William George Black

“ Mounted on a white pony, he traversed the whole lowlands of Scotland, receiving a hearty welcome at every Cameronian hearth, but maintaining a melancholy demeanour befitting his labours. ‘To talk of the exploits of the covenanters was the delight, as to repair their monuments was the business, of his life’ (Scott, Old Mortality) . ‘Old Mortality’ had three sons: Robert, Walter, and John. ”

“ PATERSON, NATHANIEL, D.D. (1787–1871) , author, was born in the parish of Kells, Kirkcudbrightshire, in 1787, and was the eldest son of Walter Paterson, stone-engraver, and grandson of Robert Paterson [q. v.] , ‘Old Mortality.’ His mother was Mary Locke. ”

“ GRAHAM, DOUGAL (1724–1779) , chapbook writer and bellman, was born, it is believed, at Raploch, near Stirling, in 1724. He was much deformed, and found the wandering life of a 'chapman' (or pedlar) more to his taste than any settled trade; but when the highland army of Prince Charles Edward was on its way south in September 1745, he gave up such occupation as he had, and followed the prince. ”