Monumental Inscriptions at Kirkchrist (The Stell)
Inscription 001
As will be seen by the photo, this stone has the top section missing. The inscription below is all that remains. The stone appears to have been moved near to the gate many years ago, where it now remains propped against the boundary wall.
.... John Geddes, who died at same place, 20th July 1844, aged 72 years. Also his sister Agnes, who died at Damhill 12th Jan’y. 1852, aged 49 years. Also his sister Margaret McKay, who died at Duneden 24th April 1870, aged 60 years. The above William Geddes, late of Kirkcudbright, died at Thornhill, 9th July 1884, aged 78 years.
Inscription 002
In loving memory of Isabella Lorimer, beloved wife of William James Patterson, who died at Kirkchrist Dairy, 12 August 1944, aged 73 years. Also Mary, their daughter, who died in infancy. Also the above William J. Patterson, died at Kirkchrist Dairy, 22 Jan 1951, in his 78th year.
Inscription 003
In loving memory of William Belford, younger son of John and Mary Belford, The Stell, Kirkcudbright, died at the Royal Infirmary, Dumfries, 24th August 1939, aged 34 years. Also the above John Belford, who died at The Stell, 17th March 1942, aged 69 years. And the above Mary Belford, who died at Dumfries 28th Dec. 194(3), aged 80 years.
Inscription 004
Erected by John McQuaide, in memory of his wife, Bridget Fitzpatrick, who died 26th Feb’y. 1861 aged 48 years.
Inscription 005
Erected by Edward Laidlaw, in memory of his mother, Euphemia Bell, who died 13th August 1850, aged 61 yrs. Also his sister Ann Laidlaw, who died 10th July 1893, aged 69 years. Also his son Edward, who died 6th July 1858, aged 5 years. Also his daughter (name missing in broken piece) died 10th Nov’r. 1862, aged 7 years and 6 months. Also the above Edward Laidlaw, who died at Alexandria, Egypt, 15th August 1866, aged 45 years. Also Christopher Laidlaw, his father who died 10th Nov’r. 1875, aged 92 years. Also Margaret McKay, widow of the above Edward Laidlaw, who died at Liverpool, 6th Oct. 1890, aged 59 years. Also John, their son who was lost at sea, Nov. 1881 aged 31 years, and of his two children, who died in infancy.
Inscription 006
Erected in memory of William Sibbald, who died at Castle Sod, 11th of June 1854 aged 72 years. Also his wife, Mary Nicolson, who died at Dolphston, 17th of January 1833, aged 50 years. Also their son, Cornelius Sibbald, who died at Castle Sod, 3rd April 1884, aged 70 years.
Inscription 007
Erected by William Wason, blacksmith, in memory of Jannet, his daughter, who died at Bank of Bishopton, 15th Nov’r. 1844, aged 19 years. Also William, his son who died 22nd June 1846 aged 22 years. Also Peter, his son, who died 8th of June 1849 aged 21 years. Also Mary, his daughter, who died the 30th June 1852, aged 22 years. Also Helen, his daughter, who died at Kirkcudbright 12th November 1856, aged 22 years. Also Anne, his daughter, who died 20th January 1858, aged 21 years. The above William Wason, who died at Kirkcudbright, 11th August 1861, aged 59 years. Agnes, his daughter, died at Kirkcudbright, 16th July 1862, aged 23 years. Alezabeth, his daughter, wife of Andrew Smail, died at Kirkcudbright, 3rd Feb'y 1862, aged 30 years. Elizabeth Kingan, wife of the above William Wason, died 1st Sept. 1866, aged 70 years.
Reverse: In memory of Isabella Smail, granddaughter of William Wason, who died 1st January 1859, aged 1 month.
Inscription 008
In memory of John McGuffog, who died at Furbur of Kelton, 20 December 1840, aged 86 years. And Mary Wilkison, his wife who died at the same place, 4 March 1837, aged 71 years. Also John Chambers, their grandson, who died at Newton of Anwoth, 5 December 1827, aged 11 years. And Robert McGuffog, their son, who died at Auchenlarie of Anwoth, 18 March 1858, aged 62 years. Also Elizabeth Carson, wife of John McGuffog, Auchenlarie, who died 21 January 1874, aged 70 years. And Robert McGuffog, their youngest son who died at Gatehouse, on the 18th May 1876 aged 30 years. And John McGuffog their eldest son, who died at Gatehouse 21st May 1876, aged 43 years. and interred here.
Inscription 009
Erected by William Stewart, brewer, Kirkcudb't, in memory of his wife Marg’t McCaul, who died 12th June 1847, aged 64 years. William, his son, who was lost at sea, March 1854, aged 26 years. Marg’t, his grand-daughter, died 26th Dec’r. 1855 aged 7 years. Also the above William Stewart, who died at 34 Fairfield Street, Fairfield, Liverpool, Feb.2 1881, aged 97 years.
Inscription 010
In loving memory of Mary Jane, only daughter of Samuel and Mary McKie, who died at Campbelton Cottage, Twynholm, 3rd December 1911, aged 8 years and 6 months. In proud and ever loving memory of Pte. John McKie, A & S.H., their 4th son, killed in action in France, 15th May 1917, aged 22 years. Greater love hath no man, than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. Also William McKie, their son and dearly beloved husband of Janet McClellan, died at Culdoach Road, Tongland, 28th September 1923, aged 34 years. Thy will be done.
