The stones of William Welsh

The stones of William Welsh.

William Welsh of Kirkpatrick and another Dumfries man, William  (also known as John) Grier or Grierson, were captured at the battle of Rullion Green in November 1666. It was decided that some of the prisoners should be sent back to their home towns there to be executed  as a salutory lesson to any other would be rebels. They were hung on 2 January 1667.

 The inscription tells us that Welsh`s head was cut off and put on view above the town gates – The Bridge Port.. It begins with a favourite inscription ” Stay Passenger ” meaning passer by ..

STAY, PASSENGER, AND READ HERE INTERR`D DOTH LY A WITNESS GAINST POOR SCOTLANDS PERJURY, WHOSE HEAD ONCE FIX`D UP ON THE BRIDGE PORT STOOD PROCLAIMING VENGEANCE

FOR HIS GUILTLESS BLOOD

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