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Alexander McLean, Imperial Yeomanry - died 29th January 1907 3 years 4 weeks ago #75451
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He was living at Breda House, 2 miles west of Alford, Aberdeenshire. It was reported that he "died suddenly."
Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 30th January 1907
Aberdeen Journal, Friday 1st February 1907
The interment was at Alford Cemetery.
The photos above are by, and used with the permission of, GariochGraver.
The McLean family went to stay at Padstow, Cornwall, arriving there on Monday 18th March.
THE SUICIDE OF MISS LEE.
INQUEST PROCEEDINGS.
....Mr.. John Pethybridge, County Coroner, of Bodmin, on Monday held an inquest on the Aberdeen lady, Miss Lee, whose body was found in the sea near Padstow. The brother of the deceased, Mr Walter Henry Lee, and Mr Neil M'Lean were present. Mr R. S. Langford was foreman of the jury. ....Police Sergeant Northcott produced the deceased's jacket and hat, and also the pieces of paper picked up at the various places where the deceased was seen to be destroying letters. The pieces were of the most minute character, and it would have been an impossible task to make a complete whole of them. It is more than probable also that the wind blew many pieces over the cliffs. The pieces in the possession of the police sergeant contained amongst them portions of a bank-book and pieces of religious tracts and letters. ....Mr Neil M'Lean said the deceased had been staying at the South Western Hotel, Padstow, since the previous Monday with some members of his family. The deceased had been a governess with his family for the past seven years. Her home was at Kent Terrace, Regent's Park, London. Miss Lee usually had good health, but lately she had been somewhat excitable, and suffered from sleeplessness. On Friday last she was looking ill and very white. It was not her custom to go for walks by herself. On Friday last they had arranged to cross to visit the golf links. On reaching the ferryboat, Miss Lee changed her mind, and told his son that she would return at six o'clock, when she was to have given his little boy his home lessons. As she had not returned when it was nearly seven o'clock the police were sent for, and a search instituted. At seven o'clock the same night word was brought that her hat and jacket had been found on the cliffs at Stepper Point. The note (produced), which was in her handwriting, was pinned to her hat. ....The letter was handed to the coroner, who said it was the desire of the deceased's brother that the contents of it should not be made public. It contained a remark about forgiveness. There was absolutely no reason known for any forgiveness. In the deceased's jacket were pieces of letters, but nothing which would suggest that Miss Lee had premeditated doing away with herself. ....Mr M'Lean, continuing, said three of his sons were engaged in the South African war. The second son was badly wounded, and eventually returned to his home in Aberdeenshire. After some time he suffered from delusions, and died on January 29th 1907. The deceased met him a short time before his death, and apparently some little thing was said to him by her, which caused her great remorse. ....Ernest Tippett, shipwright at Padstow, stated that on Saturday his attention was called to the body of the deceased at Rock Sands. Henry Brenton, shipwright, and himself brought it ashore. He saw no marks about the face, hands, or body. He attributed death to a fall, and not to drowning. The clothing was intact, except that a little of the cloth about the neck of the dress was torn. He believed that the deceased fell from the top of the cliff to the soft bottom, and that the next coming tide carried the body on to Padstow, where it was found - two miles from Stepper Point. During the time that Miss Lee had been in Padstow he had observed her several times taking walks. She was usually alone, going in the direction of St Saviour's. ....Mr Walter Henry Lee, brother of the deceased, made a brief statement to the effect that his sister was of a highly-strung temperament, very excitable, and deeply religious. For many years past her uncle had been under restraint, suffering from delusions. ....The jury returned the following verdict: - "That Annie Maria Lee killed herself by throwing herself from a cliff while temporarily insane." They tendered their deepest sympathy to the brother and the members of his family, and also to Mr M'Lean and his family. The Coroner also concluded with an expression of regret and sympathy.
VICAR OF PADSTOW'S ACTION.
....The funeral of the deceased in Padstow Cemetery in the afternoon was attended by the brother, Mr M'Lean and members of his family. The vicar of Padstow (Rev. M. B. Willamson) refused to conduct the service unless the friends and relatives permitted him to adapt the service to the occasion. That they refused to do, and it was feared it would be necessary to postpone the funeral. Ultimately Rev. E. V. Olivey, vicar of St Meryn, was fetched, and conducted the service in the church and at the graveside. The coffin bore wreaths of flowers, and there was a large attendance. The vicar's action gave rise to considerable comment.
Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 27th March 1907
Stepper Point.
Photo by Andy F. on Wikipedia
Vicar of Padstow and the Funeral Service.
....An inquest was held at Padstow on Tuesday, relative to the death of Miss Annie Maria Lee, a governess, aged 39, who had come with Mr. M'Lean and family, of Aberdeen, and whose body was found at the bottom of the cliffs at Stepper Point. Attached to her hat was a note containing words referring to forgiveness, and stating that she could not return to Scotland. Deceased, it appeared, had worried over the suicide of a son of Mr. M'Lean, who was wounded in the South African War, as a result of which he was subject to delusions, and ultimately took his life. Miss Lee laboured under the impression that she had not been as gentle and kind to him as she might have been. On the day of her death she was seen to be tearing up letters and throwing them over the cliff. The jury found that deceased took her life while temporarily insane. ....The Vicar of Padstow declined to read the Burial Service unless a modification was sanctioned. This was refused, and the difficulty was got over by the Vicar of St. Merryn consenting to conduct the service, thus preventing any delay. The Western Times, Thursday 28th March 1907 |
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- Alexander McLean, Imperial Yeomanry - died 29th January 1907