ETNA - Cast Iron Grave Markers - Molong, NSW, Australia
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Two Etna grave markers one located in the Roman Catholic portion and the other located in the Anglican portion of Molong cemetery. Occupants of graves unknown.
"Watson, Gow and Co.'s Etna Foundry in Glasgow was the maker of many of the cast iron markers and that were imported to Australia. Cast iron monuments were also crafted by local foundries. They were relatively cheap, and light and unbreakable - hence easier to transport. They were used during the late 1800's having declined as a fashion trend by 1900."
"Locally produced markers usually had the inscription permanently stamped into the casting. Imported markers
had a blank frame, sometimes stamped with 'In Memoriam' - the local foundry then produced plates that were fixed to the monument
and contained the details and text. Alternatively the cast iron marker was painted. It was recommended that the deseased name be done
in gold lettering, the text in black lettering. The painted inscriptions have not survived time."
Thank you to Heather for this information. It
appears the above pictured marker must have been a painted monument as no details of the deceased remain for us to read.
Today our places of burial are administered by a local authority and are usually looked after to some degree. Molong cemetery has had its good and bad times as far as the care and maintenance of the grounds.
In 1888 an appeal was launched by the Rev. J D Jennings "(to those who have departed friends or relations interred in the Presbyterian portion of the cemetery)" for financial assistance towards having the ground placed in decent order.
To quote from the Molong Express, Saturday April 21, 1888"Veneration for the dead is supposed to be an emotional characteristic of human nature all the world over, and it ill becomes us to be so wanting in the quality of our respect in this direction as to let the abode of our departed ones deteriorate into an unsightly field of high grass and weeds."
