This monument is placed in the modern parish church of Renfrew. It
consists of a recumbent effigy resting on a sculptured tomb, and
enclosed within an arched canopy. The inscription round the arch in
Gothic raised letters is as follows:--“Hic iacet Johēs Ros miles
quo(n)dam dominus de Hawkehede et Marioria uxor sua orate pro ipsis qui
obit.”
Crawford mentions in his _History of Renfrewshire_, p. 66, that Sir
Josias (he means Sir John) Ross of Halkhead married “Marjory Mure, a
daughter of Caldwel,” and that their statues “as big as the life, with
their coats of arms over them,” are carved on the monument. The arms of
the lady are not there now. Crawford states that this was “the first of
the family who laid the foundation of that hereditary honour, which his
successors have ever since enjoyed, who, being a favourite of King James
IV., was by that prince created a baron of this realm, with the title of
Lord Ross of Hawkhead and Melvil, about the year 1492.”[214] It is to be
observed, however, that the arms on the tomb are simply those of Ross,
whereas the arms of Melville were quartered with those of Ross after the
marriage of Sir John Ross with the heiress of Melville in the time of
Robert II.
The monument (Fig. 1491) has been partly restored, the shafts at the
sides with their bases and caps are modern, but they probably follow the
original design. The mouldings of the arch, which are thickly coated
with paint, appear to be original. The effigies, of which there are two,
husband and wife, with the table on which they rest, remain untouched.
The tomb is 8 feet 6½ inches long by 2 feet 6 inches high, but the base
is probably buried beneath the floor. The front is richly sculptured in
a somewhat rude but vigorous manner, and is divided into eleven
compartments. Each of the end compartments contains an angel playing on
a musical instrument, namely, a violin and a viol. The other nine
compartments contain shields supported by angels, with the following
armorial bearings, as described by Mr. W. R. Macdonald:--