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Sunday's Symbol: The Anvil

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"The anvil symbolizes the primordial forging of the universe...In Christian symbolism, the anvil is an attribute of St. Eligius, the patron saint of blacksmiths." (Douglas Keister, Stories in Stone: The Complete Guide to Cemetery Symbolism)

This anvil is carved into the granite ledger marker placed for Christopher Columbus "Lum" Howell (1879-1965) at Goodwin Cemetery in Duluth, Gwinnett County, Georgia.


Photos © 2010-2011 S. Lincecum

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Free Genealogy Guide said…
The anvil on the marker is very impressive, as is the symbolism. Is there any chance that Lum Howell was an actual blacksmith by trade?
February 9, 2011 at 6:51 PM
S. Lincecum said…
That's my guess, but I haven't documented it.
February 9, 2011 at 7:21 PM
Anonymous said…
Mr. Howell was truely a blacksmith by trade and a good one. He lived in Norcross, Ga where he served as blacksmith for the folks in Norcross. He was very well liked here.

His sister in-law was Clara Nesbitt, a local educator. She was the namesake for Nesbitt Elementary here in Gwinnett County.
May 9, 2011 at 10:49 AM
S. Lincecum said…
Thank-you very much for the information!
May 9, 2011 at 11:02 AM
Unknown said…
Hello,
I just happend to run across this while surfing the net.

I am Lum Howell's grand daughter.My mother Ida Bernice Howell Stokes is buried next to him. Yes, he was a blacksmith, in Norcross. I actually have some of his original tools and I still live in the Duluth area.

If you would like to further discuss this you can contact me at karen_stokesgarcia@live.com.
March 11, 2013 at 12:22 PM
S. Lincecum said…
Thanks so much, Karen. How cool to have some of his tools! I'm sure they are a treasure.
March 11, 2013 at 5:04 PM
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The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"

So I answered, "O Lord God, You know."

Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!' Thus says the Lord God to these bones: 'Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live...'" (Ezekiel 37:1-5, NKJV)