This was posted some time ago to the CEMETERY list on Rootsweb on the
subject of shells on graves:
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 16:36:45 -0600
From: ChrisTina Leimer <Leimer(a)UH.EDU>
To: CEMETERY-L(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: [CEMETERY-L] shell covered graves
This is an old tradition, especially Southern, that has mostly
died out but sometimes you can still see remnants of the
shells in old graveyards. And sometimes you'll even find a
single shell decorating a new grave. Shells were used on
graves by many different cultures, White Southerners,
African-Americans, and some Native Americans. There's
some info about the custom in this book:
Jordan, Terry G. 1982. Texas Graveyards. University
of Texas Press, Austin, TX
Tina
The Tombstone Traveller's Guide
http://www.uh.edu/~cleimer
- -------------------------------
Clark County Cemetery Preservation Committee meeting, Saturday, August 7 --
Sellersburg Library:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/5881
Please visit the Indiana Pioneer Cemeteries Restoration Project at:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~inpcrp
-----Original Message-----
From: Karen Adams <bplheritage(a)bernepl.lib.in.us>
To: INPCRP-L(a)rootsweb.com <INPCRP-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Date: Monday, July 26, 1999 11:57 AM
Subject: [INPCRP-L] Clams Shells at grave sites?
Two cemeteries in the Adams County area have seen volunteer cleaning
and
restoration in the last two months: St John's at Vera Cruz, Wells Co., to
the west of the Adams County Line, and Loofbourrow near New Corydon,
Jefferson Twp., Adams Co., near the Jay County Line. Both cemeteries are
offering us a mystery. Beneath the tombstones, sometimes placed besides we
are finding perfectly shaped clam shells. These are full halves. Not
broken shells dumped, carefully placed.
Has anyone else found this? Does anyone know what the purpose was in
placing these
shells or the superstition? Both cemeteries are near the
Wabash River. One is of "American" descent, and the other Swiss and German.
Thanks Karen
Thanks Karen
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