It mentions that his son in law was killed in the wreck of an early British passenger steamship, PS Comet II, near Gourock in 1825.
Gifted by the family of the late Norman Watters Past President of Bowhill People's Burns Club" The stone reads: "Sacred to the memory of John Anderson who died at Invergarry the 4 May 1832 Aged 84 years also his daughter Catherine who died at Invergarry the 20 December 1832 aged 52 years Relict of the late James Grierson who was lost in the "Comet" off Gourack Point the 20 Oct 1825 This stone is erected by their affectionate children."
Despite the claim recorded in the heritage plaque above, Burns' poem is based on an earlier poem of the same title and metre: John Anderson, my jo, John I wonder what you mean To lie sae lang in the morning And sit sae late at e'en ...................
The earlier version was extant c.1744, and is a mildly bawdy ballad in which the wife berates John for his waning performance in bed, recalls his former ardour, and threatens him with the cuckold's horns if he doesn't deliver: ...........
The Canongate Burns (2 Vols); Editors Andrew Noble & Patrick Scott Hogg; Edinburgh, 2001