George Martin's Monument

Old Dailly Churchyard

Old Dailly

Girvan

Ayrshire

NGR - NX 225992

 

The obelisk in memory of Martin and two unknown Covenanters can be seen in the kirkyard. The monument also commemorates John Stevenson. The inscription is as follows:

 

IN MEMORY OF GEORGE MARTIN, SCHOOLMASTER,  OLD DAILLY,  WHO AFTER AN IMPRISONMENT OF FOUR YEARS AND FOUR MONTHS SUFFERED IN THE GRASSMARKET, EDINBURGH,  ON 22ND FEBRUARY, 1684,  FOR HIS ADHERENCE TO THE COVENANT:
ALSO OF OTHER TWO COVENANTERS
ONE OF WHOM, ACCORDING TO TRADITION, WAS SHOT DEAD, WHILE HERDING HIS COW AT KILLOUP; AND THE OTHER WAS STRUCK DOWN ON HIS OWN HEARTH, AT BLACK CAUCHRIE, BARR,
AND IS BURIED NEAR THIS SPOT.

George Martin and Two Unknown Covenanters

 

John Erskine of Cardross refers to Martin in his journal:

22 February 1684. — After dinner I went to the Laigh Council house, where the three condemned men were brought before Baillie Chancellour, who inquired if they had any more to say for themselves, and if they would bid God save the King? They said, they were not now come to answer, neither would they answer questions, and the refused not to obey all the King’s lawful commands. They refused to hear one of the town curates pray; but he beginning, not desired, George Martin offered to interrupt him the time of his prayer, by saying, ‘Let us be gone, what have we to do here?’ but he ended his prayer without stopping. They were hanged in the Grassmarket, but I went not to the place of execution.