An Impromptu Stop Along the Way - July 15, 2014

Off to South Carolina now.  My first stop is only two hours from my last, but it took longer than that.  I stopped at a cemetery that looked interesting in Hickory Grove, SC.  The trees were dripping in Spanish moss which made it even more intriguing.

There were very old stones here, but also a few newer ones.  There were repetitive last names all throughout the cemetery....primarily Todd, Bryant, and Chestnut....dating from waaaaay back to more current.  Again, here, there were also lots of childrens' stones....3-4 children in each family - born about a year apart, but each passing anywhere from a day old to 2-3 years old.  This was one memorable stone from 1937 because they had included a photograph. Little Dottie Chestnut....

One more photo memorial....

I was there a few minutes and a truck drove in....a fellow got out and went to a very specific old stone and took some photographs.  We met up and he was very actively involved in the preservation of Revolutionary War and Civil War stones and area cemeteries.  He pointed out one memorial in particular which had, in addition to a newer one, the original Southern Cross of Honor awarded for loyal and honorable service to the south.  This is quite unusual because during the war metals were scarce.  The ones you typically see have been made in more current times and placed, along with a flag, by groups such as John's.

I thought this was an unusual, phonic spelling of "Luther"....another lost child....

John pointed out one more interesting piece of memorabilia kept in this cemetery ...

"STEPPING STUMP -- This stump was used from the early 1800's to the early 1900's for mounting and dismounting horses by the ladies who rode them to church."

There were two Woodmen of the World memorials in the cemetery...which I thought were a little different....even more interesting after I learned the history of this fraternal organization:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodmen_of_the_World#History

One last find....there were many of these "initial" markers....no names or dates....just an initial...

Have I piqued anyone's interest yet in discovering the wonders hidden in cemeteries?  They are both restful and full of historical facts and mysteries.

Now...on to my original destination....Santee Coastal Wildlife Management Area....but I doubt I'll see any of these!  Another cemetery marker mystery....