Epitaph

`Do not stand at my grave and weep,
 I am not there, I do not sleep.
 I am a thousand winds that blow;
 I am the diamond glints on the snow.
 I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
 I am the gentle autumn`s rain.
 When you awaken in the morning`s rush,
 I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft star that shines at night.
 I am the rainbow in the sky.
 Do not stand at my grave and cry,
 I am not there; I did not die.



THE PATE FAMILY COAT OF ARMS AND CREST

PATE
 The Name PATE means badger. This particular family of PATE comes from  Leicestershire,England.

ARMS
 Argent, Three Roman R`s in Sable.

CREST
 A stag`s head cabossed argent attired
 OR
 Between the antlers a Raven, wings expanded.

SYBOLISM

ARGENT
 Silver,Denotes peace and sincerity.
 OR
 Gold, Denotes generosity, elevation of mind.

SABLE
 Black, Constancy.

THREE ROMAN R`S
 Known as `text letters` are sometimes borne on shields, and these may stand  for the initials of great battles or tournaments. Modern heralds have  sometimes inscribed the whole name of a battle on the escutcheon of arms.

ANTLERS
 Denote strength and fortitude. A scriptural reference is, it is thought,  manifested in their being so extensively used in armory. `The horns of the  righteous shall be exatlted`, may well have been the mediaeval intent in  bearing such symbols. There can be no doubt that many such emblems have found  their way into British and Continental heraldry from remotest times.

STAG
 Denotes Policy, Peace and Harmony.

RAVEN
 This symbol was esteemed by the Romans, and it was the ensign of the Danes  when they invaded England in circa A.D. 870. The Danes regarded the Raven as  being consecrated to Wodin, their God of War.

(A page from genealogy given to my family by Ora Pate Stewart)

My family site is a work in progress,some of the information has been verified  and some has not been verified. The Pate line going back to Robert Burrows  Pate is verified. The father of Robert Burrows Pate, named John Pate has been  elusive. Please sign my guestbook,any comments or corrections are welcome.