MELVILLE, PATRICK [SSNE 7154]

Surname

MELVILLE, MELVILL, MONSIEUR DE MELVILLE

First name

PATRICK

Nationality

SCOT

Text source

Patrick Melville was the son of Sir Andrew Melville [SSNE 3071], Governor of Gifhorn. In May 1685, Patrick tried to establish from Andrew Russell [SSNE 143] where David Melville Earl of Leven [SSNE 5000] was, and if he had returned to Scotland or not. They had probably met in Gifhorn where Leven would have been entertained by his kinsman Andrew. From Patrick's letter it appears that he himself was en route to 'The Academie' in the Hague. The two men certainly met again however. When Leven wrote to Russell in July 1686 from Cleve he noted that his letter would be presented to Russell by Mons de Melville who is Colonel Melvill his son. He placed Patrick at the Hague Academy and informed Russell that he had drawn 200 dollars on him an that he was to give Patrick more or less. He added however that "If he send his servant or what to you you must be sure to find out sum way to remitt what he shall desire for you know young folk knows not the ways of drawing money". On 9 August James Melville [SSNE 7155], also in Cleve, wrote to Russell enquiring if Patrick had received the letter of credit from Patrick. Patrick died in early adulthood, though the date is yet to be established. He had a sister called Charlotte Sophia Anna [SSNE 7156] and a brother called Georg Ernst [SSNE 2731].

National Archives of Scotland, Russell Papers, RH15/106/576/25. Patrick Melville to Andrew Russell, 25 May 1685; RH15/106/609/12-14. George Melville and James Melville to Andrew Russell, 28 July, 3 and 9 August 1686. Information on Georg Ernst was kindly provided by Kurt Bontius

Service record

BRUNSWICK-LUNEBURG, SCOTLAND, GIFHORN

Arrived 1668-01-01

Departed 1685-05-26

Capacity COURIER, AGENT, purpose MISC.,

BRUNSWICK-LUNEBURG, SCOTLAND, THE HAGUE ACADEMY

Arrived 1685-06-30

Departed 1686-08-30

Capacity STUDENT, purpose ACADEMIC