350 graves to be exhumed

[Lodger]

Could this be them?

2 lairs.  The property of Thomas Neilson and Margaret Smart his wife and children 1850.  Their son William died 26Th August 1891 aged 7(?) years.

"2 lairs" is written on the stone, so it was a double plot. Smart badly written could look like Burnt.  The 1850 date would be when the stone was erected, perhaps after the death of an infant.  The kirk session encouraged church members to "mark their spot" as it wasn't uncommon to encroach into another's space! Or even blatantly claim the plot as your own. There were no written records at that time.

I have pictures of some of the stones at Wellwynd, unfortunately this one isn't amongst them.

Lodger.

[kay_linds]

Hi Lodger,

Fantastic, looks like this is them, we have Thomas and Margaret's son William died 26th Aug 1891 aged 75 years. 

From your information that it's Margaret Smart (not Burnt as we had thought) we have now found her death cert - 4th March 1875 and also her parent's names John Smart and Agnes Watt.

[Lodger]

That's wonderful, you're back another generation!
I'm really busy for the next 10 or so days, but if you send me a PM after that, just to remind me, I'll nip over to Wellwynd and try and get a photograph of the stone.

Lodger.

[mowery25]

I have at least one relative who was buried here, possibly more.  In 1860 my great-great-great grandfather's infant brother, Solomon Whittaker, was buried in the Wellwynd Church Yard.   Any of you with access to information, could you please let me know of any other Whittakers who might have been buried or owned a lair here?  Thank you.

Solomon's parents were named Richard and Mary Lambert Whittaker, if that helps.

Chris Mowery
Youngstown, OH, USA

[Lodger]

Hi Chris,
Sorry, no Whittakers in the monumental inscriptions or list of lair owners for Wellwynd.

[Lodger]

Hi Lindsay, went to Wellwynd today and found the stone. Here are the pictures.  Sadly, the stone has been pushed over at some point.

Lodger.

[Lodger]

A few more pictures, taken today - 4th December 09.

Lodger

[Maggie1895]

Lodger, thank you for posting the pictures.
In some ways it's really sad because I know (as explored earlier in this thread) that the bones of my gr.gr. Grandfather and my 7 year old gr.gr. Uncle are amongst those pauper's graves that weren't marked and have probably been dug up and moved.
I wish it hadn't had to happen, but as it has it's better to know, and hope that the site of the reburial is marked so that the families of the unnamed from Wellwynd can at least know where they (all) are. 
Thanks again,
Maggie 1895

[kay_linds]

Lodger,

I'm so sorry we didn't get back to you sooner, thanks so much for taking the photos.  It's really amazing to see them.

Lindsay