Tombstone Symbols Abound at the Nashville City Cemetery

by Jim Hoobler

Nashville City Cemetery is rich in the symbolism of the mourning rituals of the past.  Walk along the paths on a beautiful spring day to enjoy a search for these and other symbols.

The anchor is a symbol of Hope, as well as of a sailor.  The monument to William Driver (left), the sea captain whose flag, "Old Glory," flew over the Capitol after the Union occupation in 1862, features an anchor.   

On the monument to Robert Whyte (right) is an open book within a wreath, meaning that his faith everlasting is founded upon the Bible. 

[Whyte, 1767-1844, was a  language professor, a lawyer, and a judge.  An incription on his stone says, "In private life he was remarkable for the integrity of his character and the domestic virtues which grace the Husband and Father.  A member of the Baptist Church, his course of life gave evidence of the depth and sincerity of his belief, and its calm and peaceful close proved that death had lost its sting.]

The Sarah Walker monument (left) has several symbols used on it.  Her grieving husband placed an urn in the center of an arch, with a torch carved in stone on top of the monument.  The arch signifies victory over death, and being reunited with the loved one.  The urn represents a place to catch the tears shed for the departed.

The torch stands for immortality, and clasped hands of a man and a woman denote fidelity or everlasting union.

 [Sarah Ann Gray Walker died "on  Sunday Morning, 16th Day of March, 1845 in the 28th year of her age."  Her husband grieved so deeply for the loss of his young wife that he hired William Strickland, the architect of the Tennessee Capitol, to create this monument for her.]

The William Carroll monument (right) is rich in military symbols, for he fought alongside Andrew Jackson in many early battles.  It features cannonballs, cannon tubes, medieval armor, and sword, a victor's wreath, and an American eagle to signify the nation for which he was fighting.

[General Carroll, 1788-1844, commanded Andrew Jackson's Right Wing through the Creek Wars and at New Orleans.  He distinguished himself in the battles of  Talladega, Emockface, Enotochopec, Tahopeka, and New Orleans.  He was Chief Magistrate of Tennessee for twelve successive years and was Chairman of the Democratic Convention in 1844.]

Mattie Scott's monument (left) is topped with a lamb, to indicate that a child is buried there.

[Little Mattie is buried next to Mary Scott, who died of consumption (tuberculosis) on February 5, 1865.  It is likely that Mattie is the Infant Scott who died of unknown causes in November 1861.  Her father, Sam, buried not only his wife and daughter in the City Cemetery, but many of his slaves as well.  Sam himself, however, is buried elsewhere.]

The Peabody monument (pictured on the right), in the Masonic section, is a lesson in architecture, with the three orders of classical architecture carved there to instruct all visitors who can study the design of the columns at their leisure.

[In addition to these classical references, the monument of John Peabody, 1792-1850, also gives a place of prominence to the Masonic symbol.]

The butterfly that can be seen on Nancy Maynor monument (left) signifies rebirth. 

[Nancy Maynor, 1788-1836, died at the age of 48.  Her monument, one of the most beautiful in the City Cemetery, was designed by prominent Nashville architect Adolphus Heiman.]

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