One of the relatively few interesting gravestone designs in this cemetery with a celtic cross and shamrocks (I think).

According to Memorials.com website:

Celtic Cross- The circle around the crosspiece symbolizes eternity. Its’ origin can be traced to the Celtic cultures of the British Isles. There is a legend of how St. Patrick when preaching to some soon to be converted heathens was shown a sacred standing stone that was marked with a circle that was symbolic of the moon goddess. Patrick made the mark of a Latin cross through the circle and blessed the stone making the first Celtic Cross. It is said to serve as a double symbol of eternity and unity, both that of the Son with the Father and the Holy Spirit and that of the believer with the Trinity. That was a common theme of St. Patrick’s preaching.

The Cemetery Symbolism site describes the use of shamrocks as follows:

The shamrock marks Irish ancestry…In Irish legend, the druids believed the shamrock had mystical properties because it had three leaves, a sacred number. The number three is significant in Celtic art and many Celtic symbols incorporate this number.

The shamrock was later adapted into Christianity. It was believed that St Patrick used the shamrock to demonstrate the Holy Trinity in introducing Ireland to Christianity.

It later became a symbol of Irish identity in the face of rebellion against the British. The shamrock was the symbol of the Irish Volunteers, a republican militia, which lead to Queen Victoria banishing its display. To wear a shamrock during the 19th century was to risk punishment by the British.

The artistic basis of the symbol is debated. The exact plant species the shamrock is unknown. The plants most believed to be the shamrock are the White (Dutch) Clover, the Red Clover, Lesser Yellow Trefoil, Black Medic and Wood Sorrell. All of these share similar features as small, three-leaved green leafs plants.

In contemporary society, the shamrock a popular symbol used to associate with Irish cultural identity and is thus popular symbol used in advertising and branding, particularly aimed at tourism.

Although I recall looking at the name on the gravestone, I didn’t retain it. I have always had a terrible memory for names. However, I feel sure that if I went back I’d find that the name was Irish.

Sorry, just couldn’t resist this one.

Cherub

Many of the cemeteries around here have very plain gravestones and little in the way of large statuary. Perhaps this is because certain denominations frown on excessive ornamentation? I’m sure the cemeteries can control the types of gravestones, but I doubt that they can stop people from putting small, barely noticable, statues on the graves of their loved ones. Or maybe not. Still I find I’m attracted to these small statues.

Deer

Twins

In the older part of the cemetery. I was fascinated by the way this tree has grown over the small gravestone.

After our visit to the Yorktown Community Church Cemetery, we went on to another one: The Amawalk Hill Cemetery. I wasn’t expecting much as we pulled in. It looked like your typical, run of the mill cemetery. I was certainly in for a surprise.

It’s also known as the Amawalk Friends Cemetery or just the Friends Cemetery. According to the Find a Grave website:

The Friends Cemetery is located off Quaker Church Road just outside of Yorktown off Route 202/35. You first come upon the old Quaker meeting house structures which are designated Historic Buildings and are on the County register, and has a rich history. Quakers, who do not believe in warfare, were criticized for refusing to be involved in the Revolutionary War, said Ward Harrington, the house’s treasurer. But they were well-known enough at that point that soldiers often let Quakers pass unharmed through battle zones.

National Register of Historic Places – Reference number 89002004.

There are Revolutionary graves and many Civil War graves.

…

The Old Friends Meeting House cemetery is located on a sloping tree filled hillside facing the meeting house. The cemetery has grown since Revolutionary war days and the “newer” portion is found through the iron gated entry way and divided into 6 sections. Middle, West, East, Rear, and Northern rear and Old Friends section.

Most current graves are found in the Southern Middle section.