Mysterious Secrets Of These Tent Graves
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- Today, we are in Sparta Tennessee at the Mt Gilead cemetery to take a look at some concrete tent gravesites. There is a lot of speculation as to why and how these came to be. We take a look at the graves and walk through the cemetery.
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It was done to protect the grave from elements seeping into the grave and causing it to sink, and also to keep animals from digging .
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Thank you so much
Oh wow, thank you, I had no idea.
I’ve seen a lot of those in rural East Texas. For children, they are all made out of sea shells
I am not doubting you, Charlotte, but how do you know this. I am not disagreeing, just interested.
Someone probably has already mentioned this, but I had heard it was to keep the roaming livestock from stepping on the graves back when. Very nice documentary and video work!
Thanks Ron. I love getting all this information. I appreciate it.
The graves are most iconic for the slabs of stone that meet at a point above the burial plot. The story goes that aging graves, back in the 1800s, would settle and fall apart. Once the wood coffins broke up in the earth, the ground would sink around the sudden underground space.
Thank you so much!
I have never seen nor heard of anything like these graves. Very unique! Thanks for taking us along to see this!
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Fascinating, I also have never heard or seen such graves. It's a shame no one left a s tory or a diary anything to let us know why the graves are built like that. Thank your wife also for finding these graves.
I appreciate that. And I’ll tell you what you said. Thanks for watching our videos!
You do excellent work! I look forward to the next one
I truly appreciate that.
Wow amazing location. I've seen similar graves here in Oklahoma at some of the Native American cemeteries but with actual well built huts with roofs over the grave. I have much respect to the families that must spend a lot of time maintaining such monuments to there loved ones.
I’ve seen some of those before. Well some of the videos from Oklahoma anyway. Very neat. Thanks for watching.
I love hearing your documentaries of the chemetaries you visit compared to others. Your clean with your verbiage, no sexual undertones or spookiness. Makes me want to come back more. Thank you.
I truly appreciate that. That means a lot to me.
I came from the Cherokee nation where they bury their people with houses over their graves. These houses are called “spirit houses” some of which resemble those mentioned above. In the old days they used to fill those houses with such items that the deceased would need in his/her journey to the happy hunting ground, I.e. clothing, shoes, personal care items.
I really appreciate you sharing this. Thank you so much!
Once again I did learn something. I am part Cherokee so I read everything I can about the Cherokee people. Thank you for taking me with you and Mrs Whittdoc Thank you for finding the cemetery of the tent graves . I enjoy your videos
I really appreciate that. Thank you so much.
The graves are most iconic for the slabs of stone that meet at a point above the burial plot. The story goes that aging graves, back in the 1800s, would settle and fall apart. Once the wood coffins broke up in the earth, the ground would sink around the sudden underground space. They were also a deterrent to grave robbers.
Very interesting, as usual. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I live just up the road from Sparta! There's actually several old cemeteries in this area that have the stone slabs above the graves!
I thought that was a beautiful area. I really enjoyed my visit. Thank you for watching.
Wow! I'm 70 years old and I have never seen nor heard of this before! So interesting! Thanks for sharing this but of history Chris!
God Bless
I really appreciate you watching. Thank you so much.
I just discovered your channel & this is my third video. I appreciate your research & how respectfully you present the graves.
I have never seen graves like these and they are fantastic! Thanks for the great video.
I appreciate that. Thank you so very much.
Never seen something like that before very interesting. Thank you for bringing these graves to our attention. Enjoyed this very much!!
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I've been a Cemetery Superintendent and Gravedigger for 15 years and have been to hundreds of Cemeteries. I have never seen anything like this. Amazing. Thank You for what You do. Just recently found this channel and will be watching All content. Again, Thank You.
Hello! First off, welcome aboard. I’m glad to have a pro on here. I appreciate your kindness. Thanks again.
I live in Oklahoma and I have never seen native graves like these..I have seen the wooden little house thing over the graves but those are Creek Nation not Cherokee ..very strange but cool..thanks for sharing
I appreciate you sharing this with us. Thank you.
I have never seen anything like that before. Very interesting. Love how you tell these stories
Wow!!! I have never heard of this. Very interesting, and you're voice makes it so much more interesting 🤔😃😃
I really appreciate that. Thank you so much.
They have a location where the root systems are on the shallow side and retain a lot of water, not all the resting are not the regular depth of 6 feet down. The tent stones are for trying to deflect water and to help to detere animal intrusion. I have a relative buried there. Some of the departed are 6 foot down some are not.
Thank you so much for sharing that with us.
They're called "Spirit Houses". According to indigenous customs, If the spirit returns to earth for a visit, it will have a dry covered place to be.
So very neat. Thanks for sharing.
