View of gravestone commemorating James Orr, 1748, in Maryton churchyard.

Description View of gravestone commemorating James Orr, 1748, in Maryton churchyard.

Date 1989

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

Catalogue Number B 4029/10

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 2239417

Scope and Content West face of the gravestone of James Orr, Maryton Parish Church and Churchyard, Angus This side of the gravestone shows a winged soul (symbol of the spirit ascending to Heaven after death) at the top, an armorial panel carved with the initials of the deceased (centre) and a carving of the dead person wrapped in a winding sheet (bottom). A row of death emblems (crossed bones, scythe, skull and hourglass) can just be seen at the base of the stone. Winding sheets are a form of shroud used to wrap the body after death. The representation on this stone shows the feet, face and arm exposed. The face would be left exposed for mourners to view the body whilst it was laid out. It was believed that the feet should be left free to enable the body to rise on the Day of Judgement. This gravestone commemorates James Orr, who died in 1745. It is inscribed: 'Here lyes James Orr husband/to Ann Hampton who lived/Sometimes in Bearmains of/Old Montrose and departed/this life Nov the 11 day 1745/aged 57 years together with 2/of his Children Jean and Charles/orrs who died young'. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

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