The Children's "Tent Graves"

Rural Tennessee is home to hundreds of these strange "tent graves"
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[@MobileInstinct]

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[@GraveVisitations]

Just added you 👍

[@nikkigardiner9426]

Following you! ❤️🥰

[@scottl8137]

I'd think maybe the box shaped ones with the 1 piece headstone may be along the lines of a tomb even tho it doesn't house the actual coffin aboveground?.

[@dgonthehill]

wow, never seen this before, thnx

[@darthtyranus7683]

1788 to 1859 that is quite a feat back then must have had a very good immune system

[@LuckySpinster.]

"The graves are most iconic for the slabs of stone that meet at a point above the burial plot. The story goes that aging graves, back in the 1800s, would settle and fall apart. Once the wood coffins broke up in the earth, the ground would sink around the sudden underground space. By using a tent-like gravestone above the burial plot, the stone would protect the sunken ground and even keep animals away. "

[@brendakrieger7000]

Thank you for sharing the information

[@ewob52h74]

Thank you very much for the explanation. Was wondering why.

[@michaelsteven1090]

Well, there you go..You should be making these videos..

[@karenmilligan5597]

@@michaelsteven1090 If it bothers you so much how Chris runs his show, why are you here with your negativity?

[@derriklee287]

@@karenmilligan5597 you Karens just can't laugh at anything huh? Sad that you have no sense of humor

[@elainegreen5855]

Lord bless you, Mobil Instinct for fixing that flag. It was the most beautiful thing I've seen all day. Thank you

[@janetveres3316]

Several have said the tent is to protect people when the coffin rots and the ground could collapse. My mom told me that she and her cousins cut through a cemetery near Apsley Ontario when they were kids. One cousin started to scream because the ground suddenly collapsed and she fell into a hole. It wasn’t deep and she wasn’t hurt but they were all terrified and got home as fast as they could.

[@Theupstateidiots]

I work for a town and a long time ago someone who worked before my time was mowing one of our cemeteries and went through one grave due to collapse. Pretty common.

[@Moonlight-yi3kp]

My nightmare

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

This happened to me when I was a child of about 12. I stepped onto a grave to get close enough to read it. It had a tall tombstone that was on a pedestal. The grave gave way beneath me and I fell in up to my upper thighs. The whole tombstone started to teeter back and forth over me down in that hole. I thought I was going to die right there in my great grandfathers grave. But finally it settled back on itself and someone helped me out. I have never walked on a grave again! I wouldn’t have then but for trying to read the faded writing.

[@peggyallman7647]

And it stopped them from ever jumping on top of graves again.

[@larsonfamilyhouse]

@@deborahdanhauer8525 it just dawned on me this must be why you’re not supposed to step on top of a grave! I always assumed it was more of a respect thing but it must have really became a thing out of necessity! Thank you for sharing your story- that sounds truly terrifying but I’m glad you’re okay!

[@bowlchamps37]

We have around 8-10 more or less intact tent graves here in Germany. All for US soldiers that died in WWII. They were unknown and buried here, not sure how they came up with the tent graves. But they are empty now, the remains were transferred to Arlington in the 1980s.

[@denisefrog1687]

Wow that's amazing! Thanks you for sharing!!

[@reginamathews2001]

native americans!

[@zigzag5072]

@@reginamathews2001 do you the tent graves are Native American graves? Qualls is in my family and we were told he was a Indian. They didn't go on the trail of tears so no record.

[@alfredgeorge317]

@@zigzag5072 I'm also indigenous....some of my ancestors were covered by rocks/stones, so to keep coyotes, and such from digging up the graves. My grt-grt-grandfather is buried in an area that at the time, had no, or was short on available wood for coffins....his grave was covered in rocks/stones to keep out wildlife. Eventually, his grave would be fenced as well.

[@lolalang344]

Of course the wind talkers 🤔

[@danieljoseph4625]

It seems like the placement of the long flat stones in the "tent graves" was designed to fold in on itself as the ground settles over time. The slabs could then discourage tree growth in the middle of the grave. Just a thought.

