The Scottish War Memorials Project

spoons

These are two graves are in Balmaghie Churchyard (OS Map Ref NX 723 663) for three martyrs. The two David Hallidays are buried in the same grave.

Not listed on UKNIWM.

Transcription of George Short’s grave

"HERE LYES GEORGE SHORT
WHO WAS PURSUED AND TAKEN
AND INSTANTLY SHOT TO DEATH
UNDER CLOUD OF NIGHT
IN THE PARISH OF TONGUELAND
BY GRIER OF LAG
MEMENTORI
AND THE EARLE OF ANNANDALE
BECAUSE OF HIS ADHERENCE
TO SCOTLANDS REFORMATION
COVENANTS NATIONAL AND
SOLEMN LEAGUE 1685"

The wording on David Hallidays’ grave can be just about be read on the high res originals if anyone would like a copy, please PM me with your email address.

Robert Grierson of Lag was one of the most feared persecutors of the Covenanters. In 1678 he was appointed Deputy Steward of Kirkudbrightshire and the Earldom of Nithsdale. It was at this time that he drew up a bond disallowing his tenants from attending conventicles or associating with the Covenanters. He was unrelenting in his search for non-conformists, hunting down and murdering a large number of Covenanters in the district.

On 11th July 1685, Lag and the Earl of Annandale were in command of a troop of dragoons in the parish of Twynholm, Kirkcudbrightshire. At night as they were riding back to their base they came upon two Covenanters, David Halliday and George Short. Realising they had no chance of escape, they gave themselves up. Annandale decided they should be taken prisoner and face trial the next day. However Lag ordered that the pair should be shot as they lay tied up on the ground. At first the soldiers refused, but when Lag threatened them with the consequences if he was forced to do the deed himself, they pulled their guns and fired.
The corpses were left where they fell, but were later taken to Balmaghie Kirkyard, where they lie in separate graves. David Halliday is buried alongside his namesake who had already been martyred on 21st February 1685 at Kirkconnell Moor.

spoons · Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 11:03 am Post subject:

This one is a bit more readable.