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February 9th 1833 |
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Jamie, dwarf of Murthly CastleSir William Steuart acquired Murthly Castle early in the 17th Century and the building still remains with the family today. During the time of Sir George Steuart, at the end of the 18th Century, there was among the servants an extremely obese dwarf who went by the name of Jemmy or Jamie.It was his job to fetch the post from the village, for which he was given a white mule. But Jamie and the mule did not always find it possible to co-operate and eventually Jamie, who did not suffer fools or mules gladly, was seen to knock the beast to the ground, sitting on its head, at the same time shouting a torrent of abuse at the unfortunate animal. This treatment made a profound impression on the mule and from then on the two were the best of friends. Jamie was well read and possessed a quick though caustic wit. He took to sitting on the floor in the dining room and taking part in the conversation with the family. When Sir George Steuart married in 1792 attempts were made, without success, to remove Jamie from the castle. From then on there was little love lost between the two and at times Jamie refused even to speak to the Laird. He was however devoted to Sir George’s two daughters and would go into their bedrooms in early morning and hold long conversations with them. In 1827 Sir George died and Jamie was presented, by his son Sir John, with a black kilt to wear at the funeral. “The most sensible thing that he (Sir John) had ever done” , commented Jamie with approval. Jamie died in 1833. |