I don't wanna be buried in a pet sematary. I don't wanna live my life again.
Grave inscriptions from Greyfriars cemetery, Edinburgh. A long entry, with some photos.
Greyfriars Bobby
Died 14th January 1872
Aged 16 years
Let his loyalty & devotion be a lesson to us all
Erected by the Dog Aid Society of Scotland & unveiled by H.R.H. The Duke of Gloucester G.C.V.O on 13th May 1881.
John Gray
Died 1858
Auld Jock
master of
Greyfriars Bobby
And even in his ashes most beloved
Erected by American lovers of "Bobby"
James Brown
Sexton
Died 1868
Friend to Greyfriars Bobby
Lies near here
Here are
Deposited the Remains of
WALTER DUNBAR Esq:
of Dykeside Morayshire
Born 1711. Died 1788.
Who supported his Rank in
life with probity and Honour
Felt and practiced true Reli
gion, and must long be remem
bered as an example of the wa
rmth and sincerity of Friendship.
His Sorrowful Widow
has raised this humble monum
end as an inadequate mark of
the Gratitute which she must
feel to his memory till Heaven
shall mingle her ashes with
those of her Husband
(Line breaks as on the stone, obviously.)
Erected in memory
of
Jean Grant of Pilmuir
East Lothian
who died 23rd Novr 1815 aged 43 years
Whose charitable disposition accompanied
with genuine Piety and exemplary Virtue
bespeaks the Christian hope
of her everlasting Felicity
to sooth the sorrows and to animate the Zeal
of her surviving relations and Friends
:To do good and to destribute
forget not; for with such sacrifice Gods
well pleased: Hebrews XIII
A tribute
of admiration, affection, & regret,
to the memory
of the late Revd Jas Struthers,
a man of superior understanding,
intelligence, and worth;
whose talents and success
as
a pulpit orator
were not excelled, & scarecely equalled
in the place & period which were honoured
by his short but distinguished
mortal existence.
He was born at Glassford on the 31:Oct:1770
educated at the university of Glasgo,
ordained minister of the 1st Relief
Chapel (college Street) Edinh
28th July 1791
and died 15 July 1807
Jas = James.
The Relief Church broke from the established Church of Scotland in 1761, principally over the issue of patronage (they believed ministers should be chosen by their congregations).
In this cemetery are deposited the remains of
George Buchanan, Scottish historian,
one of the most distinguished reformers of
the sixteenth century, and the best Latin
poet which modern Europe has produced.
He was born in the parish of Killearn,
Stirlingshire in February 1506 and died
at Edinburgh on the 28th September 1582
Rays Tomb
In memory of
Adam Ray of Pitsindie and Canglor died 1616
Hector Ray merchant burgess died 1618
John Ray merchant burgess died 1632
Ann Ray wife of John Carstairs died 1632
Jane Rae wife of James Gray merchant died 1659
William Rae merchant burgess died 1662
Christian wife of Robert Rae writer died 1671
Robert Rae writer died 1671
Elizabeth Rae widow of John Scott died 1687
John Rae writer died 1687
Colonel Adam Rae died 1687
Isabel Rae widow of Robert Thomson died 1687
James Rae merchant died 1687
George Rae writer died 1689
Robert Rae merchant died 1697
James Rae schoolmaster died 1713
Richard Rae goldsmith died 1722
James Rae surgeon died 1791
Isabella Cant widow of James Rae surgeon died 1792
Mary Keir widow of George Rutherford W.S. died 1798
John Rae surgeon died 1808
David Orm Keir died 1810
Ann Fraser widow of John Rae surgeon died 1819
Elizabeth Rae widow of William Keir M.D. died 1834
Jane Rae Gibson died 1838
Isabella Rae died 1859
Elizabeth Fleming died 1881
James Rae bailie of Canongate Burgh died 1702 and John Rae his son died 1754
and were buried in Canongate churchyard
Pitsindie is near Perth, Canglor in Stirlingshire. W.S. is short for Writer to the Signet, referring to a member of a Scottish legal society (they have a very nice library in Edinburgh). I'm not sure what was happening in 1687.
Monument to the Covenanters, who opposed attempts to impose an episcopal structure on the Church of Scotland, leading to various battles and rebellions in the mid 17th century.
Halt passenger, take heed what you do see,
This tomb doth show, for what some men did die
Here lies interr'd the dust of those who stood
'Gainst perjury, resisting unto blood;
Adhering to the Covenants, and laws
Establishing the same: which was the cause
Their lives were sacrific'd unto the lust
Of Prelatists abjur'd. Though here their dust
Lies mixt with murderers, and other crew,
Whom justice justly did to death pursue:
But as for them, no cause was to be found
Worthy of death but only they were found,
Constant and stedfast zealous witnessing,
For the Prerogatives of CHRIST their KING.
Which truths were sealed by famous Guthrie's head,
And all along to Mr Renwick's blood,
They did endure the wrath of enemies,
Reproaches, torments, deaths and injuries.
But yet they're those who from such troubles came,
And now triumph in glory with the LAMB.
From May 17th 1661 that the most noble Marquis
of Argyle was beheaded, to the 17th of Febry 1688
that Mr James Renwick suffered; were one way
or other Murdered and Destroyed for the same Cause, about
Eighteen thousand, of whom were execute at Edinburgh about an
hundred of Noblemen, Gentlemen, Ministers and Others noble
Martyrs for JESUS CHRIST. The most of them lie here.
For a particular account of the cause and manner of their Sufferings see
the Cloud of Witnesses, Crookshank's and Defoe's Histories.
Rev VI.9. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: and they cried with a loud voice, saying, how long, o Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge & avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given to every one of them and it was said unto them that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Rev VII.14. These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the lamb.
Chap 2nd.10. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give the a crown of life.
Sorry, but I can't be bothered with Latin, and in any case it was not a language widely spoken in Edinburgh in 1868. This is an excerpt only:
Hic humatus est
Joannes Robertson Sibbald
Medicinae doctor
chirurcorum collegi regn Edinburgensis socius
qui multus muneribus publicis in hac urbe functus est
...
vixit annos LXVIII menses IX dies V
decessit AD XII Kal Oct MDCCCLXVIII
Sacred to the memory of
William Maclean
late horsedealer in Edinburgh
A man who by the excellence of his character
and his talents for business
gained the esteem and respect
of all who knew him.
He was born in the year 1769
and died 4th October 1825.
Catherine Maclean daughter of the above
who died in 1808 aged 11 months.
Alexander Maclean son of the above
who died in 1831 aged 8 years.
Sacred to the memory of
Alexander Maclean
perfumer in Edinburgh
born 25th December in the year 1771
died 5th october in the year 1834.
Besides legacies to his friends
bequeathed £1000 ster to found & endow
a school for poor children in
St Andrew's parish in this city.
And of Jane McNish spouse of
William Maclean who died 4th Jan 1832
aged 57 years.
The burial place of
Robert Borrowman
died 8th Decr 1837, aged 53 years.
"Not slothful in busines, fervent in spirit,
seving the LORD."
Here also are interred
William, his 4th son, died 11th March 1819,
aged 10 days.
Robert his 3rd son died 8th June 1838,
Aged 23 years.
James his eldest son, died 17th May 1840
aged 28 years.
Elizabeth Stevenson
his wife
died 4th May 1841, aged 52 years.
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation,
continuing instant in prayer.
Jessie his eldest daughter, died 13 March 1813
aged 26 years.
Also in memory of
Thomson his 6th son, died at Valparaiso
16th August 1876 aged 52 years
Alexander his 5th son died at Montreal
17th December 1884 aged 64 years.
Anne, his younger daughter, died at Liverpool
12th October 1895, aged 68 years.
Patrick, his second son died at Aberdour 22 Nov 1899, aged 86 years
John his youngest son died at Hambledon Surrey 4th July 1906 aged 76.
Patrick Stevenson died 5th October 1817 aged 56 years
Janet Brunton his wife died 15th April 1848 aged 88 years.
Valparaiso the principal seaport of Chile, of course. Aberdour is across the Forth from Edinburgh.
Parts of this are indistinct, and I couldn't make out the top at all.
...
"The meek will He teach His way." Ps XXV. 9.
If any man will do His will, he shall know
Of the doctrine, whether it be of God. John, vii. 17.
Let us put on the breast-plate of faith and
Love; and for an helmet the hope of salvation
By our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us.
That, whether we wake or sleep, we should
Live together with Him. I Thess. v. 8. 9. 10.
His widow
Hon Helen Anne Mackenzie, of Seaforth.
Fell asleep at Geneva 27th May 1866. Aged 67.
"A Mother in Israel." "A Succourer of many."
"She also sat at Jesus' feet and heard his word."
