Minnigaff churchyard. Headstone for Ben Tait, 1756. Digital image of KB 1326/1

Description Minnigaff churchyard. Headstone for Ben Tait, 1756. Digital image of KB 1326/1

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

Catalogue Number SC 803807

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of KB 1326/1

Scope and Content Gravestone commemorating Benjamin, Patrick and George Tait, Old Parish Church and Burial-Ground, Minnigaff, Dumfries & Galloway At the top of this stone, a crowned and winged figure symbolises the soul's ascent to Heaven, while the crown is an emblem showing a belief in a glorious afterlife, representing eternal life for the faithful and the righteous. It alludes to a variety of Biblical quotations such as '...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life' (Revelations 2:10) and 'Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing' (2 Timothy 4:8). While a decorative feature, the leafy garland strung between two rosettes could also symbolise regeneration: just as plants appear to die in autumn, so they come to life again in spring, so does the soul, freed after the mortal body dies. Flanked by an egg-and-dart border and two pillars, the emblems within the main panel are those of death and mortality. The winged hourglass speaks of the swiftness with which life passes, while the skull and cross bones and coffin beneath are obvious motifs for death and its finality. Carved in a distinctive style, this memorial is probably by a stonemason known as John Leyburn, whose work is seen in churchyards across Galloway. He erected a memorial to his father in Mochrum churchyard, and having stated that he cut the stone himself, it is possible to use this as a reference to compare other similar work. This gravestone commemorates Benjamin Tait, who died in 1756 aged 31, Patrick Tait, who died in 1757 aged 41, and George Tait, who died in 1762 aged 41. All three were tenant farmers and may have been brothers. The inscription reads: 'Here Lys the Corps/of Benjamin Tait in Wood of Cree who/died 12 December aged 31. Here/Lyes the corps of Patrick Tait in Drenadon/who died 5th September 1757 aged 41 years/also here lys the Corps of George Tait/in Greange who died August 25th 1762/aged 41 years'. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/803807

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap