Weeping Willows and an Urn: 52 Ancestors 2024 Prompt “Symbol”

The Meaning of the Symbols on a Beautiful Slate Headstone from 1810

Joseph Burt: 1726-1810 (Maternal 5^th Great-Grandfather)

 

While it may seem a bit ghoulish, I love old cemeteries and old headstones. I have always been fascinated by the symbols carved into some headstones, especially those from the 18^th and 19^th centuries. When I discover an interesting stone, either in person or on Findagrave or similar websites, I will often research the symbols, searching for their meaning. That’s what I did when I ran across this lovely headstone for my fifth-great-grandfather Joseph Burt or Burtt.

Joseph’s stone was probably carved in the year of his death, 1810. He was buried in West Parish Garden Cemetery in his hometown of Andover, Massachusetts. The graves of his wife, Abiah, and at least two of his children are nearby, carved out of the same type of charcoal-colored slate stone. All feature the same symbols at the top of the stone: an urn in the center, with a weeping willow leaning over the urn, its long branches trailing down on both sides of the urn.

Close-up of the symbols on Joseph Burt's headstone at the West Parish Cemetery.

So what does the urn mean? According to the Nadler article on cemetery iconography cited below, “the urn symbolizes death itself. The Greeks used the urn as a symbol of mourning since it was often used as a repository for ashes of the dead.” Kimberly Powell, also cited below, adds that “the urn is commonly believed to testify to the death of the body and the dust into which the dead body will change, while the spirit of the departed eternally rests with God.”

Close-up of the symbols on Joseph's son Jedediah's headstone--slightly easier to see than on the photo of Joseph's stone.

How should we interpret the weeping willow symbol? According to Nadler, “The dripping branches of weeping willow trees symbolize the drooping spirits and hearts of those who have lost their beloved family member.” Family Tree, see citation below, states that the willow signifies “mourning and earthly sorrow.”

It appears that through these symbols, Joseph’s family wished to show that they grieved his loss, as well as the losses of his wife and sons Joseph Jr. and Jedediah.

Joseph Burtt was born February 21, 1726 in Andover, Massachusetts. His parents were Thomas Burtt and Elizabeth Laraford. He married Abiah Mooar March 23, 1758, when he was 32 years old and Abiah was 17 years old. The couple had seven to nine children (records vary), including my fourth great-grandmother Abiah Burt Dane.

Joseph served in the Revolutionary War in the “fourth foot company of Andover” under the command of Captain Joshua Holt. I hope to someday apply for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution based on Joseph Burt’s service or one of my other Revolutionary War ancestors.

 

Sources:

Joseph Burt memorial page. West Parish Garden Cemetery, Essex County, Massachusetts. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65247109/burt

“Mastering Cemetery Iconography”, Alex Nadler, June 3, 2021. The Academy at Penguin Hall. https://penguinhall.org/mastering-cemetery-iconography/#:~:text=The%20urn%20symbolizes%20death%20itself,in%20New%20England's%20burial%20grounds.

Photo Gallery of Cemetery Symbols and Icons. Kimberly Powell. On ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/photo-gallery-of-cemetery-symbolism-4123061#:~:text=A%20hand%20with%20the%20index,human%20beings%20and%20with%20God

https://familytreemagazine.com/cemeteries/hidden-meanings-gravestone-symbols/

Historical Sketches of Andover, pg. 304. List of men serving in Capt. Joshua Holt’s Fourth Foot Company of Andover. https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/21636/images/dvm_LocHist007471-00176-1?pId=334