God is love.
Inscription 011
Erected by John Echlin, to the memory of his father, Francis Echlin, who died 14th April 1862, aged 77 years. Also his mother, Isabella McCutcheon, who died 1st July 1864, aged 76 years. Also Sarah Echlin, wife of John Wilkinson, who died at Kirkcudbright, 6th Nay 1895, aged 60 years. The said John Wilkinson, coal agent, who died at Kirkcudbright, 16th Feb. 1908, aged 75 years. Their son James Wilkinson, who died at Dumfries, 15th Jan. 1934, aged 75 years.
Inscription 012
Erected by Elizabeth Houston in memory of Alexander Houston, her husband, who died at Gatehouse, 8th July 1901 aged 85 years. Also Alexander, their son, who died at Kirkeoch, aged 6 years. Also Mary Houston, wife of Thomas Archer, died at Greenock, 25th August 1906, aged 56 years. Also the above Elizabeth Houston, who died at Gatehouse, 30th July 1913, aged 87 years.
Inscription 013
Erected by William Guthrie in memory of William, his son who died 28th May 1853, aged 6 months, Euphemia, his daughter died 6th April 1856, aged 9 months, Margaret his daughter, died 28th Aug. 1862, aged 18 years, also of his son who died in infancy. Also Janet Laidlaw, wife of the above who died 5th July 1870 aged 58 years. Also the above William Guthrie, who died 19th Oct. 1901, in his 86th year. Also Elizabeth Calder, his wife, who died 2nd Sept. 1915, aged 79 years.
Inscription 014
Erected by William Maltman in memory of Mary Kirk, his wife, who died at Kirkcudbright March 12th 1879, aged 70 years. His two grandchildren who died in infancy. Also the above William Maltman, who died 30th Dec'r 1891, aged 75 years. Also his daughter Mary, who died at Millburn Street, 20th May 1911, aged 67 years. Sadly Missed. Also his 2nd daughter Nicholas, who died 30th Jan. 1924, aged 83 years.
Inscription 015
Erected by Samuel McNaly, in memory of his wife Elizabeth McGregor, who died 10th Aug. 1866, aged 59 years. Also his spouse Janet Gourlay, who died at Little Sypland 17th April 1874, aged 58 years.
Inscription 016
In loving memory of James Thomson, died at Low Nunton, Twynholm, 4th Jan. 1906, aged 82 years. Mary Milligan, his wife, died at same place, 12th Nov. 1904, aged 75 years. Jane Thomson, their third daughter died at Rascarrel, Rerrick, 28th April 1872, aged 17 years. Joseph Thomson, their son died in infancy. Agnes Jane Thomson, their youngest daughter died at Low Nunton, Twynholm, 3rd Oct. 1906, aged 32 years.
Inscription 017
Unfortunately, this stone has fallen on its face and is unreadable. The inscription given is taken from the survey carried out by the Manpower Services Commission.
In memory of Elizabeth McDowall wife of Adam Black, who died at High Newton, 19th April 1903, aged 44 years. Maggie Black, their daughter, died at Haes, Auchencairn, Jan. 29 1890, aged 3 years. David Black, their son, who died in infancy. Mary Black, their daughter, died at Western Infirmary, Glasgow, 1st July 1905, aged 21 years. The said Adam Black, who died at Meiklewood Cottage, Tongland, 14th March 1915, aged 59 years. Gordon Black, their eldest son who died in London, 31st May 1970, aged 82 years.
Inscription 018
In loving memory of Robert Craig who died at Cumstoun Mains, 8th May 1900 aged 45 years. Also John Andrew Lauchlan, son of Robert and Marget Lauchlan, and grandson of the above who died at 78 Cotton Street, Castle Douglas, 16th July 1929, aged 11 months. Also Agnes Currie, relict of the above Robert Craig, who died at Harold Wood, Essex, 31st Dec. 1940 aged 80 years, and is interred here. Also John Currie Craig, son of the above Robert Craig, who died at Bishopton, 8th June 1944, aged 46 years. Also John Desmond Craig, Sergt. R.A.F., son of the said John C. Craig, lost on air ops. over Germany, 1st Feb. 1945, aged 19 years. Interred in Leuterschausen Cemetery.
Inscription 019
Erected by John Currie, in memory of his wife Agnes Gilmour, who died at Bishopton, 1st November 1898 aged 76 years. And William, their son, who died at Kirkeoch, 13th November 1863, aged 5 years. Also the above John Currie, who died at Bishopton, 25th May 1915, aged 84 years.
Inscription 020
Erected by William Chesney, in memory of Janet Rennie, his wife, who died at Bishopton, 30th March 1888, aged 33 years. Also his son Pte. William Chesney, H.L.I., who died of wounds at Military Hospital, Aberdeen, 12th Oct. 1915, aged 32 years. The above William Chesney, died at Bridge Cottage, Twynholm, 17th June 1925, aged 80 years. Euphemia Chesney, eldest daughter of the said William Chesney, died at Millburn Street, Kirkcudbright, 12th June 1940, aged 59 years.
