Rev John Blackadder

Kirkyard
North Berwick
North Berwick
Rev. John Blackadder
Rev. John Blackadder
Covenanter
Covenanter
Grave and tombstone
Old St Andrew’s kirkyard
Grave and Tombstone
Old St Andrew's
Kirkyard
North Berwick Environment and Heritage Trust
History Guide
North Berwick Environment and Heritage Trust
History Guide

Rev John Blackadder was appointed minister of Troqueer, near
Dumfries, ‘In the parish in 1652, churchyard where he a served handosme until altar November tomb, supported 1662, when, by
by ornamental the Act of pillars, Council, commemorates he was outed the Rev. for John his Blackadder, conscientious an
adherence
eminent sufferer
to Presbyterian
in the cause
principles.
of Presbyterianism.
He continued
He
to
was
preach
born in
in
1623. Having studied at the University of Glasgow, he was ordained
the
minister
fields,
of
and
Troqueer
his conventicles
in April,
were
1653.
extremely
He was deprived
popular.
of his living
On
in
25
1662,
January
when
1666,
he retired
letters
to
of
the
Council
parish
were
of Glencairn.
directed
He
against
preached
him
and frequently other ministers the fields; for presuming and having to attracted preach, pray, the notice baptise, of and the
performing Privy Council, other he, acts. in 1666, He escaped withdrew to under Holland. hiding He later to Edinburgh. returned
to In Scotland, 1674, his where apprehension was at apprehended Edinburgh was on ordered; 5 April 1681. he escaped He was to
taken Rotterdam. before Returning the Council to Scotland sentenced in 1679, to he be resumed imprisoned preaching. on the
In April, 1681, he was apprehended at Edinburgh and sentenced to
Bass Rock. Being now quite aged, and with a poor constitution, his
imprisonment on the Bass Rock. There he was confined upwards
health of four became years. seriously As his health impaired. became After seriously four years' affected imprisonment, the Privy
a Council petition ordered was presented his liberation. for his He removal, was unable but to this avail was himself refused. of the A
second privilege, application and died succeeded, on the Bass but in January, before it 1685, could aged be sixty-three’. carried into
effect, Monuments he died. and He Monumental was 63. years Inscriptions old. in Scotland, Vol. 1, 1871
The end panels of the table tombstone show, on the east panel, a
The skull end and panels crossed of thigh the table bones, tombstone the symbol show, for death, on the with east the panel, partly
a obliterated Skull and crossed inscription thigh Memento bones, Mori. the symbol On the for west death, panel with there the is a
partly winged obliterated cherub together inscription with an Momento open book, Mori. representing On the west the soul panel of
there deceased
is a winged
and the Bible.
cherub together with an open book
representing the soul of the deceased and the Bible.

The inscription on the tombstone reads: ‘Here lies the body of Mr John
Blackadder, minister of the gospel at Troqueer, in Galloway, who died
on the Bass, after five years’ imprisonment. Anno Dom: 1685, and of
his age 63.’
The tombstone was restored in the mid-Victorian era and this was
inscribed on it:
Blest John, for Jesus’ sake, in Patmos bound.
His prison Bethel, Patmos Pisgah found.
So the bless’d John, on yonder rock confined,
His body suffer’d, but no chains could bind
His heaven-aspiring soul ; while day by day.
As from Mount Pisgah’s top, he did survey
The promised land, and view’d the crown by faith,
Laid up for those who faithful are till death.
Grace formed him in the Christian Hero’s mould
Meek in his own concerns in’s Master’s bold ;
Passions to Reason chained, Prudence did lead
Zeal warmed his breast, and Reason cool’d his head.
Five years on the lone rock, yet sweet abode.
He Enoch-like enjoyed, and walk’d with God ;
Till, by long living on this heavenly food,
His soul by love grew up too great, too good
To be confined to jail, or flesh and blood.
Death broke his fetters off, then swift he fled
From sin and sorrow, and by angels led,
Enter’d the mansions of eternal joy ;
Blest soul, thy warfare’s done, praise, love, enjoy.
His dust here rests, till Jesus come again,
Even so, blest Jesus, come come, Lord Amen.

Old St Andrew Blackadder Kirkyard
St Andrew’s kirkyard, Kirk Ports
Copyright: North Berwick Environment and Heritage Trust
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