The Headstone on Campus

Imagine strolling to class on a Monday morning and passing a gravestone on campus. At College of Charleston this is a norm for me every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. If I am being honest, I had never noticed this gravestone until it was pointed out to me today. Former President, Andrew Jackson's, mother's tombstone is the one located here.

Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson's Grave; Located in Cougar Mall

Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson is the name of the mother of our 7th president. Elizabeth died in Charleston in the Fall of 1781, when Andrew was only 14 years old. She became ill with ship's fever (cholera) after leaving her children and tending to soldiers in the Charleston area.  But, the more interesting part of this story is how the gravestone got to where it is today. 

After Elizabeth's death, she was buried in on a hill in a simple unmarked grave. Andrew Jackson attempted for years to find the location of her bones to bury next to his father but was unable to do so. It is believed her body is located somewhere in Lancaster, South Carolina. 

In 1942, Elizabeth Jackson's gravestone was moved to Charleston on the corner of King Street and Heriot Street. After controversy about the gravestone having weeds obscure it and being in an unsanitary area, the president of the College of Charleston agreed to have the gravestone moved to the Cougar Mall where it has been placed since 1967.

The Greatest Great Grandfather

Have you ever heard of Malcolm Dewitt Jr? Probably not but he was a popular man in Charleston! My Great Grandfather's name is Malcolm Sanders DeWitt Jr., he is a native of Charleston and was born on November 25, 1912. He was the son of Malcolm Sanders Dewitt, one of seven siblings, and attended schools in the Charleston County School District. Like many people during this time, my great grandfather did not graduate high school.

My great grandfather was a local professional boxer in Charleston and his son (my maternal grandfather) followed in his foot steps and is now in the boxing Hall of Fame at the University of South Carolina. After his boxing career ended, my great grandfather became a fireman and later in his career became the Battalion Chief at the Charleston Fire Department.  He married Leona Edwards, another Charleston native, and had four sons with her.

My great grandfather in uniform at the fire station.

My great grandfather was also popular for selling fish. He caught the fish with his bare hands and he coined the nickname "Fish." Many of his colleagues would call him this as well as his friends and family.

I was unable to find the gravestone of my great grandfather but I know he died on June 19,1995 and is buried at Plantation Memorial Cemetery in Summerville, South Carolina. I used Ancestory.com as a source for this project but my grandmother was also a huge help as well.

Bethel UMC Scavenger Hunt

Last Monday September 30, we visited Bethel UMC (United Methodists Church). We photographed a variety of different cemetery icons or symbols. Bethel UMC is a historic landmark that has been around since 1797. The church welcomed and continues to welcome all races.

This tomb stone includes a wreath along with a bird. The wreath represents a symbol of victory or redemption. The wreath can also be associated with someone who works with arts, literature, athletics or military. This bird is most likely a dove. The dove represents the Holy Spirit in christianity. The dove is also in flight which represents a "winged soul" which means eternal life.

This tomb stone has a cloth draped over it which some believe is a symbol to guard the grave. Others believe it signifies the last partition between life and death.

I though this tombstone was very interesting. There appears to be a smiley face in the end of some sort of instrument over the top of a plant. I believe the instrument most likely represents one that is played on judgement day.

The cross is the most common symbol found on gravestones. It shows religious ties as well as the symbol of the crucifix.

This grave stone has an angel on it. It is very common for angels to appear on graves. Like on this gravestone, it is common for the angel to be faced or looking upwards. It is hard to tell what the angel is carrying int this picture but is most likely a sword for defense or a horn to represent the day of judgement.

The animal looks like a lamb, which is the most common animal found on a gravestone. The lamb was first used on gravestones by Egyptians but is still commonly used all throughout the world. It signifies purity and innocence.

A book can mean two different thing. One being that the person buried here was a scholar and the other just representing the "Book of Life." The wreath can also be associated with someone who works with arts, literature, athletics or military. Having both of these on the gravestone probably mean this person's life had something to do with literature.

I am unaware of what kind of plant this is on the grave stone but I believe it is the morning glory. This plant can represent resurrection or mourning.

It is common for a cross to go through a crown. The crown and cross together represent sovereignty of the Lord.

Jewish Cemetery

This week on Saturday (YES SATURDAY) our class went to visit the K.K. Beth Elohim cemetery where we were attended by Anita Moise Rosenberg and Randi Serrins. The KKBE cemetery is the oldest surviving Jewish cemetery in the south from Spain and Portugal because it was the first place in the world where Jews could own land and vote. 

The Jews came to the south in the late 1600s. The cemetery has "over 800 people buried here and contains over 500 graves" (Rosenberg).  10 revolutionary war soldiers and and 21 confederate soldiers are buried here.

A sign next to the entrance of the cemetery

Interesting facts about the jewish cemeteries: The jews are very precise about where people are buried. Anita told us that all the bodies are "exactly 6 feet underground and buried close together but never on top of one another." When someone in the jewish community dies, it was normal to quickly have them buried. Another interesting fact is that it is very unusual for a synagogue (place for Jewish people to worship) to be close to a cemetery, unlike the graveyards at the Protestant and Catholic churches. 

Theodore Beltzer

This is Theodore Belitzer, he lived near the graveyard and grew up in the KKBE synagogue. About two years ago, a man was taking photos of the cemetery and noticed a ghost in his camera so he called Randi and Anita over to the cemetery. After arriving and seeing the photos, Randi told us "we concluded that it was Theodore Belitzer, he was the only person we found in our studies that did not have their proper burial cite." Interestingly, the ghost did have the shape of him in this picture.

Grave being restored because it collapsed.

Grave with rocks placed on it.

                                             

In the Jewish community it is common to place rocks on top of graves. This began because years and years ago when people would be buried in the desert, animals would come dig up the body and eat it. Placing piles of rocks on top of where the body was buried kept the animals away and allowed the dead body to rest in peace.