My research into memorialization in cemeteries indicated these mounds of concrete were intended to represent fresh dirt piled upon a grave. It was done so that the grave had a continual appearance of newly interred and by extension then conveyed that the deceased had not been forgotten over time. Some thoughts also harken back to the custom that it was disrespectful to allow grass to grow over a grave. So these mounds or “tents” were intended to keep up the appearance of respectful maintenance of the grave.
Wow. Thank you so very much!
You are a fantastic storyteller and just a class act. Great video as always.
Thanks for all the support.
Once again I have learned something. Thank you Mrs Whitton. This is awesome.
Mrs. Wittdoc
Thanks so much!
How interesting. I have never heard of any of this information or the tent graves either. Great job.Thanks once again, Patty
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Found this information on a site called Roadtrippers. It's a travel site.
Known as "tent graves" or "comb graves", they're marked by their signature slabs of stone arranged over the grave in a tent-like shape, with some variations.
The theory behind why tent gravestones became popular in the region has to do with the fact that old graves settle-- as old wooden coffins deteriorated, the earth on top of the grave sunk. A stone tent over the sunken grave would have kept animals (who grazed in cemeteries to keep them from getting overgrown) from falling into a sunken grave, and prevented plants from growing in the soil. Plus, they're pretty cool to look at.
That is so neat. Thank you for sharing that with us.
The old cemetery in Donnelsvile Ohio has some tent Graves and also has some that are little log cabins to
Oh wow! I really need to look that up. Thank you. I’m not far from Ohio at all.
Wow never in my life have I ever seen anything like this so cool .thanks for sharing . God bless.
I appreciate you watching. Thank you.
In addition to the other reasons that you mention, tent graves also deterred cows and other livestock from walking on the graves. The animals were sometimes allowed to graze in the cemetery to keep the grass short. But they also could have easily fallen into a deteriorating grave, and the tent slabs prevented that.
I remember reading in a family genealogy book about this type of burial marker.
Thanks for sharing that!
Very interesting,have never seen anything like those. I learn a lot from your videos. Thank you for sharing.
I really appreciate that. Thank you so much for watching.
I've seen graves like this in an old Chippewa cemetery at Chicaguon lake near Alpha on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, but the tents, were actually small log cabins, built in the manner of a long house one end had an opening where relatives could place offerings of food, and items to assist the dead in their voyage in the spirit world, some of the cabins were still intact during my last visit in 1986 or 87 while others had vanished leaving only a depression in the ground, if you travel to that area there is a county park and campground adjacent to the site, some equipment from the old logging days, and a boat launch, the water is Crystal clear and the fishing is excellent.
That is kind of mysterious and makes you wonder why they are in that shape. I've never seen any like that in person. Interesting find, Chris!
Thanks so much, Steve. It was a first for me too!
So very different. The tent Graves are just beautiful and to be as old as they are, they have really held up so good. Thank you for sharing.
I appreciate you watching. Thank you.
Wasn’t it recorded somewhere but it makes sense why they wanted to protect the graves from the elements and from sinking it would be nice to find out the reason why. Just to satisfy our curiosity
Thank you for the comment.
Hi ! A very unique and interesting cemetery ! Many different ideas on why there are shelters on top of the graves . I have never seen or heard of this before! Cool vlog! Thanks! Keep on vlogging your great vlogs! Take care! Deborah Manitoba Canada
Thank you once again.
Never seen or heard of something like this, but very interesting, very neat. Thank you.
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The beauty of these graves.. I'm in awe!!! I just wish that you could have shown some of the names and dates..
Maybe I will make it back here and do that next time. Thank you.
New to channel but I really enjoy the history that you give on the graves. Maybe new, but here to stay. Thank you for sharing cause I love going places and the history. Prayers Love and Peace
That’s is so kind of you. Welcome! I really appreciate you being here.
@@Whittdocs ty
I am Anishinabe, our people are the ones who built -and still sometimes do-build spirit houses atop graves. We are in Canada, also Minnesota, N. Dakota, and Michigan. Our traditions are to leave offerings of food and tobacco for those who have walked on. Some other Native Americans in Alaska, B.C., etc do this too. Spirit houses are always made of wood, not concrete slabs.
I truly appreciate you shedding light on this for us. I love learning new things and you have taught me something new. Thank you so much.
Just found your channel, it's very informative and interesting. Plus I enjoy your speaking voice, thanks! (Of course I subscribed right away) miigwiich (thank you in Anishinabe)
@@lilyrain7584 I’m so glad that you joined. I look forward to your comments. Thanks so much.
Excellent job. I Love your channel. You give a lot of information on every video. I enjoy this so much. God Bless You🙏❤
You’re so kind. Thank you so much.