"She walked with God, and she was not, for God took her."
Their sons
Henry, died in London 13th October 1853 aged 25
Francis Lewis died at Cambridge 13th March 1855 aged 21.
These all died in faith, looking unto Jesus.
Their dust now far apart and their spirits made perfect,
now with Jesus, await "His coming and our gathering
together unto Him."
Penuel Augusta Mackenzie
second daughter of
Joshua Henry and Helen Anne Mackenzie
born 15th AUgt 1824 fell asleep 18th Octr 1877
"Jesus only" was her "alpha and omega."
"To her to live was Christ and to die was gain."
"They that be wise shall shine as the brightness
of the firmament and they that turn many to
righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."
She rests from her labours and her works do follow her!
"She loved his appearing."
Rom XIII.6.15, Phil 1.3. Rev XXII.1.5.
Frances Mary
Her only sister
Born 16th October 1821 died 28th December 1909
having outlived 11 of her nearest
and been left alone in Scotland
yet with a good hope through grace she could
testify that "God is faithful" "the God of, all comfort"
"Able to make all grace abound"
"Able to give much more than this"
I.Cor. 1.6., 2 Cor. 1.3., IX.8., 2 Chron. XXV. 9.
To the memory of
Angus Fletcher Esq
of Dunans
Advocate
Long Comptroller General
of Inland Revenue in Scotland.
Loyal, faithful, and diligent in the
service of the crown.
Earnest, liberal and consistent as a citizen and a patriot.
Genial, honorable, chivalrous as a gentleman.
And amiable and affectionate in the relations of domestic life.
He was respected by all, and beloved by Friends and relations.
"Multis ille bonis flebilis occidit."
He lived and labored in the unswerving discharge of duty:
he delighted society by the charms of literature, vivacity and wit.
He was born at Dunans, on the 16th January 1805,
and he died at Edinburgh,
sustained by the hopes and consolations of Christian faith,
on the 14th February 1875.
Though tears must fall o'er departed dust
In the dark bitter hours of sadness;
Yet, whom Christ maketh just, the grave holdeth in trust
For the day of eternal gladness.
Also sacred to the memory of Harriet Eugenia, his wife,
who died on the 26th of AUgust 1851.
R.I.P.
This tablet is erected by their affectionate children
Bernard and Harriet Cuddon-Fletcher.
Greyfriars Bobby
Died 14th January 1872
Aged 16 years
Let his loyalty & devotion be a lesson to us all
Erected by the Dog Aid Society of Scotland & unveiled by H.R.H. The Duke of Gloucester G.C.V.O on 13th May 1881.
John Gray
Died 1858
Auld Jock
master of
Greyfriars Bobby
And even in his ashes most beloved
Erected by American lovers of "Bobby"
James Brown
Sexton
Died 1868
Friend to Greyfriars Bobby
Lies near here
Here are
Deposited the Remains of
WALTER DUNBAR Esq:
of Dykeside Morayshire
Born 1711. Died 1788.
Who supported his Rank in
life with probity and Honour
Felt and practiced true Reli
gion, and must long be remem
bered as an example of the wa
rmth and sincerity of Friendship.
His Sorrowful Widow
has raised this humble monum
end as an inadequate mark of
the Gratitute which she must
feel to his memory till Heaven
shall mingle her ashes with
those of her Husband
(Line breaks as on the stone, obviously.)
Erected in memory
of
Jean Grant of Pilmuir
East Lothian
who died 23rd Novr 1815 aged 43 years
Whose charitable disposition accompanied
with genuine Piety and exemplary Virtue
bespeaks the Christian hope
of her everlasting Felicity
to sooth the sorrows and to animate the Zeal
of her surviving relations and Friends
:To do good and to destribute
forget not; for with such sacrifice Gods
well pleased: Hebrews XIII
A tribute
of admiration, affection, & regret,
to the memory
of the late Revd Jas Struthers,
a man of superior understanding,
intelligence, and worth;
whose talents and success
as
a pulpit orator
were not excelled, & scarecely equalled
in the place & period which were honoured
by his short but distinguished
mortal existence.
He was born at Glassford on the 31:Oct:1770
educated at the university of Glasgo,
ordained minister of the 1st Relief
Chapel (college Street) Edinh
28th July 1791
and died 15 July 1807
Jas = James.
The Relief Church broke from the established Church of Scotland in 1761, principally over the issue of patronage (they believed ministers should be chosen by their congregations).
