Cross and Anchor Roundel
Phipps, Ball & Burnham 1920
In Loving Memory of Mother
Elvera Elizabeth Weatherford
Nearer My God to Thee
DESCRIPTION: The scarlet roundel encircled with shades of blue contains an anchor with a golden Latin cross securely tied to it by a knotted rope. There is a fleur-de-lis between the anchor and the cross.
SYMBOLISM: The anchor, the symbol of hope, used together with a cross stands for the hope of eternal life. The Anchor Cross was used by the early Christians in the catacombs. The fleur-de-lis is the conventional form of a lily, the flower representing immortality.
MEMORIAL: Elvera (Elvira) Elizabeth Johnson was born in Florida in 1852 or 1853. Her father was born in New Jersey and her mother in New Hampshire. On December 31, 1871, she married Julius Augustus Weatherford, with The Reverend Sam C. Craft of the Baptist Church officiating. Julius was born in 1849 in Florida of parents born in the Bahamas.
By 1900, Elvira and Julius were the parents of three living children: Pressie L., 27, and Margarette, 9. The third child was not living at home at the time. Elizabeth Johnson, Elvira's mother, was also a member of the household living at 629 Caroline Street. At that time Julius worked as a painter.
Apparently, Elvira did not use her first name. On the marriage license she is listed as Lizzie; in the census she is listed as Elizabeth; at her death the priest recorded her as Aloira; and, Phipps, Ball & Burnham used Elvera for the glass window.
Elvira Elizabeth Weatherford died November 14, 1919 and was buried by The Reverend Stout of St. Paul's.
Source: The Golden Cockerel: The Art, Symbolism & History of the Stained Glass Windows, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Key West, Florida by Winifred Shine Fryzel.
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