Fourth Generation
Of the thirteen members recorded here,
it is John Low (ID=37), his wife Elizabeth Cloudsley and their family
that we focus on. From this couple, several branches of living
descendants have been traced. There are other branches of the
family at Upper Gallery in the parish of Logie Pert, Forfarshire in
the early 1800's, but these branches become "lost" at this point and
have not been traced further. However, it should be possible to
trace other descendants of these branches.
During the early years of this generation, the LOW family lives in the parish of Fettercairn, Kincardine- shire, as previously described. For a short time, our family is at North Water Bridge, a small hamlet by the bridge on the River North Esk in the parish of Logie Pert, Forfarshire. Thus, our family has moved back to the same parish where the first generation originated.
By the 1820's, the LOWs move to the parish of Dun, Forfarshire where they remain for over 75 years. They settle at the hamlet of Kirkhill which consists of a few homes at a crossroad. Dun parish is half way between Montrose and Brechin on the River South Esk. It has 4389 acres and a recent population of about 500.
For many years, the LOWs are tenants on the estate of Langley Park, next to Kirkhill. This estate contains one very large home (the landlord's), plus several other homes. It is probable that the LOW family have a business relationship with the Cruickshank family who own Langley Park.
It is during this generation that the LOW and CLOUDSLIE families link together. The CLOUDSLIEs lived at Garvock, Kincardineshire for several generations. This is a parish of 7975 acres and has a recent population of less than 300. It is about 10 miles north of Montrose. The CLOUDSLIEs were smiths.
David Low
(ID=34)
Born: 1789 - Fettercairn(?),
Kincardineshire, Scotland
Died: 1815 -
Sex: Male
Occupation:
Father: James Low (ID=20)
Mother: Margaret Law (ID=21)
References: 143
Elizabeth Low
(ID=35)
Born: 03 May 1796 - Fettercairn,
Forfarshire, Scotland
Died: 1854 -
Sex: Female
Occupation:
Father: James Low (ID=20)
Mother: Margaret Law (ID=21)
Notes:
1. Baptismal date given
Married: 08 Nov 1822 - Marykirk,
Kincardineshire,
Scotland to:
Andrew Bowick
(ID=36)
Born: -
Died: -
CHILDREN:
1. William Buek
(ID=50) 06 Aug 1826 -
2. James Bowick
(ID=472) -
3. Margaret Buick
(ID=51) 1840 -
4. David Buick
(ID=473) 1843 -
Elizabeth and Andrew lived at Marykirk, Kincardine- shire from the time they were married in 1822 until about 1827. They then moved to an unknown location. The family apparently returned to Marykirk by 1840, then moved to Glasgow by 1843. There may have been additional children in this family.
Elizabeth died in 1854, her age being stated as 57 on the death registration of her father in 1855.
The spelling of this family's last name appeared variously as BOWICK, BUICK, and BUEK.
References: 143, 158, 167, 170
John Low
(ID=37)
Born: 20 Dec 1798 - Fettercairn,
Kincardineshire,
Scotland
Died: 14 Aug 1864 - Kirkhill, Dun,
Forfarshire,
Scotland
Sex: Male
Occupation: Wright (Carpenter Journeyman)
Father: James Low (ID=20)
Mother: Margaret Law (ID=21)
Notes:
1. Baptismal date given
Married: ?1824 - Forfarshire(?), Scotland
to:
Elizabeth Cloudsley (Cloudslie)
(ID=38)
Born: 28 Jan 1800 - Garvock,
Kincardineshire, Scotland
Died: 17 Jan 1890 - Brucemill, Dun,
Forfarshire,
Scotland
CHILDREN:
1. James Low
(ID=52)
16 Apr 1825 - 15 Nov 1902
2. David Low
(ID=54)
04 Mar 1827 -
3. Margaret Low
(ID=56) 22 Sep 1828 - 16
Nov 1895
4. Alexander Low
(ID=58) 06 Jul 1830 - 19 Mar
1896
5. Jean (Jane) Low (ID=60)
29 Jan 1832 - 28 Jan 1837
6. John Low
(ID=61)
15 Jun 1838 - 01 Mar 1901
7. William (Hunter) Low (ID=63)
14 May 1841 - 17 May 1909
John, son of James Low and Margaret Law, was baptized at Fettercairn, Kincardineshire, Scotland on 20 December 1798. Usually, children were baptised within two weeks of birth. He spent his early childhood at Fettercairn. It appears that John was living at Northwater Bridge, Logie Pert, Forfarshire when he was around 7 to 10 years old. John followed in his father's footsteps by becoming a wright, probably by being an apprentice to his father. He was described as a Carpenter Journeyman in the 1851 census, and as a Joiner in his 1864 death registration.
