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CRICHTON.
To the left of the above is another beautiful three-fold
red granite stone. Thus it reads: —
In loving memory of
AMELIA CHRISTINA,
Who died at Preston,
loth April 1898.
Erected by James Crichton.
" STUART of PHISGUL. "
In the north wall rests a richly-carved monument. Towards
the top, in the centre, is a shield with various carvings,
in fine preservation. Over the shield rests a warrior's
helmet, and over the helmet stands a lion rampant. It tells
a cruel story: —
Here lyeth the Remains
of JOHN STUART of Phisgul,
A Galloway Gentleman,
And Captain in Lassel's Regiment,
A Man of true Bravery, who died
Honourably in defence of his King and
Country and a Sacred and Civil Liberty,
Being Barbarously murdered By 4 Highlanders near the end
of the Battle.
He fought in the field of Preston,
21st Sept. 1745.
The tombstone of the Hepburns is also in the north wall.
There are two heads on the stone. The features in both cases
are exquisitely cut, with not a sign of decay upon them.
They may have been Lords of Session, or perhaps the wigs
with which their heads are adorned denote the style of the
period in which they lived. The following encircles the
heads: —
JOHN HEPBURN, age 88.
Died January 4th, 1660.
GEORGE HEPBURN, age 96.
Died February 25th, 1671.
A handsome memorial stone, and one in which real beauty
and fine taste are alike displayed, is that almost adjoining
the Hepburns: —
In Memory of
BARBARA ISABELLA GRIEVE,
Born 6th June 1840. Died 25th August 1851.
CHRISTINA GRIEVE,
Born 2nd March 1846. Died 24th March 1853.
JOHN GRIEVE, their Father,
Born 17th June 1798. Died 21st August 1863.
MARGARET DEMPSTER, their Mother,
Born 25th August 1817. Died 23rd January 1894.
Still a little northwards stands a beautiful red granite
monumental stone with a scroll nicely cut round the upper
part of it. This tells of a name* for a long series of years
held in high esteem, yea, a name that will not quickly be
forgotten, not only in the parish, but in a very wide district
around it: —
In Memory of
JAMES MELLIS,
Captain, 69th Regiment.
Died at Naples in 1839, And is Buried there.
Also His Wife.
Died at Edinburgh in 1878, age 95.
And of
* JAMES MELLIS, their Son.
Died at Prestonpans, 1st August 1899, Aged 89.
However heavy the blow when the aged are called, it may
have been expected, but when the youth in his teens is called
upon to quit this earthly scene, and he perhaps an only
child, none may know the grief it brings but those who are
called upon to bear the burden. A beautiful white marble
cross adjoining the above says: —
In Memory of
THOMAS PATERSON MELLIS,
Only Son of James Mellis, Prestonpans,
Died 19th November 1860. Age, 17 Years
TOMBSTONES IN THE WEST CHURCHYARD.
Whether there ever was a church here or not, there have
been many people buried here, and many beautiful memorial
stones have been erected. But unfortunately the best of
these give now but little indication of the silent sleepers
beneath them.
Towards the west end stands a very substantial square pillar.
This shows the tombs of the Howisons. There is a
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