Dear Wigtownshire Listers, Working from New Zealand, I have good reason to thank all those who have transcribed documents and memorials for us. I have been using the excellent booklet: Leswalt Old Kirkyard:Memorial Inscriptions, pub by Dumfries and Galloway Family History Society, 48 pages, ISBN 1-873977-85. I was interested in the entry for Tombstone 146 in Leswalt Old Kirkyard, Leswalt (page 28): '"Blessed are the dead which die in the lord." Rev 14th and 13th. Erected by Mary Agnew in memory of her husband John Martin farmer and smith bill who departed this life 21st May 1851. Also in memory of their children viz James who departed this life 1st May 1847, Jessie who departed this life 10th Sep 1853, Helen who departed this life 25th Oct [1853], Anne who departed this life 3d Nov [1853], Grace who departed this life 30th Dec [1853]. Also the erector of this stone Mary Agnew who departed this life 25th M...[25th March 1855] Also Margaret Martin wife of William C...[Gunion] who died at Barsolus 26th Nov...[1866] Also John Martin their son who died 3rd March 1889 aged 52 y...' >From my own family tree research, I have added the illegible dates in square brackets. Before a discussion erupts on John Martin's singular trade of 'farmer and smith bill', this seems to be a misreading of time-worn letters. John Martin's farm was at Smithy Hill so the text was probably John Martin farmer of Smithy Hill.' Does anyone know what the terrible affliction was that carried off four of the Martin children in the last four months of 1853? Many thanks to the Dumfries and Galloway Family History Society. Best wishes Trevor Agnew Christchurch New Zealand