Southern Graves

The William A. Rawson mausoleum in Oakland Cemetery at Atlanta, Georgia was built in the exotic revival architectural style. Not only does it house the remains of Mr. Rawson, but also that of his son-in-law Charles Collier. Charles was at one time the mayor of Atlanta. Also resting in the mausoleum is William Rawson's granddaughter and her husband, Julia Collier and Julian Harris. Julian was the son of author Joel Chandler Harris. To put it mildly, William Rawson was a wealthy man. His total estate value (real and personal) in 1870, per the Stewart County, Georgia census for that year, was $105,000. Upon his death in 1879, the estimated value of the estate left behind was about $250,000. Mr. Rawson, born in Vermont, was the senior partner of Atlanta booksellers Rawson & Hancock. The Daily Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) Saturday, 13 September 1879 WM. A. RAWSON His Death in Iowa Yesterday. Mr. William A. Rawson, senior member of the firm of Rawson & Hancock,...

I wanted to post this a few days ago, but sometimes life gets in the way! I didn't pay much attention to this symbolic design on the monument for William Rawson (1861-1902) while visiting at Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia. It jumped out at me once I got home and was reviewing the photos I had taken. Since I didn't get a close-up shot at the cemetery, here's a cropped view from the original photo. The image was familiar to me as a cross, yet I was unsure of what to call it. I conducted a bit of research, and think I got a bit of information overload. My first significant result was from Wikipedia describing the cross pattée as "a type of cross which has arms narrow at the centre, and broader at the perimeter." These were variants pictured: Screen capture.  All images from Wikimedia Commons . William's cross resembles greatly the third from the left -- "With the ends of the arms convex and curved; sometimes called 'Alisee'...

Image via FindAGrave " DEATHS. WILLIAM C. RAWSON. ATLANTA, Jan. 6 -- Councilman William C. Rawson died at his home, 126 Washington street, this morning about 8 o'clock. His death was the result of an attack of pneumonia. He had been ill only ten days. For the last two or three days his condition has been such as to give little hope of his recovery. The deceased was one of Atlanta's most popular and prominent young business men. He was the president of the Gate City Coffin Company and president of the Atlanta Gun Club. Had he lived through his illness he would have retired from council tonight on account of the expiration of his term... The funeral will likely take place tomorrow and will be largely attended. The members of the new and retiring councils will attend in a body." [ Macon Telegraph (Georgia), 7 January 1902] William Clarke Rawson rests in Oakland Cemetery at Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia. Another newspaper write-up provided a little bit...