James Harkness in Locherben

James Harkness was a farmer in Locherben and brother of the martyr, Thomas Harkness. He was often referred to as Long Gun James. He was captured an imprisoned in the Canongate gaol but on 16 September 1683 he and others escaped. He was involved in arranging the rescue of imprisoned Covenanters in Enterkin Pass. He survived the Killing Times and died in 1723.

James Harkness's Gravestone

Dalgarnock Kirkyard

Kirkbog

Thornhill

Dumfriesshire

NGR - NX 876936

The upright headstone is located just within the pedestrian gate to Dalgarnock kirkyard. The stone was originally a tablestone, on legs, but was later erected vertically. It is ditinguished by being tapered, narrower to the bottom. The inscription reads:

Here lyes the body of James

Harkness in Locherben who

died 6th Dec. 1723 aged 72 years.

Belo this stone his dust doth ly

who endured 28 years 

Persecution by tyranny -

Did him pursue with echo and cry

Through many a lonesome place

At last by Clavers he was ta'en - 

Sentenced for to die.

But God, who for his soul took care,

Did him from prison bring

Because no other cause they had

But that he ould not give up

With Christ, his glorious King,

And swear allegence to that beast,

The Duke of York, I mean,

In spite of all there hellish rage

A natural death he died

In full assurance of his rest

With Christ ieternalie.