View of grave-stone. Digital image of LA 3769/2

Description View of grave-stone. Digital image of LA 3769/2

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

Catalogue Number SC 801180

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of LA 3769/2

Scope and Content Mural monument commemorating John Orr and Susanna Hay, St Kentigern's Church, Hyndford Road, Lanark, South Lanarkshire The use of the Latin inscription is matched by the memorial's Classically-inspired form. Here the mason has used elements of Classical architecture such as the cornice at the top of the memorial and the Ionic-styled columns which once flanked the uppermost inscription panel. The ornamental border which surrounds it was probably designed to draw the attention of the viewer to the panel's text. The only overtly Christian emblem is the large, imposing winged soul, perched on top of the monument, symbolising the soul's Heaven-ward ascent after death. The features of this winged soul are strikingly realistic, and appears to be a fine portrait bust of a young woman. One possibility is that this is actually a portrait of Susanna Hay, in the guise of her soul rising to Heaven. This large mural memorial commemorates John Orr, minister of Lanark, who died in 1708. Also buried here are Susanna Hay, his wife, who died in 1731, and their children Andrew and Anna. The stone bears two inscriptions: the first is written in English, and appears to read: 'RESURGAM/THE BURIAL PLACE OF Mr JOHN ORR ORDAINED/MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL/AT LANARK WHO DIED 4th/AVGVST 1708/HERE LYES SUSANNA HAY/HIS SPOUSE WHO DIED 23rd/OF JANUARY 1731 AGED 38/ALSO ANDREW AND ANN/ORRS THEIR CHILDREN'. A longer Latin text follows which states that John Orr, MA had been minister at this church for 41 years and died at the age of 68. The remainder of the text is now illegible, having become badly weathered in places. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/801180

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap