finely-cut shield towards the upper end of the stone, and
and it is crowned with a skilfully carved pine-apple.
This Stone was Erected by
John Houisons, Senior and Junior,
And James Pettegrew,
Masons in Prestonpans, A. D. 1766.
Here lies W. HOUISON, Mason in Prestonpans,
Who died Nov. 7, 1753, aged ——
Also JOHN Houison, Mason in Prestonpans,
Brother of ye above, Died 1st Dec. 1781, Age 74;
And MARGRET SMITH, Spouse to John Houison,
Died 21st Oct. 1792, Age 76;
Also JOHN HOUISON, Mason in Prestonpans,
Son of the above John Houison
And Margret Smith, who died 1795,
Age 55 Years;
Also GEORGE HOUISON, Son of the above
J. H., who died 14th Feby. 1788,
Age 5 Years.
On the west wall there is a beautiful little stone, evidently
very old, but the date is gone. Somebody of note must have
found a resting-place here. The letters
are deeply indented in, and beneath these are three fleurs
de
Us and a cinque foil.
THE SHIP STONE.
Adjoining the above, also in the wall, is a very large stone
with a ship in full sail finely cut out at the top of it.
There are also two crossed pikes on one side towards the bottom,
and a spade and shovel crossed on the other side, but name
and date are alike gone for ever.
MASON'S STONE.
In the south wall, towards the west end, stands a very neat
little stone. The date is gone. Two initial letters, W. L.,
are there, and that the sleeper beneath must have been a mason
is evident from the fact that not only compass and square,
but mallet and chisel are also finely cut on it.
THE OLDEST.
Coming towards the east end, also built into the wall, we
find the oldest stone in the churchyard, in so far as a date
is
concerned. Towards the top are the letters—
L —— BHere — Lyeth
C —— E
1644.
Almost adjoining the above is a very neat little stone with
no date, but that it has been set up in memory of people of
note in the district is evident. There is a very neatly cut
shield on it, with three crescents and one cinque foil.
To right and left of the shield are the letters—
STAGHOUND STONE.
A beautifully cut shield on a very small stone is set in the
wall towards the east corner of the south side. There is a
nicely cut anchor at the top. These letters follow: —
I. R. I. C.
On the shield are four staghound heads beautifully cut, but
as usual no date is found. Towards the end of last century
Colonel Cameron, a great breeder of staghounds, lived at Preston
Lodge. Very likely the above memorial stone is set over the
remains of the Colonel.
A very tall square stone stands towards the south-east corner
of the churchyard. Thus it reads: —
Here
Are deposited the remains of CATHERINE PAXTON,
Spouse of John Warrock,
Brewer in Prestonpans,
Who died 2nd July 1746, aged 39;
Also the said
JOHN WARROCK, who died 4th June 1776, aged 84;
And their Children, JOHN, JEAN, and JOHN,
Who died when young;
GEORGE, who died 16th July 1803, aged 69;
And JAMES, who died 2/th January 1814, aged 83;
Also EUPHAN PAXTON,
Spouse of Adam Smith, Tanner in Prestonpans,
Who died loth Sept. 1779, aged 77.
Here for the first time we find the poet at work, but whether
|
1745 
