View of gravestone of James Shepherd, 1771. Carving of a gentleman in coat and breeches, with tricorn hat, sword and musket.

Description View of gravestone of James Shepherd, 1771. Carving of a gentleman in coat and breeches, with tricorn hat, sword and musket.

Date 1990

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

Catalogue Number SC 795274

Category On-line Digital Images

Scope and Content Detail of gravestone of James Shepherd and Janet Smith, Inverkeilor Parish Church, Inverkeilor, Angus This unusual gravestone is decorated with a carving of a confidently-posed gentleman dressed in the fashionable attire of the 1770s. He wears a bicorn hat with a curvy brim and cross-shaped decoration, a wig, a long coat with elaborate buttonholes, a sword belt, stockings and knee-breeches. Under his arm is a musket. The carving is surrounded by leafy scrolls. Many gravestones, like this example, record interesting contemporary costume details. The figure on this stone is probably intended to be a portrait of James Shepherd, shown in his best clothes and carrying a sword and gun like a fine gentleman. This gravestone commemorates James Shepherd, who died in 1762, and Janet Smith, who died in 1766. It is inscribed: 'This stone was erected in memory of/Our Father and Mother viz;/James Shepherd who died 12th February 1762/aged 74 & Janet Smith his spouse who died/10 September 1766 aged 80...' Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

External Reference BWA/270

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/795274

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap