Recently, while attempting to solve one of the many mysteries of my family, I came across several family grave stones in a cemetery in Rhode Island. On top of each stone, there was a penny. I had never seen that before. My initial thought was that someone left a penny to let people know that someone still cares about the person buried there. It seemed like a nice idea to me.
Arriving at home, I decided to learn more about this and find out if others do it too. Where else to look for such things besides the Internet? It turns out there are a whole assortment of reasons why people leave pennies on grave stones. These are the ones I found most fascinating:
1) Leaving pennies on a grave can be done as a token of thanks - a way to show gratitude for someone who had touched your life.
2) Charon is the ferryman who takes the dead across the river Styx. The river Styx is the dividing line between the living and the dead. Coins are used to pay Charon the fee so that the dead can cross. (Greek mythology -- "save yourself a penny for the ferryman")
3) A penny says "In God We Trust", thus leaving a penny on the grave says that God is now entrusted with this person.
4) There is an old superstition that if you leave a coin on a grave, the spirit will grant you a wish (similar to throwing a coin in a fountain).
5) A penny is a wish for a call from heaven to let us know that the person buried there is alright.
6) Put a penny on the person's grave because you want to have their thoughts back with you (as in "penny for your thoughts"). It also indicates that you have this person in YOUR thoughts. It tells people that someone is thinking of this person long after they are gone and in essence they are not dead because their life had meaning and purpose to those who followed after them.
7) They are "pennies from heaven" or a form of a hug.
In any event, it felt good to see that someone had left something in memory of their/my ancestors. It's a similar feeling when you find a family member's grave and someone has left flowers. I will be leaving pennies from now on, wherever I go. Flowers, too, if I get a chance.
Penny for your thoughts? :-)
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
1888 - Genealogy
The Listener would not be understood to undervalue the study of genealogy, now followed by so many anxious to learn about the stock from which they spring. It is not only commendable, it is valuable, and its study has been long too delayed. The practical utility of the study is great. Our society is becoming more complex, and the influence of kinsmanship on property is felt more than when the population was small and the ties of consanguinity were readily ascertainable. That there is room for the study from the simple standpoint of the laudable desire to know about one's forbears is evident from the experience of census enumerators, may of whom found that no inconsiderable proportion of the people they called on could not tell where or when one parent was born, and often their ignorance extended to both.
Boston Evening Transcript
Boston, Massachusetts
Monday, April 2, 1888
Boston Evening Transcript
Boston, Massachusetts
Monday, April 2, 1888
1954 - Tax Payments - And Humor Gone March 15
By Jack Leland
News and Courier Staff Writer
"Memorandum to the Editor:
You said to write a funny story about Income Tax day having come and gone.
Well, it's gone and with it has gone most of my money and apparently that of most Charlestonians. Also gone - as far as I can find out - is everyone's sense of humor.
There just isn't anything funny about taxes this year.
Not funny, "Ha-Ha," nor funny, "peculiar."
Perhaps it's just that they're all smiled out. Last week, you know, was National Smile Week and maybe everybody bared their teeth to the winds so often that they are just tired of smiling. Whatever the cause, there just weren't any people smiling yesterday.
Especially when asked about taxes. Of course, the income tax people say March 15 really should be a day of joy for at least half the population. It seems, according to the tax boys, that at least half the taxpayers get refunds. Two years ago, this amounted to nearly $2 billion or some $60 for every one with a refund. That, they contend, is just like getting back something you've said goodbye to.
After all, they reason, it's only money.
It might be worse, at that. Deep in darkest Africa there is a saying which goes "watch out for the Kalabalaba." The kalabalaba, literally "he who sees everything," is the tribal income tax collector.
Only he doesn't hit you in the pocketbook. In fact, some tribal rules hold, he can take the shirt right off your back or the beef ribs out of the oven or even your prettiest daughter. In one tribe, the Bantu, the chief is the Kalabalaba and he has the privileged of calling on a continent of girls to work in his garden. He can claim any one who pleases him.
Chiefs of the Chagga tribe collect one leg and one rib from each head of cattle slaughtered by members of the tribe. The Makalange chiefs tax fires. All fires are put out and then agents levy taxes to start new ones from the chief's private blaze. For keeping them from getting hot under the collar, that system's probably matchless.
Back in Charleston, one unhappy taxpayer quoted Mark Twain as having said "the only difference between a tax collector and a taxidermist is that the latter takes only your hide." The tax agents, however, claim most of the skin games are aimed their way.
And so it goes. Money, sense of humor and brotherly love - all blown before the wind in the treasury trees.
Just like in Africa - where cuts of beef cattle are collected - the American collector has to put up with a lot of beef too.
But, as was pointed out, there just isn't anything funny about taxes."
The News and Courier
Charleston, South Carolina
March 16, 1954
News and Courier Staff Writer
"Memorandum to the Editor:
You said to write a funny story about Income Tax day having come and gone.
Well, it's gone and with it has gone most of my money and apparently that of most Charlestonians. Also gone - as far as I can find out - is everyone's sense of humor.
