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11. Baby Cradles

Background Cradle plot

Notice, too, the double bump stone “twins”

 

There are at least two examples of children’s graves in the cemetery delineated by cradles. Sometimes parents would  memorialize their precious babies by laying them to rest in the familiar setting of their beds. 

Cradle tomb

Empty baby chairs, discarded baby shoes, cherubs or lambs are other symbols of grief over the loss of a child.  In 1880, almost 22 of every 100 children born in the U.S. died before they reached their first birthday.

 

Over time lambs in cemeteries often erode or are covered in moss and are hard to recognize.  There are several in this cemetery.  See if you can find them. 

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