John married Elizabeth Cloudsley about 1824, but no record could be found of this marriage. The family lived in the parish of Dun, Forfarshire from at least 1825 until the death of Elizabeth in 1890. Son John (ID=61) and family continued to live there until 1901.
The family lived in the hamlet of
Kirkhill, Dun until about 1825. Then they were at the estate of
Langley Park, Dun from 1831 until 1840. Next, they were
recorded at Kirkhill again until the death of John Low in 1864.
After 1864, his widow Elizabeth Cloudsley lived with their son
John at Brucemill (also called Bruce Mill), Dun, which is a small
farm. These places are only a few miles from each other.
It is possible that they did not move during this period, as Langley
Park and Brucemill are both next to the hamlet of Langley Park, and
both may have been considered part of Langley Park in some records.
In 1841, Jean (Jane) Cloudsley, a sister of Elizabeth, was living with the family. In 1861, Margaret Buick (ID=51) was described as a visitor in the household.
In 1851 this household employed one servant. In the 1861 census the family was described as living in a family dwelling containing four rooms with windows (property taxes were once based on window counts. As a result of this tax, some windows were bricked shut!). In that year, the Low's employed one man and one servant, and Robert Gandie, aged 16, an apprentice wright was living with the family.
A gravestone of John Low and Elizabeth Cloudsley stands in the old churchyard of Dun. It is inscribed:
Erected in memory of John Low Wright at Langley Park who died 14th Aug 1864 in his 66th year, also his daughter Jane died 28th Jan 1837 aged 4, also Elizabeth Cloudsley his spouse died 17th Jan 1890 aged 90. Jane Cloudsley her sister died 15 Dec 1877 aged 80.
When I visited Scotland in 1977, this large stone had fallen. It has since been re-set.
Upon the death of John Low, a legal inventory of his estate was taken. The report follows:
14 November 1864. Inventory of the Personal Estate of John
Low. At Forfar the
fourteenth day of November Eighteen hundred and sixty four years, In
presence of Alexander Robertson Esquire Advocate Commissary Depute of
the County of Forfar Compeared Mr. William Lowson Writer in Forfar as
Procurator and gave in the Inventory and Oath after copied to be
recorded in the Commissary Court Book of Forfarshire in terms of Law,
and whereof the tenor follows vigt Inventory of the Personal Estate
wheresoever situated of John Low Wright Kirkhill, Langley Park near
Montrose who died at Kirkhill aforesaid on the Fourteenth day of
August Eighteen hundred and sixty four.
Scotland
Personal Property
1. Cash in the house ................... 1 - 2 -
..
2. Household Furniture Watch,
Body Clothes, and other affects
in the deceased's house conform
to appraisement ..................... 17 - 10
- 6
3. Stock in Trade and other effects
belonging to the deceased conform
to appraisment ...................... 32 - 5
- 5
4. Balance due to the deceased on an
account current with the Union Bank
of Scotland at Montrose ............. 42 - 19
- 2
Interest thereon to
the date of death.. - 13
- 2
... to date of Oath
to Inventory.......
- 8 - 7 44 - .. - 11
5. Book Debts due the deceased
by the following parties vigt
Mrs. Gordon Broomley................. .. - 11
- 6
Major J.F.Scott, Langley Park ....... 2
- 5 - ..
James Salmond, Farmer Newbigging .... 5
- 8 - ..
Thomas Crookshank Farmer Glenskenno . 2 - 13
- ..
David Grant Woodside of Hedderwick .. 3 - ..
- ..
George Duncan Puggeston File Works .. .. - 8
- 6
William Balfour, Blacksmith
Langley Park ........................ 3 - 15
- 2
------------------------------------------------------
18 - 1 - 2
=============================================
113 - .. - ..