There just isn't anything funny about taxes this year.
Not funny, "Ha-Ha," nor funny, "peculiar."
Perhaps it's just that they're all smiled out. Last week, you know, was National Smile Week and maybe everybody bared their teeth to the winds so often that they are just tired of smiling. Whatever the cause, there just weren't any people smiling yesterday.
Especially when asked about taxes. Of course, the income tax people say March 15 really should be a day of joy for at least half the population. It seems, according to the tax boys, that at least half the taxpayers get refunds. Two years ago, this amounted to nearly $2 billion or some $60 for every one with a refund. That, they contend, is just like getting back something you've said goodbye to.
After all, they reason, it's only money.
It might be worse, at that. Deep in darkest Africa there is a saying which goes "watch out for the Kalabalaba." The kalabalaba, literally "he who sees everything," is the tribal income tax collector.
Only he doesn't hit you in the pocketbook. In fact, some tribal rules hold, he can take the shirt right off your back or the beef ribs out of the oven or even your prettiest daughter. In one tribe, the Bantu, the chief is the Kalabalaba and he has the privileged of calling on a continent of girls to work in his garden. He can claim any one who pleases him.
Chiefs of the Chagga tribe collect one leg and one rib from each head of cattle slaughtered by members of the tribe. The Makalange chiefs tax fires. All fires are put out and then agents levy taxes to start new ones from the chief's private blaze. For keeping them from getting hot under the collar, that system's probably matchless.
Back in Charleston, one unhappy taxpayer quoted Mark Twain as having said "the only difference between a tax collector and a taxidermist is that the latter takes only your hide." The tax agents, however, claim most of the skin games are aimed their way.
And so it goes. Money, sense of humor and brotherly love - all blown before the wind in the treasury trees.
Just like in Africa - where cuts of beef cattle are collected - the American collector has to put up with a lot of beef too.
But, as was pointed out, there just isn't anything funny about taxes."
The News and Courier
Charleston, South Carolina
March 16, 1954
1864 - The Income Tax
May 6, 1864
The New York Times
New York, New York
The Income Tax
"There appears to be considerable misunderstanding still existing in the public mind concerning the income tax now due under the United States Revenue Laws. Those unaquacinted with he provisions of the tax bill will find the following brief r sum of interest:
First, the tax of five per centum is only imposed on the excess of income over $600, and is payable on the income received for the year ending December 31, 1863. The tax on income derived from United States Securities is specially restricted to 2 1/[???] of 1 per centum.
All State and municipal taxes lawfully paid may be deducted from the estimate of the income of the person actually paying the same. It is also provided that the rent of the homestead used or occupied by any person or family, not exceeding $200, may be deducted from the excess of income over $600.
In estimating the income, all forms of indebtedness bearing interest, whether due and paid, or not, if good and collectable, must be included as part of the annual income. The incomes of all officers employed in the civil, military or naval service of the United States are specially exempted from taxation under the Revenue Law.
Guardians of minors, and trustees of all estates held in trust, are required to furnish annual returns of the incomes of such minors, and the amounts received from such trust estates.
All returns of income under this law are required to be made or levied on the first day of May, and the amount of tax to be paid to the Collector of the several collection districts on or before the 30th day of June.
By an arrangement among the Assessors of New-York, however, it is understood that all returns of income made on or before the 10th day of May, will be accepted by them. After that date, delinquents will be assessed on the basis of such information as the Assistant Assessor may possess respecting their several incomes.
All taxes on incomes remaining unpaid for thirty days after the 30th of June, and so continuing for ten days after payment of the same shall be depended by the Collector, will be subject to a penalty of 5 per centum, which is a lien on all property of the delinquent from which the income is derived, and the collection of the tax may be enforced by distraint upon such property.
Blank income tax papers are furnished to applicants at the offices of the several Assessors and by the Assistant Assessors.
The income tax is required in all cases to be paid in the district in which the person liable to pay the same resides at the time the same becomes due, and no notice is required to be given by the Assessor or Assistant Assessor to any person to furnish the return according to law."
The New York Times
New York, New York
The Income Tax
"There appears to be considerable misunderstanding still existing in the public mind concerning the income tax now due under the United States Revenue Laws. Those unaquacinted with he provisions of the tax bill will find the following brief r sum of interest:
First, the tax of five per centum is only imposed on the excess of income over $600, and is payable on the income received for the year ending December 31, 1863. The tax on income derived from United States Securities is specially restricted to 2 1/[???] of 1 per centum.
All State and municipal taxes lawfully paid may be deducted from the estimate of the income of the person actually paying the same. It is also provided that the rent of the homestead used or occupied by any person or family, not exceeding $200, may be deducted from the excess of income over $600.
In estimating the income, all forms of indebtedness bearing interest, whether due and paid, or not, if good and collectable, must be included as part of the annual income. The incomes of all officers employed in the civil, military or naval service of the United States are specially exempted from taxation under the Revenue Law.
