|
Joseph Wilson, John Jamieson and John Humphry were seized by government troops close to the summit of Carsgailoch hill, in the parish of New Cumnock and shot on the spot. There is no tradition of them being offered their lives in return for accepting the monarchy. Sadly, little else is known of the three Carsgailoch Martyrs.
Joseph Wilson
The name Wilson has strong ties with New Cumnock in a Covenanting context. James Wilson of the Old Castle featured in a proclamation of 1684 for 'the apprehension of those
bearing arms or for harbouring those that did'. The surname Wilson appears thirteen times in 'A List of hearths of the paroch of Cumnock, Old & New' (1691), including James (2), John (6), William (3) and Sarah (1). Margaret Wilson, the young Wigtown Martyr and
daughter of Gilbert Wilson is said to have been born near the River Nith at New Cumnock.
John Jamieson
John Jamieson's brother Alexander (sometimes referred to as James) was captured on the hill top and taken prisoner to Cumnock but his ultimate faith is unknown. William Jamisone and Heu Jamison appear in 'A List of hearths of the paroch of Cumnock, Old New' (1691), some 6 years after the Killing Day. Perhaps more significantly this surname appears on no less than 5 occasions on 'The Hearths of the paroch of Muirkirk' including Alexander Jamisone - the brother perhaps of the martyr John. The route home
from Dalmellington to Muirkirk would take these Jamieson brothers over the heights of Carsgailoch.
John Humphry
Robert Umphra and Janet Umphra appear on 'The hearths of the Toune and paroch of Ocheltrie' (1691), where the name Umphra is clearly a form of Humphry. If John Humphry the martyr, belonged to the parish of Ochiltree then he may well have been an acquaintance of Margaret Dun (see Martyrs Moss). Walter Humper, from the neighbouring parish of Dalmellington was one of 250 Covenanters being transported to Barbadoes on the ship 'Crown of London' when it foundered on the rocks near Deerness, Orkney. Almost 200 Covenanters were drowned, but Walter is recorded as one of the 50 survivors. The name Humper may also be an alternative form of Humphry .
According to tradition, a local farmer, Hugh Hutchison of nearby Dalgig witnessed the martyrdom and later laid the bodies of the saintly three to rest on Carsgailoch hill. Many years later, Robert Paterson or 'Old Mortality' visited this holy spot and erected his
customary memorial stone. The inscription given by J. H. Thomson read:
HeRe . LyeS . IOSePH
WILSON . IOHN IAMI
SON . AND IOHN WM
PHRAY. WHO WAS
SHOT. IN THIS . PLACE
BY. A. PARTy. OF HIGHL
ANDeRS. FOR
THeIR . ADHeRANCe
TO. THE. WORD. OF
GOD. AND THe. COV
eNANTeD. WORK . OF
ReFORMATION. 1685.
Sadly the original 'Old Mortality' tombstone no longer exists although a small fragment could once be seen resting against the current monument. This piece has since been moved to the Baird Institute, Cumnock for safe keeping.
However this loss was to result in the discovery of New Cumnock's most prized Covenanting relics. In 1826 when the foundations of the current tombstone were being laid, the bodies of the Covenanters were found perfectly preserved in their peaty resting place. A lock of golden hair and piece of woollen pawkie were recovered and remained in possession of the family of Ivie Campell of Dalgig Farm for many years - these too can now be found at the Baird Institute.
The current monument was erected in 1826 and repaired in 1896 both events being recorded on the reverse side of the main inscription A.B.Todd one of the finest poets on Covenanting traditions describes the Rev. David McAllister as 'one of the most eloquent ministers and able writers of that great country'.
Information supplied with permission from Robert Guthrie of New Cumnock. See more at www.new-cumnock.co.uk
|
