McManus 168

1. Death of Betsy Anderson first wife of Thomas Gellatly

Dundee, Perth and Cupar Advertiser 13^th August 1850

“Mrs William Gellatly died on board the barque “Berwick Castle” at sea, on the 7^th July last, on her passage from London to Archangel, and was buried on the Island of Muduga on the 26^th of said month.”^[12]

The couple had only been married six months. Was this a honeymoon voyage? It seems likely that the vessel was involved in the flax trade, Archangel being a very important supplier of the raw material.

2. William Gellatly as a shipowner, was a major shareholder (16/64) in the barque ‘Africa’, built in Dundee in 1865. By 1869 he had increased his shareholding to 21/64.^[13]

3. Obituary – Dundee Courier 4th March 1901

“DEATH OF DUNDEE MERCHANT

Mr William Gellatly, merchant, Dundee, died at his residence, James Place, Broughty Ferry, on Saturday. Deceased was well known in commercial circles of the city, especially by the older merchants, with whom during his long and active career he came much in contact. Indeed for two generations he has been a prominent figure in the city’s business affairs, and although for a number of years he has lived in retirement the intimation of his death will excite feelings of regret among his numerous friends. In the year 1838 Mr Gellatly entered the office of Mr John Kennedy, who owned the Dundee and Aberdeen traders and in 1846 he received an important appointment in the office of Messrs. A. & D. Edward & Co., who carried on a large business as flaxspinners and manufacturers at Logie Works. After remaining there for 15 years, he commenced business as a merchant and shipowner. Later he bought the mills at Stannergate, which he fitted up for seed crushing from which business he retired a number of years ago. Though never much of a public man, Mr Gellatly’s interests were by no means limited by his private affairs. He was a member of the Guildry, and also one of the Committee of the Seamen’s Friend Society. By many of the poor and needy he will be greatly missed, as he was always willing to be helpful, and many a fund he got up and managed for the benefit of individuals or families. He was a staunch Free Churchman, and was an elder, first in St Paul’s, Dundee and afterwards in the West U.F. Church, Broughty Ferry. He was 74 years of age, and is survived by five daughters. At the morning service in West U.F. Church, yesterday Rev. G.E. Troup referred to the loss the congregation had sustained through Mr Gellatly’s death.”^[8]