Monday Musings #8 - Why Were These Prisoners Executed?

As I've mentioned before, graveyard rubbings and photos are a hobby of mine to unwind my writer's imagination. While doing some rubbings at a local cemetery, my husband and I stumble upon the headstones of two executed criminals, which freaked us out a little. The cemetery, which will remain nameless until tomorrow, is a beautiful and peaceful one. These two graves stand apart from everyone else under a gorgeous old tree. My husband is often my writing muse and immediately both our imaginations started what we discovered turned out to be so much more interesting than anything I came up.

Here's your musing for today: In a short comment, tell me below what you think these brothers did? I'll reveal the story tomorrow my little demon hunters, so hang on to your pitchforks!

Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia - A Photo Essay

I am currently writing a YA vampire short story. I've chosen Savannah, Georgia as my setting. The live oaks shrouded in Spanish moss, the historic buildings, the haunted graveyards, and the narrow cobblestone alleyways by the river make this the perfect setting for a vampire to sink their fangs into.

One of the most beautiful cemeteries I've visited is Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah. The cemetery is founded on the property, formerly home to Bonaventure Plantation, first owned by Colonel John Mullryne. The first house burned down in 1771 and was rebuilt. The plantation's history is rich and varied, including the historical escape of Royal Governor James Wright from Revolutionary captors in 1776. It was also used as a hospital in the Siege of Savannah during The American Revolution in 1779.

The cemetery was designed around the ruins of the plantation, incorporating the existing roadways. It opened for private interment in 1846 and to the public in 1907, though the Tattnall family, late owners of the property, were buried there as early as 1794. It is nearly 100 acres and great for photographing. There are also a bunch of ghost stories associated with the graveyard, also great for any writer to reference. Bonaventure was also featured in the popular novel, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt, later made into the movie.

Here are some of my photographs, which I hope inspire your own stories. I visited Bonaventure on a dark and misty day, quite phantasmagorical. I found the cemetery charming.

Grave Matters - Recommended Cemetery Books

By now, if you've been following my blog or my Facebook posts, you know I am a huge cemetery nut. It's one of the only places to think and relieve stress that also inspires me to write.

I got into cemetery touring, history, and photography in my early 20s. I thought for October, I'd share a list of cemetery books with you. They make great research tools for writers or are just a good way to relax and appreciate the beautiful craftsmanship of days gone by. There are so many beautiful books out there, but these are a few to get you started.

The Cemetery Booklist 2011

1) Love Cemetery: Unburying the Secret History of Slaves  by China Galland - details the restoration and history of an unmarked slave cemetery in East Texas.
                                                               

2) City of the Dead: A Journey Through St. Louis Cemetery #1, New Orleans, Louisiana by Robert Florence - details some of the most famous graves in New Orleans and the history of cemeteries there.

3) New Orleans Cemeteries: Life in the Cities of the Dead by Robert Florence - includes pictures of 13 cemeteries in New Orleans.

4) Stories in Stone: The Complete Guide to Cemetery Symbolism by Douglas Keister - details the symbolism of tombstones. When I first got into cemetery touring, this book was an invaluable guide.

5) Stories Told In Stone: Cemetery Iconology by Gaylord Cooper - another invaluable guide to cemetery symbolism.

6) A Graveyard Preservation Primer (American Association for State and Local History) by Lynette Strangstad - a must-have book for anyone attempting graveyard restorations and preservation.

7) The Victorian Cemetery (Shire Library) by Sarah Rutherford - discusses the Victorian approach to burial and surviving cemeteries today.

8) The American Resting Place: 400 Years of History Through Our Cemeteries and Burial Grounds by Marilyn Yalom - photographs and discussions of burial places from all different cultures across America, including Native American mounds.

9) Haunted Cemeteries of New England: Stones, Stories, and Superstitions by Roxie J. Zwicker - the title pretty much sums it up.

10) Savannah Cemeteries by Matthew Propst - details Savannah, Georgia cemeteries/history, which I think are beautiful, having toured them myself.

11) Forever Dixie: A Field Guide to Southern Cemeteries & Their Residents by Douglas Keister - included are the graves of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.

12) MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, THE: London's First Landscaped Cemeteries by John Turpin - the famous cemeteries of London designed from 1832 on.

13) Houses of Life: Jewish Cemeteries of Europe by Joachim Jacobs -tour of 30 Jewish cemeteries from the Roman Era to modern Britain and France.

14) Understanding Scottish Graveyards by Betty Willsher

15) Beautiful Death: The Art of the Cemetery by Dean Koontz - I own this book and it is a great addition to any Koontz collection.

A Writer Loves Her Cemetery

A quiet cemetery is the perfect setting for the quiet writer. Over the years, I've made it a point to visit cemeteries where I live and vacation. I'm fascinated by different cultures burial and mourning customs. One of my favorite college hangouts on a sunny day in Milwaukee, Wisconsin was Calvary Cemetery. Calvary Cemetery has 300 gorgeous old crypts and a variety of historical headstones for the graveyard enthusiasts. It's perfect for headstone rubbings, a little reading and writing, and is great inspiration for any photographer. My last visit was in July of 2009. I've amassed a mountain of photographs of these beautiful grounds and wanted to share a few with you today.

This is the old church, which was closed when I was there. I always thought it would make a great chapel for a Halloween wedding.













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As always, happy writing and happy reading!