bottom

Genealogy of the
Low
family

Fifth Generation

     During this generation, the family starts to move a little further afield within Scotland.  The first step away from home is to Montrose, a few miles away.

     Montrose is a Royal Burgh; a trading and fishing port at the mouth of the River South Esk on the North Sea.  It is located 25 miles north-east of Dundee, and has a population of 10,000.  Montrose is the largest community in the area around our ancestral home.  It is not until this generation that some members of the family move more than 10 miles from this Burgh.  Until now, our family always resided in the rural area around Montrose.

     Some move to Dundee, Scotland's fourth largest city, some 25 miles south-west of Montrose.  One family lives in Glasgow for a while but they eventually return home.

     Although most members of this generation follow the traditional occupations of carpentry and blacksmithing, the effects of the industrial revolution are being felt. One, William (Hunter) Low becomes a mechanic during the 1860's and is involved with machinery in linen and other mills.  Another, David Low, becomes a mill manager.

     Several members of the family move a number of times during their lives.  No longer is it a custom to remain in the same community for your entire life.  Although move- ment is underway within the LOW family, the first steps are cautious and remain within Scotland.  Branches are moving out, but the family roots are still firmly planted in the rural area near Montrose.

William Buek
 (ID=50)
    Born:  06 Aug 1826 - Mill of Thornton, Marykirk,
                         Kincardineshire, Scotland
    Died:   -
    Sex: Male
    Occupation:
    Father:  Andrew Bowick  (ID=36)
    Mother:  Elizabeth Low  (ID=35)
    Notes:
       1.  Baptismal date given
 

     Witnesses at William Buek's baptism were John Low at Langley Park and William Buek at Mill of Conveth.  Witness John Low was probably William's uncle (ID=37).

References:  170
 
 
 
 

James Bowick
 (ID=472)
    Born:   -
    Died:   -
    Sex: Male
    Occupation:
    Father:  Andrew Bowick  (ID=36)
    Mother:  Elizabeth Low  (ID=35)

    References:  158
 
 
 
 

Margaret Buick
 (ID=51)
    Born:  1840 - Marykirk, Kincardineshire, Scotland
    Died:   -
    Sex: Female
    Occupation:
    Father:  Andrew Bowick  (ID=36)
    Mother:  Elizabeth Low  (ID=35)
 

     Margaret Buick was with the family of her uncle John Low (ID=37) at Kirkhill, Dun, Forfarshire in 1861.

References:  111
 
 
 
 

David Buick
 (ID=473)
    Born:  1843 - Glasgow, Scotland
    Died:   -
    Sex: Male
    Occupation: Linen Mill Worker
    Father:  Andrew Bowick  (ID=36)
    Mother:  Elizabeth Low  (ID=35)

    References:  125
 
 

--------------------
 
 

James Low
 (ID=52)
    Born:  16 Apr 1825 - Kirkhill, Dun, Forfarshare, Scotland
    Died:  15 Nov 1902 - Montrose, Scotland
    Sex: Male
    Occupation: Cartwright
    Father:  John Low  (ID=37)
    Mother:  Elizabeth Cloudsley  (ID=38)

    Married:  -  to:
Isobel (Isabella) Donaldson
 (ID=53)
    Born:  c1822 - Craig, Forfarshire, Scotland
    Died:  19 Nov 1864 - Montrose(?), Forfarshire, Scotland

 CHILDREN:
  1.  John Low  (ID=69)            1849 - 28 Jan 1923
  2.  Elizabeth Low  (ID=71)       ?1852 - ?1852
  3.  William Low  (ID=72)         ?1854 - ?1854
  4.  Catherine Low  (ID=73)       01 Sep 1856 -
  5.  James Low  (ID=74)           1858 - 19 Dec 1916
  6.  David Low  (ID=76)           Dec 1860 -
 

     James Low, son of John Low and Elizabeth Cloudsley, was born 16 April 1825 at Kirkhill, Dun, Forfarshire, Scotland.  In 1841 at the age of 16, he was described as a wright's apprentice, living with his parents at Dun, Forfarshire.  By 1849, he was married to Isobel Donaldson and living in Montrose.  In 1856 he was described as a Joiner (journeyman).  By 1861, the family was living in two rooms in a two family dwelling at 13 India Lane in Montrose where he was described as a Cartwright.  In 1870 and 1880 he was described as a Cartwright (master).

     From at least 1884 until James' death in 1902, the family lived at 31 Market Street, Montrose.

     James Low died without a Will.  The Calendar of Confirmations and Inventories reads:

LOW, James, Cartwright, Market Street, Montrose, died 15 November 1902, at Montrose, intestate, Confirmation granted at Forfar, 23 March, to John Low, Cart and Wheel Wright, King Street, Montrose, his son, Execute dative qua next of kin.  Value of Estate 760 pounds 1 shilling.  Eik granted 8 May, to the above Executor, Value of Additional Estate 30 pounds 18 shillings 10 pence.
 

     His wife Isobel or Isabella Donaldson was born at Craig, Forfarshire, probably around 1822, but records conflict by several years.  She died 19 November 1864, probably at Montrose.

     There may have been additional children born to this family between 1861 and 1864, but the records for those years have not been searched.

     The gravestone for this family is located at Dun, Forfarshire, and is inscribed:

Erected by John, James and Catherine Low in memory of their father James Low Cartwright, Montrose who died 15th Nov 1902 aged 78 also their mother Isabella Donaldson died 19th Nov 1864 aged 41 also Elizabeth William who died in infancy.

References:  92, 105, 109, 125, 157, 158, 165, 207, 237,
             259
 
 
 
 
 

David Low
 (ID=54)
    Born:  04 Mar 1827 - Kirkhill, Dun, Forfarshire, Scotland
    Died:   -
    Sex: Male
    Occupation: Mill Manager
    Father:  John Low  (ID=37)
    Mother:  Elizabeth Cloudsley  (ID=38)

    Married: 1850's(?) -  to:
Mary Norrie
 (ID=55)
    Born:   -
    Died:   -

 CHILDREN:
  1.  Elizabeth Cloudsley Low  (ID=77)
                                   1859 - 23 Jul 1944
 

     David Low, son of John Low and Elizabeth Cloudsley, was born 4 March 1827 at Kirkhill, Dun, Forfarshire.  He was still living with his parents at Dun in 1851.  Some- time during the 1850's, he married Mary Norrie.  David was described as a Mill Manager.  There may have been other children in this family.

References:  141, 165
 
 
 
 

Margaret Low
 (ID=56)
    Born:  22 Sep 1828 - Kirkhill, Dun, Forfarshire, Scotland
    Died:  16 Nov 1895 - Craige Smithy, Logie Pert,
                         Forfarshire, Scotland
    Sex: Female
    Occupation:
    Father:  John Low  (ID=37)
    Mother:  Elizabeth Cloudsley  (ID=38)

    Married: 25 Jan 1861 - Dun, Forfarshire, Scotland to:
Alexander Guthrie
 (ID=57)
    Born:  1833 - Brechin, Forfarshire, Scotland
    Died:  17 Oct 1897 - Craige Smithy, Logie Pert,
                         Forfarshire, Scotland

 CHILDREN:
  1.  Jessie Crighton Guthrie  (ID=79)
                                   07 Nov 1861 - 09 Aug 1866
  2.  Joseph Guthrie  (ID=80)      14 Mar 1863 - 11 Mar 1935
  3.  Elizabeth Guthrie  (ID=82)
                                   29 Sep 1864 - 28 Aug 1866
  4.  Alexander Guthrie  (ID=83)
                                   26 Aug 1866 - 14 Oct 1866
  5.  David Guthrie  (ID=84)       05 Sep 1867 - 15 Aug 1871
  6.  Margaret Ann Guthrie  (ID=85)
                                   07 May 1870 - 13 Feb 1871
  7.  Jane Guthrie  (ID=86)        17 Nov 1871 - 24 Nov 1871
  8.  John Low Guthrie  (ID=87)    19 Nov 1872 - 07 Feb 1919
  9.  James Rait Guthrie  (ID=89)
                                   23 May 1876 - 20 Sep 1880
 

     Margaret Low, daughter of John Low and Elizabeth Cloudsley, was born 22 September 1828 at Kirkhill, Dun, Forfarshire and was raised at Dun.  She was not living with her parents in 1851 when she was 23, and it is not known where she was at that time.  She married Alexander Guthrie in the Free Church of Scotland at Dun on 25 January 1861.

