Billy Marshall

Today's the day ………………………. for a long life

We've been spending a fair amount of time recently in the local cemetery.  Not for any sad reason(!) but in the quest for information about former owners of our house.  And, I have to say, it's a fascinating place with all sorts of interesting local family histories including lots of mariners lost at sea, war graves and the like.

This is one that I came upon recently - the headstone of Galloway tinker, William (Billy) Marshall, reputed to have died at the age of 120 years.  He was born in Ayrshire around 1672 of gypsy (tinker) stock and became famous as a boxer - and a bandit. He became King of the Tinkers  in Galloway and proceeded to terrorise much of the countryside. His legendary exploits also include deserting from the army no less than seven times and from the navy three times. He is reputed to have married on 17 occasions, had countless children (both in and out of wedlock) and fathered at least four children after the age of 100.

There are coins embedded in the top of the headstone - often seen on gypsy graves - and on the reverse side (see extra) is a carving of crossed spoons because Billy used to make spoons from wood and bones...……………...