Unusual graves.

[bevbee]

That's great Jen, thanks very much.

Bev. 

[diggerman2]

 Why is this on a grave?            
       

There's a gravestone in my local cemetery with a similar inscription - of a ships captain who died in 1912.
Apparently he fell into the river from his ship , so it kinda discounts the disease theory

[bevbee]

Since I posted that question I have read a book on smallpox and apparently they would put it on graves of a smallpox victim because that disease stays active for a very long time.

Doesn't explain the accidental death of the sea captain having that inscription though.

[jencairns]

I was sceptical of this idea until a few moments ago.. some interesting comments here about the longevity of microbes and viruses in permafrost - appears to be a reliable source of info.

http://www.livescience.com/2403-climate-threat-thawing-tundra-releases-infected-corpses.html

Other plagues such as Cholera and Leprosy  or tuberculosis didn't seem to provoke such a reaction.  I have come across mention of deaths from smallpox, cholera and tb in parish registers and on tombstones here in Cardiganshire, but I haven't spotted any grave with an opening prohibition. Perhaps someone can supply me with somer?!

Jen

[g forgeron]

This one is in Strathlachlan cemetery

[weste]

In respect to the tiangular one by kerryb.  I saw a triangular one on the shiverpool tour. Supposed to be someone in there seated a table with playing cards after playing with the devil!

[jencairns]

In respect to the tiangular one by kerryb.  I saw a triangular one on the shiverpool tour. Supposed to be someone in there seated a table with playing cards after playing with the devil!

Creepy... which churchyard was that in ?

[jencairns]

re bevbee's very first post (the small stone with three sets of initials)

The Parish church of Lampeter has many similar stones.  Most of them were people from the local Workhouse.  Here it is known who is referred to by the initials as the workhouse kept records - which are now in Ceredigion Archives in Aberystwyth - but maybe your stone was in memory of newborn or very young children?

Jen

[weste]

Can't remember which one but was only a small one.  I've got a photo of it somewhere.  I will  look it out.  There is also something on the net because i remember googling it. I'll try and find the link.The liverpool cathedral where the hungerford memorial is has some gravestones along it walk also, very strange.  Also in bilston i, wolverhampton there are/was some metal gravestone plaques on the paths i believe at st leonards. some metal ones.