View of gravestone to Elizabeth Amner, 1787. Digital image of AN 6534/4.

Description View of gravestone to Elizabeth Amner, 1787. Digital image of AN 6534/4.

Date 1990

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

Catalogue Number SC 794858

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of AN 6534/4

Scope and Content Gravestone of Elizabeth Amner and her son David, Carmyllie Parish Church and Churchyard, Angus This gravestone depicts Elizabeth with her young son in her arms. She is holding hands with two angels, who are dressed in feathers (left) and a crossed band of drapery (right) with wings resembling cloaks about their shoulders. The border of the stone is carved with an egg and dart pattern border. An oval plaque with leafy decoration bears inscribed initials and a love heart motif. At the base of the stone are an hourglass, a coffin, a skull and crossed bones, all emblems of death. At the top of the stone can be seen a winged soul, emblem of the spirit ascending to Heaven. Many gravestones record interesting contemporary costume details. In this example, Elizabeth is shown wearing a fashionable dress of the 1780s, with pointed bodice, open-fronted skirt displaying her broad petticoat, and a tall crimped and gathered hat over her high hairstyle (usually padded out with tow (hemp or flax fibres) at this date). This gravestone commemorates Elizabeth Amner, who died in 1787, and her son who died in 1786. It is inscribed: 'Erected by James Mitchel in Bree/of Guind in memory of his Spouse Elizabeth Amner who died in the 39th year of her age, 1787, aged 38 also their lawful son David who/died in the 4th year of his age 1786/O think how soft and vain you trede/above the venerable dead/time was like you I life possess'd/But time shall be when ye most rest'. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/794858

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap