One of the stones, belonging to Altana Burrows, became my inspiration. I have never heard the name Altana before and I really liked it. I'd never name a child Altana, but a character in a book? Sure!
That is how Altana Burrows, main character in "Ilmarinen," got her name.
What do I know about the real Altana Burrows? I know she was the wife of John Nevel, that her husband died at only 33 years old, that she died in 1891 at the age of 68, and that it seems strange the stone doesn't have Nevel on it.
The cemetery is chock full of interesting headstones. Many of them tell a story just by looking at them.
Not far from this depressing cemetery stone is a tiny block in the ground that reads "baby boy." What makes Patty's grave so fascinating is that hers is bigger than many of the other stones, it has carved decorations, and it lists her parents. Patty was loved.
It reads: Erected in memory of Charles Wilkinson. He died at Key West in defense of his country's rights.
Charles was 22 years, 8 months, and 6 days old.
I find it fascinating that so many of these old gravestones list years, months, and days. The question about Charles is if he's buried there or not?
The cemetery stone is in the shape of a scroll and those four small stones sit on either side.
That is all I know. I find this cemetery headstone more fascinating than any of the others.