Headstone for Thomas Chapman's son, 1766. Digital image of B 4324/15

Description Headstone for Thomas Chapman's son, 1766. Digital image of B 4324/15

Date 1991

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

Catalogue Number SC 803736

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of B 4324/15

Scope and Content Gravestone commemorating James and Janet Chapman, St John's Town of Dalry Parish Church, Dumfries & Galloway Here, leaves and sprays of greenery surround the winged figure, which is a symbol of the soul's ascent to Heaven after death. The emblems below express the melancholy sentiments of death and mortality. For death there is a spade and shovel, used by the gravedigger, the coffin and a skull and cross bones, while a winged hourglass represents the swift passing of days and the shortness of life. At the foot of the stone, set within a shield, are the tools of a stonemason: a set square, compasses, mallet and trowel. Most of the stonemasons who carved gravestones at this time remain anonymous. However, in Galloway it is possible to attribute a distinctive group of late 18th-century headstones to a mason named John Leyburn who is known to us through a memorial for his father, the inscription stating that he had prepared the stone himself. Examples of his work can be identified by comparison to this stone. This gravestone commemorates James Chapman, who died in 1742 aged 60, and his wife Janet, who died in 1760 aged 58. The memorial was erected by their son Thomas in 1766. The inscription reads: 'Here lies the remains/of James Chapman who/died 1742 aged 60 years/also Janet Chapman his/spouse who died 1760 aged/58'. On the opposite face it is inscribed: 'Erected by Thomas/Chapman in New Galloway/their son 1766'. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/803736

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap