Howff Memorial 188

Inscription. AC Lamb

 The cope stone of a Sarcophagus bearing the following inscription:-

"Pietate virtute et literis egregie Gaecis Latinis et Gallicis excvltae Christianae Rvtherford uxoris avae posvit David Lindesay. Obiit Novemb. 9 1603 annos 40 nata."

[David Lindsay placed this in remembrance of his wife Christian Rutherford, adorned by piety and virtue, and accomplished in Greek, Latin and French literature. She died 9th November 1603, aged 40 years.

David Lindsay placed this in remembrance of his wife, Christian Rutherford, adorned by piety and virtue, and accomplished in Greek, Latin, and French literature. She died 9th November, 1603, aged 40 years.

In memory of John Ferguson, mercht., Dundee, who died Octr. 1770, aged sixty years; and his spouse, Margaret Ramsay, died in Feby. 1781, aged sixty years.

Source: Thomson

Revised in 1812 by their son Joseph Merchant, Dundee.

Claimant: Heirs of Isobel Ferguson, merchant Murraygate

 This monument is an interesting one. During the process of performing laser scanning in the burial ground, the results of which will be used to produce an up to date map. The archaeologist on site, Dr Oliver O'Grady came across this monument and considered it to be of medieval origin. It does look very similar to some coffin lids that were discovered in 1842 during the excavations for foundations of the East Church, the previous medieval church having been destroyed by fire. 

It is curious however that neither A.C. Lamb, Menteith or James Thomson had made a connection, indeed Lamb has just mentioned it as being a cope stone from a sarcophagus.

There has been some suggestion that the stone may have orginated from the former Grey Friars monastery, which is understandable due to the Lindsay family having used the site for interring the Earls of Crawford. However the stone being "placed in remembrance" may be suggestive of the stone being removed from elsewhere to be placed within the ground, which isn't unheard of within the Howff.

On the eastern end there appears to be a monogram, the surface of the stone is somewhat eroded. The lettering is only partial and looks to be CLMR, however the exact lettering is still conjecture.