HEADSTONE MARKINGS

B.P.O.E. Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
F.I.T. with each letter in a link of a chain means Friendship. Love and Truth. (see I.O.O.F)
I.O.O.F. means Order of Odd Fellows
V.D.M. means "verbi Dei minister" Minister of the Word of God.
W.O.W. means Woodmen of the World (upright tree stump markers are typical of the fraternity.)
Relict. carved on a woman's headstone means she died a widow.
Consort. means she outlived her husband
R.I.P. Rest in Peace.

Some examples of engraved symbols include:

Anchors and Ships. Hope or Seafaring profession
Arches. Victory in Death
Arrows. Mortality
Broken column. Loss of head of family.
Broken ring Family circle severed.
Bugles. Military.
Butterfly. Short-lived. early death.
Candle being snuffed. Time. mortality.
Cherub. Angelic.
Compass and Square. Masonic emblems
Corn. Ripe old age...
Cross. Symbol of Christian hope
Crossed swords. Officer in the Military.
Darts. Mortality.
Doves. The soul. purity. innocence.gentleness.
Father Time. Mortality. The Grim Reaper.
Flowers. Brevity of early existence. sorrow.condolence.grief.sorrow.
Flying birds. Flight of the soul.
Fruits. Eternal plenty
Garlands. Victory in death.
Hand of God Chopping. Sudden death.
Handshakes. Farewell to earthly existence.
Harp. Praise to the maker
Hearts. Blissfulness or love of Christ.
Hourglass. Swiftness of time
Ivy. friendship.
Lamb. innocence.
Laurel. fame or victory.
Oak leaves and acorn. Maturity ripe old age.
Open book or Bible. Deceased teacher. minister etc.
Urn with flame. Undying friendship.
Winged effiges. Flight of the soul.

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