An Empty Grave?

The "Gravestone" of Elizabeth
Hutchinson in front of the
Robert Scott Small building.

On a campus centuries of years old you would think that there would be many mysteries yet to be discovered. You would be wrong. In front of the building I'm sitting in now there is a memorial of Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson which is Andrew Jackson's mother. The stone reads that Hutchinson is buried near the spot of the stone but that couldn't be more wrong. But to know the story behind the burial you have to understand Elizabeth Hutchinson.

Through-out her life Hutchinson was very active in protecting her family and it eventually caused her death from cholera. She arranged a trade to release her two sons from a prisoner of war camp
on one occasion and on another she searched the Charleston harbor to find her nephews which was when she died.

This is a monument where Hutchinson is
believed to be buried in Waxhaw SC.

With such an influential woman you would think that we would know her place of burial or maybe even have a painting of her, you would be wrong. Hutchinson is surrounded by mystery and we know little about her life and even less about her burial. The stone that is at the College of Charleston now originally was about 2 and a half miles away from campus and was moved because it was being neglected in the location where it was according to a 2011 article posted by The Post and Courier. However the location of the monument isn't the strange part; no one knows where she is buried some think it is the original place of the marker others think it is located at College of Charleston and another group she is buried in Waxhaw South Carolina.

Even as her son Andrew Jackson became president he couldn't find her burial location and since then no one knows the true burial place of Elizabeth Hutchinson according to another article by History of American Women. Her burial is a mystery that lives on around the College of Charleston although not very well known it is still an interesting piece of history.

Mystery Of My Great Grandpa Solved

For several years my great grandfather has been a mystery. My family has discussed him several times but I never even knew his name. Over fall break I went home and talked to my grandpa about
his father and discovered my ancestor for the first time. My great grandpa's name was George Dargain Wyatt and he was born February 26 1910. He grew up in a small rural town of Hickory Grove South Carolina and graduated high school there as well. As a young man Wyatt
lived around battle fields in World War One.

My Great grandpa and his
cousin and 2 of his sisters in 1986

My Great Grandpa and Great
Grandma 

 He fought and returned to Hickory Grove where he was married his girlfriend since the age of six my great grandma Vera Alma Dover. He had 12 kids and was married at 22. He worked in a bleachery for all of his life and my grandpa said he complained every single day before and after work and when he retired he still complained about it. While working at the bleachery provided an honest living my grandpa lived during prohibition and him and his brother Gat ran a large moonshining business as well. He died February second 1992 and is buried at Canaan United Methodist cemetery under a die on  base.

 My great aunt told me the story of how she bought her first coat because of this. "It all started when i first found out about the business," she started. "I would go in the building every time they started to make the moonshine and every single time they paid me a dime to leave. I saved up and bought my first jacket." This story like all of the others i found sort of funny

My Great Grandma and Grandpa
in 1966

there was never a sad story about Grandpa Wyatt. Another my grandpa told me was when he came home from Vietnam and got back to their house his whole family had moved and didn't leave a note or call or anything.

Grandpa Wyatt was a large man in the community around Hickory Grove as well he helped build several houses that are still standing today and built the first gas station in Hickory grove. He also had a bull which was the meanest in the upstate or at least that's what everyone has told me. My grandpa and great grandpa went fishing one time in my grandpas brand new truck and the bull rammed the door and tailgate off. He also chased my great grandpa up a tree and grunted at him everyday when he got off work. My great grandpa was a great man and did many things for the community and even made moonshine. I am glad I got the chance to talk to my grandpa about his dad.

Great grandpa: The Mystery

For the Ancestor project I will be doing my great grandpa from my moms side. I am doing this project on him because i do not know anything about him but i have heard he might've been a moonshiner I don't know his age or even his name yet but by the time this project is over i plan to know as much as possible. I will find out by talking to my grandpa and his brothers and sisters.

Ancient Symbols In Stone

After traveling to Bethel United Methodist I have seen several Gravestones that are remarkable. Men hundreds of years ago crafted Stones as you will see below by hand to tell a story of someones life. These are just a few of the beautiful markers at Bethel Untied Methodist.

This marker bears a wreath which is ancient Greek
and symbolizes victory or redemption.

This stone is draped with a cloth
which symbolizes grief and mourning .

This beautiful stone has flowers that I
believe to be lilies. This symbolizes
Majesty and the fragility of life.

This beautiful marker represents knowledge
and tells of a full life. 

Showing a wreath and a dove this stone
symbolizes purity and holiness along with
victory and redemption. 

This stone shows a lamb which is
a symbol of purity.

This stone holds a cross in a circle this
shows eternity and never ending
existence.

This angel symbolizes rebirth and
spirituality.

This gravestone holds a honeysuckle
which shows bonds of love and
generosity.

This stone shows a weeping willow
which represents sorrow and mourning .