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- .From Patrycia Broad, Aug 2002
"Arthur was executed on Tower Hill August 1746, place of burial was StPeters Ad Vincula (St Peters Chains) in the Tower. His body was exhumedin 1876, body had been removed but Oval Leaden Plate remained withinscription as follows:- "Arthurus Dominus Li Balmerino - executed August18th 1746, aged 58 years. This has been taken from information that wasgiven to me by an aunt of mine who got it from Kenneth VaughanElphinstone (a cousin of mine) from research he did in 1935. Since then Ihave found more information on Arthur and that is he was in the Jacobiteuprising at the Battle of Culloden where he and Lord Kilmarnoch werecaptured. There is a book called R.R. McIans The Clans of The ScottishHighlands Foreword by Antonia Fraser published in 1980 by Pan Books.Under the Stewart name there is a list of all those who participated inthat fight, his name is among them. There two other books called TrueCrime and True Crime 2 which mention Arthur. In the first book under theheading Headless Corpses page 236 it just gives executioners name whichJack Thrift, the second book under the heading Age of Gin page 170 itgives more detail of what happened that day. Lord Kilmarnoch was luckyone stroke and he was beheaded, but Arthur was not so lucky as it tookthree."
From Elphinstone of Balmerinoch to its extinction on Tower Hill athttp://www.baronage.co.uk/bphtm-03/elphin03.html
"...He then saluted the company, in a manner so cheerful, as drew tearsfrom every eye but his own, and hastened to the scaffold.
But before we view his lordship on the scaffold, 'tis but just to thememory of that great, but unhappy man, to acquaint the public what washis deportment in his retirement here: 'Twas graceful, withoutaffectation; cheerful but not presumptious: He conversed freely with hisfriends, twice refreshed himself with a bit of bread and a glass of wine,and desired the company to drink to him, Ain dagree ta haiven; but, aboveall, he called frequently upon God, and seemed both willing and preparedto die.
When he mounted the scaffold, he did it with so undaunted a step, assurprised every spectator that was unacquainted with the greatness of hissoul.
He walked round the scaffold, bowed to the people, read the followinginscription on his coffin: Arthurus dominus de Balmerino, decollatus 18die Augusti 1746, aetatis sue 58 ; said it was right, and, with seemingpleasure, looked on the block, which he called his pillow of rest.
He then called for the executioner, who, being introduced to him, wasabout to ask for his forgiveness; but my lord stopt him, and said,"Friend, you need not ask me forgiveness, the execution of your duty iscommendable;" then presenting the executioner with three guineas, said,"Friend, I never had much money; this is all I have; I wish it was morefor your sake, and am sorry I can add nothing more to it but my coat andwaistcoat," which he instantly took off, and placed on his coffin for theexecutioner. Having prepared himself for the block, he took his lastfarewel of them; and, having once more taken a view of the great numberof the spectators, his lordship said, "I am afraid there are some who maythink my behaviour bold;" and, speaking to a gentleman near him, added,"Remember, sir, what I tell you; it arises from a confidence in God, anda clear conscience."
"5th Lord Coupar, b 1688, joined the 1715 Rising and escaped to France,but returned for the 1745 Rising during which he was Colonel of the 2ndtroop of Horse Guards. He was captured at Culloden, attainted, andbeheaded on Tower Hill 18 Aug 1746"
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