View of gravestone of Magdalene Couper, 1749. Digital image of AN 6553.

Description View of gravestone of Magdalene Couper, 1749. Digital image of AN 6553.

Date c. 1990

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

Catalogue Number SC 794796

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of AN 6553

Scope and Content Gravestone of Magdalene and Anna Couper, Arbroath Abbey Churchyard, Angus This stone features bound bunches of palm fronds upon its curved top (emblems of victory over death), a winged hourglass (emblem of how time, literally, 'flies'), skull and crossed bones (emblems of death), and a crossed scythe and dart (the weapons of Death). The low relief carvings are crisply cut into a recessed panel which contrasts with the fully sculpted palms on top of the stone. Several stones in this graveyard were erected by sorrowing parents (usually members of a trade guild) in memory of their children. The inclusion of the name of a 'surviving' child on this stone is unusual. This gravestone commemorates Magdalene Couper, who died in 1747, and Anna Couper, who died in 1748. It is inscribed: 'Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection/This Ston Was Sett up by James Co/uper Merchant in Aberbrothock & Isobel Wilk/ie his Spouse in memory of their children/viz William who at this present date Su/rvives as also Magdalene who died Feb 22/1747 & Anna died Septmr 22 1748/How happy thes that's young calld of the Stage/Their inconscius of the guilt that waits our age'. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/794796

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap