Jul 04

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day! Today we celebrate our nation’s birthday, when in 1776 the Continental Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence, declaring that the thirteen colonies were no longer part of Great Britain, but were independent sovereign states that were part of a new nation.

“Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage to be the secret of liberty.” –Louis D. Brandeis

Happy 247th Birthday, America!

There is no better time to think about the principles of freedom and liberty upon which our country was founded and strive to preserve the type of government our forefathers envisioned, as they put forth in the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution.

This is also the time to show our patriotism. Fly the flag. Wear red, white, and blue. Thank a veteran. Celebrate our great nation and to be thankful that we live in the greatest country on earth. We are so very fortunate to live in America. 

“And I’m proud to an American, where at least I know I’m free…” –Lee Greenwood

Christian Whiteman, Reber Hill Cemetery, Pickaway County, Ohio. (2002 photo by Karen)

I have one Revolutionary War ancestor (that I know of) who aided in the fight for American independence. Christian Whiteman (1762-1827) served in the Berks County Militia in Pennsylvania. He was born in Pennsylvania, died in Ohio, and is buried in Reber Hill Cemetery, Pickaway County, Ohio.  

This is part of our patriotic yard display.

Patriotic display 2023, Christian Whiteman banner

Patriotic display 2023

God Bless America!

Have a happy and safe Independence Day!

Jun 30

Fly the Flag on the Fourth of July

July 4th is just a few days away and is one of the best holidays to fly the American flag.

American flag flying at Willshire Cemetery, Memorial Day 2023

I saw this the other day, an idea promoted by PragerU to fill social media with American flags this 4th of July season.

Fly the Flag

I decided to do my part here on Karen’s Chatt with some of my flag photos and other patriotic photos I have taken around our yard.

Resthaven Memory Gardens, Auglaize Co, Ohio. (2014 photo by Karen)

Patriotic yard

Patriotic yard

Patriotic yard

Patriotic yard

Patriotic yard

Patriotic yard

Patriotic yard

#flytheflag #proudamerican

 

Jun 27

Tombstone Tuesday-Another Knights of Pythias Symbol

I have read that the Knights of Pythias have over 20,000 different symbols and I believe this is one of their symbols.

Knights of Pythias symbol, Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert, Ohio

The emblem on this tombstone is weathered and somewhat difficult to make out, but I believe it is an example of their typical Pythian axes and shields. A letter is barely recognizable on the left shield and could stand for one of the words of their motto, Faith, Charity, and Benevolence, although at this point the letter looks like a P.  

Note the similarity of the axes and shield in this Pythian symbol to those on  Perry’s tombstone.

Knights of Pythias, Woodlawn Cemetery, Ohio City, Ohio

The Knights of Pythias was founded in 1864 as a secret society for government clerks. The Knights of Pythias follows the principles of Friendship, Charity, and Benevolence and the first letters of these words (F, C, B) are often used for their tombstone inscriptions, sometimes used with the image of a shield and knight. The society still supports charitable, benevolent, fraternal, and social activities in their lodges and the communities they serve as well as supporting many charities.  

Knights of Pythias symbol, Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert, Ohio

I have been unable to determine if William F. Perry was a member of a fraternal society in the Van Wert area, but I believe this interesting tombstone symbol is a Knights of Pythias symbol.

Jun 23

1879 Willshire Postmark

This is one of the oldest Willshire postmarks that I have, if not the oldest.

Willshire, Ohio, 1879 postmark

The envelope is postmarked Wilshire, O, Mar 11.

The year is not included in the postmark but the letter inside the envelope is dated March 10, 1879, a Monday evening. It was postmarked the next day, the 11th. Just to double-check, I looked at a March 1879 calendar and 10 March 1879 was a Monday.

Letter written Monday evening, March 10, 1879, by DB Mills, Willshire, Ohio

The letter is addressed to Mr. Isac Funderburg, New Kerlisle, Ohio, Clark Co.

This town is actually spelled New Carlisle and is near the city of Springfield. I am more familiar with Ohio’s other New Carlisle, in Walnut Creek, Holmes County. Since they did not have zip codes in 1879 it was probably a good thing that the sender also wrote Clark Co. on the envelope.

Below is a transcription of the letter, as it was written, with the spelling as written, but I added some punctuation where I thought he may have intended, placed in [ ].

Monday Evening
March 10, 1879

Mr. Isaac Funderburg

I have got bought 8 hed of cattle [.] I think I can fetch for 20 hed besids yours but I may not get to your house till Monday or Tuesday next week [.] I will bring your mare a long with me. The man you bought her of will ceep her till I come down. I will be there as soon as I can get there and do the best I can but if I can’t get there till Monday or Tuesday I will rite to you when I will come.

Yours as ever
D B Mills

I may get there by Sunday if I can.  

1879 letter written by DB Mills, Willshire, Ohio

1879 letter written by DB Mills, Willshire, Ohio

I wonder how they transported livestock back then.

The intended recipient of the letter, Isac Funderburg, was born in Ohio about 1840 and in 1880 lived in Bethel, Clark County, Ohio. He was a farmer, was married to Ester, and had 7 children. [1]

According to his obituary, D.B. Mills (1842-1887), the letter-writer, lived on a farm in Willshire Township. He died 20 April 1887, after suffering 8 months with scrofula. Scrofula is lymphadenopathy of the neck, also known as tuberculous of the throat, usually caused by an infection in the lymph nodes, and sometimes caused by the tuberculous bacteria. He was 45 years old and left a wife and 3 children. [2] D.B. Mills is buried in Willshire Cemetery and served in the Civil War. [3]

[1] 1880 U.S. Census, Bethel, Clark, Ohio, ED 34, p.4D, dwelling & family 74, Isac Funderburg; Ancestry.com, viewed 22 Jun 2023.

[2] D.B. Mills obituary, 29 April 1887, Van Wert Weekly Bulletin, Van Wert, Ohio; NewspaperArchive.com, viewed 22 Jun 2023.

[3] D.B. Mills, Find a Grave.com, memorial no.96096712, 1842-20 Apr 1887, Willshire Cemetery.

Jun 20

Tombstone Tuesday-Coins Left on a Tombstone

Occasionally I will see coins that were left on a tombstone. What does that mean?

Coins, Evans Cemetery, Pennsylvania

Coins placed on a headstone or at a gravesite show that someone has visited the grave to pay their respects and to honor the deceased. The coins symbolize that the deceased is still in the family’s thoughts and is a practical way to honor a loved one. Some see it as a substitute for flowers.

Coins, Evans Cemetery, Pennsylvania

People also leave coins the tombstones of veterans to honor them and, by bring attention to their graves, encourage others to honor those who served. This became a common gravesite practice during the Vietnam War.

Coins, Evans Cemetery, Pennsylvania

The custom of gravesite coins dates back to ancient Greek mythology, where soldiers inserted a coin into the mouth of a fallen soldier to ensure the deceased could pay the fee to cross the River Styx and enter the afterlife.