Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Colonial Williamsburg, Part II, The Bruton Parish Church Cemetery

I love old cemeteries.  Two of my favorites, up to this point, would be Saint Louis Cemetery #1 in New Orleans, and the cemetery in the ghost town of Terlingua, Texas.  But the cemetery surrounding the Bruton Parish Church in Colonial Williamsburg was quite fantastic too.
 I wished we had a brochure to accompany the cemetery, but we did not.  Nor did they have any informative plaques about.  But some of the tomb markers were quite clear and readable:
 There were so many different styles of tombs spread about.  Unfortunately, I couldn't get close to most of them, as there were boundaries and ropes set up.  So I had to settle for snapping pictures from afar, while wondering what was written on the stone.

 A pair of confederate soldiers-

They just don't make tomb stones like this anymore.

We found a sundial.  Pierce asked how it worked and I explained.  Then I tried to tell the time.  It looked like it was around 11:00.  I said, "I must be no good at this, because there is no way it's that late already".  I dug in the stroller and pulled out my cell phone.  It was 11:10.  Hey, sundials work!

It was interesting that some of the tombstones were right next to the church.  Usually you see graves set back from the church a bit, but this church had them all about the periphery, right up next to it.

We would've loved to have toured the church (Pierce was begging to go inside) but they were closed for a service at the time.  Maybe another trip.
I bet the interior is almost as interesting as the exterior!

33 comments:

  1. NancyApril 24, 2012 at 5:40 AM

    So much can be learned from the markers in old cemeteries. I think that's a very cool place to take the kids -- I do! :)

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  2. JillApril 24, 2012 at 6:05 AM

    Those tombstones are amazing! Way to go on the sundial, Mom!

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  3. AnonymousApril 24, 2012 at 6:31 AM

    What a wonderful place to explore. I have been to a concert in the chapel. It was a lovely space.

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  4. Eat To LiveApril 24, 2012 at 6:36 AM

    You were really busy when you were in Williamsburg.

    That one pair of tomb stones remind of of the Halloween ones that always say RIP

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  5. AnonymousApril 24, 2012 at 7:43 AM

    I, too, have been to services there...very lovely in a not overly ornate way

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  6. EllieApril 24, 2012 at 8:13 AM

    It can be fascinating (and a little bit sad) visiting cemetaries.
    It sounds as if you boys were very interesting in it all.

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  7. MelodieApril 24, 2012 at 8:31 AM

    I love old cemeteries!

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  8. Thistle Cove FarmApril 24, 2012 at 8:34 AM

    You'd really enjoy Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA; it's incredibly beautiful and more US presidents buried there than any other cemetery.

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  9. V and AApril 24, 2012 at 9:22 AM

    I love looking around cemeteries too. I find looking at the dates so fasinating

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  10. Chatty CroneApril 24, 2012 at 9:27 AM

    I have to agree I like looking at cemeteries - especially really old ones. sandie

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  11. Sonya @ Under the Desert SkyApril 24, 2012 at 9:28 AM

    It's fascinating looking around historic places like that.

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  12. MichaeleApril 24, 2012 at 9:34 AM

    Somehow I think it comforting to be buried right up next to a church. Interesting post Lisa.

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  13. SallyApril 24, 2012 at 10:19 AM

    Great post! I'm amazed that some were buried so close to the church.

    There's an old cemetery in St. Augustine that I like to wander through.

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  14. CubyApril 24, 2012 at 10:31 AM

    This is a very interesting cemetery and I love to potter about and feel the history as you know.

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  15. I Am WoodyApril 24, 2012 at 10:42 AM

    You are the only person I know that has been to Terlingua, TX! I love the Big Bend!

    I also love to go to old cemeteries. The owner of Sloppy Joe's bar in Key West had his tombstone inscribed with 'I told you I was sick'. Haha!

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  16. I Am WoodyApril 24, 2012 at 10:43 AM

    When we were in Williamsburg, we attended a candlelight acapella choir concert. It was magical!

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  17. AnonymousApril 24, 2012 at 10:49 AM

    I'd love to see the interior of the church! Bet it's great looking.

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  18. TexWisGirlApril 24, 2012 at 11:16 AM

    wow - some of those markers are like altars!

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  19. AnonymousApril 24, 2012 at 11:17 AM

    I have a weakness for cemeteries.

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  20. Lexie Loo, Lily, Liam & Dylan TooApril 24, 2012 at 12:12 PM

    That is a really cool cemetery!

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  21. Ginny HartzlerApril 24, 2012 at 1:34 PM

    A very interesting cemetery! Some of the newer ones now are so regimented, all the stones or markers have to look the same, and they just have no character. I bet the inside of the church would be so pretty...we have a church here that has the stones right up on the side of the church and it looks just like your picture. Now I guess I will have to go and snap it! I am impressed that you can read a sundial!!!

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  22. Out on the prairieApril 24, 2012 at 2:35 PM

    A fun place to explore, you may find info online sometimes.The first looks like a pirate grave.

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  23. TracyApril 24, 2012 at 2:57 PM

    Oh love the sundial...I'm intrigued by them! It looks like you had so much fun-it's been a long time since I've been there but always enjoyed it!

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  24. EG CameraGirlApril 24, 2012 at 3:19 PM

    Thanks for the neat tour. I'm amazed that the sundial was so accurate!

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  25. Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise)April 24, 2012 at 5:10 PM

    What magnificently crafted tombstones. Who knew that graveyards could be so entertainin'? Heeehehehe!

    Thanks so much for the tour, I've really enjoyed it.

    Have a blessed and beautiful day sweetie!!! :o)

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  26. Tina Fariss BarbourApril 24, 2012 at 6:29 PM

    Great post! There's so much history in a cemetery.

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  27. jp@A Green RidgeApril 24, 2012 at 6:46 PM

    You should have Paul make the boys a sundial in the yard!...:)JP

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  28. Clint BakerApril 24, 2012 at 7:08 PM

    We went on the ghost tour right behind there!

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  29. laughwithusblogApril 24, 2012 at 11:45 PM

    ooo the church would be fun. I used to love going through churches in Mexico!

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  30. Tweedles -- that's meApril 25, 2012 at 12:00 AM

    I have never been to a cemetery- but moms find the old ones have a story to tell
    love
    tweedles

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  31. Valerie BoersmaApril 25, 2012 at 10:59 AM

    Old cemeteries are fascinating, and I always wonder about the people behind the engraved names. This one, that you visited looks really fascinating!

    There is a town close by named Roslyn (that the show Northern Exposure made famous) and the old cemetery there is divided into different ethnic sections-I find that really interesting. I didn't realize that there were people from so many different countries who had immigrated to this area back then.

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  32. SandyApril 25, 2012 at 1:29 PM

    I love old cemeteries too! That grave right up next to the church is very, very odd. Wonder what the reasoning was behind that.

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  33. gtyyupApril 27, 2012 at 12:33 PM

    I wonder if past church officials were buried close to the church...interesting. Would love to go there too!

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