In the early 1910's a series of articles on the churchyards of the county was published in the Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser. They were the work of J. Matthewson of Dalbeattie, and the first to be published was his examination of the Buittle memorials. It is dated March 1st 1912.

BUITTLE

The Pre-Reformation Church.

On entering the gateway at Buittle we are at once confronted by the fine old ivy-clad pre-Reformation Church of St. Colmonell. The east end has a width of 25 feet 6 inches, and is pierced by three tall narrow windows, a usual feature of like buildings of its period. There is, however, the very unusual arrangement of a straight-headed doorway under the central light.

Turning the north-east angle of the building we first find a narrow, round-headed, chamfered outside, and deeply splayed within, the inside edge forming a triple arch, two quadrants on the splay supporting a semi-circular centre. Next in order is a pointed doorway 23 inches in width, at present blocked up as far as the check for door frame. This may have been a priest’s door, the usual situation of which is in the south wall. The wall ends at a distance of 34 feet 9 inches, and is joined to a narrower nave by a break of about 3 feet. The nave runs west 46 feet 6 inches from this point, and has one, narrow, round-headed window near the centre.

The west end, 22 feet wide, has a round-headed doorway, over which is a window of similar type, the whole being crowned by a small bell-gable. Affixed to the south wall of the nave, externally, are a cornice and two capitals, evidently part of a mural tablet, but the pilasters and base have apparently fallen. Near this is a small window with an elliptic head. About 9 feet further on there is a widening of 18 inches to the chancel. First comes a square-headed window, then a priest’s door, 2 feet 2 inches wide and round-headed. Then follows a window with similar head, which completes the lighting of the building.

On entering by the west door we see a fine pointed arch terminating the nave. A moulding is carried up each side, surmounted by moulded capitals, the arch itself being double chamfered. A curious column, 9 inches high, lies loose in the nave. I plan, it is divided into 8 leaves, and measures overall 17 inches in diameter, narrowed to 11.25 inches at bottom of the segments. In the angle between the west gable and south wall is a granite monument surmounted by a broken column in memory of Robert Weems of Kirkennan. The names of Mrs. Weems and W.W. Platt also appear on the monument, whilst on a granite wall tablet nearby is recorded the name of a child, Maria Jane Weems.

On the cross wall of the chancel, at its south end, is a marble tablet with the following inscription:-

MEMORIAE SANCTUM
MICHAELIS JOSEPHI STRAIN, M.D.
QUI NATUS EDINBURGI
XIV JUNII MDCCCIX
OBJIT AEDIBUS S PETRI
VI FEBB MDCCCXLI
R.I.P

On emerging from the church we see, to the northward, the large granite monument of the Munches family; and, near the centre of the ground, the tall built obelisk of Milligan of Dalskairth, which reaches a height of about 33 feet.

The memorials to the clergymen who have from time to time ministered to the wants of the parish are always of interest.

That of Mr. William Todd has an inscription in capitals an inch and a half high, with short words joined into monograms similar to those of "the killing time." It runs thus:-
"Here lyes ANNA HEPBURN, spouse to Mr William Todd, Minister of the Gospel in BUITTLE. She died the 12^th day of July, 1706, in the 34^th year of her age." Then follows a son William, who died in 1713, aged 12. "Also the Reverend Mr. William Tod, who was ordained there September 21^st, 1699, and continued in the faithful exercise of his ministerial office till he died, October 21^st, 1725, aged 69."  Janet Wright, his second spouse, died in 1752, aged 73.

On a similar stone close by "JOHN TODD, Chyrurgeon Apothecary" is recorded as dying in 1700 at the age of 81. He was father of the minister, and following are the minister’s children, two named John, Margaret, and James who died in 1740, aged 38. These are on the freestone trughs near the north end of the ground.

On another trugh, near the centre of the churchyard, we find that the Rev. John McKnaught, minister of Buittle, died May 7^th, 1792, in the 95^th year of his age, and 56^th of his ministry. Margaret Gordon, his spouse, died in 1765, aged 67. Mr McKnaught is the clergyman whom tradition credits with "laying a ghost" at Buittle Place.

As sung in the Advertiser in 1875 –

Tho’ young in lair he outstripped a’
The clergy o’ the lan’
In Buittle he
Held Ministry
This gude an’ godly man.

