| Administrative History | Montagu Beattie [1778-96] Beattie's younger son. Named after Mrs Montagu, who was his godmother and took an affectionate interest in him. In his early childhood he spent less time with his parents than did James Hay, often being boarded with the minister of Durris and his wife, William and Margaret Strachan, who were childless. He attended Aberdeen Grammar School and then Marischal College 1792-96. He is represented as less studious and more outgoing than James Hay Beattie. He hoped to become a clergyman in the Church of England, and in 1791 on a visit to London with his father was confirmed by Beattie's friend Beilby Porteus, Bishop of London. He died after a short illness (probably not tubercolosis) on 14 March 1796, presumably just before he would have graduated MA |
| Description | Letter from Montagu Beattie, ?Mary Culture, to James Beattie, Upperkirkgate, Aberdeen, referring to James Beattie's last letter and mentioning that his father had given him some advice. Letter talks about Montagu's reading of Virgil's 'Second Geogick' and the second 'Chorde of Horace'. Montagu mentions the deaths of Jean Valentine and Miss Mary Hutcheson. Montagu explains: "I would not have sent you a letter so ill written, but I have been out fishing all day, and my hands are cold and not in a condition to write. M. B." |