Grampian Club > Monuments and monumental inscriptions in Scotland > Volume 1

PARISH OF MELROSE. 253
An inscription upon one of the tombs reads thus :—
" Here lyes lieutenant collnel Andrew Ker of Kippelaw, who
was born at jNIelros the 23 febbnary 1620 years and died at
Kippelaw, upon the 3 febbuary 1697, in the seventy-seventh year
of his age."
In the cloisters are the remains of seven seats or stalls, under
the base of which are inscriptions, and the appearance of tombs
partially concealed by the masonwork. On a stone is inscribed, in
Saxon characters : —
" Beatrix spouse Rob : : : Fraser."
On entering the church from the west, the first division or chapel
on the right hand of the nave is occupied as a burial-ground by the
old family of Boston, who still possess lands in the parish, which
were held of the abbey by their progenitors. On the west wall is
the following inscription : —
" The dust of many generations of the Bostons of Gattonside is
deposited in this place.
" We give our bodies to this holy abbey to keep."
In the third chapel a tombstone, uncovered in 1815, presents a
monastic figure in the attitude of prayer, with this inscription : —
" Hie jacet, honorabilis vir George Halliburton * * * *
1 October, Anno, D.M., MDXXXVI."
In the north division is the burial-place of Pringle of Woodhouse
and Whytebank. Two of the inscriptions are as follow : —
" Here lies of guid memorie Dame Margaret Ker, first wyfe . to
. James . Pringil . of Woodhous, and . after . his . deceis . mareit .
Sir . David . Home, of AYcdderburne, Knycht . Quha . deceissit .
the . 24 . of . Februare . Anno . D . 1589."
" Here lyes ane honourable voman Cristin Lundi spous to James
* * * * quytbank, scho deceissit 19. July 1602. Lament for
syn and styl thou murn, for to the clay * * * * ye man turn."
The fifth chapel is the burial-place of the family of Hope
Pringle of Galashiels. The effigies of a member of the House,
known as the Baron of Smailholm, represents him in his shroud.