It was - and continues even now - for the poor to construct monuments from the heartwood of cedar, those often having lasted for many decades.  Still though, to find even those from any time before 1890 or so would be truly remarkable.  Paul
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: [log in to unmask] 
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  Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2004 7:54 AM
  Subject: Re: headstones


  ....Yes, Some associates and I have been surveying all the Cemeteries in Grayson
  County, Virginia and we have found a few wooden markers which have survived
  from the mid-late 19th century era.  Many, many more in the southwest part of
  the Commonwealth, at any rate, have field stones, but some had rounded wooden
  boards, probably painted at some time, perhaps with the intention of doing
  better at a later date.  Of more recent vintage, there has been an effort in some
  cemeteries to mark all the graves with wooden crosses with a small brass plaque
  identifying the grave.

  http://www.ls.net/~newriver/graysoncem/perkinswileycem.htm


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