A Lesson In Cemetery Symbolism: Elizabeth Budd Graham was not a Witch, and This is How We Know, Part 2

John Alexander Graham,
Bessie's husband. (photo
courtesy of findagrave.com) 

 In our last post we discussed the symbolism of Elizabeth Budd Graham’s grave and how it proved that she was not a witch. Now we are going to explore what little written information there is about Elizabeth in the historical record. As was common for the time, there is much more information out there about her husband, John Alexander Graham, and other male relatives than there is about her. But thankfully, there is some information out there, such as her obituary and genealogical information. We  can use that information to learn more about her and learn who the real person was behind all the lore.

We have already talked a little bit about her obituary in the last post, but let us dive further, as it is a good place to start when researching any deceased person. An obituary can provide information like important dates, places and relatives. One important date that has contributed to the witch myth is her birth date. Yes, she was born in October, but by that logic everyone born in October would have to be a witch, right?  I have provided her obituary in its entirety below. 

Obituary: A Sad Death

Early this morning at the dawning of a new day the insatiate reaper, death, claimed Bessie, the lovely young wife of Mr. John A. Graham, at their family residence, 64 East Duval street. Mrs. Graham had been slightly unwell for a day or two, but no one anticipated so sudden and sad a termination. Last night she was much troubled with her heart and between 4 and 5 o'clock she quietly and peacefully passed away, we hope, to a better and brighter home in the unknown beyond. Possessed of rare personal beauty and excellent traits of character that her young life should so suddenly and abruptly terminated when all before her appeared so happy and pleasant. The blow fell hard with crushing effect upon the young husband, who loved and adored his wife with all the affection possessed by human nature. Mrs. Graham was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Wilson of Tallahassee, and niece of Mr. C.W. Smith, of this city. She leaves besides her husband and one babe a number of other relatives residing at Monticello and Tallahassee.-Metropolis, 16th. The remains were brought to Tallahassee for internment, arriving Sunday afternoon, and were followed to the grave by a large concourse of sympathizing friends, the funeral being from the residence of the parents of the deceased, Mr. and Mrs. David C. Wilson, at 3:30 p.m.

We had assumed that since she was buried in Tallahassee, that she and her husband lived here. However, an initial search found there to be no East Duval Street in Tallahassee (note the address in her obituary), although there is a Duval Street that runs north and south. This caused a little confusion at first during our research. There is an East Duval Street in Jacksonville, however. Unfortunately, the address 64 East Duval Street is now a paved parking lot. We were hoping to possibly find a historic home in that location dating to the time Bessie and John would have resided there, but no such luck. The obituary mentions that her remains were brought to Tallahassee, but not from what location. Was she visiting her family in the area when she became ill or was she brought here from Jacksonville after she passed? Either way, she was most likely buried in Old City Cemetery because of her familial ties to the area, as evidenced by her surviving relatives mentioned in the obituary. The 1880 U.S. Census data shows that her residence was  in Jacksonville and not Tallahassee. 

Her tombstone inscription states that she was a mother, but we cannot find any concrete evidence of who her child was. Her obituary mentions one baby, but no name. Her husband did remarry to  Nina Hayward Graham. There are two children tied to John Andrew Graham. One is John Graham, Jr. (mentioned as a surviving family member in the 1921 obituary) and the other is Harriet (who passed in 1913, of unknown age). Harriet is also mentioned as Nina’s child, so we are left to assume that John Graham, Jr. was perhaps Elizabeth’s surviving child. 

In researching Elizabeth’s parents, David C. Wilson, Jr. and Florence J Smith Wilson, we learn that they were married in 1866 (the same year Bessie was born). David was born in Jefferson County and served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. David passed in 1906 and is buried at Tallahassee’s Old City Cemetery, which further confirms why Elizabeth may have been buried there as well. It is also interesting to note that David’s monument is also an obelisk, although not as large or ornate as Elizabeth’s, but still can be viewed as a sign of the family’s wealth and prestige. Florence passed years later in 1929 at the age of 81. At the time she had been living in Jacksonville and her obituary states she was living “at the home”. We are unsure what that means, but perhaps she was living at a retirement home. There was a Confederate Old Soldiers Home in Jacksonville, but it was for soldiers only, so it is not likely that Florence, even as the widow of a CSA veteran, was living at that home. She was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Jacksonville after a funeral service at St. Marks Episcopal Church. This may explain Elizabeth’s ties to Jacksonville and may be why she was listed as living there in the 1880 census.