[@robbieholroyd8084]

That makes a lot of since

[@nastyn8te328]

I respect your care for the flag and you did your best to place the flag correct instead of walking away and leaving it like that.

[@paulaprice6269]

I thought that was great too!! Nice

[@youtubehastakenovermylife4979]

Totes

[@jennydrumm7223]

I hate those little flags with the tiny, short sticks! It's literally impossible to poke them far enough in the ground to stay standing without the flag touching the ground!

[@antoineduchamp4931]

Although I am in Europe and not the US, I like to see proper respect for the flag, which this good guy clearly did.

[@helencheadle5285]

Hi there from the U.K. 🙋‍♀️ that was incredible! Never seen graves like those before…where did they quarry so much flat stone?! You probably already know, but if you take a small mag light with you and shine sideways on to the writing, you can usually read it a lot easier. ( or the light on your mobile if you forget!) best wishes Helen 🙋‍♀️🥰👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😋

[@makeitso4793]

People looking for lost family must watch this often. It must be a great help. I have looked for lost family sometimes as while. I got family from NC and SC.

[@dougscott8161]

Hi, Chris, I had never heard of these "tent graves", but I did a little research and found that they were used throughout Tennessee. They were probably trying to prevent animals from getting to the remains as the wooden caskets broke down. The Tent panels would flatten out and provide the protection needed. They probably fell into dis-use after concrete burial vaults came into popular use. There were a very large number of these tent grave in the Cash Cemetery (where Johnny and June Cash are buried). God Bless and stay safe.

[@zerofox7347]

In the UK we still don’t use burial vaults today, They just go straight in the ground.

[@daveoelke857]

@@zerofox7347 😳

[@daveoelke857]

@@zerofox7347 That’s more natural.

[@zoiefinnian3540]

@ Dave Oelke Vaults. Bnnjare completely unnecessary. They will fill an empty constantly with water from the ground and reeees suffe graves.

[@sheashea4622]

Thanks for the information😊😊

[@nortfroggirl]

Thank you for picking up the Beautiful Flag🇺🇲 I'm going to Tenn this summer & will try to visit this cemetery! Great vid 🥳

[@Godwinpounds4333]

Hi how are you doing?

[@1959snoopy]

Also found it on Findagrave. Myrtle Vaughn Born May 25, 1907 Died Oct. 3 1909. She was 2 years old. I've never seen graves like these. Thanks for sharing!

[@GraveVisitations]

Wow very unusual but interesting. I've come across lots of graves on my travels but never saw these before

[@ernestj3081]

How interesting Chris! I love cemeteries. Very strange “tent”stones to say the least! The dates are so old😳. I’d love to know the stories behind them all🙏🏻

[@jenniferl.snider-gartin9278]

I'm writing to say, how facinated I am w/ some of the comments! This is usually the way I find things out!!!

[@seratonin7004]

Me too! It's also fascinating to spend time in cemeteries - the older, the better!

[@michaelciccone2194]

You speak with utmost empathy and kindness for those long gone. That is the way I was brought up. Nice to know that I am not the only one.

[@plain_me]

Child mortality was very high back then. Neat stuff! Maybe I'll have one like that made, as I would like to have a natural burial. When I'm down to bones someone else can use it! 😄 So glad you are doing this- it is fun to watch younger generations learn about our country's history. Keep digging and you will learn a lot. Post what you find!

[@louisetregomorgan4907]

What a gorgeous location , with such interesting graves , and the dates on them are quite old . Let hope suburbia never comes to change this unique cemetery. First I've ever seen . Thanks for the guiding us through one of America's oldest cemetery much appreciated.

[@spiritualspinster4222]

This is intriguing. I live in Tennessee and have seen many old rural graveyards and have never seen tent graves before. I've seen many old graves though, some with just a rock for a marker. One of those old graveyards is located just beyond my back yard. Many of those graves have collapsed, so I take great care when walking through it. The ones that have headstones are very worn and many are illegible. Many people wouldn't want to live next to a graveyard, but it doesn't bother me. In fact, I ratter like it. it's peaceful and fascinating. The folks buried there feel almost like neighbors.

[@l.smythe6602]

That last part about the folks being buried there feeling almost like neighbors is such a southern thing to say! I loved visiting there and have lots of family there but am stuck here up north. Inside I'm a southerner and I really appreciate the history, people and the food!

[@adelerodriguez2432]

Hopefully the cemetery is well-maintained. I'd rather live next to a cemetery than rowdy neighbors.

[@ellisg9364]

Absolutely bizarre to recognize the fact that when most of these people died any form of visual media was completely in its infancy and to think that in just one hundred years these humans names are now entered into the vast flow of electronic information. I applaud your sincerity when exploring these places and hope to see more of your adventures

[@julievanderleest]

That’s a remarkable point.

[@mothratemporalradio517]

I'm not sure i can agree "any form of visual media". Could i plz clarify, do you mean you exclude newspapers, books, magic lanterns, etc and you're focussing on photography and film when you say "media"? Because the Victorian era wasn't without visuals, i think there were lots of visual novelties, and i thought i picked up that some of these graves were from around that time. Mind you, there was prob a highly regional element to that, what people could potentially witness in a big city might be very different to the provinces of a colony.

[@Johnny2Bag]

@@mothratemporalradio517 I see your point and "touche" 🐱🐈🐈🐱

[@m118lr]

Remarkable. OLD..1700’s. Thank you for showing us these historic out-of-the-way cemeteries, places of distinction. Stay safe…

[@briankey2645]

This man was down in the area where my ancestors are from my heritage came from north central Tennessee in the Overton County area. My tree is filled with Qualls and Loopers. My great grandmother's maiden name was Norrod . My family name is Key. My great great grandfather a one Goosby Key (1827-1910) was burned in a "tent grave" in north Overton County. Like this young man I was surprised by this style of grave as well when I saw. His son relocated to South central Kentucky where my family has resided every since.

[@darensmith6705]

I had a a Great - Great Grandmother who was born in 1812 and died in 1902! 90 years old when she died! She had 13 children, 10 of whom lived into adulthood! She was a widow when a tree her husband was cutting down killed him! She raised those children as a single mom on a farm! They trucked vegetables! Their family still is in business! Good strong Swiss genes! 🇨🇭🥰

[@J.M.Chadwick6]

My great-grandmother had 21 children, 18 living to maturity. Long winters in Upstate New York!

[@dawnamay1222]

Tent graves??

[@AnoraJohnson]

@Sunshine 🌠 Sunshine 🌠 Someone wanted to share their story. I'm interested. Just find something else to read if you prefer.

[@AnoraJohnson]

@Sunshine 🌠 Sunshine 🌠 Oh...and if you read the comment again, look for the part about three of the great-great-grandmother's children not surviving to adulthood. This relates to the children's graveyard in the video.

[@AnoraJohnson]

@Sunshine 🌠 Sunshine 🌠 I'm sorry for your family's losses. That's hard. I don't know how mothers in the 19th century and before coped knowing they would almost certainly lose at least one child. If they survived childbirth.

[@lorrainek6417]

Wow, this is really fascinating, I've never seen anything like this before. Thanks for sharing! 🇨🇦

[@janicestevenson7109]

Those box shaped graves are called "false crypts". The body is still buried six feet under, with the crypt above ground. The grave you found with just a birth date? That usually means the child did not survive the first day or it was a stillbirth.

[@JoMarieM]

However, that was a pretty large grave for a baby, if that was the case! Maybe it was a woman who, for whatever reason, was estranged from her family, ran away from home, and her fate was never known, which makes more sense to me. Maybe she was disowned by her family and was shunned by them even in death!

[@janicestevenson7109]

@@JoMarieM WOW That is quite the story, and you have quite the imagination. If that did happen in the 1800 it would be quite the scandal. Do some research and see what you can find out. I would gladly hear what you find out and your sources. I am not afraid to admit when am wrong. I have to say though, if that did happen-she would be a larger person.

[@michellebehr7669]

@@janicestevenson7109 haha. Nice

[@terramarini6880]

@@JoMarieM More likely abandoned and adopted or grew up in an orphanage and her birth date was a rough estimate as the marker had the year but not month or day.

[@jenh7004]

People act like babies, born back in the 1800s, were valued the same way children are today. 200 years ago, they weren't. Birthdays were not widely celebrated, either. Who knows why the graves are marked the way they were: reinterred after ground water pushed the coffins up, couldn't afford the cost of headstone engraving, unknown birthdate. It would be interesting who maintains the cemetery as they are the most likely to have the records.

[@michaeldiehl2458]

As a former cub scout leader I wanna thank you for picking up and replanted the flag instead of leaving it on the ground

[@kathyp2197]

Interesting graveyard. Thanks for posting new and varied things. I don’t mind that you are curious and don’t know everything. That’s what makes your videos relatable and worth watching.

[@Spooky_Dook]

Going thru a VERY tough time rght now so THNKU, Chris. 😔.

[@amyf6726]

Thank you for covering this cemetery and teaching some of us to look up the reasons why this unique burial was used. I have never seen nor heard of them until now.

[@mousetreehouse6833]

It is always unnerving to come across children's graves - Thank you for this unusual tour.

[@adelerodriguez2432]

It's a sobering reminder that children died of illnesses that could be cured by antibiotics or vaccines today.

[@Cardinalspuj]

I worked in a cemetery throughout my high school days. These tent graves were one way to lessen the issues of ground water and settling of the casket and graves. Sadly, as you can see. In time no matter what. Settling occurred. We used to cut sod and compact in areas above caskets by the hundreds each season. The higher the water table? The more work we had to do. I have had many an occasion where I or a coworker fell into and through an old grave. These were old enough where there weren’t a box used in and around the casket. Love seeing these old cemeteries. Thanks!

[@planetwisconsin9901]

I came across a cemetery in southeastern Wisconsin it had several areas with 6 or 7 tiny gravestones and 2 large ones. It looked like a family had to bury small children. So sad.

[@mothratemporalradio517]

Very moving and yet it appears overwhelmingly common in the 19th century. Alongside mortality of women followng childbirth, before scientific work established the existence of bacteria and viruses, and therefore hygiene as we know it, as well as antibiotics and vaccines. Seems like it was super common then for families to at one stage have several children, sometimes with successive wives in event of mortality, and for the majority of siblings to not even make it to puberty. I think we can begin to see a really distinct before and after in such mortality stats when it comes to the tenets of medical science concerning pathogens. Even just pasteurising milk alone would have had a massive impact. I lived in a 19th century dwelling some time ago and was considerably haunted by questions of how ideas underpinning built structures of the day could potentially seal in poor health outcomes. Everything from plumbing to ventilation, light, damp, functional paths.. I'm not sure i'm describing it well but i felt like i had a reaaonably grim glimpse of 19th century conditions in a way i could make better sense of high levels of mortality in those times, and what sorts of things had enabled a change in real terms. Hope that makes sense.

[@annaleebliss4618]

Strange graves but in a beautiful setting. Being from desert southwest Appalachian mountains is some of the most pretty country on the planet

[@772tsweet77]

Interesting, I've seen an actual tent shaped grave. It was for a soldier has a canteen and other military type decorations. Never knew about the animal thing.

[@cervus-venator]

Yes we have several of these in our small family cemetery in middle-TN. One was destroyed a few years back by vandals riding their ATV over it. This part of the cemetery also has some of the old ceder trees growing among the graves as well. Saturday May 28th is our annual "Decoration" day. It is part of Memorial day where the family meets, remembers our family members, talk about keeping the cemetery up, we have a pot luck meal and a raffle for a hand made quilt to help fund the cemetery upkeep. Also on our Tent Graves the headstones are rounded on top and not the trapezium shape like the ones in this video.

[@deee5520]

This is a new one for me. I’ve never seen that kind of a grave. I did some research. And besides the animals they had grave robbers who would get the bodies to go for medical research. Really interesting.

[@tylerofviolence]

It was for that and the sinking ground after the wooden coffins would naturally decay the earth from above would concave and so this was the solution and as you mentioned.

[@michaelsteven1090]

He should do the research..lame

[@deee5520]

@@michaelsteven1090 That’s a piss poor attitude. I think he does a good job. He’s a young man who has taken us to see many things. I’m an old lady and I always enjoy his videos.

[@michaelsteven1090]

@@deee5520 I watch his vids but he always comes up short on any history..Even a little more would be helpful...Every thing is "I'm not sure why or who"..Its like, why bother watching..It makes a difference to many.

[@deee5520]

@@michaelsteven1090 Well maybe you should watch something else.

[@billgoeckel6344]

You were right about the the graves fall a[part from decomposing and this does keep the animals out. Greeting from Edmonton Canada

[@briansullivan1927]

i cried a little when you replaced the flag on the grave in the first minute of the video...thank you for posting .

[@nikkinicklus7587]

❤️🤍💙🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@mygrammieis]

Never seen those before.. Thanks for A Awesome video sharing and walk Around with you.. Very interesting story!👏👏👏👏

[@KJensenStudio]

These have such a consistant and interesting shape, like an overturned cradle or trough. Lots of good comments on here with many suggestions. Thanks for sharing this!

[@JohnShinn6078]

I read they're to protect graves from grazing animals. Thanks for the tour Chris! 👍👍👍

[@esta1ful]

Thank you so much for introducing me to something totally new. I love to learn things.

[@Buzzygirl63]

Fascinating. I’ve never seen any grave markers like these before. Thanks for sharing your travels!

[@Godwinpounds4333]

Hello dear how are you doing?

[@lornalulich9562]

Luv these older cemeteries. I was always fascinated when driving & come across a cemetery in the middle of nowhere. So very interesting Chris, wouldn't it be nice to find out about ppl buried there. Especially in the 1800s so sad though to hear about children's passing. I use to go on cemetery walks, can no longer. Thanks I can watch & go along on your walks.

[@catfishslayer454]

Grave vaults or liners are a relatively new construct as they were rarely used before the 1800s. Back in those days, vaults were often made of wood, brick, iron or steel and had a primary purpose of preventing grave robbery-which apparently was much more common back then, as loved ones were often buried with expensive jewelry or other finery.

[@stacey7529]

This is cool to see. I've never heard of tent graves.

[@JohnCompton1]

Wonder if the child with the unfinished epitaph perhaps died the same day she was born? I love the history and mystery of cemeteries, trying to piece little tidbits of local and familial history together..

[@NoPaintGarage]

I think you are right

[@lorraine9242]

Maybe the mother died before the date could be inscribed?

[@larsonfamilyhouse]

Yes that’s what I assumed, or perhaps a stillborn so they really didn’t know when the child has actually passed

[@JoMarieM]

I think that maybe the person who only had the date of birth on her tombstone, could have been estranged from or even disowned by her family. Perhaps she had married someone they didn't approve of, or did something else that disgraced her family (people would disown their sons and daughters for all kinds of stuff back then), and she ran away and her fate was never known, so her date of death was simply left blank. That's a pretty big tombstone for a baby, so I think that my theory about this being the grave of a woman who was shunned by her family makes more sense to me!

[@dinahjackson8146]

I LOOVE, OLD CEMETERIES !!! THANK YOU !!! 😍

[@louisecooper2613]

Really interesting tent graves. I come from N. Ireland we don't have any like those. I love grave yards I find them very peaceful. 😊

[@MaryManion]

I've seen a few of those. I live in the mountains, NC we have a lot of old graveyards. My hubs and I visit some of them a few times a year. Always feel a peaceful vibe in the older ones. A nice story, thanks for sharing. :)

[@TNgrandee3]

When I saw the first shot of the opening of this video I knew you were in or near where I grew up. The tent graves are new to me and very interesting.

[@MobileInstinct]

Beautiful area

[@internetcensure5849]

@@MobileInstinct 2:53 a black bull.

[@Godwinpounds4333]

Hello Delores how are you doing?

[@l.smythe6602]

Thank you! I have family in that state going back several generations. When I was little we visited and stopped at a cemetery to see where some of our kin were buried. I was too scared to go in-there were old, bullet ridden headstones all fenced in by an ornate wrought iron fence. I stayed in the car! Nowadays I'd go right on in as you did. Appreciate your being so respectful (especially of the flag). I'll be watching for more and have subbed. Thank you!

[@adelerodriguez2432]

Bullet-ridden headstones? What the heck happened?

[@journeywithjay]

Never knew these kind of Graves existed, it's very interesting.

[@kathydavenport4422]

Wow this is amazing I read one of comments and I really love what the person said about why that was done May they all Rest In Peace beloved ones never forgotten

[@KGVB757]

There’s an old cemetery near Cosby in the smokies that has a couple that’s the furthest east I’ve seen it. I also love all the little 10-grave cemeteries you see along all the roads through the south. And the big ones are called ‘vaults’ I believe, you see them still today they’re just more modern looking.

[@adelerodriguez2432]

There is a Home Depot store in Commack, Long Island, NY that has a small family cemetery in the middle of the parking lot.

[@janmcguire5268]

Wow, thanks for sharing!

[@jburnett8152]

I have never seen grave markers like that before. Interesting. Wasn't that unusual for children to pass so young back in the day. Especially before antibiotics. Thanks for sharing.

[@torianholt2752]

Lots of childhood diseases such as measles, scarlett fever, whooping cough, polio, ect. killed huge numbers of children under 10 before vaccines were available.

[@ctaylor1393]

Believe "failure to thrive" took many too.

[@carlcushmanhybels8159]

There were many childhood diseases, more recently prevented and cured by vaccines. Among them: measles, mumps, rubella ("German Measles"): "MMR" Vaccine. Smallpox (huge killer, adults and children). Polio. "DPT Vaccine" --I forget what the "D" is, Diphtheria? PT is Pertussis, better known as "Whooping Cough." : 2 Michigan women scientists cured PT in the '30's with an effective vaccine. I learned the PT story in Smithsonian mag, March 2022.

[@tandiparent1906]

It was unusual unfortunately back then for children to live over the age of 3 years old; often people would wait until then, before they would 'officially' name their children for that reason. Antibiotics and vaccines have saved many children and adults from many diseases, some of which are no longer even around, over the years; things like measles, small pox, & polio are only a few that come to mind.

[@bbe3034]

The Spanish Flu arrived in the states in 1918. Many in my small town died from it. Very sad.

[@superbanaan9]

wauw this is one of the nicest cementarys just because u share it with cows and trees and its nice and small on a hill

[@ernestj3081]

So peaceful and quiet! Omg, the children🥺How sad, so young🙏🏻 The box like designs are very peculiar! Almost like an above ground 🪦 burial? I love the area! A step back in time! Thank you Chris!🌟💙🌟

[@MelissaThompson432]

I live in southern TN, and there are two family cemeteries in my family that I have been to that have graves dating from the 19th century, and I've never seen a tent grave.

[@georgecollins2345]

Thank you for being respectful to our flag and the graves

[@MARZ1911]

The plague, yellow fever and dysentery were pretty popular back then.

[@jackie4350]

I don't know if it's your choices or your voice but I'll tell you what I'm stressed out I listened to your videos And they're very calming and interesting

[@katherinestephens7631]

This was very interesting, I have never heard of these tent graves or seen them. Thank you for another fascinating video 👍😊

[@hjpngmw]

I don't know about in TN, but, in GA, a child's grave with only one date generally indicates either a stillbirth or a baby who lived less than a day.

[@Godwinpounds4333]

Hello carol how are you doing?

[@rachaelleann9847]

Well I'm in East Tennessee and I personally have never saw any like this . Very cool. I've saw them shaped different and stuff but never tent like. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. And yes there are commentaries on almost every road ever few miles there s alot of small ones pretty much. Families have their own and alot of churches have them.

[@cliveashley9364]

Great 😊 cemetery view✋ watching fr jamaica 🇯🇲🏖️😎🌞

[@Vynny]

Not sure it's been mentioned, but I lived in TN for 4 years and recurring thing is it's all on bedrock. I couldn't get a house built with a basement without blasting. I would hazard a guess that these tent graves would due to the fact that they couldn't dig six feet down for the body. So they added protection on a body buried maybe 3 feet by adding the tent. Just something that occurred to me right away. May be wrong. Cheers

[@nickgarcia7415]

I wasn't thinking of bed rock. But had a similar Idea of wanting the burial deeper for whatever reason.

[@naomiweaver1855]

Interesting! Mountains are naturally rocky and only the poorest people tried to farm on them because the soil and terrain was bad. Depth of graves may have been a factor.

[@naarahjanemorris3121]

Hi Chris thanks for the Informative video it's so Sad to See so many children's graves Unmarked & it's unusual to see These tent style graves.

[@kathycagg6531]

I’d never heard of tent graves before. I wonder if the one that gave no date of death was maybe a stillbirth. Interesting! Thanks Chris!

[@gleaminggraves1875]

Wow I have never seen those types of graves! Very interesting! Thanks for sharing!

[@elizabethrowe7262]

Never seen graves like that here in Australia either. Very old grave site and would be interesting to find out the history of these.

[@mothratemporalradio517]

Yeah, i am not familiar with them here, but in the settlement of Australia, city planning processes did involve the upheaval of pre-existing burial grounds on at least one occasion, at least in Sydney. It seems originally there was a cemetery in the CBD and it quickly wound up beyond capacity, leading to big problems. AFAIK they then transferred the interred contents to (at least, primarily) Rookwood, a suburban location, and there is a now disused 19th century building at Central train station which was for a "cemetery line" to Rookwood. I think this both transported visitors and coffins, presumably on different services. And a visit to the cemetery was apparently seen as a bit of a day out by the Victorians. Graverobbing - not sure of our own history in this respect. Prob some gnarly history there waiting to be unearthed, as it were. There would have been medical students at the Uni of Sydney.. Collapsing graves - have never heard of this happening here, bit of a revelation. I just never had an impression of this being a thing to watch out for. Maybe our graves are too recent, at least in settled areas?

[@danettepeachey1354]

I'm pretty sure we saw two in the historical area of the Toowoomba Cemetery, but we went to a number of historical cemeteries that day looking for family graves, so may have been at another smaller cemetery in South East Queensland.

[@rhiannonrede]

Wow! I have never seen or heard of them before. Thanks so much for posting! Very cool.

[@R32R38]

I've explored a number of old cemeteries in New England and have never seen that type of grave.

[@johnshields6852]

I'd never seen those type of grave stones, unique, it's refreshing to see you respect and bring recognition to the souls there. Thank you.🙏

[@lawannapierce5979]

I live in Tennessee. I suspect it is for the same reason all my vegetable beds are raised beds. I cannot imagine hand digging in this rock deep enough to bury a person. In most of my yard there is less than 3 inches of soil.

[@alicel3992]

Thank you for respecting our flag 👏🏼👏🏾👏🏻👏🏿👍👍🤩

[@bettyfourman5438]

Very interesting. I like the old cemeteries. Good job. I like to read the names and whatever is written to know more about the people that are laid to rest there.

[@cshell64]

Very respectable and nice tour. Well done. Thank you.

[@opiealvin]

Interesting find Chris. Thanks for sharing it. Never seen these before.

[@christinashelton5957]

My mama is buried at a very old cemetery & there’s several “tent” graves there as well. It’s def strange 2 c these graves an 2 b able 2 c the inside of the graves. My mama is buried in Sparta Tn, so it’s ironic 2 c these same kind of graves there at the cemetery that u r at. May god bless ur day!!

[@jodieadams4557]

I live in Tennessee and have never seen a grave like that! Most certainly interesting! Thanks for the video!

[@MobileInstinct]

Thanks! I had never seen then either

[@talleymatthews4434]

That's the 1st time I have seen tent Graves. I understand people don't want an animal to get to their loved one. I live in North Alabama and some of the Graves in Longacre in Rash Alabama has slabs. No writing on some of the graves.Thank you for sharing the video

[@jeffhensley9988]

I live in Knoxville Tennessee. Where exactly were these graveyards at. Thank you for sharing this amazing video. God Bless

[@ScoundrelSFB]

I love your old cemetery videos, thanks a bunch ❤

[@EJFXxx]

Not for animal protection ... reason is to protect the land above the wooden coffin, once the wood coffin has rotted away, the dirt above will try to settle in the void ... the dirt does settle in the void but only from dirt under the tent ... not next to it ... the dirt that was packed in the tent during burial will fall into the void

[@teenaleer6447]

👍

[@Liz_678]

Thanks

[@n.e.barton1299]

@ 2:24 the tent partially fell down.

[@celiabrickell2500]

The tent could prevent erosion of the uphill land when the wooden coffin decays. The soil will move over time to fill the void and the erosion would create a very uneven slope, over turn markers and maybe uncover human remains.

[@asabovesobelow7981]

👏👏👏✌

[@gomphrena-beautifulflower-8043]

Lifelong Tennessean here, and I’ve never seen anything like this. Interesting! Thank you.

[@Godwinpounds4333]

Hi how are you doing?

[@carlcushmanhybels8159]

Besides a roof surface if/when the grave collapsed/settled: The Tent would stop people from walking on the graves; if that was a concern. It does echo the ancient custom of piling a lot of stones on the grave; to keep out animals and as a memory monument.

[@ASmith1917]

Have some family who are buried in these kinds of graves at the Lost Creek Austin Cemetery in Sparta, White County, Tennessee. Really neat stuff to see.

[@Johnny.H158]

The story goes that aging graves, back in the 1800s, would settle and fall apart. Once the wood coffins broke up in the earth, the ground would sink around the sudden underground space. By using a tent-like gravestone above the burial plot, the stone would protect the sunken ground and even keep animals away.

[@l.smythe6602]

That makes sense. Thanks for posting this.

[@memeruss9896]

What little I have read was it was to protect the graves from cattle and animals from walking and getting into the graves and from the weather. Then I read where it was just an aesthetic choice. As you said they are mostly in Tennessee and the south. Where I'm from there are many above ground vaults. Many of my older family members are buried in the above ground vaults in the south. Of course, you find lots of the above ones in New Orleans.

[@Gypsy839]

Thanks for showing I’ve never seen any of these either ❤️

[@debbiebowles7001]

In the 1st cemetery the man who donated the land for the cemetery for his wife who was 1st buried in the cemetery, he lived to be 105 years old. Very rare for back then. Thanks for sharing.

[@terryhermans5366]

Good observation.

[@jan7240]

Wow such an interesting form of graves never even heard about these kind let alone seen any thanks for showing us 👍

[@jethrobodine4638]

great video Chris, very interesting. i love history and your channel is awesome. keep up the great work.

[@randallrobert332]

My great grandfather told me along time ago that they did this to keep the wild animals from digging up the bodies.

[@kphillips4809]

The first one is the Shiloh cemetery, the second one is the Cub cemetery. Thanks for this video.

[@roostershooter76]

That's odd. Simply because of the coincidence that the Native American, Mississippian Culture, of Northern Tennessee also buried their dead in what we call "Stone Box Burials". They were buried in the similar fashion as these individuals. It's mainly in the Northern to Central Tennessee areas that we see this phenomenon.

[@buffyl2674]

Great video! Keep them coming!

[@donyoung7874]

There are numerous cemeteries in Middle TN with these types of graves. My dad is in a cemetery that has about 40 - 50 of them in its oldest section.

[@marygrummer9189]

Wow, very interesting! I’ve never seen graves like that before.