DANIELL, William (1769-1837)
Aberdeen

© National Library of Scotland.
William Daniell image supplied by the National Library of Scotland for use in the LEMA Project.

[Plate 142]

Aberdeen

"ABERDEEN, the subject of the next view, may more strictly be designated New Aberdeen; and it is here necessary to observe, that the Old and the New city have each a distinct municipal jurisdiction, a separate magistracy, and what is more singular, a separate and distinct university. New Aberdeen is situated on a rising ground at the mouth of the Dee, about a mile distant from Old Aberdeen, which stands pleasantly on the mouth of the Don. Of course the term new is merely relative, and by all accounts the time when it was first applied to this place, for the sake of distinguishing it from its rather more antique rival, must have been about the close of the ninth century. It has some spacious streets formed by substantial houses built of granite from quarries in the neighbourhood. In virtue of an act of parliament passed in 1800, several new streets have been added, which pass over the others by arches, and facilitate the approach to the town in different directions. The various charitable institutions are honourable to the memory of the founders, and to the public spirit of the inhabitants who sustain them. The harbour is situated at the bottom of the eminence, on which stands the bridge; it is a sort of curved inlet, partly separated from the river by a low island. The access to it was formerly interrupted and rendered precarious by a continually sifting sand-bank: but the inconvenience has been remedied by the erection of a pier, on a plan communicated by Mr. Smeaton. It is twelve hundred and six feet in length, and gradually increases in thickness and height as it extends into the sea, where the extreme head or rounding is sixty feet in diameter at its base, and the perpendicular elevation thirty-six feet. It is constructed of huge blocks of granite, at an expense of about twenty thousand pounds, which was defrayed by doubling the harbour dues. Near it are two batteries, mounting ten twelve-pounders, which were erected in 1782 for the defence of the harbour and shipping. The chief imports to Aberdeen are from the Baltic and the West Indies; and there is much intercourse between this port and that of London, where the salmon fisheries of the Don and the Dee find an advantageous market. The principal exports are stockings, thread, and grain."

Source:
Extract from Daniell, William. A Voyage Round the Coast of Scotland and the Adjacent Isles 1815-1822.

The Macquarie Connection

For six months in 1830-1831 Elizabeth Macquarie lived in a rented house at Sunny Bank, Aberdeen. The decision to relocate from London had been determined by the desire of Lachlan Macquarie Jnr. to join the army as soon as possible. At the age of 16 a commission had been acquired for him in the 42nd Regiment of Foot and Elizabeth had taken him to Scotland to receive some preparatory military instruction before he joined his regiment in Birmingham. In a letter to Sergeant Charles Whalan in NSW. dated 13 February 1831. Elizabeth wrote:

"...You will see by Lachlan's letters that he is now an Ensign in the 42d. Regt.. This event has taken place two years sooner than with my will he should have enter'd the service; but I have nothing for it but submission; as I am not his Guardian. When I received the first letter on the subject of his appointment I felt as tho' cold water had made its way all over me, between the body & the skin. What will become of me when he joins his Regt., is more than I can possibly tell, if I live and am obliged to part with him, my life will not be a desirable one...

...I have never felt myself in any thing like comfortably settled since I lost our beloved, until coming here, but you see the present state of things is not to last long - I took a lease of this house for six months, for which I pay seven Guineas pr. month; my present intention is to remain here until this time expires, and then proceed to Mull by the Caledonian Canal. Lachlan will probably arrive at the same point by the other side of Scotland for the purpose of paying a visit to Sir Thomas Brisbane; who is one of the kindest friends we have...

...[PS.] 14 Febry. Lachlan is at this moment at exercise in the room beside me, he has a Sergeant who comes to drill him - he seems to be getting on very well."

Source:
Extract from 'Elizabeth Macquarie to Charles Whalan, 13 February 1831'. Whalan Family Papers 1791-1861.
Original letter held by the Mitchell Library, Sydney. ML MSS 6 ff.1-4. [Microfilm copy: CY2627 Frames #29-32].

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