gb0551ms-36-34-119

Transcription

[Page] 119

I proceeded to Carsphairn. He was away on
his holiday but I was entertained to tea by the
Rev. [Reverend] W. McArthur & his wife who were occupying
the manse in his absence, the former taking
his duty. Within the church on the floor
beside the pulpit is an old bell, unfor:
:tunately cracked, inscribed around the
shoulder "ex dono Mr i Johan Reid
Carsphairn R. M. fecit Edn. [Edinburgh] 1723. It
meas [measures] 3'.3" in circ. [circumference] at mouth, & 1'.10" at the
shoulder.
Within the graveyard are several good
examples of early 18th century tombstones.
There is one large slab bearing at one end initials
[--] and date 1644, 6' in length by 1'.10" in breadth
lying near the gateway into the Manse grounds.
Adjacent is an upright stone carved on one
side with an hour glass & skull surrounded
by mantling all in high relief and on the
other side bearing in incised characters the
inscription. R.G. G' G.
Faithful Robert Grierson
Doth ly beside this stone
Who in his lifetyme was
Repute ane honest one
Religeon he did awn
When few it countenanc'd.
Eternity is come
Where he is high advanc'd
Who died the 11 of June
1699 Aged 80.

Transcriber's notes

see p.197 of Proc. Soc. Antiq. Scot. Vol 99 (1966-67) The church and other bells of the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright (pp 191-210)
Eeles, F C and Clouston, Ronald W M