The Grave Portraits of the Circular Congregational Church Cemetery

150 Meeting Street
Charleston, South Carolina


As I mentioned in the introduction to this blog, I'm still very much a newbie to being a taphophile, therefore, there are still things I really don't know about. Colonial tombstones are one of those things. So far in my taphophilic journey I've not encountered colonial stones; in fact, the areas that I have visited were not even settled until the 19th century.

On my recent trip to Charleston, I put aside nearly an entire day photographing haunted places and cemeteries for both of my blogs. I did spend more time in a few other cemeteries but did not reserve any time for the Circular Congregational Church Cemetery...I should have. The church's website claims that this particular cemetery is the oldest English cemetery in the area with the earliest burial in 1695. With about 500 gravestones, the cemetery of the Circular Congregational Church could be considered one of the largest concentrations of colonial stones in the South.

Circular Congregational Church.
Photo 2011, by Lewis Powell IV, all rights reserved.

Of the stones commonly used for tombstones, slate is certainly one of the more durable. Marble, over time, melts away leaving stones with unreadable inscriptions, but it is easily carved. Granite, on the other hand, will last for centuries but it is not easily carved. Between these two is slate, which will not melt away over centuries and is more easily carved, though it is prone to chipping, cracking and breakage. Upon entering the front gate of the cemetery, there is a large slate stone that has been severely damaged.

The severely damaged stone at the entrance.
Photo 2011, by Lewis Powell IV, all rights reserved.

A grouping of slate stones. The stone on the right with the
wood support is described in one book as the oldest slate marker
in the US.
Photo 2011, by Lewis Powell IV, all rights reserved.

Another grouping of headstones. Note how closely placed
these are.
Photo 2011, by Lewis Powell IV, all rights reserved.

The marvelous thing about slate is that it is so durable in that stones carved centuries ago often are very clearly readable and in some cases appear almost brand new, especially when compared to their younger marble counterparts that are fading and sometimes barely legible. The carving on these colonial slate stones is really magnificent and the church website has wonderful information on the evolution of slate tombstones in the late 17th and into the 18th centuries. The earliest slates bearing art use a skull and crossbones motif. Into the 18th century to this motif wings were added creating a "death's head." 

A death's head motif. Being a bad taphophile who was hot and tired,
I didn't write down the names and dates from these stones. Forgive me.
Photo 2011, by Lewis Powell IV, all rights reserved.

Towards the mid-18th century, these death's heads were replaced with portraits of the deceased. According to the church's website, these portrait stones are not found anywhere else in South Carolina or Georgia. I would make the assumption that these stones are meant as a sign of wealth and Charleston was considered the wealthiest city in the colonies. 

The stone of Mrs. Elizabeth Simmons who died 18 September
1740.
Photo 2011, by Lewis Powell IV, all rights reserved.

Closeup of the Roman-style bust of Mrs. Simmons.
Photo 2011, by Lewis Powell IV, all rights reserved.

The very clear inscription.
Photo 2011, by Lewis Powell IV, all rights reserved.

Another portrait.
Photo 2011, by Lewis Powell IV, all rights reserved.

A man's portrait.
Photo 2011, by Lewis Powell IV, all rights reserved.

A fairly elaborate man's portrait.
Photo 2011, by Lewis Powell IV, all rights reserved.

A closeup, note the weeping putti framing the portrait.
Photo 2011, by Lewis Powell IV, all rights reserved.

This portrait, on the grave of Mr. Solomon Milner, who died in 1757, is described on
the church's website as "the most notable and best preserved example
of neoclassicism from 18th century Charleston."
Photo 2011, by Lewis Powell IV, all rights reserved.

The church notes that a number of tombstones have been lost. During the ghost tour that I took from Bulldog Tours, the guide mentioned that part of the church's cemetery is now under the paved bank parking lot next door.

Looking towards the parking lot next door, the cars in this photo
may be parked on graves.
Photo 2011, by Lewis Powell IV, all rights reserved.

Sources
Bulldog Tours. Ghost & Dungeon Tour. 26 July 2011.
"Graveyard." Circular Congregational Church website. Accessed 31 July 2011.
Roffe, Denise. Ghosts and Legends of Charleston, South Carolina. Atglen, PA:
     Schiffer, 2010.