We went as far back as Elizabeth’s grandparents and found something interesting that is further

Elizabeth's Grandfather,
David Wilson, Sr. (photo
courtesy of findagrave.com)

evidence that she was not a witch, but in fact had long ties to the Christian church. Her grandmother on her father’s side, Elizabeth Shirley Wilson, along with her descendants were members of the Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee. Her grandfather, David C. Wilson, Sr. was an elder and one of the founders of the First Presbyterian Church and gifted the tower bell. The First Presbyterian Church is an interesting landmark itself, and is the oldest continually operating public building in Tallahassee. It is fascinating to find a connection between it and Elizabeth Budd Graham. 

In researching Elizabeth Budd Graham, we became curious where the name Budd came from. Her maiden name was Wilson, so we dug a little deeper and found that her great-grandmother was named Elizabeth Kershaw Budd Smith and is buried in a different Old City Cemetery in Monticello (you have to be careful with cemetery names because there are a lot of duplicates out there!). Budd was her great grandmother’s maiden name and her family had long ties to the area. 

All this being said, we hope that this has humanized Elizabeth Budd Graham for you and convinced you that she was indeed not a witch. She was descended from a prominent family with a long history in both Tallahassee and Monticello. She and her family were all upstanding citizens, heavily involved in the church. In fact they were founding members of one of the most historic

Historic photo of First Presbyterian 
Church (photo courtesy of First
Presbyterian Church)

churches in Tallahassee! While it is fun to imagine witches and haunts in historic graveyards, it is important to remember that behind each and everyone of those monuments is a human being and that those monuments were placed there by those that loved and mourned them. Besides, the real stories of those buried in historic cemeteries is usually much more fascinating than the myth. Historic cemeteries are essentially outdoor museums and a great way to get to know a community’s history by connecting the people buried there with the historic landscape. In fact, in this case, the Tallahassee Old City Cemetery is only a few blocks away from the historic First Presbyterian Church.

A Lesson in Cemetery Symbolism: Elizabeth Budd Graham was not a Witch, and This is How We Know, Part 1

 

Elizabeth Budd Graham's grave

Elizabeth Budd Graham passed away of heart disease on November 16, 1889 at the young age of 23. She was laid to rest in Tallahassee’s oldest municipal cemetery, Old City Cemetery, now located in what is downtown Tallahassee. Her grave is said to be one of the most visited graves in the cemetery, but not by descendants as you would expect. Decades later rumors started to surface that Bessie, as she is affectionately known (as inscribed on her elaborate tombstone), was a witch. This rumor, unlike poor Bessie, has not been laid to rest despite numerous attempts over the years. Generations of visitors have deposited tokens and offerings to this young woman, either as offering to someone they truly believe to be a witch or perhaps as a way to keep the story alive. But that is just it, the claims of witchcraft are nothing more than a story. This blog post is an attempt to both humanize Elizabeth, and quell such rumors. There is no evidence to suggest that Elizabeth Budd Graham practiced any form of witchcraft, and in fact, there is plenty of evidence to suggest otherwise if you know what to look for. 

So first, let us look at reasons why folks believe she was a witch. The most obvious one being that her inscription “faces the wrong way”, that being westward. Common and modern Christian burial practices dictate that the dead be buried facing east, towards the rising sun, as symbolic of the second coming of Christ (Jerusalem is to the east). However, there are other graves in the cemetery that also face west, and yet, Bessie is the only one whom people claim was a witch. In fact, during the Victorian era, it was common for burials, especially those on the edge of cemeteries, to face inwards. Bessie’s grave is on the eastern boundary of the cemetery, thus having her inscription face west makes it easier for those in the cemetery to view it. Another possible interpretation for the west facing grave, which occurred relatively frequently during the time, was to symbolize the setting sun, representing a life having ended.