In this cemetery are deposited the remains of
George Buchanan, Scottish historian,
one of the most distinguished reformers of
the sixteenth century, and the best Latin
poet which modern Europe has produced.
He was born in the parish of Killearn,
Stirlingshire in February 1506 and died
at Edinburgh on the 28th September 1582
Rays Tomb
In memory of
Adam Ray of Pitsindie and Canglor died 1616
Hector Ray merchant burgess died 1618
John Ray merchant burgess died 1632
Ann Ray wife of John Carstairs died 1632
Jane Rae wife of James Gray merchant died 1659
William Rae merchant burgess died 1662
Christian wife of Robert Rae writer died 1671
Robert Rae writer died 1671
Elizabeth Rae widow of John Scott died 1687
John Rae writer died 1687
Colonel Adam Rae died 1687
Isabel Rae widow of Robert Thomson died 1687
James Rae merchant died 1687
George Rae writer died 1689
Robert Rae merchant died 1697
James Rae schoolmaster died 1713
Richard Rae goldsmith died 1722
James Rae surgeon died 1791
Isabella Cant widow of James Rae surgeon died 1792
Mary Keir widow of George Rutherford W.S. died 1798
John Rae surgeon died 1808
David Orm Keir died 1810
Ann Fraser widow of John Rae surgeon died 1819
Elizabeth Rae widow of William Keir M.D. died 1834
Jane Rae Gibson died 1838
Isabella Rae died 1859
Elizabeth Fleming died 1881
James Rae bailie of Canongate Burgh died 1702 and John Rae his son died 1754
and were buried in Canongate churchyard
Pitsindie is near Perth, Canglor in Stirlingshire. W.S. is short for Writer to the Signet, referring to a member of a Scottish legal society (they have a very nice library in Edinburgh). I'm not sure what was happening in 1687.
Monument to the Covenanters, who opposed attempts to impose an episcopal structure on the Church of Scotland, leading to various battles and rebellions in the mid 17th century.
Halt passenger, take heed what you do see,
This tomb doth show, for what some men did die
Here lies interr'd the dust of those who stood
'Gainst perjury, resisting unto blood;
Adhering to the Covenants, and laws
Establishing the same: which was the cause
Their lives were sacrific'd unto the lust
Of Prelatists abjur'd. Though here their dust
Lies mixt with murderers, and other crew,
Whom justice justly did to death pursue:
But as for them, no cause was to be found
Worthy of death but only they were found,
Constant and stedfast zealous witnessing,
For the Prerogatives of CHRIST their KING.
Which truths were sealed by famous Guthrie's head,
And all along to Mr Renwick's blood,
They did endure the wrath of enemies,
Reproaches, torments, deaths and injuries.
But yet they're those who from such troubles came,
And now triumph in glory with the LAMB.
From May 17th 1661 that the most noble Marquis
of Argyle was beheaded, to the 17th of Febry 1688
that Mr James Renwick suffered; were one way
or other Murdered and Destroyed for the same Cause, about
Eighteen thousand, of whom were execute at Edinburgh about an
hundred of Noblemen, Gentlemen, Ministers and Others noble
Martyrs for JESUS CHRIST. The most of them lie here.
For a particular account of the cause and manner of their Sufferings see
the Cloud of Witnesses, Crookshank's and Defoe's Histories.
Rev VI.9. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: and they cried with a loud voice, saying, how long, o Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge & avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given to every one of them and it was said unto them that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Rev VII.14. These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the lamb.
Chap 2nd.10. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give the a crown of life.
Sorry, but I can't be bothered with Latin, and in any case it was not a language widely spoken in Edinburgh in 1868. This is an excerpt only:
Hic humatus est
Joannes Robertson Sibbald
Medicinae doctor
chirurcorum collegi regn Edinburgensis socius
qui multus muneribus publicis in hac urbe functus est
...
vixit annos LXVIII menses IX dies V
decessit AD XII Kal Oct MDCCCLXVIII
Sacred to the memory of
William Maclean
late horsedealer in Edinburgh
A man who by the excellence of his character
and his talents for business
gained the esteem and respect
of all who knew him.
He was born in the year 1769
and died 4th October 1825.
Catherine Maclean daughter of the above
who died in 1808 aged 11 months.
Alexander Maclean son of the above
who died in 1831 aged 8 years.
Sacred to the memory of
Alexander Maclean
perfumer in Edinburgh
born 25th December in the year 1771
died 5th october in the year 1834.
