Lazarus Bone

06/23/2025

Yes, I am back above ground.

09/15/2021

The soul portrait of Dr. Samuel Vickers stares out from its etched permanence of stone. The soul portrait, sometimes also known as “winged soul” or “soul effigy”, was an extremely popular headstone marker in the 1700s and predominates in many older cemeteries. The headstone of Dr. Vickers, indeed, is one of the oldest in Colonial Park, with his death noted as 1785.

While the face is often carved in a generic fashion, Dr. Vicker’s soul portrait does sport a wig which may have been a rendition of the one he wore in daily life. It was customary at the time for soul portraits to display some features of the dead, while the face remained somewhat angelic or cherubic as a nod to the innocence of the soul.

An interesting note about Dr. Vicker’s headstone is the type of stone from which it was carved: red sandstone. Due to the specific type of sandstone, it is highly probable that this headstone was carved out of New Jersey, possibly by Ebeneezer Price, one of the more prolific engravers from that area.

09/13/2021

The Gates to Colonial Park stand waiting for eager passers-by to come and roam. Many may wonder what the D.A.R. on the main gate means, and we have an answer waiting for those willing to pass through the arch! And if that call should grow so great that you can't deny it? Consider a tour with Lazarus Boone as your guide!

Erected in 1913, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) gate stands as a tribute to the Patriots buried within who lost their lives in the American Revolutionary War. Topped with a triumphant Eagle, the gate also sports an interesting wheel and flax symbol that is the insignia of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

According to their handbook, the spinning wheel bears 13 stars for the 13 colonies, with a gathering of flax poking out from behind. The flax itself is a symbol of purity, and also a nod back to the spinning wheel, upon which flax was traditionally spun into linen.

09/09/2021

The Deaths' Head skull and Crossbones, could there be a more iconic symbol? Our time on Earth is but brief, and this grim carving stands as a reminder that we are all but ashes and dust in the end in the true "Memento Mori" style. For rich or poor alike, death is inevitable!.

A favorite of cemeteries, pirates also adopted the skull and crossbones in their Jolly Roger flag. As their traditions stated, the Jolly Roger signified the Devil himself, and those at sea who were unfortunate enough to spy it knew they would soon be attacked!

This Death's Head can be found on the back wall of Colonial Park Cemetery, marking the headstone of John Evans. A printer, and not a pirate, Evans lived in Savannah on Broughton Street for 3 years prior to his death, and was well regarded in the city.

08/31/2021

With me as your Guide through Colonial Park Cemetery there is no more required. L. B. Esquire

08/11/2021

Right, Doctor. The long delay in our Savannah arrival and thence to Colonial Cemetery, was prefaced by the most bizarre sequence of scenes and frames. Last of them all was the crescendo flooding of your Savannah River at Augusta in June. My longboat and all of it's possessions were cast adrift in the turbulent reverse currents. So it is that I have now arrived and I am most prepared now to dispense good medicine for pilgrims in your timeless cemeteries. Today was a good start in that most powerful of acres with two lovely ladies from the deepest parts of the Southern hemisphere. Hungry we are for more and we shall greet them in a sunburst.

Lazarus Boone in rare selfe mode with some of our guests this morning! We tried to ask him a question but no sooner had we turned to speak to him we heard a surrey door slam and he was gone!