Detail of headstone for Janet Forguson, who died in 1751, in the churchyard of Dalry Parish Church

Description Detail of headstone for Janet Forguson, who died in 1751, in the churchyard of Dalry Parish Church

Date c. 1986

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

Catalogue Number SC 1532395

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of A 26893

Scope and Content Gravestone commemorating Janet Forguson, St John's Town of Dalry Parish Church, Dumfries & Galloway Surrounded by leaves and sprays of greenery, the winged figure at the top of this memorial symbolises the soul's ascent to Heaven after death. This winged soul is similar to the work of John Leyburn, a stonemason whose work dates to the later 18th century and can be seen throughout Kirkcudbrightshire and Wigtownshire. His work can be identified by comparison to a stone cut for his father, the inscription stating that he had prepared the stone himself. While leaves, plants and flowers appear decorative, they could also express a range of ideas about death, mortality and the after-life. Flowers could be read as metaphors on the shortness of life, blooming and then quickly withering, or might be associated with mourning, such as lilies or amaranths, or purity, such as the rose. Other plants and sprays of foliage may have been used as symbols of regeneration: just as plants return to life after appearing dead throughout winter so the soul was believed to rise to Heaven after mortal death, to await the Last Judgement and the Resurrection of the dead. This gravestone commemorates Janet Forguson, who died in 1751 aged 70. The inscription reads: 'Here lyes/Janet Forguson Spouse to Robert/Maichaill who died [...] 6/1751 aged 70 years'. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/1532395

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap