Vessel Loss

Memorial: M5700

Wall tablet at St Cuthbert’s Church, Edinburgh commemorating Charlotte Elphinston and John Elphinston d. 1815 in the wreck of the East Indiaman ‘Alexander’

Location

St Cuthbert's Church, Edinburgh, Scotland

Transcript

'This tablet is erected to memory of Charlotte Elphinston, aged 6 years, and of John Elphinston aged 5 years, children of John Elphinston, Esq., Member of Council Bombay, who, to the inexpressible sorrow of their affectionate parents, were drowned in the wreck of the 'Alexander', East India Ship, on the coast of Weymouth, the 26th March 1815. By their father's direction, their remains were here deposited with the ashes of their kindred, by friends who once hoped to be delighted with their innocence and cheerfulness, and to assist in the pleasing task of cherishing and improving their opening virtues and talents. But the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.'

Details

Description: One of three wall tablets.
Type: Wall tablet
Position: West Wall exterior
Vessel: Alexander

People

Elphinston, Charlotte
Age: 6
Date of Death: 26/3/1816
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Passenger
Organisation: Honourable East India Company
Elphinston, John
Age: 5
Date of Death: 26/3/1815
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Passenger
Organisation: Honourable East India Company

Extra

Bibliography: John Smith, Edited Sir James Balfour Paul 'Monumental Inscriptions in St Cuthbert's Churchyard, Edinburgh' Scottish Records Society (Edinburgh, 1915).
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