Inscription on Bessie's grave, which faces west

That being said, further supposed evidence of her being a witch is the inscription itself, which happens to be an excerpt from the poem “Lenore”, written by Edgar Allen Poe. Many attempts have been made to dissect the meaning of the poem to make it fit the claims of witchcraft. For example “queenliest dead” in the poem has been said to suggest the Queen of the Dead, thus possibly referencing a witch. However, the inscription is only an excerpt of the poem, and Poe goes on to say that the deceased has passed “to a golden throne, beside the King of Heaven”.  If you are familiar with Victorian burial and mourning practices, you know that it was steeped in ritual surrounding death and dying (probably because they saw quite a lot of it during that time!). “Lenore” is about a beautiful young woman dying and the excerpt was most likely chosen to mourn a lost young woman and ensure proper burial rites.  The poem was originally titled “A Paean” which means a poem that praises or honors its subject. So, while it may seem like a dark poem (cue Victorian mourning rituals), it is about an adored young woman named Lenore that has passed. And for the literary fans out there, it is also worth noting that Lenore is the same name of the mourned woman in “The Raven”, also written by Poe (many of the women in his poems and stories have the letter L in their name, it is thought that Lenore may represent his departed wife, Virginia, or his brother that had also died. His brother’s name was William Henry Leonard Poe). It is also interesting that Elizabeth Budd Graham is described as “rare personal beauty and excellent traits of character” in her obituary, which also fits with the meaning of the poem. 

So now that we have broken down the epitaph, let us explore the symbols on this elaborate grave. Most notably, the 12 foot obelisk, which towers in comparison to its surrounding graves. This would have cost a pretty penny in the late 1800s (and now probably!). Many have speculated that perhaps Bessie had bewitched her husband into loving her and spending money on her. John Alexander Graham was  a timber magnate, real estate developer, and cattleman. He was doing pretty well for himself. There was a custom during the Victorian era that correlated money with love, but not in the way people think. It was common practice to spend a grand amount on mourning and burials if you had the money to spend. There was a direct correlation to the amount spent on the burial with the love you had for the person you were burying. Mr. Graham was obviously doing pretty well, so it was socially and culturally not surprising that he made such a grand gesture by investing so heavily in such an ornate gravesite for his wife. The inscription, “A dutiful daughter, a devoted mother and a loving and faithful wife” on her stone are evidence of his love for her. Furthermore, her obituary states, that“The blow fell hard with crushing effect upon the young husband, who loved and adored his wife with all the affection possessed by human nature”. All that aside, an obelisk is very often a symbol of rebirth and the connection between heaven and earth. 

Red Circle shows an example 
of the crown and cross motif on 
Bessie's grave.

So, besides the actual grave marker, another very important clue to who Bessie actually was resides atop the obelisk. At the very pinnacle of the grave marker is the common grave motif known as the cross and crown. This is a common Christian symbol used on graves that combines two Christian symbols. The cross represents suffering and death (reference Luke 14:27) and the crown represents eternal reward (reference James 1:12). Thus it can be interpreted to mean that rewards in heaven come after the trials and tribulations on earth. Furthermore, this symbol is also associated with Freemasonry, and well, her husband was indeed a Freemason. In fact, this symbol is associated with various religious and fraternal orders, none of them having anything at all to do with witchcraft. 

