Gravestone Of John Mackay Wilson, Churchyard

This is a sandstone gravestone erected in 1835 to commemorate John Mackay Wilson (1804-1835), located within Tweedmouth Cemetery. The monument is tall and rectangular, featuring fluted pilasters on either side of the inscription, which support an entablature decorated with floral motifs. A stepped parapet originally held a stone urn, now missing. The rear of the gravestone is of a similar form but largely plain. The inscription reads: "Erected/to the Memory/of/JOHN MACKAY/ WILSON/who died 2nd. October 1835,/in the 31st. year of his age./This Stone Erected to his/Memory by his Widow/SARAH WILSON./The above/JOHN MACKAY WILSON/poet & author of/'The Tales of the Borders',/Born at Tweedmouth on 15, August./1804."

John Mackay Wilson was born in Tweedmouth in August 1804 and died at the age of 31 in October 1835. He worked as a printer, lecturer in literature, and editor of the Berwick Advertiser. In 1834, he began publishing “The Tales of The Borders” on a weekly basis, a series of Scottish stories that became popular in Britain and America and which mimicked the style of Sir Walter Scott. Circulation grew steadily from 2000 to 16000-17000, with a total of 48 numbers published containing 73 tales, including the partly autobiographical "The Poor Scholar." The series was continued after Wilson’s death by his brother and later extended by Alexander Leighton, a notable Scottish literary figure.

The gravestone is designated for its imposing scale and well-executed neo-classical decoration. It commemorates a figure of national significance for his “Tales of the Borders” volumes and has group value with the nearby listed church. It is also notable for being an epitaph that references published works. The gravestone is now painted.