=============================================
(Signed) John Low Jr. David Smith J.P. At Montrose the Eleventh day of November Eighteen hundred and sixty-four In presence of David Smith Esquire one of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Forfar Appeared John Low Junior Wright at Kirkhill, Langley Park, near Montrose Executor of the deceased John Low, Wright at Kirkhill aforesaid, who being solemnly sworn and examined, Depones That the said John Low died at Kirkhill aforesaid upon the Fourteenth day of August Eighteen hundred and sixty four, and the Depondent has entered upon the possession and management of the deceaseds Estate as executor qua nearest of kin. That the Depondent does not know of any Testamentary Settlement or Writing relative to the Disposal of the deceaseds personal Estate or Effects or any part thereof. That the foregoing Inventory signed by the Deponent and the Commissioner as relative hereto is a full and complete Inventory of the personal Estate and Effects of the said deceased John Low, wheresover situated and belonging or due to him beneficially at the time of his death in so far as the same has come to the Deponents knowledge. That the Deponent does not know of any money or property belonging to the deceased liable to the duty imposed by the Acts 23 Vict. Cap 15 and 23 and 24 Vict Cap. 80. That the value at this date of the said personal Estate and Effects situated in the United Kingdom including the proceeds accrued theron down to the date is One hundred pounds Sterling and under Two hundred pounds Sterling, All Which is truth as the Deponent shall answer to God. Confirmation is required,
(Signed) John Low
Jr David
Smith JP
Elizabeth Cloudsley, daughter of Alexander Cloudslie and Margaret Hogg, was baptized at Garvock, Kincardine- shire on 28 January 1800. Family tradition says that Elizabeth's mother was related to the Scottish poet James Hogg, but I have been unable to confirm this. The name Cloudsley, with variations in spelling, is rare in Scotland. Further information on the Cloudsley family is in the Appendix.
Following the death of her husband,
Elizabeth and her son John moved to Brucemill, Dun. There, she
helped run the small farm while her son ran the carpentry shop.
She and her sister Jane helped raise several grandchildren. She died
at Brucemill on 17 January 1890, within a few days of her 90th
birthday. Cause of death was recorded as "senile decay."
Who were the friends, neighbours, and business associates of this family? The various records give many clues.
Since they lived in a small community, they would have known most of their neighbours. Here is a brief description of their neighbouhood:
They lived in the parish of Dun. Langley Park was a small community within this parish at a crossroad a short distance from Montrose. A few hundred yards down one road was the farm of Brucemill, where the family lived after the death of John Low. A short distance along the other road was the estate of Langley Park which contains a very large home, several smaller homes, and a gatekeepers house.
The church of Dun (Official Church of
Scotland - Presbyterian) was a short horse ride away. The
minister of Dun for 35 years, from 1822 to 1857 was John Eadie.
He was married to Helen Scott in 1821, and they had a family of five
children who were born during the 1820's. John
Eadie remained minister of Dun until his death there on 29 September
1857 at the age of 71. His wife died earlier, on 20 November
1850, aged 52.
During the 1860's the minister was Charles S. MacLean. He and his wife Eliza had four children born during the 1840's and 1850's.
Between 1820 and 1861 there were at least nine other wrights living at Dun, besides those in the LOW family. They were David Whyte, Alexander Valentine, Alexander Japp, William Smart, John Burnett, William Milne, George Ross, James Bruce, and James Buick. James Buick was living at Langley Park about 1820-23, the same time period when the LOWs were at nearby Kirkhill. The LOWs were living at Langley Park between 1831 and 1840. James Buick married Agnes Robertson from St. Vigeans, Forfarshire on 15 January 1820. They had at least two children: William, born 15 October 1820 and John, born 16 May 1823.
Was this James Buick related to Andrew Bowick, or Buick, who married Elizabeth Low (ID=35) in 1822? Although various records were searched, I could find no evidence of relationship. However, since the name is uncommon and since the LOW and BUICK families were in the same profession in the same area at about the same time, it is possible that they were related.
A search was made for the neighbours of the LOWs at Kirkhill, Langley Park, and Brucemill. Alexander Scott was the blacksmith at Brucemill during the 1820's. Later, the Balfour family became blacksmiths at Brucemill. They worked closely with the LOWs for over fifty years. See comments on this business relationship under the information on son John Low (ID=61).
James Cruickshank (or Crookshank) was probably the owner of the estate of Langley Park, and was probably the landlord of the LOW family for many years. The Cruickshank family owned this estate until the present owners (the Luke family) obtained it in the early 1950's. A Thomas Crookshank owed John Low 2 pounds 13 shillings when John died - probably for carpentry services.
Other neighbours included Alexander Christian, a tailor at Kirkhill during the 1820's, and Philip Hill, a coachman at Langley Park in the 1830's. Undoubtedly, the LOWs had business dealings with these people. In 1861, most of the other close neighbours were farmers or labourers.