Other symbols carved into the obelisk provide further evidence that she was a Christian woman in good standing within her community. The inscription “IHS” on the grave are the first three letters of the Greek word for “Jesus”. Delicately carved ivy vines also decorate the stone. Ivy is often used on graves to represent fidelity and eternal life. You will recall that the inscription makes mention of her as “A dutiful daughter, a devoted mother and a loving and faithful wife”, all of which is further emphasized by the symbols carved into her grave stone. Of course, some have taken these Christian symbols to be proof that she was perhaps a “white witch”. However, it is important to note, that unlike the previously mentioned symbols, the concept of a white witch is not related to Christianity, nor has it ever been.The concept of a white witch was not made popular until relatively recently, as part of the New Age Movement which gained popularity in the 1970s. This movement draws upon a variety of older spiritual movements and the occult. So it is highly unlikely that Elizabeth Budd Graham practiced any New Age type of spirituality.

Goods placed at Bessie's grave.

There are current New Age practitioners and self described witches, along with the curious observers, that regularly place goods upon Bessie’s grave as tokens or offerings to the “Tallahassee Witch”. While grave goods are common practice in many religions, it is important not only to keep the symbolism in mind, but also to understand that some grave goods are not actually good for the grave. Items such as candles and rusted metal objects are damaging. While headstones and heavy stone obelisks appear indestructible, they are not. Candle wax creates a barrier between the environment and the stone, causing biological growth and other forms of potential damage. Metal objects stain the stone as they rust, and in many cases that rust cannot be removed. Food attracts critters which may also cause damage. Paper and photos sit and rot in the Florida weather, attracting both critters and biological growth. I would advise against leaving objects at Bessie’s grave at all, but if you feel the urge, please be mindful of what damage your offering may cause and consider placing them on the ground beside the grave rather than directly on the stone. 

While much lore surrounds Bessie’s grave, she was a real person and her monument was left as a symbol of insurmountable love and devotion which is deserving of respect. Let us all do what we can to protect this beautiful piece of art and ensure that her memory (hopefully, the historically accurate version) lives on for others to enjoy. In our next installment, we will discuss what little we know of Elizabeth Budd Graham based on historical documentation. So stay tuned!

COVID-19 Self-Isolating Archaeology Reading List

These are definitely unique and trying times for a lot of us. As archaeologists, we know that epidemics are nothing new, but it is sure new to most of us and it isn't something you ever want or can get used to. I am sure many of us are frantically trying to find things to occupy our time or our little ones. So, in light of all this, we are compiling a list of archaeology reading. We will add books suitable for adults and children. That being said, obviously it is not the most appropriate time to book it to the library (great pun, right?), but most libraries now use Libby or Overdrive, which provide ready access to many books. You can also always find them for purchase online if you so choose.

Sidebar: If you are not also familiar with Kanopy, check that out if your library offers it. It is a free streaming TV service that offers various courses, documentaries, movies and more! And yes, last time I checked there were some really interesting archaeology and culture documentaries!

Archaeology is a great way to engage children because it is full of adventure! It is also multidisciplinary, so it is a great way to teach a variety of subjects. Of course, we have a ton of free lesson plans that parents can download from our website and you can also follow us on Facebook to get other resources. Below we have shared some of our favorite children's books about archaeology.

Children's Books:

Archaeologists Dig for Clues by Kate Duke

America's REAL First Thanksgiving by Robin Gioia

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill

The Timucua Indians: A Native American Detective Story by Kelley G. Weitzel

Motel of the Mysteries by David Macaulay

Shipwreck by Claire Aston and Peter Dennis

The Magic School Bus Shows and Tells: A Book About Archaeology by Jack Posner

We are all stuck at home, so this is a great time to dedicate a few moments a day to learning something new! In that spirit we have  provided some select books for adults as well. We would like this blog post to be dynamic and serve as a virtual book club of sorts. So if you do read one of the books on either of these lists, let us know what you think in the comments section! And feel free to comment with books that you recommend even if they are not on this list (there are a ton of books out there on archaeology, this list is just the tip of the ice burg!). We have tried to keep it Florida-centric (with a few goodies that aren't necessarily Florida, but are a great read), but if there is something else that interests you, let us know!

