Wow! Time really does fly by. I cannot believe that I have not posted anything since August 2022. It has been a crazy year which has kept me very busy. To help you understand, allow me to back track a bit to October 2021…our daughter got engaged! That declaration alone should explain where I have been the last few months, but it has been much more than simply wedding planning. Traveling, injuries to my hand while using an electric hedge trimmer, subsequent thumb arthritis diagnosis, wedding shower, traveling, the wedding, and now an empty nest, it has been a full and eventful year! I am happy to get back to research and working on monuments though!
While working on another project at Bethesda Cemetery, I stumbled across the monument of Robert Payne. It was literally so covered in muck and vegetation that I could barely tell what it was. When I realized it was an angel, you know I had to clean it up.
I wanted to know what happened to this child, but I was unable to find any information other than the obituary tribute below.
Article that was published in the Senatobia Democrat on Thursday, March 2, 1916:
In Sacred Memory of Robert Payne
(Age three and half years)
Died at his home, Deeson, Mississippi, Son of Mrs. Jamie Slaton Payne, Grandson of Mrs. Sophy Slaton, both known and loved in Senatobia, their former home for many years gone by.
A tiny seed was wafted from the Garden of the Lord and found lodgment in the hearts of loved ones, the inmates of the home of little Robert Payne. This seed was nourished most tenderly and watered by tears of affection and appreciation. A little bud, then it began to flower. There were gentle blue eyes and a wealth of silky blonde hair, a bright mind, winning ways and fine physical build.
This welcome “flower” was cherished: fed by the sunshine of love, kept fresh by the dew of unsullied devotion, till a blossom of exquisite maturity developed only too soon, as it seemed to those of earth.
Such was the perfection that the Master saw fit to transplant this treasure to His heavenly Garden whence it came.
Doting Grandmother, Mother and Aunt had centered all on this little one, the whole joy of their future life clustered around this embryo of manhood. All plans and prospects were made with reference to him.
But the Heavenly Father saw fit to honor them, as He does those He chooses for special service, for now they are grandmother, mother and aunt of a redeemed spirit, a being higher than an angel.
In human frailty, we are prone to ask, why such a dispensation of Providence? Why does Heaven bestow such sacred gifts, so soon to rob us of them?
Nothing but a memory left!
The thousand streams of affection seem ruthlessly torn asunder, only to flow back in Alpine torrents up on the bruised heart.
But the Healer is with us, pouring balm upon wounds, assuring us that there is a realm where shadows are unknown; where loved ones who linger with us but for a day, as it were, remain with us throughout eternity, in the Homeland of Glorified Saints.
On Bethesda Hill, we laid him to rest.
‘Twas hard to leave him there,
His body and casket decked with flowers,
His face so wondrous fair.
But his spirit went not to the tomb,
For it was folded on Jesus; breast;
And those baby hands are beckoning,
To those who loved him best.
His life was a beautiful sermon,
Fresh from God and Heaven,
How blessed are such loved-ones,
To whom such a message is given!
He speaks into the hearts of earth ties,
And bids them hasten to come,
He tells of the joys of Heaven,
“Grandmother, Mother, Aunt Gussie, come home!”
He says, “Weep not for the lamb-kin,”
All folded so softly away,
For the gentle Shepherd o’er tends him and guards him night and day.
To the neighbors, so kind, at Deeson and the household, whose sorrow won’t cease,
He whispers in accents quite clear, “Little Robert’s soul is at peace.”
A.C.B.
When I began to clean little Robert’s monument, I felt a hard surface underneath the ground in front of the monument. I started digging around and discovered that he has a cradle grave. I see these all the time and have even cleaned several monuments that are featured on my site that have one. However, I never really took the time to find out the proper name and purpose until now. I am absolutely fascinated with my discovery! After some research of these things I have always called “tubs”, I now know that these cradle graves were popular beginning in the Victorian era and up until around the 1930s. Family members used this space to plant flowers as a memorial for their deceased loved ones. I had no idea. Upon further investigation, I found where several cemeteries including historic Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis have groups of individuals that adopt a grave and plant flowers in the cradle grave area. These groups are affectionately referred to as Cradle Grave Gardeners or Grave Gardeners! I love the concept and I hope to figure out how many graves have these cradles at Bethesda Cemetery. So far, I have counted around 75 cradle graves and I only made it to half of the old section. I might just have to start our own Cradle or Grave Gardening Club at the cemetery with the permission of the city! I would imagine it might help the grounds keepers because there would be a little bit of those graves that would no longer need weed eating. Just a thought!
If you are interested in reading more about Cradle Grave Gardening and the history of them, I found several websites with articles. You can simply click on the link provided to read more about Cradle Graves and gardening:
https://www.gravegardeners.org
https://fomh.org/cemetery/cradle-graves/
https://hiddencityphila.org/2017/08/gardeners-bring-cradle-graves-back-from-the-dead/
https://whyy.org/articles/cradle-grave-gardens-are-brought-back-to-life/
https://www.woodlandsphila.org/blog/tag/Cradle+Grave
The picture below is when I discovered the cradle grave in the midst of cleaning.
The next picture is after I had dug up the cradle grave and sprayed the monument with my trusty D2 – hence the yellow coloring.
And now…the RESULTS, but first, I need to address the hand situation. Apparently, this angel lost his hand that was probably pointing upwards some time ago. I tried to reach out to some experts about options to fix it, but did not receive any guidance. I hate his hand is missing, but the results are quite an improvement if I do say so myself.
When I went back to check on the progress of this monument, the cradle grave had once again been taken over by the weeds. I decided to remedy this situation and plant some flowers for Little Robert A. Payne. I guess you could say I am officially a Cradle Grave Gardener now.
Robert A. Payne, son of R.A. and J.S. Payne
July 8, 1912 – January 26, 1916
Step Softly,
Speak Gently –
My Baby Sleeps Here.
Too Good For Earth,
God Called Him Home.
Since I was unable to find out what happened to little Robert, I researched his family. His parents were Robert Alexander Payne and Jamie Raburn Slaton. His father, Robert A. Payne passed away in Deeson, MS just a few months after little Robert was born. Jamie remarried Robert S. Hancock sometime in the late summer of 1916. Jamie was the daughter of Dr. J.R. Slaton, a prominent physician that practiced medicine in Senatobia for many years.
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WOW!!! You did a fantastic job on the tombstone for Robert A. Payne. It looks 100 per cent better. The information about the cradle grave was most interesting. I have never heard of that. But it is beautiful. You are very creative which launches your love for research and restoring gravesites. I love your work and appreciate your purpose of respect and restore.
I love seeing the restoration of the tombstones you have spent so many hours restoring and also the history you include about each. Debbie Perkins
I love reading about these dear ones who lived long ago and appreciating the beauty of the monuments you restore so beautifully. Their families are no longer here to express their gratitude to you so I will. May God bless you for such kindnesses!