References: 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 134, 145, 165, 167,
168, 169, 207, 214, 232
Sarah Low
(ID=39)
Born: 1800 - Fettercairn(?),
Kincardineshire, Scotland
Died: 1830 -
Sex: Female
Occupation:
Father: James Low (ID=20)
Mother: Margaret Law (ID=21)
References: 143
Robert Low
(ID=40)
Born: 1801 - Fettercairn(?),
Kincardineshire, Scotland
Died: 1802 -
Sex: Male
Occupation:
Father: James Low (ID=20)
Mother: Margaret Law (ID=21)
References: 143
Jane Low
(ID=41)
Born: 30 Sep 1803 - Fettercairn,
Kincardineshire, Scotland
Died: -
Sex: Female
Occupation:
Father: James Low (ID=20)
Mother: Margaret Law (ID=21)
Notes:
1. Baptismal date given
References: 143, 167
Margaret Low
(ID=42)
Born: 13 Nov 1807 - Logie Pert, Forfarshire,
Scotland
Died: -
Sex: Female
Occupation:
Father: James Low (ID=20)
Mother: Margaret Law (ID=21)
Notes:
1. Baptismal date/place
given
2. Possibly born
Fettercairn earlier
Married: - to:
William Hunter
(ID=43)
Born: 1811 - St Cyrus, Kincardineshire,
Scotland
Died: -
CHILDREN:
1. Susan Hunter
(ID=66) 1848 -
2. Margaret Hunter (ID=67)
1850 -
3. Jane Ann Hunter (ID=68)
1853 -
When Margaret Low was baptized at Logie Pert on 13 November 1807, the address of her parents James Low and Margaret Law was given as Northwater Bridge, in that parish. There is some discrepency in the records indicat- ing when and where she was born. She was clearly the youngest of seven children, and it is probable that all of her siblings were born in Fettercairn, Kincardineshire. From her age stated in 1855 (51) it would appear that she was born about 1804, and was not baptized until three years later. From this, I concluded that she was likely born in Fettercairn just before her parents were about to move in 1804, and was not baptized until 1807. Then, I discovered Margaret Low "born in Logie Pert, age 52" in the 1861 census of Montrose. This would indicate that she was born about 1809. Upon checking the 1851 census, I found her age given as 40. I cannot explain this discrepency, except to note that ages given to census takers were not always correct.
No other Margaret Low was found in the Logie Pert Register between 1800 and 1815. It is possible, but I think unlikely, that the Margaret Low who was married to William Hunter was not the same Margaret who was the daughter of James and Margaret Low.
William Hunter was born at St. Cyrus, Kincardineshire about 1811. He was a carter in Montrose.
The family lived at 5 Victoria Street,
Montrose in 1851 and at 1 Victoria Place, Montrose in a four room
dwelling in 1861. They had been living in Montrose since at
least 1848.
NOTES:
1. In my 1976 publication, the surname of this family was recorded as
"Himter." From the handwritting in the 1861 census, this
appeared to be the spelling. However, it was not clear. Upon
checking the 1851 census, it was obvious that the correct spelling is
Hunter.
2. Is it possible that William Low (ID=63), who adopted the middle
name Hunter after 1865, took the name from this family? Why he
would do so is not known. This couple was the aunt and uncle of
William (Hunter) Low.
References: 124, 125, 143, 167, 169
--------------------
--------------------
Anne Anderson
(ID=44)
Born: 01 Jun 1804 - Wideopen, Marykirk,
Kincardineshire,
Scotland
Died: -
Sex: Female
Occupation:
Father: Hugh Anderson (ID=24)
Mother: Mary Low (ID=23)
References: 169
--------------------
Mary Low
(ID=45)
Born: 20 Nov 1801 - Upper Gallery, Logie
Pert,
Forfarshire, Scotland
Died: -
Sex: Female
Occupation:
Father: John Low (ID=26)
Mother: Ann Craich (ID=27)
References: 169
David Low
(ID=46)
Born: 14 Mar 1803 - Upper Gallery, Logie
Pert,
Forfarshire, Scotland
Died: -
Sex: Male
Occupation:
Father: John Low (ID=26)
Mother: Ann Craich (ID=27)
References: 169
William Low
(ID=47)
Born: 05 Oct 1805 - Upper Gallery, Logie
Pert,
Forfarshire, Scotland
Died: -
Sex: Male
Occupation:
Father: John Low (ID=26)
Mother: Ann Craich (ID=27)
References: 169
John Low
(ID=48)
Born: 14 Oct 1807 - Upper Gallery, Logie
Pert,
Forfarshire, Scotland
Died: -
Sex: Male
Occupation:
Father: John Low (ID=26)
Mother: Ann Craich (ID=27)
References: 169
Clementina Low
(ID=49)
Born: 08 Aug 1809 - Upper Gallery, Logie
Pert,
Forfarshire, Scotland
Died: -
Sex: Female
Occupation:
Father: John Low (ID=26)
Mother: Ann Craich (ID=27)
References: 169
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