Within an enclosure to the south of the old churchyard is a flat tombstone to the memory of "The Reverend George Maxwell, Minister of Buittle, who was ordained on the 7^th of April, 1785, and died on the 24^th of June, 1807, in the 45^th year of his age." This is the "Buittle Apostle" of Burns. There is also a record of Henrietta Cannon, his wife.

In the nave of the old church is a stone in memory of the Rev. Alexander Crosbie, who was born 10^th December, 1776, ordained minister of Buittle 12^th May, 1808, and died 3^rd December 1847. His son, James, who died in Jamaica, 28^th October 1843, aged 22, is also recorded, and Agnes McClellan, his widow, who died in Castle-Douglas, 8^th January, 1859, aged 69.

The last incumbent whose death is recorded is the Rev. James Robb Grant, parish minister of Buittle for 44 years. He died 8^th May 1889, in the 82^nd year of his age. His two wives, Madeline Campbell and Marion Grant, are also recorded.

With regard to longevity, there are several interesting records. "Joseph Kingstree died in Dalbeattie 19^th March, 1865, aged 102 years." The name is also spelt Kinstry and Kinstray on adjoining stones. On the Barlochan monument it is stated that Robert McKnight died at Barlochan, 2^nd September, 1844, aged 100 years. Elsewhere we find that "John Copland, late in Douns, Kirkgunzeon, died 8^th November, 1799, aged 99 years." Near the old church a small stone records a kindly tribute as follows: "Erected by Colonel and Mrs Maxwell, to the memory of Janet Graham, who died 13^th October, 1852, aged 99 years.

In addition to these there was at one time a stone in Buittle recording a Mr Caven, in Cogarth, Parton, who died in his hundredth year. This must have fallen, as it now seems to be missing.

There are a few quaint memorials, and at least on striking epitaph –

Underneath this stone doth ly
As much virtue as could die.

A trugh of millstone grit outside the south wall of the old church has an inscription in large raised letters. It records JAMES CANNAN of Barlochan, but unfortunately the date is not now legible. Another trugh records "Nathanael Veitch, staymaker in Moffat, who died September 30, 1748, aged 47."

An upright stone, steadied by an iron strut, and bearing the name of Watson, of Crocketford, has a curious figure carved on top in form of a man with a serpent coiled in his right breast. The stone also bears the names of Copland, McNish and Wood. It is aid that some one of these died from the bite on an adder. As the dress appears semi-clerical, it may be only symbolism.

A tapered, triangular piece of granite about 5 feet in length and 15 inches on side was dug up. It may have been put in a grave to prevent desecration.

Some years ago, a long hidden trugh was brought to the surface, and found to be inscribed with a figure resembling a large latch key. There was no other mark or lettering; and although a figure thereof was printed and circulated, there has been no satisfactory explanation.

At the south end of the churchyard is a granite monument terminated by an obelisk erected by scholars and friends in memory of Mr John Tait, long honoured as schoolmaster in the parish. At least one of his scholars rose to eminence as a divine, namely Dr. Alexander Raleigh, who was born at ‘The Flock’.  Near the south-east corner of the Dalskairth enclosure is an upright stone in memory of "Thomas Raleigh, a native of Saline, Fifeshire, died at Barchain, 24^th June 1809, aged 68." "Jane Maxwell, his relict, died 29^th July, 1822, aged 63." Several of their descendants have attained to eminence in addition to the celebrated London minister.

Patronymics

Neglecting a few of the flat stones, which are very difficult to read, there are 258 different surnames recorded. Of these 39 begin with Mc or Mac in some form or other, which gives quite a Highland character to the list. Black occurs 21 times, Maxwell 18 times, and Copland or Coupland 13 times.

A Caven and a Copland have been mentioned as each touching in age the span of a century. The names are frequent in the district, both among Catholics and Protestants. Of the former persuasion there have been a great many internments at Buittle.

Several years ago Mr Ruskin asked me if I knew the etymology of the name Copland so common in this district, as there was a piece of land near Coniston of similar name. I had several opinions from various people, and amongst others I consulted my friend and relative, Joseph Heughan, Auchencairn. His reply was characteristic, and, I think, correct. "Coup lan’, turn the fur’, Agricola the husbandman." I duly described the man and the message to the sage of Brantwood, and got an immediate reply that my friend’s derivation was ‘delightful.’

A fairly representative list of the names to be found in the churchyard is appended.

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Copyright original material and this selection © 1998-2003 James Bell. Much material however is out of copyright.
Last modified: August 30, 1999