Howff Memorial 708

Inscription.

Square stone Sarcophagus with heavy flat marble top.

Erected to the memory of Henry Crawford of Seaton, Bailie of Dundee, 1684.

The inscription for this monument is quoted in Monteith's "Theatre of Mortality," who supplies the following English translation:-

"Under this stone are buried the bones and ashes of a most noble man, Mr Henry Crawford of Seatoun, a most skilful merchant, and deservedly honoured with the dignity of a Bailie of the City of Dundee, who, having lived happily thirty-two years with his most beloved wife Margaret Dunmuire, at length, to the great grief of all good people, he died 19th July, in the year of the Christian era 1684, and of his age 56"

"The best of Magistrates her buried lies,

To whom this age an equal scarce supplies.

Consider all things-wonderful was he,

The graces nurst him in their bosums free;

On him alone all gifts conferred were-

At length his merits found reward most rare;

Because he loved, hath; stayed, spoke, enjoys,

Virtue, peace, tumults, truth, celestial joys."

Henry Crawford purchased the estate of Seaton from Sir James Young, son of Sir Peter Young, tutor to James VI. Sir Peter received Seaton as a gift from King James while he held the office of Chief Almoner. Crawford left a considerable sum to support widows of Burgesses

Monteith's An Theater Of Mortality

Sub hoc cippo, contumulantur ossa & cineres specta-
tissimi viri, D. Henrici Crauford a Seatoun, mercatoris
peritissimi, prætoriaque dignitate inclytae civitatis Tao-
dunensis merito condecorati; qui curriculi vitæ 32
annos, cum conjuge dilectissima Margareta Dunmuire,
feliciter transegit: tandemque magno omnium bonorum
mœrori, 9 die mensis Julii, anno æræ Christianæ 1684.
Ætatisque suæ 56. Fatis concessit.
Optimus ille patrum, jacet hac sub mole sepultus;
Secula cui similem vix peperere virum.
Singula si penses, nil non mirabile cernes,
Nam blando charites hunc aluere sinu;
Huic Deus attribuit quæcunque dat omnibus uni:
Et tandem meritis præmia digna tulit.
Nempe adamavit, habet, compressit, protulit, intrat,
Virtutem, pacem, murmura, vera, polum.

Under this grave-stone is interred the body of a most
notable man, Henry Crauford of Seatoun, a most skilful
merchant, and deservedly honoured with the dignity of
a baillie of the famous city of Dundee; who, having
lived 32 years with his most beloved spouse, Margaret
Duumuire, at length, to the great grief of all good
people, he died, as above.

The best of magistrates here buri'd lies,
To whom this age an equal scarce supplies;
Consider all things: wonderful was he;
The graces nurst him, in their bosom free;
On him alone all gifts conferred were,
At length his merits found rewards most rare.
Because he loved, hath, stay'd, spake, enjoys,
Virtue, peace, tumults, truth, celestial joys.