tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836951807668640786.post4948620670805483340..comments2024-02-08T04:18:42.868-06:00Comments on Library & Archives News: The Tennessee State Library and Archives Blog: Comb Graves of TennesseeTSLAbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08505290272588209912noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836951807668640786.post-48460561812441482872017-08-07T11:00:42.000-05:002017-08-07T11:00:42.000-05:00There are several of these in Whittaker Cemetery i...There are several of these in Whittaker Cemetery in Monterey, Tenn. T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00336234779849449517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836951807668640786.post-39557359697725057882015-12-07T08:39:57.744-06:002015-12-07T08:39:57.744-06:00Readers on our Facebook page have asked many quest...Readers on our Facebook page have asked many questions about these "Comb Graves, and we're thrilled that readers are entranced by the images from the TSLA’s new Richard C. Finch Folk Graves Digital Photograph Collection.<br /><br />In an attempt to address some of the questions that are surfacing from our followers, we took a gander into research material Dr. Finch placed with his collection. Dr. Finch’s 53-page paper entitled, “The Tennessee Comb Graves Tradition” makes for fascinating reading and will also be available to the public through the Manuscripts Section at TSLA, along with the collection’s digital images, spreadsheets, and additional documentation.<br /><br />One reader asks, "I've heard that they were buried with the rock coverings on their graves to let people know not to disturb the soil because they had died of the bubonic plague?" Dr. Finch makes no mention of bubonic plague with regard to the comb grave tradition. No single reason is isolated by the researcher to explain the origin of this type of grave cover that is most likely indigenous to Tennessee, though existing in eight other Southern states.<br /><br />Protecting graves from the elements and from animals is put forth as the major rationale for the use of combs, but Finch also mentions the desire for a more permanent, visible grave structure and the fulfillment of emotional needs for protecting the site as motivations, as well. He even posits that, for some, the fashionable nature that the structures had obtained since their initial appearance around 1815-1820 in the White County area would have been sufficient reason for some to utilize these combs. Though the depth of the graves does not appear to be a facet of Finch’s survey of the 3158 comb graves he located in Tennessee in 404 cemeteries along the western front of the Cumberland Plateau, he does mention that the limiting nature of rocky terrain in depth of burial cannot serve as a general motivation, due to the variance in the soils throughout the comb areas.<br /><br />Comb graves are located in eight other Southern states, though Tennessee has the oldest examples, and the form most likely spread to the west and south from our state. Finch also writes that there are instances of combs being erected years after an actual burial; this would not provide the needed immediate protection a comb would supply a shallow grave.<br /><br />Finch’s collection supplies TSLA’s patrons researching the comb grave tradition with descriptions of materials and construction, inventorying, mapping, and a photographic record, along with the benefit of his years of experience exploring this mysterious topic.TSLAbloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08505290272588209912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836951807668640786.post-50007368143222697642015-12-04T21:24:53.789-06:002015-12-04T21:24:53.789-06:00Excellent article and photos.Excellent article and photos.Pat Fitzhughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11236553553310204318noreply@blogger.com