April 12, 2015

Whigville Cemetery

I'm back!  

It's been a while!  I spent a good part of yesterday out exploring some cemeteries out near my sister's house - in the Hunt / Horse Country of northern Oakland / Lapeer Counties. 
Nothing much has been greening up yet, but it was mostly sunny / partly hazy and comfortably warm to be out in just a hoodie.  Best of all - no bugs!  

I planned on stopping at 4 cemeteries and ended up going to 6. The first of these is located in Dryden, Lapeer County.  

I couldn't find out much info about Whigville Cemetery, other than according to Find-A-Grave saying it has 129 interments.   The name likely came from a settlement of the same name when the area had a lot of lumbering in the mid 1800s.  The dates on the stones ranged from 1862-1949 with one from 1976 and another from 1986, but nothing more recent than that.  A lot were hard or impossible to read, as with older cemeteries.  

There was no sign and the very small cemetery was surrounded by a farm.  The driveway to the house ran up the right side with house to the rear.  Directly behind was a barn and to the left a small swampy area and pastures - from where a large gray draft horse watched me intently.  A woman who I assume was the lady of the house, came out while talking on the phone and hung out near the barn, I assume the cemetery doesn't get many visitors so she was keeping an eye on me.  I made a point to stoop often to peer closely at inscriptions and also to consult my phone.  Honestly, there are 2 photo requests and I was looking to find the stones while I was there. 

 The one side was terraced and the stones have fallen off their bases and been set back up. 
Isaac Newton!
 Her name was Asenath - quite unusual.  Isaac's wife
 Close up of the hands.  Still lovely since 1881.

 At least an attempt was made to keep the stone together. 
 I liked the chain links.



 Fayette. Another unusual name that I saw several times this day.
March 4, 1964 - Sept 28, 1867
I love there are flowers by her stone!
 Close up of the branch and possibly bird?
Beautiful carvings. 


 Their last name was Smiley.  I like how Joseph & Jennie's names are carved at an angle below daughter Lizzie's name. 


  

 Adaline is another name I saw a lot of. 

One of the photo requests was for an Ira Smith.  This whole row of fallen stones were Smiths - and the 3rd one is missing.  I bet that is Ira's.  
 Anett and Mary Smith both have beautiful detail on the corners of their stones.  

2 comments:

  1. how crazy is that the flowers are still by the old grave site. It makes you wonder just a little bit who has still taking the time for their loved one.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Much as you like to explore cemeteries, you might want to check out an ebook called translating tombstones. I bought it awhile back, it was either free or a couple dollars. Good finds!

    ReplyDelete

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