Besides legacies to his friends
bequeathed £1000 ster to found & endow
a school for poor children in
St Andrew's parish in this city.
And of Jane McNish spouse of
William Maclean who died 4th Jan 1832
aged 57 years.
The burial place of
Robert Borrowman
died 8th Decr 1837, aged 53 years.
"Not slothful in busines, fervent in spirit,
seving the LORD."
Here also are interred
William, his 4th son, died 11th March 1819,
aged 10 days.
Robert his 3rd son died 8th June 1838,
Aged 23 years.
James his eldest son, died 17th May 1840
aged 28 years.
Elizabeth Stevenson
his wife
died 4th May 1841, aged 52 years.
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation,
continuing instant in prayer.
Jessie his eldest daughter, died 13 March 1813
aged 26 years.
Also in memory of
Thomson his 6th son, died at Valparaiso
16th August 1876 aged 52 years
Alexander his 5th son died at Montreal
17th December 1884 aged 64 years.
Anne, his younger daughter, died at Liverpool
12th October 1895, aged 68 years.
Patrick, his second son died at Aberdour 22 Nov 1899, aged 86 years
John his youngest son died at Hambledon Surrey 4th July 1906 aged 76.
Patrick Stevenson died 5th October 1817 aged 56 years
Janet Brunton his wife died 15th April 1848 aged 88 years.
Valparaiso the principal seaport of Chile, of course. Aberdour is across the Forth from Edinburgh.
Parts of this are indistinct, and I couldn't make out the top at all.
...
"The meek will He teach His way." Ps XXV. 9.
If any man will do His will, he shall know
Of the doctrine, whether it be of God. John, vii. 17.
Let us put on the breast-plate of faith and
Love; and for an helmet the hope of salvation
By our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us.
That, whether we wake or sleep, we should
Live together with Him. I Thess. v. 8. 9. 10.
His widow
Hon Helen Anne Mackenzie, of Seaforth.
Fell asleep at Geneva 27th May 1866. Aged 67.
"A Mother in Israel." "A Succourer of many."
"She also sat at Jesus' feet and heard his word."
"She walked with God, and she was not, for God took her."
Their sons
Henry, died in London 13th October 1853 aged 25
Francis Lewis died at Cambridge 13th March 1855 aged 21.
These all died in faith, looking unto Jesus.
Their dust now far apart and their spirits made perfect,
now with Jesus, await "His coming and our gathering
together unto Him."
Penuel Augusta Mackenzie
second daughter of
Joshua Henry and Helen Anne Mackenzie
born 15th AUgt 1824 fell asleep 18th Octr 1877
"Jesus only" was her "alpha and omega."
"To her to live was Christ and to die was gain."
"They that be wise shall shine as the brightness
of the firmament and they that turn many to
righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."
She rests from her labours and her works do follow her!
"She loved his appearing."
Rom XIII.6.15, Phil 1.3. Rev XXII.1.5.
Frances Mary
Her only sister
Born 16th October 1821 died 28th December 1909
having outlived 11 of her nearest
and been left alone in Scotland
yet with a good hope through grace she could
testify that "God is faithful" "the God of, all comfort"
"Able to make all grace abound"
"Able to give much more than this"
I.Cor. 1.6., 2 Cor. 1.3., IX.8., 2 Chron. XXV. 9.
To the memory of
Angus Fletcher Esq
of Dunans
Advocate
Long Comptroller General
of Inland Revenue in Scotland.
Loyal, faithful, and diligent in the
service of the crown.
Earnest, liberal and consistent as a citizen and a patriot.
Genial, honorable, chivalrous as a gentleman.
And amiable and affectionate in the relations of domestic life.
He was respected by all, and beloved by Friends and relations.
"Multis ille bonis flebilis occidit."
He lived and labored in the unswerving discharge of duty:
he delighted society by the charms of literature, vivacity and wit.
He was born at Dunans, on the 16th January 1805,
and he died at Edinburgh,
sustained by the hopes and consolations of Christian faith,
on the 14th February 1875.
Though tears must fall o'er departed dust
In the dark bitter hours of sadness;
Yet, whom Christ maketh just, the grave holdeth in trust
For the day of eternal gladness.
Also sacred to the memory of Harriet Eugenia, his wife,
who died on the 26th of AUgust 1851.
R.I.P.
This tablet is erected by their affectionate children
Bernard and Harriet Cuddon-Fletcher.