The cemetery
The historical marker at this cemetery says, “The history of this community cemetery dates to 1854 when 18-year-old Rebecca Chambers died and was buried here. Rebecca, who reportedly was ill while traveling past here with the family of her sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and E. G. Evans, asked to be buried on this flower-covered hillside. While the land was vacant public domain several other burials took place. There are about 65 early graves marked only by rocks.”
Something about a girl telling her family where she wanted to be buried haunted me the day I read the sign, and still sticks with me, and makes me want to post a dark and moody shot. Even though Rebecca Chambers saw it when the hill was covered in flowers.
Smithwick Cemetery
Burnet County, Texas
photographed 3.9.2013
Posted on June 20, 2013, in Photography and tagged 365 photo project, black and white photography, cemetery, melinda green harvey, one day one image, photo a day, photography, smithwick cemetery, texas. Bookmark the permalink. 17 Comments.
One Day | One Image 
A touching story. The photo conveys our grief for her loss. But you can go back in Spring when the blue bonnets fill the grass and take a picture in color of this place, maybe she saw it a hill where to rest in the peace of God.
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The cemetery really is in a pretty location – way up on a hill, with lots of big trees all around it. But after I read Rebecca’s story, the whole place became forlorn, instead of beautiful.
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Very moody and beautiful photo. Interesting story .
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Thank you, Anisja. Rebecca’s story really did have an impact on me, and I tried to capture my mood in this shot.
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I understand you , it is such a sad story and for me it is like something that one can find only in books.
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You certainly captured the mood.
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Thanks, John.
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I agree with every one else, this is about the “moodiest” photo you’ve shown. But it’s a good fit for the story. And what story!
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It IS a departure from my usual shots. Nothing else seemed right, though.
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Beautiful image and story.
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Thank you, Lisa. I have shots from the cemetery that aren’t so dark (literally and figuratively)…but they were just wrong for Rebecca’s story.
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That image strikes the right chord if you’re looking for moody; very nice indeed! I should spend more time in small cemeteries – they have some interesting history behind them.
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Thanks – glad you like the photo.
I like going to small cemeteries out in the country – there’s always something interesting to see.
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Dark and moody, perfect! I like those branches reaching down like twisty arms.
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Thanks, Karen.
Those branches have sort of an ominous feel to them, don’t they?
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It is so sad when children sense their own deaths.
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This is the saddest thing I’ve photographed since I stopped taking photos of roadside crosses. That story on the marker just haunts me.
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