View of gravestone commemorating Robert Wat 1773 in the churchyard of Monikie Parish Church.

Description View of gravestone commemorating Robert Wat 1773 in the churchyard of Monikie Parish Church.

Date 1988

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

Catalogue Number B 4001/3

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 2236215

Scope and Content Gravestone of Robert Wat, Parish Church and Burial Ground, Monikie, Angus This boldly carved gravestone features a round-faced soul with wavy hair and deep, feathery wings, symbolising the soul ascending to Heaven after death. The winged soul is flanked by a rose and a lily, emblems of rebirth. Within the cartouche below are the emblems of a tailor, the goose (iron), scissors, and two bodkins or needles. Rows of initials of other family members on scroll-like ribbons have been added to the sides of the stone. Scottish gravestones feature a wealth of imagery and symbolic devices which represent trade emblems, symbols of death and resurrection, and Biblical scenes. They offer a fascinating insight into how our ancestors saw themselves and how they wanted to be remembered, as well as providing a store of information for people interested in family or local history, and folk art. This gravestone commemorates Robert Wat, who died in 1733. It is inscribed: 'HERE LYES ROBERT WAT/HUSBAND TO GRIZEL MELLMAKER/WHO DWELT SOMETIME IN DIKTOUN/WHO DIED 18th DAY OF JANUARY/1733 & OF HIS AGE 59/My glass is run/and yours runneth/Fear to sin/for Judgement cometh'. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

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