Peter Gemmel's Grave

A headstone marks the grave of Peter Gemmel. He was shot at Midland farm (NS 471427) by Lieutenant Nisbet and his dragoons on a Saturday evening in November 1685. He was only 21 years old. Gemmel was one of four who met for a prayer meeting at the farm. They had planned to leave early, as they had information that Nisbet was in the area, but one of their group, was elderly and unfit. Accordingly, they hung back until later. The dragoons appeared, said to be forty strong. They searched the house for over an hour but found no-one. On returning they discovered the Covenanters in the byre. Three were shot in an adjacent field. The other two were John Fergushill and George Woodburn. John Nisbet in Hardhill was wounded seven times, but he was taken away due to their being a reward for his capture. 

Peter Gemmel's Grave

Fenwick Churchyard

Fenwick

Ayrshire

NGR - NS 465434

Inscription:

Here lies

the Corps of peter

 Gemmel  who  was  Shot  to  death

 by Nifbet and his party, 1685 for

bearing his faithful Teftimony to the

Caufe of Chrift, aged 21 years.

This man like holy Anchorits of old

 For confcience fake was thruft from

 houfe and hold                              fhort

 Blood thirfty Redcoats cut his prayers

And ev'n his dying groans were

 made their fport

Ah Scotland breach of folemn vows

repent                                    

Or blood thy crime will be thy

punifhment