I visited this 150-year-old cemetery over a decade ago and got a harsh reality check recently when I went back.
Granted, it was 104° F, a far cry from the balmy spring weather of my first visit. But, that didn’t explain the lack of shadowy, Victorian pathos that I expected. 
I had kind of a Planet of the Apes moment – you know the Statue of Liberty scene? I KNEW I was in the wrong place until I found two graves.
A simple epitaph: John B. Valle, May 3, 1827, August 22, 1869.
Here’s some insight into my taphophelia. Over the decade, I’d elaboratly decorated my memories to make a more appropriate set for the tragic romance I’d invented for John Valle and his consort, Mary St. Gemme.
In Memory of, Mary M. St. Gemme, consort of, John B. Valle, born Feb. 9 1832, died Mar. 6, 1853, Aged 21 years, 6 days.
The cemetery I “remembered” was crowded with statues and tipped stones all carved in French. Moss hung from the branches of ancient trees and brushed my shoulders as I wandered narrow, winding paths among the graves.
No kidding. That’s exactly what I expected.
Monument to Mary St. Gemme with the simple grave of John Valle at her feet.
Instead of telling you the story these two graves inspired in my obviously overactive imagination, just look at the pictures and the dates yourself. If you come up with a tale too, then you and I are kindred spirits…or similarly obsessed at least. Let me know.
August 6th, 2012 at 12:13 PM
I love when I find monuments like this in an old cemetery. The ” consort ” part always interests me as well. It may have been a tragic ending, if not too soon.
August 6th, 2012 at 3:50 PM
I love “consort” too. I wondered if it might just be a quaint old word for “spouse”, but the consorts at St. Genevieve hadn’t changed their last names, the wives had. Maybe reverence for one’s consort was a French custom. It seems appropriately romantic.
August 6th, 2012 at 6:44 PM
Interesting, and thanks for stopping by my blog!
August 24th, 2012 at 3:45 AM
Great post!
August 24th, 2012 at 9:06 PM
So glad you liked it!
January 24th, 2013 at 11:14 PM
I love the graveyard at St. Michael’s chruch in Charleston, SC. It’s just jam-packed with history and fascinating stories. I’m going to have to walk through again, the next time we’re there. It’s been too long and you’ve reminded me how much I enjoy the cemetery in downtown Charleston.
January 25th, 2013 at 7:28 AM
I’m glad to have sparked your memories. St. Michael’s sounds lovely.