William Smith

The Reverend William Smith died aged 28 from the plague in 1647, possibly from Typhoid Fever and was buried at a site that has become known as the Prophet's Grave, Minister's Grave or Smith's Grave (NS 2125 6226) in the Brisbane Glen near Largs, North Ayrshire, Scotland. a gifted preacher, pious and sociable, and/or Kilwinning. Hugh Smith, minister of Eastwood, was the younger brother of William. and then built temporary dwellings Considerable help was organised at the time by the Irvine Presbytery for the relief of the parishioners of Largs, with the active support from the Laird of Bishopton. Older records indicate that the holly trees were located at the 'head' and 'foot' of the grave, however today (datum 2014) two trees are located either side of the 'head' and 'three' at the foot.

The grave is located in a fairly remote location as was typical of burials of plague victims such as those who died from cholera. Many Cholera pits exist in Ayrshire, such as at Dalry, Stevenston, Monkcastle, Beith, Barrmill, Kilmarnock, Cleeve Cove, etc. It is unknown where those members of his flock who died from the plague are buried.

The original gravestone bore the following inscription:

Restorations The stone and later copy of the inscription records that the grave of 1647 was restored or 'renewed' by his nephew James Smith in 1710 and again in 1760. In 1942 the Revd Baxter had expressed a desire to have the grave site restored and enhanced, for at this time the original pillars had gone and the stone simply rested unevenly on a grass slope with no dedicated pathway running to it, making it hard to find. In 1956 Saint Columba's Parish Church and the Largs Business Club carried out an extensive restoration

At one point the grave was much neglected and is said to have been little more than a marshy swamp. however by 1905 it was raised up onto four stout stone pillars. Postcards show that the site was entirely remodelled in 1956 and the landscaping included the small bridge on the 'new' path, drystone dyking and planting of ornamental hedges, etc.

Tourist attraction It is clear from old photographs and comments by William Dobie in 1855 that the grave was a very popular tourist attraction and had a regular stream of visitors who walked up to the site from the town.

Whilst renewing the inscription the date of Smith's death was accidentally given on the tombstone as 1644 instead of 1647. The presbytery records make it clear that Smith died between 29 June and 28 September 1647.

A Geocache located at the grave site has helped to bring more visitors to this location, which is not widely known.

The St Columba's Church Heritage Centre in Largs gives details of the life and works of William Smith.