What I didn't like...

... at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Cemetery.

I wish I had taken a full view photo of the little back porch on the church. I was shocked that it was built right up to a tombstone.

I also have to wonder about the stones leaning against the church. Where did they belong?

Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Cemetery

Although most of the stones were illegible I found this little church cemetery to be charming.

Faces of New York

Died in War

Raymond Hill Cemetery

Standing Tall

Most of the headstones I saw in the New York cemeteries were thin and showing their age. Some however have stood the test of time.

Barry at Mt. Carmel Bapt. Church Cem.

Gilead Cemetery

Former wife

I found it interesting, for this time period, that it listed her first husband.

Old Baptist Cemetery

200th Cemetery

While in New York I took photographs in my 200th cemetery. It was in the Old Baptist Revolutionary War Cemetery located in Carmel NY. I will update my "walks" list this week.

Cemetery Cat

Cemetery Cat - Kelly Cemetery

I survived a whole week on the lake in New York without TV, cable or internet - with the exception of my Blackberry. I am thankful I had that access to the outside world. My son is serving in Afghanistan and his base was hit on Wednesday and he was in combat. Thankfully he called to tell me instead of me seeing it in the news.

While we played tourist in NY I also got to see many of the local cemeteries. My favorite was the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. An hour wasn't enough to absorb it all. On the edge of the property is the Old Dutch Church Burying Ground. Finally I was able to see some of the old stones I see on other blogs and in books.

Now I have to play catch-up. Why do we need a vacation to recover from vacation? I did stop by and visit the blogs I follow and enjoyed the posts. I hope to bring you some interesting posts in the days ahead.