Newmilns, Covenanters' Graves
Commemorative Stone (19th Century), Covenanters Grave(S) (17th Century)
Site Name Newmilns, Covenanters' Graves
Classification Commemorative Stone (19th Century), Covenanters Grave(S) (17th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Martyr's Grave
Canmore ID 43686
Site Number NS53NW 16
NGR NS 5362 3735
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/43686
- Council East Ayrshire
- Parish Loudoun
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Kilmarnock And Loudoun
- Former County Ayrshire
NS53NW 16 5362 3735.
(NS 5363 3737) Martyr's Grave (Law) (NAT)
OS 25" map (1856)
John Law was one of a group who attempted the rescue of eight men taken prisoners at Little Blackwood, where they had assembled for prayer, and were surprised by Captain Inglis and a party of soldiers, who brought them to Newmilns Tower. He was shot in the struggle and buried in the garden of the farm adjoining the castle, his grave being marked by a stone which is now removed and fixed in the gable of an old thatched house opposite the entrance to the United Presbyterian Church.
It is inscribed: "Renewed in 1822. Here lies John Law, who was shot at Newmills, at the relieving of 8 of Christ's Prisoners Who were taken at A meetg for Prayer at Little Blackwood, in the Parish of Kilmk in April 1685, by Capt. Inglis and his party, For Their Adherence to the Word of God And Scotland's Covenanted Work of Reformation".
There is also a verse (fully quoted by Gibson).
J Gibson 1881
NS 5362 3735. The tablet is placed as described, except that the cottage has gone, and its gable merely forms a wall on the E side of an alley. The church was completely demolished some years ago, and its site at NS 5360 3740 is now occupied by modern flats. At the bottom of the headstone, the inscription reads: 'Renewed in 1822 & 1930'.
Visited by OS (JRL) 30 July 1982.