View of west face of gravestone of Thomas Findlay 1743 and his son Thomas 1750 in the churchyard of Rescobie Parish Church.

Description View of west face of gravestone of Thomas Findlay 1743 and his son Thomas 1750 in the churchyard of Rescobie Parish Church.

Date 1985

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

Catalogue Number A 3230

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 1530568

Scope and Content Gravestone of Thomas Findlay and his son Thomas, Rescobie Parish Kirk and Churchyard, Rescobie, Angus This shows the west face of the Findlay family gravestone. The top border is inscribed: 'GLORY BE TO GOD ONLY'. At the top of the stone is a winged soul (symbol of the spirit ascending to Heaven after death), whose curving wings echo the shape of the top of the stone. Two roses act as finials on the top corners of the stone, and symbolise rebirth. The main panel is carved with a heraldic crest, helmet and mantling (leafy drapery). The rectangular panel in the centre of the stone bears a carving of a swingletrees (horse harness) and the sock and coulter (metal parts of a plough). The armorial panel on this gravestone does not conform to rules of heraldry, and is an adaptation of a traditional style used by masons for its connotations of wealth and power. Country masons probably copied and adapted the designs from the tombs of the aristocracy, substituting trade emblems, hearts and initials in the panel usually filled with a shield or crest. This gravestone commemorates Thomas Findlay, who died in 1743, and his son Thomas, who died in 1750. It is inscribed: 'This stone was erected by HELEN/MILLAR relict of THOMAS FINDLAY/Sometime Farmer in CARSBANK/who died the 16 of Octber 1743/aged 55 years; also by his son/hear lyes the dust of a young/man Thomas Findlay who/died 9th October 1750/aged 20 years, son of Thomas/Findlay & Helen Miller/sometime farmer in Mains/of Carsbank'. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/799375