For Halloween season fun, what is more spooky than to go to a cemetery and check out the graves? It's outdoors, free, and educational.
On October 25, spouse and I visited Spring Forest Cemetery in Binghamton, New York. Until earlier this month, I had never been there, although I had passed it (you can see it from NY Route 17) many, many times.
These are some of the treasures I found (along with some nice fall foliage). Treasures? No, not treasures of silver or gold. No, treasures of history.
I never did find the grave I was most interested in finding, that of Colonel David Ireland, a hero of the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg. Ireland was born in Scotland, and married a local woman of a prominent family (the Phelps). Someone had asked me about my fruitless search- the simple reason was, I was unable to find a map of the cemetery. Surprising, for this cemetery hold a lot of local history in it. But I want to pick several graves I did find. I hope are of interest to all of my readers.
This is the grave of Daniel Stevens Dickinson, a politician who passed away in 1866 at the age of 65. He was a United States senator and, at one time, was seriously considered to be a running mate for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. (Instead, the soon to be infamous Andrew Johnson was chosen). Here is a blog post I wrote about Dickinson and 1864 a while ago.
The Grave of Ellen Brown, the first female employee of the YMCA, hired in 1886. Here is some more information on her.
The grave on the left is the grave of a Civil War Major who died in one of the last battles of the Civil War. The GAR medal indicates this person was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, which was a fraternal order composed of Union Civil War veterans. There is also artwork on the grave indicating the grave marker is for a fallen Major.
And finally, something (center) that intrigued me because of the artwork. Are you into cemeteries and know anything about the art on this monument? This is something I need to read up on.
I hope you had a spooky time today.
Tomorrow we'll be back at Spring Forest to watch the sky for Skywatch Friday.
I enjoyed following you on your stroll through the stones. I read your post on Daniel Stevens Dickinson. Maybe Reconstruction wouldn't have been immediately derailed if he had been chosen to run as Vise President instead of Johnson. I also clicked to get more information on Ellen Brown. She looks as if she would have been able to handle any mischief done by the boys at the YMCA.
ReplyDeleteThere are a group of folks who go around taking photos of gravestones. Called findagrave.com. I discovered them doing my family history research.
ReplyDeleteSo fascinating. All people who lived and loved. Makes me want to smile and shiver at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI love cemeteries! Husby and I make a point of visiting at least one on every trip. Fascinating stories abound!
ReplyDeleteLoved this, Alana!
Perfect photos for the Season ~ spooky ~ ^_^
ReplyDeleteLive each moment with love,
A ShutterBug Explores
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Looks like it was a great day to explore. We don't have interesting cemeteries here. If you've ever read The Loved One, you have a better idea of how our cemeteries are laid out.
ReplyDelete...Ellen Brown's stone os a beauty, it had all he bell and whistles back in the day!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tour, I wonder if they have family in local area.
ReplyDeleteStay Safe and Coffee is on