Diana Powell 2006
Ramblingroots.com
Genealogical gleanings from the Beatie vs Clark suit:
1. Mary, wife of David Beattie, was formerly Mary Beattie, daughter of Francis Beattie
Source: deposition of Robert Stewart states in part: "Mary Beaty was the sister of the deponent's mother". Robert Stewart was the son of John Stewart and Rosanna (Beattie) Stewart. Rosanna was the daughter of Francis Beattie (wills of Francis Stewart and John Stewart). Therefore Mary and Rosanna were sisters, both daughters of Francis Beattie.
2. The reference in Mary (Beattie) Beattie's will to 2 nieces (Mary, daughter of James Beattie and Mary, daughter of David Beattie) was actually a reference to two granddaughters, daughters of her sons James and David
Source: deposition of Margaret Edmiston: "Mary Beaty told the witness that she intended to give Polly Beaty, the daughter of James Beaty the plaintiff, and to Polly Beaty, the daughter of David Beaty one of the defendants, each a negro," Mary spent the night at Margaret's house prior to the day Margaret's husband, Thomas Edmiston, wrote Mary's will for her.
3. James Beattie had a daughter Mary.
Source: see deposition above
4. David and Mary Beattie's son John, who was mentioned in David's will (1805) but not in Mary's second will (1818), died in March 1817.
Source: bill of complaint
5. Dates of death for both David (25 Apr. 1814) and Mary (Beattie) Beattie (8 Jan. 1820)
Source: bill of complaint
6. James Beattie left for Missouri on Oct. 1, 1820
Source: answer
7. Proves children of David and Mary Beattie
Source: bill of complaint and answer
8. Mary Beattie (Beattie) and her husband David Beattie lived about 3 miles from Mary's sister Rosanna (Beattie) Stewart. Mary visited Rosanna at her home
Source: deposition of Robert Stewart
9. James Beattie had a blacksmith shop at his father's
Source: deposition of John Sturgeon
10. David Beattie sent his son James to learn the trade of blacksmith in the shop of John Sawyers at Col. Dysarts – there was some issue between David Beattie and Col. Dysart over James's board
Source: deposition of John Stewart
11. The documents in the case, though not always easy to understand, also provide a certain insight into the life of a community where slave-holding was the accepted practice. They also highlight the tenuous position women found themselves in when it came to owning anything of value in their own right.