Salu --

I'm the thanatolithologist that Jeri dragged in to this conversation. Haven't read all of the posts closely, but the thread seems to have diverged from the original quest for info on iconography and symbology. Anywho, my particular area of interest is New England slate markers from about 1650 to about 1815 (when you get into willows and urns my eyes glaze over).

Good books to look up for starters for information include:

Forbes, Harriette Merrifield. Gravestones of Early New England and the Men Who Made Them 1653-1800. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin / Center for Thanatology Research and Education, 1927, 1955, 1989. The research & book that started it all.

Ludwig, Allan I. Graven Images: New England Stonecarving and Its Symbols, 1650-1815. Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press, 1966.

Tashjian, Dickran and Ann. Memorials For Children of Change: The Art of Early New England Stonecarving. Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press, 1974.

Also Margaret Coffin's book, Death In Early America.

I belong to several state old cemeteries associations. There is also the major research organization The Association for Gravestone Studies, where I'm a lapsed member.

The symbolism as well as the philosophy behind it changed over the years, from soul effigies and skulls and winged skulls on earlier stones through cherubs and into almost a portrait of the deceased. Some early carvings were cut out because of religious beliefs that disagreed with representation on the markers. The "rural cemetery movement" started around 1840 (Mt. Auburn in Boston is the first) with marble markers and a landscaped park-like cemetery.

This brief outline is probably more information than anybody wanted, but I hope it answered some questions.

Lately I seem to be locating folklorists or people in folksongs. Jeri helped me locate Timothy Mirrick this spring -- he's the guy who got bit by the rattlesnake in "Springfield Mountain."

Linn the Thanatolithologist