View of headstone for James Douglas, who died in 1747 and his wife Mary Douglas, who died in 1789, in the churchyard of Dalry Parish Church.

Description View of headstone for James Douglas, who died in 1747 and his wife Mary Douglas, who died in 1789, in the churchyard of Dalry Parish Church.

Date c. 1986

Collection Papers of Betty Willsher, historian, St Andrews, Scotland

Catalogue Number SC 1532394

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of A 26892

Scope and Content Gravestone commemorating James Douglas, St John's Town of Dalry Parish Church, Dumfries & Galloway The wealth of symbols and emblems shown here express James Douglas' hopes and beliefs as well as showing his profession and some of the tools he used in everyday life. At the top of the stone, a shield bears a crown and a heart, the traditional arms of the Douglas family. However, another interpretation might be that they represent the delights of Heaven awaiting James Douglas' soul. Another shield beneath displays the working tools of a mason, the set square and compasses, along with a mallet and a trowel. To the left, the symbols signify death and mortality. The winged hourglass represents the swiftness of time's passing, while the skull and crossbones are a vivid metaphor of mortal death. While these represent James's death, they were probably also intended to give the viewer cause to think on their own mortality, and the shortness of their own days. On the right, a naked figure appears to rise from a coffin, being a representation of James's resurrection at the Last Judgement and is a metaphor of the triumph over death Although seen as a token of love, in the 18th century the heart carried a range of meanings, one of which was as a symbol for the soul. The crown is an allusion to several Biblical passages promising life eternal and glory in Heaven for those who adhered to God's word, such as '...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life' (Revelations 2: 10) and 'Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing' (2 Timothy 4:8). This gravestone commemorates James Douglas, who died in 1747 aged 45, and his wife Mary Douglas, who died in 1789 aged 81. According to the inscription, the stone was erected by Archibald Douglas, who may have been their son or another relative. The inscription reads: 'Here lyes the corps of/JAMES DOUGLAS who died at/St John's Clachan march 17 1747/aged 45 years. Also of Mary/Douglas his spouse who died/[...] 1789 aged 81 years'. Inscribed on the opposite side is: 'Erected by Archibald/Douglas Marchant in St/John's Clachan'. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/1532394

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap