Shake My Hand
The engravings on the tombstones in the Henderson Crouse cemetery are interesting only for the Henderson Crowse, Mary Ann Crowse (wife), and Elisabeth Hopper stones. All three are adorned with the handshake symbol show here.
Becoming popular in the last half of the 19th century, the handshake motif on tombstones typically symbolizes a farewell to earthy existence. Althought sometimes used by husband and wife as a symbol of an everlasting union, this is certainly not the case for Elisabeth Hopper who was divorced from her husband (conspicious by his absence from the cemetery). The significance of the pointing finger remains uncertain. When used on a single hand it signifies a call to the earth to witness their presence ("here lies").
The earlier stones contain no engravings at all, and those on the latter stones are entirely decorative.
Becoming popular in the last half of the 19th century, the handshake motif on tombstones typically symbolizes a farewell to earthy existence. Althought sometimes used by husband and wife as a symbol of an everlasting union, this is certainly not the case for Elisabeth Hopper who was divorced from her husband (conspicious by his absence from the cemetery). The significance of the pointing finger remains uncertain. When used on a single hand it signifies a call to the earth to witness their presence ("here lies").
The earlier stones contain no engravings at all, and those on the latter stones are entirely decorative.
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