Help with the symbols on this gravestone

[bookendart]

I'm hoping someone can help me interpret the symbols on this headstone belonging to Thomas Smith of Lewknor. He was a watercress farmer who had a very large family and died unexpectedly from a fall down some stairs in 1885 when he was 77 years old. The inscription reads:

"In memory of Thomas Smith who died suddenly 4 February 1885
This stone was erected by the friends of his youth."

It is one of the largest gravestones in Lewknor's churchyard. Are those cricket bats in the center? And what about the pine tree on the right and what's that foliage on the left? Any thoughts on the meaning of these would be very helpful.

thanks!!!
-Claire

[amber39]

I would think that they are Cricket Stumps with the bails having  just been bowled off ,  not Cricket Bats.

Perhaps the foliage on the left is meant to represent Watercress, the conifer on the right I have no ideas about.


Regards    Amber39

[Dean1]

If he was a cricketer the trees should, I imagine, be Willow (cork on willow etc)

I just wonder if the ? "X1" was eleven - perhaps, if there is a cricketing background, the cricket eleven.

Just a thought.

Sue

[amber39]

An after thought , perhaps the conifer represents the thought  that his memory would be evergreen.


Regards    Amber39

[bookendart]

Thanks for correcting me on the cricket stumps  being from America, I don't know a thing about the game. I knew I'd come to the right place with my questions!!!

And I do like the idea of a memory being evergreen 

thanks for the replies!!!
-Claire

[nanny jan]

The cricket stumps could mean that his" innings" (his life) was now over.       



Nanny Jan

[amber39]

Nanny Jan

I like your analogy of his 'Innings being over '.

Bowled out in fact !!


Regards    Amber39