Detail of coat of arms on monument

In December 1694, Duchess Anne was paying James Smith the architect £70 sterling 'for sending to Holand to buy marble towards the erecting of ane Monument upon His Grace the Duke of Hamiltone in Hamiltone Church' and in October 1695 Mr Smith was able to report that he was 'pretty forward' in 'sawing of the marble for the monument.' The contract for the monument was not drawn up, however, until 12 February 1696.

Signed by Duchess Anne, Mr Smith and his cousin James Smith and witnessed by the Duchess Anne's son Lord Basil, her son-in law, James, Earl of Panmure, David Crawford her legal adviser and Arthur Nasmith another of her servants, the contract describes how the duchess was 'resolved to cause build a handsome, stately and decent monument' upon the burial place in Hamilton Church where 'her dearest husband is interred.' Mr Smith and his men were to take down the 1st Marquis of Hamilton's monument and put it safely aside, enlarge the vault underneath, and then set it up again. The whole gable was to be raised and new windows put in before the duke's monument could be erected on its black marble base.