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.