deacon brodie
The real story behind Edinburgh's most enduring legend
A Letter from William Brodie, under the name of John Dixon, to Matthew Sheriff
8 April 1788
The letters of Deacon Brodie are a unique view on Brodie’s personality and mentalities. As taken as we are with the “bad Brodie” who skulked around Edinburgh thieving, we often forget there was also the day-to-day public face of Deacon Brodie. Glimmers of that Brodie come through in this collection of letters. We see a man who is concerned about his financial affairs and his children. We also see a man coming to terms with the duality of his personality. The “good Brodie” in denial of what the “bad Brodie” had done. Much like Dr. Jekyll waking to realize what Mr. Hyde had done the night before.
In the first of Brodie’s letters while on the run, we see how desperate Deacon Brodie’s situation is. He has little money, and his apparel is not up to his usual fashionable and fastidious standards. It is interesting to note that one of the items he requests be sent to him are his working tools. From the haphazard planning and execution of the Deacon Brodie gang’s crimes, it is easy to forget that he was a master craftsman. The scant surviving examples of Deacon Brodie as a cabinetmaker show attention to detail and skill equal to or greater than his peers. Perhaps Brodie is pining for the safe life his day job entailed and wishes his tools a touchstone to the life he believes he has temporarily left behind. Equally as plausible, Deacon Brodie believes he will be able to escape to America and knows access to his working tools will be the only way he can support himself in the New World.
Flushing, Tuesday, 8th April, 1788
12 o'clock forenoon.
My dear Friend,
Sunday, the 23rd., I went on board a ship cleared out for Leith, but by a private bargain with the captain was to be landed at Ostend. I have been on board ever since the 23rd. Most of the time we lay aground a little below Gravesend. Owing to thick weather and cross wind, we are obliged to land here; but this afternoon I will set off, by water, for Bruges, and then for Ostend (so I begin my travels where most gentlemen leave them off), where I shall remain, for some time at least, until I hear from Mr. Walker; and, indeed, I will require three weeks to recruit, for I have suffered more from my sore throat than sufficient to depress the spirits of most men. There was for twenty days I did not eat ten ounces of solid meat ; but, thank God, I am now in a fair way. My stock is seven guineas, but by I reach to Ostend will be reduced to less than six. My wardrobe is all on my back, excepting two check shirts and two white ones, one of them an old rag I had from my cousin Milton, with an old hat (which I left behind), my coat, an old blue one, out at the arms and elbows, I also had from him, with an old striped waistcoat, and a pair of good boots. Perhaps my cousin judged right, that old things were best for my purpose. However, no reflections; he is my cousin, and a good prudent lad, and showed great anxiety for my safety; rather too anxious, for he would not let me take my black coat with me, nor Mr. Nairn's great-coat, which makes me the worse off at present ; but I could not extract one guinea from him, although he owes me twenty-four pounds for three years past. He turned me over to Mr. Walker, who supplied me with twelve guineas. He is a gentleman I owe much to. I wish I may ever have it in my power to show my gratitude to him and Mr. Nairn. Had Milton been in my place, and me in his, my purse, my credit, and my wardrobe, my all, should have been at his disposal. However, let not this go farther, lest it should have an appearance of reflection upon a worthy man. He cannot help his natural temper.
I would have wrote to Mr. Nairn, but for certain reasons I believe it is not proper at present. Please to communicate this to him. And I beg that everything may be sent to me that you, Mr. Nairn, and my sisters may think useful to me, either in wearing apparel, tools, or even a small assortment of brass and iron work. Please send my quadrant and spirit level; they lie in a triangular box in my old bedroom. My brass-cased measuring line, and three-foot rule, my silver stock buckle, it is in the locker of my chest, and my stocks, they will save my neckcloths. If my sister pleases to send me some hand towels, they will be serviceable to me, whether I keep a house or a room.
I most earnestly beg of Mr. Nairn that my remittances be as liberal as possible ; for without money I can make but a poor shift; for, you must think, my days for hard labour is near expiring, although, with my constitution, I may be able to carry on business for many years, and perhaps with success. I have not yet received the trunk with my shirts and stockings, but will write Mr. Walker to forward it to Ostend, where I will be under the necessity of buying some things. And I hope by the time I come to New York I will have some things waiting me there. Whether it is best to send them by the Clyde or Thames, you and Mr. Nairn will judge best. And I hope to have a long letter from each of you, and one from my sister Jeany; and your's will include your wife's. They may be put in with my things, and any other letters my friends are pleased to send. Direct for Mr. John Dixon, to the care of the Revd. Dr. Mason, at New York. I am not sure of settling there, but will make for it as soon as I can. I have no more time, the boat just going off for Bruges or Ostend.
I am,
Dear Sir,
Yours for ever,
John Dixon.
[Written on the back of the letter was this:]
Let my name and destination be a profound secret, for fear of bad consequences.
[Addressed] Mr. Matthew Sheriff, Upholsterer, Edinburgh.
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