Gravestone symbol

[Rosinish]

Thanks JM!

I now understand why there's no death cert!

Annie

[mckha489]

Possibly something here?

http://headstonesymbols.co.uk

[majm]

In the NSW Registers of Coroners’ Inquests and Magisterial Inquiries which Ancestry has uploaded as part of their current commercial partnership with NSW Archives, there’s many images, including a page showing a number of entries in early 1855.

(at entry no) 9560
(at an enquiry in the police district of the) Manning River
(a death occurred on or about) 21 February 1855
(the deceased has been identified as) James JOHNSTON,
(and at that enquiry led by) Hawthorne JP
(which was held on) 6 March 1855
(the cause of death was determined to be due to a) Fall of a Tree

No mention of where the burial occurred.

JM

[Neilhilt]

I like the way you knock over those "brick walls" JM  Neil

[majm]

I make a habit of it, and so too does Annie.   

Oops, fingers pressed send too early.

ADD
If we can understand the context, then we are half way to advancing the quest...

JM

[Rosinish]

I wonder if the 'symbol' is actually 2 J's facing in opposite directions i.e for J J (James Johnston) 

Annie

[Johnmccallum]

Very interesting

[Rena]

I like the JJ interpretation and also wondered if the mason had taken artistic licence,, combining  the man's initials with a horseshoe.

I have a farrier in one of my lines and here's my understanding of the trade:-

"In the British Army, the Household Cavalry have farriers who march in parade in ceremonial dress, carrying their historical axes with spikes. They are a familiar sight at the annual Trooping the Colour. There is also a farrier on call "round the clock, twenty-four hours a day, at Hyde Park Barracks".

In the United Kingdom, the Worshipful Company of Farriers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Farriers, or horseshoe makers, organised in 1356. It received a Royal Charter of incorporation in 1571. Over the years, the Company has evolved from a trade association for horseshoe makers into an organisation for those devoted to equine welfare, including veterinary surgeons."

The extremely large axe the army farriers carried were to dispatch the animals under their care during early warfare for example.

[Rosinish]

"I like the JJ interpretation and also wondered if the mason had taken artistic licence,, combining  the man's initials with a horseshoe."

Rena, I felt the open part (if a horseshoe) was too narrow but indeed with artistic licence it could be interpreted in that way possibly although I'm not convinced on the 'JJ' theory I put across 

Annie