Guardians of minors, and trustees of all estates held in trust, are required to furnish annual returns of the incomes of such minors, and the amounts received from such trust estates.
All returns of income under this law are required to be made or levied on the first day of May, and the amount of tax to be paid to the Collector of the several collection districts on or before the 30th day of June.
By an arrangement among the Assessors of New-York, however, it is understood that all returns of income made on or before the 10th day of May, will be accepted by them. After that date, delinquents will be assessed on the basis of such information as the Assistant Assessor may possess respecting their several incomes.
All taxes on incomes remaining unpaid for thirty days after the 30th of June, and so continuing for ten days after payment of the same shall be depended by the Collector, will be subject to a penalty of 5 per centum, which is a lien on all property of the delinquent from which the income is derived, and the collection of the tax may be enforced by distraint upon such property.
Blank income tax papers are furnished to applicants at the offices of the several Assessors and by the Assistant Assessors.
The income tax is required in all cases to be paid in the district in which the person liable to pay the same resides at the time the same becomes due, and no notice is required to be given by the Assessor or Assistant Assessor to any person to furnish the return according to law."
Monday, February 14, 2011
1906 - Out of the Mouths of Babes - What is a Family Tree?
Little Bless - What is a family tree?
Little Harold - It's a tree people climb when they want to get into society.
Pawtuxet Valley Gleaner
Phenix, Kent, Rhode Island
Friday, March 9, 1906
Little Harold - It's a tree people climb when they want to get into society.
Pawtuxet Valley Gleaner
Phenix, Kent, Rhode Island
Friday, March 9, 1906
1906 - Origin of the U.S. Valentine
Miss Esther A. Howland of Worcester, Mass., was the first person in this country to manufacture valentines. Before she began in 1840, all these missives were imported. Miss Howland was a graduate of Mount Holyoke seminary, and after she left school she took scissors, paste pot, colored pictures and paper and began at first to make imitations of the valentines which her father, a stationer, imported. She sent some samples of her work to Boston and New York. They were sold immediately, and a large number of others was ordered. That was the beginning of her trade, and from that time on till she died, some months ago, she had all the orders she could fill. She became very well to do.
Pawtuxet Valley Gleaner
Phenix, Kent, Rhode Island
Friday, March 9, 1906
Pawtuxet Valley Gleaner
Phenix, Kent, Rhode Island
Friday, March 9, 1906
Saturday, February 5, 2011
1904 - Slippery Sidewalks
SLIPPERY SIDEWALKS
City Ordinance Does Not Appear to Be Effective.
The sidewalks in the city of Providence are beginning to assume the same condition as last winter, many of them being already covered with snow and ice sufficient to make the walking quite a little dangerous.
For several days the commissioner of public works has had men on the streets with teams sprinkling the icy sidewalks with sand, which is appreciated, and in speaking of the matter this morning Mr. Slade said that this was purely gratuitous on his part, as there was no law compelling the city to keep the sidewalks clear.
The following city ordinance may be of interest to owners or occupants of buildings bordering on a street:
The owner or owners, occupant or occupants, or any person having the care of any building or lot of land bordering on any street, square or public place within the city shall within the first four hours of daylight after the ceasing to fall of any snow cause the snow to be removed from the sidewalks adjoining said building or lot of land, and each and every hour after the expiration of said four hours that the snow shall remain on said sidewalk shall be deemed to be a separate violation of this section. The provisions of this section shall also apply to the fall of snow from any building. - City Ordinance.
On the other hand, it might be said that the city owns the sidewalk, or at least claim to, and that it would appear unjust and somewhat hard to compel a man to take care of someone else's property. Be that as it may, the sidewalks in many places are in very poor condition.
The Evening Telegraph
Providence, Rhode Island
Monday, December 12, 1904
City Ordinance Does Not Appear to Be Effective.
The sidewalks in the city of Providence are beginning to assume the same condition as last winter, many of them being already covered with snow and ice sufficient to make the walking quite a little dangerous.
For several days the commissioner of public works has had men on the streets with teams sprinkling the icy sidewalks with sand, which is appreciated, and in speaking of the matter this morning Mr. Slade said that this was purely gratuitous on his part, as there was no law compelling the city to keep the sidewalks clear.
The following city ordinance may be of interest to owners or occupants of buildings bordering on a street:
The owner or owners, occupant or occupants, or any person having the care of any building or lot of land bordering on any street, square or public place within the city shall within the first four hours of daylight after the ceasing to fall of any snow cause the snow to be removed from the sidewalks adjoining said building or lot of land, and each and every hour after the expiration of said four hours that the snow shall remain on said sidewalk shall be deemed to be a separate violation of this section. The provisions of this section shall also apply to the fall of snow from any building. - City Ordinance.
On the other hand, it might be said that the city owns the sidewalk, or at least claim to, and that it would appear unjust and somewhat hard to compel a man to take care of someone else's property. Be that as it may, the sidewalks in many places are in very poor condition.
The Evening Telegraph
Providence, Rhode Island
Monday, December 12, 1904
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