View of gravestone to John Murray, factor, 1777.OHN

Description View of gravestone to John Murray, factor, 1777.OHN

Date 1980

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

Catalogue Number SC 789865

Category On-line Digital Images

Scope and Content Gravestone of John Murray, Kells Churchyard, Kells, Dumfries & Galloway This beautifully designed and intricately carved stone features a neatly bordered panel containing belongings of the deceased, which describe his trade. They are a gunpowder flask (top left), fishing rods and flintlock sporting gun (centre and right), a mournful hunting dog with downcast head, and a partridge. The epitaph on this stone gives a vivid picture of the lighthearted and jovial character of the deceased, whilst the tools of his trade and dog describe his working life. A competition was held to compose an epitaph for this popular man, which was won by the local minister. The gravestone was erected by the deceased's employer, the Honourable John Gordon. This shows the gravestone of John Murray, factor (estate manager) to the Kenmore family for over 46 years, who died in 1777. It is inscribed with the following epitaph: 'Ah John what changes since I saw thee last/Thy fishing and thy shooting days are past/Bagpipes and hautboys, thou canst sound no more/Thy nods, grimaces, winks and pranks are o'er/Thy harmless, queerish incoherant talk, Thy wild vivacity and trudging walk/Will soon be quite forgot; thy joys on earth/A snuff, a glass, riddles and noisy mirth/Are vanish'd all. Yet blest I hope thou art/For in they station, weel thou play'dst thy part'. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

External Reference BWA/73/S

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/789865

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap