Lawrence Daniels Bailey’s cause of death was “grippe,” which is the 19th Century term for the flu. He died at age 6 and is buried in St. Andrews Cemetery in Darien, Georgia. His marker was sculpted by John Walz. Many assume that Walz’s works are only in Savannah, but they can be found outside of Savannah. The cherub represents innocence and is a common symbol on children’s graves.
Mayor Frank Sweat (1866-1910) was the mayor of Douglas, Georgia when he was killed when the car he was traveling in crossed in front of an oncoming train. This memorial is in the Douglas City Cemetery.
The monument utilizes traditional Victorian symbolism. An angel holding an open book and pen is known as the “Recording Angel.”
The Peterson family was one of the founding families of Douglas, Georgia. This monument sits atop a plot for several generations of Petersons. Benajah (1860-1915) and Luvicia (1866-1957) Peterson rest in this plot along with their children and grandchildren.
The woman sits upon rocks which means a life built on a firm foundation.
Located in Waynesboro, Georgia, Magnolia Cemetery (aka as the Waynesboro City Cemetery) features several original Victorian monuments.
Infant and maternal mortality rates were incredibly high in the 1800s. Pearl and Enon Chance had three children in 1892, 1893, and 1894. This grave marker in the Millen City Cemetery honors them. All were lost during childbirth. At this time in the United States, out of 1000 births, 281 infants would die (statista.com, n.d.).
The maternal mortality rate hovered around 25 deaths out of 1000 in the late 1800s. Pearl Chance died approximately one month after giving birth to her fourth child in 1896. That child, Mary Pearl Chance Hopkins, lived to be 99. (Here is a visualization of maternal death over the years.)
Because death was so frequent during the Victorian age, symbolism would be used on grave markers. Often portrayed as the “eternal sleep,” the use of pillows, as seen here, is quite common. While this is not a cradle for an infant, the infant has been placed on what looks to be a small bed. This also would convert the “eternal rest.”
One thing about this monument is that the children rest by themselves. The mother, Pearl Chance, was laid to rest in Waynesboro, Georgia. Waynesboro and Millen are twenty miles apart. The Chance family was of means so that they could travel easily. I’ve always wondered about this. The Chance family was influential in Waynesboro. Census records did not help me understand this mystery.
Peter (1841-1902) and Mary (1851-1890) Schafer were German immigrants. Peter made his living as a baker. At one point, he was running three different bakeries in Savannah.
This is a John Walz designed marker.
