Detail of tombstone of James Rait and Elizabeth Low dated 1756.

Description Detail of tombstone of James Rait and Elizabeth Low dated 1756.

Date 1756

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

Catalogue Number B 42935/22

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 799289

Scope and Content Chest tomb of James Raitt and family, Kinnell Parish Church, Angus This shows the top of the tomb, with its pair of winged souls, emblems of the soul ascending to Heaven after death. Between the souls a hammer and crown show that the tomb belonged to a member of the Guild of Hammermen. The oval cartouche is surrounded by scrolled foliage, a symbol of renewal and resurrection. The Guild of Hammermen was open to any craftsman who used a hammer on metal as part of their work. The Incorporation included such trades as armourers, glovers, pewterers, hookmakers, saddlers, coppersmiths, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, gunsmiths, girdlemakers, cutlers and watchmakers. Members of the guild were entitled to use the emblem of the royal crown on their gravestones, but some chose to join separate guilds and display the tools of their individual trade. This chest tomb commemorates James Raitt, who died in 1755. It is inscribed: 'Here lyes the dust of James Raitt/sometime tenant in Waulkmill of/Boysack & husband to Elisabeth Low/by whom he had seven children/Elisabeth & David, interred here, John/Jean, Kathrine, James &...alive/at this date. He died 21st February/1755 aged 66 years'. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

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