On Day of the Dead, today we are floating through Ai Cemetery in remembrance of those who are in eternal rest. The Day of the Dead, or El Día de los Muertos, is a holiday akin to Catholicism's All Saints' and All Souls' Days. In Mexico, there is a decidedly indigenous/Aztec flavor to the celebration. The deceased are honored by gathering in homes, at churches, and in cemeteries. It is a time to remember the dearly departed with little offerings of the deceased family member's favorite food, beverages, and with little gifts. It is said that the final death on earth comes when nobody living remembers you.
If such a holiday were celebrated widely in Greensboro, the McGready descendants would be singing and dancing in Ai Cemetery right now. Nancy L. McGready, who was born in 1797 and died in 1858, is buried in this cemetery adjacent to Ai Church. The surname, McGready, is a variant of the Gaelic word meaning "trained" or "expert." The McGready's were some of the early settlers to Guilford County. James McGready migrated to Guilford County from Pennsylvania in 1778 and settled near David Caldwell's congregation. McGready, pious from childhood, became a minister and had congregations in Haw River and Stony Creek.* Now that we've learned about the McGready's, we'll need to return to Ai Cemetery to see if the preacher is buried there. As for where "Ai" got its name, nobody knows for sure.
For more information on Preacher McGready of Guilford County, read chapter 4 of The Great Revival: The beginnings of the Bible Belt by John B. Boles.
I often visit cemeteries in communities (especially pioneer cemeteries) because you get a feel of where the current citizens came from and some of the things they endured... nice fall shot!
Posted by: Madge | Tuesday, November 01, 2011 at 08:19 AM
I rather like this headstone. The simple design has stood the test of time.
Posted by: Halcyon | Tuesday, November 01, 2011 at 08:19 AM
Ai is a town or city founded by Abraham as mentioned in The Book of Genesis as a religious sanctuary. The name also is mentioned in The Book of Joshua, but this could be a different location.
Posted by: Anthony | Tuesday, November 01, 2011 at 09:41 AM
Cemeteries are fascinating places to visit--so much to learn about regional or national history and traditions, e.g. your previous July 31 post on the Hebrew Cemetery here and the placing of stones in lieu of flowers.
Posted by: Jane Mitchell | Tuesday, November 01, 2011 at 11:21 AM
I have always believed that someone is never really lost to us as long as one living soul remembers them.
I love and remember many,many of those who have gone before me. For some I have particular ways of honoring their memories. my Uncle Wilbur always used the term "Carry" differently than everyone else around here.He grew up along the Red River in Oklahoma in a time when horses and wagons were used before autos became the norm. When Uncle Wilber said he would carry you to the store or carry you home he just meant he would drive you there in the truck or land yacht of a Ford LTD . I try to make sure I use the term in my writing at least once a year.
I had my Aunt Bea until I was 12 and she is the spirit behind "Luaubee" at my Etsy shop,you can read about that on my profile there: http://www.etsy.com/people/luaubee
So have a pleasant and tranquil Dia De Los Muertos,lick sugar skulls 'til your tongue is numb!
Posted by: Janis of So Cal | Tuesday, November 01, 2011 at 06:07 PM