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

PARISH OF KILBIRNIE. 379
Four brothers by fierce tempestuous waves
At diverse times have all lost their lives ;
One of their bodies here in dust doth sleep,
The other three lie in the watery deep."
' "What can preserve my life, or what destroy ?
An angel's arm can't snatch me from the grave.
Lesions of angels can't confine me there."
PAEISH OF KILBIENIE.
In the churchyard a monument, bearing date 1594, appears to
have been erected for himself and spouse by Captain Thomas
Craufurd of Jordanhill. Of an oblong form, measuring nine feet
and a half in length, six feet in width, and six feet six inches
in height, it is built of chiselled freestone, and covered with the
same material. At the angles the walls are finished with columns
separated by hollow curves. Through an aperture in the east end,
aided by a faint light admitted through a slit in the south wall,
are seen two recumbent statues, — one of the founder in military
garb, the other of his wife in the costume of her period. On the
exterior of the north wall, in relieved letters, is the following in-
scription : —
" God • Schaw.
The • Eicht.
Heir • lyis • Thomas. And • Janet • Ker • His.
Cravfvrd • of • Jor- Spous • Eldest • Doc-
Danhil • Sext ' Son. Hter • to • Eobert • Ker.
To • Lavrence • Crav- Of • Kerrisland.
Fvrd • of • KHbirny. 1 • 5 • 9 • 4."
In the centre of the inscription is a shield bearing quarterly
the arms of Craufurd and Ker, and having for crest a rock,
representing Dumbarton Castle. Captain Craufurd was sixth son
of Laurence Craufurd of Kilbirnie, and Helen, daughter of Sir