Beautiful writing on the headstones. I wish you could’ve spent a bit more time on each. Also, maybe you could consider a video about all the different fonts of the headstone etching throughout the decades. Also, different & sometimes funny things family members write on the deceased graves.
If you are ever back in Indiana you have to check out the grave in the middle of the road in Franklin, Indiana.
Sounds very interesting!
Wow! Never seen or heard of these! I wonder if the church has records? So cool!
I would love to find out. Thanks for watching.
First time watching your channel. I've subscribed and will be watching more! Thanks!
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Interesting! Never seen anything like it before! Good choice and good job ! Thanks for scanning around and showing the area very old and historic cemetary! THANKS ! BOB
You’re most welcome. Thank you for watching.
I live near Hornitos, Ca. The home if Jauquine Murrieta. Hornitos means ' little ovens'. The old graves in the old miners cemetery were built like little stone ovens, like the kind you bake stuff in. It's very interesting how graves can be so different .. the town was named after the graves.
Oh !! Hornitos was the very first home of Gheridelli chocolate. You can still see part of the old stone building.
That is so neat! I would love to visit.
@@Whittdocs you can see pics. Of Hornitos on the internet. You can also see the old tunnel Jauquine Murrieta used to escape the law. It was under a saloon !! They also have the most beautiful statues in the cemetery. Those old gold miners went out in style !!
Most interesting. I too have never seen anything like it. Must have been something specific to that tribe but even then, there's bound to be a reason. Thanks for the video!! 😃 😃 😃
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Interesting! Never seen anything like that! Thanks for sharing!
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I just wanted to say... THANK You for the video I do appreciate it.😊
You are so kind. Thank you so very much.
That was really awesome to see them i would also like to know as you do why it was done the way it was. Thank for another awesome vido History Hunter's. I'm going to look that up myself and see why they are like that.
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Unique for sure.Haven't seen that in western Canada. Are you a broadcaster by profession? Great clarity to your voice. Thanks.
Hello! I’m not a broadcaster but I’ll take that as a compliment. And I appreciate that very much. Thank you for watching and for your kindness.
Hello, I wish you well. I truly enjoyed this video. I used to design headstones. Some funeral homes had their own design. There is one here in Louisiana that offers their own design. There are some cemeteries that had one or two designs you had to use to be buried there. I'm just adding my opinion of why there was a past with this cemetery. It looks like their design worked.
I really appreciate this comment. I enjoy learning about other places so I really appreciated this. Thank you so much!
I cannot recall seeing these types of graves before, very interesting.
I thought they were too. Thank you.
Oh I loved this visit to graveyard! Thank u!
I’m so glad. Thank you.
Wow this is something I’ve never seen before but now I’d like to see them
It was new for me too. Very neat.
@@Whittdocs was it something like something like how they did in the old Cowboy shows were they took rook rocks and made a tent shape over the grave it just seems really neat
Iv never seen these kind of graves before very strange and wat a interesting story 🙂 brilliant video yet again 🙂
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Wow what a story and mystery!!!💙💙💙❤❤❤
I really enjoyed my visit here. Thank you for watching.
I grew up in Cookeville, Putnam County, Tennessee and at one point lived close to a cemetery with slave graves with the tented stones. I was a young teenager so I never found out anything about the graves but always wanted to learn more. The farm has become a subdivision and Google Earth doesn't show the cemetery so my curiosity remains dissatisfied because after 50 years I can't remember exactly where the graves were.
That is so interesting.
There are some in Alabama. We were just outside Atlanta and there where some with flat vertical rocks, with a flat rock on top like a table. Very old
Very interesting to watch something so different!!! I have never seen this before.
Thanks for sharing with us your visit!!👏👏😇👍🏻
I appreciate you watching. Thank you so much.
Fascinating, interesting and we'll done.
Would like to know more... 😃
Me too. If I ever learn more, I’ll post another video about it.
This is so interesting. We can only speculate on the real reason since no one has a definite answer. If I remember right Lester Flat the bluegrass singer was from Sparta. You do excellent video's. Thanks for sharing them.
He was from Sparta and I visited his grave while I was there. I’ll be making a video about him too.
Beautiful ♥️ cemetery history information 🤔 watching fr jamaica 😎🌞🏖️🇯🇲
Hello to Jamaica! Thank you so much for watching.
I always watch your vids. I wonder if someone could be buried "above the ground" under a tent of cement. Interesting.
It makes sense that they were used to protect from livestock and animals but there seems to be more uniformity than just that being the sole case. I was looking at the headstones and they are also uniform in the way they look. To me, they appear thinner like headstones from the mid-18th century to early 19th. Headstones seem to have become thicker in most places in which these graves were created.
That being said, I have no clue why they are built like this but it’s very fascinating.
I feel the same way. So many possibilities. Just hard to know what the truth is. Thanks for the comment!
