In a message dated 13/05/2007 16:36:51 GMT Standard Time, sandra188@blueyonder.co.uk writes: I recently attended a talk on the slave trade and it set me wondering if slaves made up any part of the population of Wigtownshire and the surrounding area. I have come across one gravestone in my travels around D&G graveyards which MAY have a connection with slavery. The stone is in the old abandoned graveyard called Trailtrow near Repentance Tower in Dumfriesshire. The inscription reads thus: Here lyes Charles MURRAY, a native of Africa, servant to Mr MURRAY of Murraythwaite, who died 5th February 1776 This is quite a substantial stone and dates to a time when many ordinary local families would have been hard put to afford such a monument. I would guess that Charles was a 'freed' slave, the fact that he bears the name of his 'master' may suggest that he was still 'owned' to some degree. The fact that he was honoured with a monument of carved stone suggest he was held in some esteem. But as I said that is speculation on my part. Have a look at _http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~dfsgal/_ (http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~dfsgal/) and click the link to Repentance Tower. The stone is on page two third image down. Sandy