The Meaning of the Symbols on a Beautiful Slate Headstone from 1810
Joseph Burt: 1726-1810 (Maternal 5th 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 18th and 19th 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
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