I absolutely love this video. I have never seen or heard of anything like them before.. I'm definitely intrigued by them.. Great video..
Thank you so much for watching!
The covering over the graves was to protect the graves from grave robbers I believe . new to your channel I really enjoy it so far
Hello! Welcome aboard and thank you so very much for watching.
Never seen anything like that before. Awesome find! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for watching.
Thank you! I've never seen anything like this.
Thank you for watching.
It is neat that if you look at them from the right direction it looked like pews in a church. We have a Mt. Gilead Cemetery in Illinois where I live. There aren't any really old graves in this cemetery though. Thanks for taking us along.
Very neat. Thank you for pointing that out. I hadn’t noticed it. Thank you for watching.
Wow!! How interesting! Never ever seen or heard of these types of graves... I really love it tho!!
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This was an amazing video. Never seen this type of covering and also so many in one place
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Just want to say i enjoy ur videos and its alot of great info. Thank u for always sharing them. Please keep up the great work
I really and truly appreciate that. Thank you so much.
@@Whittdocs your very welcome
Thank you for this video i have never seen this up were im from very interesting to see thanks you again
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Wow, so very interesting!
Thank you so much for watching.
Awesome never seen or heard of this
It was a new one for me too.
That's fascinating. Thankyou for this
You’re most welcome.
I’ve only seen those once before and I don’t know if it was in TN but I think they are very unusual and interesting ! Thank u
Thank you so much for watching.
Very interesting love your videos in KY where I was born they use to build houses over the graves years ago to keep grave robbersaway
Very neat. I had never heard of that before.
wow never heard of anything like that neat history would like to know more
I would too. If I find out anything more, I’ll post another video.
This is so interesting I never heard of tint Graves thank you for sharing I love Tennessee
I love Tennessee too. So beautiful there.
Very interesting thank you so much ..I enjoyed this
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for watching.
There is a "tent grave" in Elis Prairie ,Mo (Texas County) instead of concrete slabs the tent is made of two large flat rocks. The date as I recall is from the late1840s, supposedly a woman and her daughter are buried there. This grave isn't in a cemetery.
We have a cemetary in Vamoosa, OK that have these "tents" on some Native American Graves. Most of them have a small opening on one end. It has been said that the opening was for the native spirits to come and go. Maybe this is folklore, but I always found it interesting.
I find it very interesting too!
My family from Sparta TN. Yes they were witches too. But my gggg grandma full blooded Cherokee. Her name Mary. My family always had spiritual gifts
Very interesting I had never seen or heard about these
Thanks for watching.
Very interesting story would love to know more
I would too! If I learn more, I’ll be sure to make a follow up video.
u r the world greatest story teller!
I certainly appreciate that.
Strange. I've never seen or heard of such before.
I hadn’t either.
I came back to this video to just say I just came across like about 6 of these kind of graves here in the Cedar Rapids Iowa area in the county in a small cemetery going to go back and look at when the snow is gone in a few months
Oh wow! Maybe they’re a little more common than I realized. Thanks for sharing!
@@Whittdocs np friend
enjoyed your video. we have some tent graves in Tallahassee! not sure about them?
Thank you so much for watching.
I'm thinking maybe it was done to keep critters from digging up the graves. Depending on the soil composition it may have been easier than digging a traditional grave. I have heard that some indiginous peoples buried their dead in "spirit houses" which were shaped roof like structures. It would be lovely if information was able to be obtained verifying what they are for sure. maybe one day. Great documentary on the subject. thanks.
I really appreciate your comment. I tend to think it was critter related too. But who knows. I appreciate you watching.
There are a number of these in a rural cemetery in south Marshall County, Tennessee.
It seems like these were more popular in Tennessee. Interesting.
Interesting tradition, maybe done to protect the graves. Rest in peace to all those souls👍
Thank you for watching.
I wonder if this was the time period when they believed you came back as a Vampire and the " tents" were to keep you from getting out. Very interesting video as usual. Like you said we may never know the real reason.
That’s an interesting thought. Thank you for watching and commenting.
I have read about this somewhere that the reason for tent-like gravestone above the burial site is to protect the grave in case it sunken, it was also to deter animals and grave robbers for trying rob the graves. I don' t remember to much but I think another youtuber faces of the forgotten did talk about it.
Okay good. Thanks so much for the info and for
sharing it with us.
That's so interesting I have never seen anything like this. That is interesting
Thank you for watching!
@@Whittdocs No Thankyou for doing these videos I would have never got to see anything like this ...and Love hearing old stories and seeing so much History
@@jennelson4807 I really appreciate this. Truly.
Interesting. I've never seen or heard about these.
I hadn’t either. Thank you for watching!
These are somewhat common in the South but this an unusually large amount in this cemetery.
Very neat. Thanks for sharing.