Adult Books:

Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fate of Human Societies by Jared Diamond (It is a long read, but it is really good and yes, somewhat timely considering our current situation)

We Come for Good: Archaeology and Tribal Historic Preservation at the Seminole Tribe of Florida by Paul Backhouse, Brent Weisman, and Mary Rosebrough

Archaeology of Domestic Landscapes of the Enslaved in the Caribbean by James A. Dell and Elizabeth C. Clay

Underground: A Human History of the World Beneath Our Feet by Will Hunt

Archaeology from Space: How the Future Shapes Our Past by Sarah Parcak

Grit Tempered: Early Women Archaeologists in the Southeast United States edited by Nancy White, Lynn Sullivan, and Rochelle Marrinan

Submerged History: Underwater Archaeology in Florida by Roger C. Smith

The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise by Michael Grunwald

The Rosewood Massacre: An Archaeology and History of Intersectional Violence by Edward Gonzales-Tennant

Dogs: Archaeology Beyond Domestication by Brandi Bethke and Amanda Burtt

Archaeology of Colonial Pensacola by Judith Bense

Iconography and Wetsite Archaeology of Florida's Watery Realms by Ryan Wheeler and Joanna Ostapkowcz

Water from Stone by Jason O'Donoughue

These books are listed in no particular order, so pick one that strikes your fancy and let us know how it is! We are all in this together, and although we have had to cancel all of our public events, this is our way of remaining in touch and a resource for you and your children. We are still here to offer our services, just in a different format!

Rest in Peace: Protecting Historic Cemeteries from Natural Disasters

In October 2018, Hurricane Michael hit the Gulf Coast of Florida. The impact from this storm was more
devastating and widespread than anyone had anticipated. Not only were coastal communities severely impacted,
but the reach of the storm was felt all the way into Southern Georgia. Countless historical and archaeological
sites were impacted, including many historic cemeteries. Over time patterns of damage have emerged. There is
much that we can learn from these patterns to ensure historic cemeteries are adequately prepared for natural
disasters. Both archaeologists and cemetery managers need to work together to ensure historic cemeteries are
adequately prepared for natural disasters, especially as intensity and frequency of storms continue to increase
due to climate change. 

A tree uprooted during Hurricane Michael and
took with it curbing, headstones, and ledgers.

Hurricane Michael:

•Made landfall near Mexico Beach on October 10, 2018.

•First Category 5 to hit Florida since Andrew in 1992.

•Maximum sustained winds of 160 mph.

•59 deaths in the U.S., 15 deaths in Latin America.

•Caused an estimated $25.1 billion in damages in U.S.

•An estimated $6.23 billion in insurance claims.

•14 ft. storm surge flattened homes in Mexico Beach.

•Caused major structural damage as far inland as Mariana, 54 miles from the coast.

Damage Trends to Cemeteries after Hurricane Michael:

•Large ruts caused by  response vehicles driving on saturated ground.

•Trees uprooted, taking with them ledgers, curbing, headstones, possibly exposing human

remains.

•Large limbs falling and damaging monuments.

•Fallen trees landing on graves and markers.

•Large holes resulting from fallen trees and limbs.

•Fences damaged by powerline poles and trees.

•Wind and water primary concerns

•Storm surge

•Coastal erosion

•Ground saturation

Hurricane Damage to Cemeteries:

EVALUATE YOUR RISK

Response protocol should include pre-established contractors to call upon, volunteers to call on and chain of
command. It is also important to figure out what law enforcement district your cemetery is in and who patrols
your cemetery. Maintain a relationship with them and know how you can expect them to respond to emergency
situations. Make sure any drains you have on property are clear of debris and trash. Prior to a storm event, if
possible, pick up loose debris and ornaments and store in a secure location.

Assess your ability to recover:

•Staff/Volunteers

•Recovery Funds

•Insurance

•Include response protocol in cemetery management plan

Assess your surroundings:

•Trees

•Roads

•Drainage

•Structures

•Markers/Monuments

Historic headstones require the care of a
conservator that specializes in using appropriate
materials for repair. 

