Old Mortality Inkstand

The title character of Sir Walter Scott’s novel Old Mortality is an aged peasant who travels from one churchyard to another to perform the pious act of recutting the faded names of Scottish Covenanters on their tombstones. The Battle of Bothwell Bridge (Scotland) is a central event in the 1816 novel. Sir Walter Scott fictionalizes the battle and events leading up to it. A core of hardline rebels remained in arms and became known as the “Cameronians” (radical Presbyterians) named after Richard Cameron their leader.

The front of the inkstands reads “Old Mortality”. Sir Walter Scott, sitting on a grave marker, is depicted talking with the peasant (Old Mortality) who is lying on a grave. Around the grave is engraved: “In Memory of Mister Richard Cameron Minister of the Gospel”. Others listed on the grave include Robert Dick and John Fooler who died in battle. Between the two figures stands Old Mortality’s weary pony.

The Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia purchased a statuary group based on Old Mortality from the Scottish sculptor James Thom and placed it in the cemetery’s central courtyard. This inkstand was likely inspired by this statuary (pictured).