Captain John Paton's Monument

 

Captain Paton was born at Meadowhead in Fenwick parish. He served in the army on the continent,and on his return fought with the Covenanters at the Pentland Rising, Battle of Drumclog and Battle of Bothwell Bridge.

Paton was making his way to Fenwick when he was apprehended near to Floak farm (on Fenwick Moor).

Captain Paton was executed in Edinburgh's Grassmarket on 9 May 1684.

Captain John Paton's Monument

Fenwick Churchyard

Fenwick

Ayrshire

NGR - NS 465434

 

The memorial to Captain John Paton is located on the east side of the church.

The inscription reads:

S A C R E D

T O   T H E   M E M O R Y

O F

C A P T A I N   J O H N   P A T O N,

L A T E   I N   M E A D O W H E A D,

O F   T H I S   P A R I S H

W H O   S U F F E R E D   M A R T Y R D O M

I N   T H E   G R A S S M A R K E T .

E D I N B U R G H .   M A Y   9TH, 1 6 8 4.

HE WAS  AN  HONOUR  TO  HIS  COUNTRY;  ON

THE CONTINENT, AT PENTLAND,  DRUMCLOG,

AND BOTHWELL, HIS HEROIC CONDUCT TRULY

EVINCED   THE   GALLANT   OFFICER,    BRAVE

SOLDIER, AND TRUE PATRIOT. IN SOCIAL AND

DOMESTIC   LIFE   HE   WAS   AN   ORNAMENT,

A PIOUS CHRISTIAN, AND A FAITHFUL

WITNESS FOR TRUTH IN OPPOSITION TO THE

ENCROACHMENTS OF TYRANNICAL AND

DESPOTIC POWER IN CHURCH AND STATE.

 

T H E   M O R T A L   R E M A I N S   O F

C A P T A I N   P A T O N

S L E E P   A M I D   T H E   D U S T   O F

K I N D R E D   M A R T Y R S,    I N   T H E

G R E Y - F R I A R S   C H U R C H - Y A R D.

E D I N B U R G H.

 

N E A R   T H I S   I S   T H E

B U R Y I N G - P L A C E   O F   H I S   F A M I L Y

A N D   D E S C E N D A N T S.

 

---------------------------------------------------------

 

Who Antichrist do thus oppose

And for truth's cause their lives lay down

Will get the victory o'er their foes

And gain life's everlasting crown.