| Administrative History | Mary (Mally Beattie) (1744 - 1807), Beattie's wife. Beattie met her when he boarded with her father on first coming to Aberdeen in 1758. They married in 1767. |
| Description | Letter from Mary Beattie, Aberdeen, to Lady Mayne, talking about Sir William's election in Parliament and describing the area in which Lady Mayne lived. Letter mentions Miss Cooper staying with Lady Mayne and that Miss Cooper is a pupil of Lady Mayne. Mrs Beattie writes about her six year old son, James Hay Beattie. She also writes about the paragraph in the newspaper regarding Mr Beattie and his intention to transcribe a letter to Doctor Porteus [presumably Beilby Porteus], which he wants Lady Mayne to show to Doctor Majendei [?Majendi]. Letter talks about Priestly's charge against Mr Beattie. Mrs Beattie writes that she finds swallowing solid food less troublesome and talks about trying the Valerian. Letter talks about Lady Mayne's health and mentions that Mr Beattie has returned to [Marischal] College business and his studies. Letter ends by writing about Mr Beattie's enclosed tune and how there is a dispute about what to call it, which Lady Mayne is to solve: "The inclosed Tune Mr Beattie has lately composed and begs your Ladyships acceptance of it. There is a dispute about its name which we leave you to determine I would be for calling it Gatton Park, Mr Beattie would have a farewell to Arno's Grove". According to Mrs Beattie's letter, it was [originally] enclosed with a letter from 'Jamie' to Miss Graham. |