BEATTIE, DAVID JOSEPH (1837 - 1882)

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Watsonville Pajaronian (December 3 or 4, 1882)
David Beattie
Pioneer Cemetery, Watsonville

David J. Beattie or as he is more generally known, Col. Beattie, was found dead at the Watsonville House, last Friday. He had been sitting on a bench and his appearance indicating that he was sleeping, Conrad Jessen went to him and shook him, at the same time telling him to go up stairs. Receiving no response, and perceiving no sign of life about the Colonel, he examined him closely and discovered that he was dead. Acting Coroner Holbrook was notified, a jury summoned, and a verdict rendered that D.J. Beattie came to his death from inanition. His health had been poor, and but a month or so ago he was so sick that it was thought he would then die. He never fully recovered therefrom, and to a great extent, undoubtedly, his sudden death was a result of that sickness. He was a member of R.L. McCook Post, G.A.R., and under the auspices of the Post he was buried Sunday Afternoon, his body being laid to rest in the Post grounds. He was well known in this valley, having lived here for years. By profession he was a carpenter. Born in Ireland, he came to this country early in his life, and settled in New York. On the breaking out of the war he quickly responded to the nation's call for help, and was a member of the famous 164th New York regiment, being a Lieutenant of one of the companies. [note: New York 164 (Corcoran Guard) infantry was not at 2nd bull run or antietam listed below]. The second engagement the regiment was in (second Bull Run, we believe), the regiment was almost swept away, and no officer above him was left on the field. He took charge of what was left of the regiment, and came out of the engagement a Captain and Brevet- Colonel. He was in most of the memorable battles in Virginia, was wounded three times (once at Antietam), and came out of the war, honorably discharged and bearing his scars. For several years he has received a pension of $40 a quarter. He was an active member of the Post, and on account of his great service during the war, and the honorable scars, which he bore, was much deferred to by his brethren. He has a brother and daughter in New York. Col. Beattie is no more and may the sod rest lightly on his coffin, may the grass on his grave ever be green, for he was every inch an hero and at the time when the country's need was sorest.

Date of Birth: 1837

Date of Death: 1882-12-01

County: Santa Cruz

Cemetery/City of Burial: Santa Cruz County

Plot: GAR-l

Cause of Death: Strk/Inatipm

Occupation: Carpenter

Local Address: Watsonville House

Last City: Watsonville

Native of: IR

Enlisted: 1862/08/30

Discharged: 1865/07/15

Military Unit: NY_ 164 Inf_ Co I

Rank: Cap

Military Notes: E-NYC_ W_P-CldHrb_D-W_DC

GAR#: M26

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: RLM 1881 Roster

Creator: Nelson, Robert L.
Source: Old Soldier: the story of the Grand Army of the Republic in Santa Cruz County. Santa Cruz, CA: The Museum of Art & History, c2004.
Date: Undated
Coverage: Santa Cruz (County)
Rights: Reproduced by permission of Robert L. Nelson.
Identifier: OS-0061

Citation

Nelson, Robert L. “BEATTIE, DAVID JOSEPH (1837 - 1882).” Old Soldier: the story of the Grand Army of the Republic in Santa Cruz County. Santa Cruz, CA: The Museum of Art & History, c2004. SCPL Local History. https://history.santacruzpl.org/omeka/items/show/133037. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.