Headstone for the McNish children, 1757. Digital image of B 4180/7.

Description Headstone for the McNish children, 1757. Digital image of B 4180/7.

Date 1991

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

Catalogue Number SC 803832

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of B 4180/7

Scope and Content Gravestone commemorating the McNish children, Churchyard & Gordon Tomb, Old Kirk, Anwoth, Dumfries & Galloway Arranged in a ring, these winged figures represent the soul's ascent to Heaven while the skull and cross bones symbolise death and the mortal remains. These emblems are carved in a particularly distinctive style, and may be the work of a stonemason whose work is known from across Galloway. His memorials usually feature a group of three or four winged souls, carved in this style, arranged in a ring, while skulls are depicted with rimmed eye-sockets and a triangular gap for a nose. Post-Reformation gravestones like this are an important part of the nation's heritage, documenting the lives of ordinary Scots who would otherwise leave little record of their existence. Through the decorative carvings and inscriptions it is possible to learn more about the lives of these people, what they did for a living and even the clothes they wore and what they looked like. This gravestone commemorates Robert McNish, who died in 1757 aged one, John McNish, who died in 1763 aged 19, Jean McNish, who died in 1763 aged 21, and Margaret McNish, who died in 1763 aged 14. The inscription reads: 'Here lyes the corps of Robert McNish who/died November the 8th 1757 aged one year/Also John McNish who died March 28th 1763/aged 19 also Jean McNish who died may/6th 1763 aged 21 and also Margaret McNish/who died June 26th 1763 aged 14 years./Children on Robert McNish and Mary McWhork/in Whitesyd'. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/803832

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap