The Henry Erskine Memorial in Chirnside Parish Churchyard

Image: © Walter Baxter Taken: 21 Apr 2010

This Neoclassical obelisk memorial, erected by public subscription in 1825, is for the Reverend Henry Erskine who was the parish minister of Chirnside in the 17th century. He was imprisoned for his religious beliefs during the Covenanting times. The inscription panel reads:- IN MEMORY OF THE REVEREND HENRY ERSKINE, a descendant of the Family of Mar, and sometime Minister of this Parish, who was eminently distinguished in Incorruptible Integrity in private life, Undaunted Zeal in the Service of his Heavenly Master and steady attachment to the Religious Principles of the Church of Scotland, at a time when the profession of these Principles often led to imprisonment and exile, both of which he himself endured with exemplary resignation and fortitude. He was born at Dryburgh in the year 1624, Ordained at Cornhill in 1649. Ejected in 1662, and Persecuted for nonconformity to Prelacy. Admitted, soon after the Revolution in 1688, to be Minister of Chirnside, where he continued in the Faithful Discharge of his Pastoral Duties till 10th August 1696, when his holy and exemplary life terminated in a peaceful and triumphant death in the 72nd year of his age, and 17th of his Ministry. His two younger sons, EBENEZER and RAPH ERSKINE were the Founders of the Secession Church. Chirnside Parish Churchyard was the scene of a famous resurrection involving his second wife Marjorie. For more details, see Image

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0