Tree Considerations:

One of the most beautiful things about historic cemeteries are the big trees, but they can pose a hazard if not
properly maintained. Pruned trees have a 70% survival rate, while unpruned trees only have a 46% survival rate.
Trees need maintenance, they cannot  simply be left to grow if you want to minimize the chances that they will
cause damage. Use a licensed and insured ISA certified arborist. Live oaks and a few other species will actually
shed their leaves prior to a storm as a way to decrease wind resistance. Planting different aged trees will ensure
you don’t end up with an empty field after a storm or after a long time as they naturally die. Any trees that are
dead or dying, have thick canopies, or have co-dominant trunks should be assessed to determine how to make
them safe.  Winds that are 35 mph or higher can damage any tree.

•Trees together fare better than isolated trees.

•Many arborist companies will evaluate trees for free.

•Remove “widow makers” and dead/diseased trees.

•Plant a variety of types and ages to maintain diversity.

•Loss of leaves doesn’t always mean they are dead.

•Old trees don’t weather storms as well as young trees.

•Properly pruned trees survive better and are less likely to fall.

•Soil compaction increases risk of fall during storm (avoid driving on or near roots).

•Never cut roots shorter than five times the trunk diameter.

•Fast growing trees more likely than slow growing trees to sustain damage.

Falling trees can also damage historic iron works which can
be difficult to repair.

Cemetery Monuments:

Evaluate your monuments before a storm, after a storm and on a regular basis to keep tabs on any

 potential issues. Talk to a conservator about any scaffolding or supports that may be helpful during

 a storm to stabilize leaning or damaged monuments. Documenting before the storm may be useful

 when applying for grants, funds or insurance money after storm. Again, know who you are going to

 call before a storm.  They will be busy after a storm and it may be difficult to find someone to help 

in a timely manner if you are cold calling after a disaster! Have a plan in place for how to deal with 

damaged stones after a storm. 

•Have them assessed by a conservator and repaired as necessary.

•Do a thorough documentation before a storm strikes.

•Setting compound is not adequate, metal or fiberglass pins should be used to prevent monuments

from slipping due to vandals or weather.

•Have a pre-established conservator you can call after a storm or when concerns arise (consider the

same with an arborist).

A few notes regarding FEMA funds:

FEMA funding is very limited and many people have unrealistic expectations due to a lack of 

understanding of what they will cover. Know if your cemetery is eligible before the storm, and know 

that FEMA will deal with basic needs first, so cemeteries may not be addressed immediately. It is not

 recommended that a historic cemetery or any historic resource rely on them as a primary source of

 recovery funding. It is better to create a fundraising campaign to start an escrow account or another

 means of emergency funding that will be readily available after an emergency.

Only public cemeteries are usually eligible for FEMA funds. FEMA limits monument repair to only 

those where it is the legal responsibility of the applicant. So states that have limited liability for

 monument damage have thus precluded obtaining any federal funding from FEMA. The governor of

 the state impacted must request the help and it is county specific. FEMA funds are primarily for 

debris removal, but remember it is reimbursable to qualified cemeteries, so you must have the

 initial funds to pay for the removal.

What archaeologists can do:

•Make contact and develop relationships with cemetery managers.

•Provide education (see FPAN’s Cemetery Resource Protection Training) and educate yourself.

•Encourage cemeteries to have a current management plan that includes disaster planning and

 response.

•Be available for questions and assistance.

•Establish relationships with disaster management agencies and organizations. 

Helpful Resources:

•Chicora Foundation Cemetery Disaster Planning

                  https://www.chicora.org/pdfs/Cemetery%20Disaster%20Planning.pdf

•National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT)

                  https://www.ncptt.nps.gov/

•Natural Hazards Center

https://hazards.colorado.edu/article/preserving-the-dead-cemetery-preservation-and-disaster-planning

•“Be Prepared”, Heritage Collections Council (free book for download)
https://aiccm.org.au/disaster/disaster-planning

•CRPT Alliance Facebook Page

•Your local FPAN Regional Center