Washington's Family Tomb

On Thanksgiving Day , I had the privilege of touring Mt. Vernon, the home of George & Martha Washington. He loved this place so much he wanted to be buried here. The family tomb is on the property. The original tomb was in need of repairs and in a spot that was improperly situated , according to George. He left instructions for a new one to be built, in his will.  This family vault is a two marble sarcophagi containing Washington and the Consort of Washington ( in this case meaning wife* more about this word in other posts). This was completed in 1931, and their bodies along with other family members were moved to the new vault. . George died on December 14, 1799 from acute laryngitis, in his bedroom . Martha died May 22, 1802 from a severe fever ( 105.3) also in her bedroom .

             



Mt Vernon

               

  

The Old Vault

                                                                 

Sign on Path

                              

                              

Inside vault : Martha is on the left & George on the right

                                                             


Inside with doors shut

 

                                                    
                                  

Close up of George's

                          

                                                    

Martha's

 

 

''Within this Enclosure Rest the remains of Gen. George Washington"
On Top of Vault

                            

Surrounding the Family Vault is other members of the family

                                                 

Old 1800 photo of New Vault

It was a serene moment viewing the tombs of the bodies of the first President of the Untied States, and his wife , and very interesting to see how they lived their lives together. The era in which they lived was such a different one from now. If you ever get the chance to tour Mt. Vernon, I highly recommend it you will not be disappointed.  Later that evening I dined at a restaurant, whose ( historic) building was located on part of Washington's original  farm, and ate Thanksgiving dinner. To say it was remarkable ( not only the food) and a great privilege to do so , one I will always remember.                                                             


  I leave you with this :

Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear. - Anonymous

Fascination with Cememteries

This is going to be a prelude to my photos to try and explain how I came to be fascinated with graveyards, tombstones,  and statues in cemeteries. I have a love of history and travel quite a lot, going to historical places has always been a love. Trying to see how those before us have lived and imagine what their lives were like. Every where I have been I always try to find the oldest cemetery, and who is that graveyard, whether they be famous, part of history, or just historic. I think it was started when I lived in Austin, Texas, and went to see Sam Bass who was a outlaw buried in the Old Round Rock Cemetery. While there I discovered near the grave site of outlaw Sam Bass., while there I discovered one-half acre of that cemetery was set aside for slave burials. Enclosed by cedar posts and barbed wire, sites are marked head and foot with large limestone rocks. Some  are hand-grooved with names and dates. . The first marked grave of a freed slave is dated 1880. Although there are 40 to 50 known burial sites of freedmen and the burial ground is still in use, no interments of former slaves occurred after the turn of the century. White graves here are dated as early as 1851 . And from that point on I was totally hooked. So now it is a requirement when I go to a new town.

This is Sam Bass

From Wikipedia,

 

And his tombstone:

 

And these:

 

 

 The slave cemetery ,( images from the Historical Commission)  and some of the graves:

 

 

 

      After I left here, I became a volunteer to help clean up , preserve and document these final resting places. It has been a most unique journey. One I hope you travel with me ... until next time I leave you with this :

Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear. - Anonymous