     Alexander Guthrie, born about 1833 at Brechin, Forfarshire, was a son of Alexander Guthrie, ploughman and farm servant, and Elspith Fenton.  He was a master blacksmith at Craigo, Logie Pert, Forfarshire.  See the appendix for further information on the GUTHRIE family.

     In 1871 the family was living at Smiths Croft of Craigo, Logie Pert, Forfarshire, where two men and two boys were employed in the family business (blacksmith).  In that year, son Joseph was a student.

     By 1891 the family was living at Craigo Smith's house, Logie Pert.  Son John was still with them, and he was described as a blacksmith.

     Margaret Low died at Craigo Smithy on 16 November 1895 of cancer of the breast and lungs.  Her husband died there two years later on 17 October 1897, of fatty heart. The Confirmation of death was found for Alexander.  It reads:

GUTHRIE, Alexander, Blacksmith, Craigo Forge, Parish of Logie Pert, died 17 October 1897, at Craigo Forge, testate, Confirmation granted at Forfar, 23 November to George Gerrard, Farmer, Scotston, Kirkside, St. Cyrus, and William Weir, Farmer, Prettycur, Montrose, Executors nominated in Will or Deed, dated 17 January 1896, and recorded with another writ in Court Books of Commissariot of Forfar, 16 November 1897.

      Value of Estate:  2516 / 0 / 6

     With an estate value of this amount in 1897, this family would have been financially very well off.

     The gravestone of this family is located in the old Churchyard of Dun and is inscribed:

Erected by Alexander Guthrie, Blacksmith, Craigo in memory of his wife Margaret Low who died 16th Nov 1895 aged 66 years also their children Jessie who died 9th Aug 1866 aged 5 years, Elizabeth who died 28 Aug 1866, Alexander who died 14th oct 1866, Margaret Ann who died 13th Feb 1871 aged 10 months, David who died 15th Aug 1871 aged 4 years, Jane who died 20th Sept 1880 aged 4 years, the above Alexander Guthrie died 17th Oct 1897 aged 84 years.  (sic - 64 years?)

     Of the nine children born to this family, only two lived past the age of five years.  Most died of scarlet fever.  Of the seven children who died, three died in 1866, three in 1871 and the youngest died in 1880.  John Douglas Low (ID=145) discovered this gravestone.  He commented:

What a tragic family that had been, but they were not alone in their sorrow.  We came across countless instances of children dying in their early years during this period.

References:  105, 121, 122, 123, 136, 148, 160, 165, 197,
             239

Alexander Low
 (ID=58)
    Born:  06 Jul 1830 - Kirkhill, Dun, Forfarshire,
                         Scotland
    Died:  19 Mar 1896 - 99 Hospital Wynd, Dundee,
                         Forfarshire, Scotland
    Sex: Male
    Occupation: Blacksmith
    Father:  John Low  (ID=37)
    Mother:  Elizabeth Cloudsley  (ID=38)

    Married: 1854 -  to:
Jessie Crichton
 (ID=59)
    Born:  1824 - Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland
    Died:  17 May 1891 - 99 Hospital Wynd, Dundee,
                         Forfarshire, Scotland

 CHILDREN:
  1.  Margaret Crichton Low  (ID=90)
                                   21 May 1855 - 21 Jan 1920
 

     Alexander Low, son of John Low and Elizabeth Cloudsley, was born 6 July 1830 at Kirkhill, Dun, Forfar- shire and was raised at Dun.  He apparently left home by the time he was 21, for an unknown location.  He was a blacksmith in Dundee at the time of his death on 19 March 1896.  Cause of death was reported to be Cardiac Disease (6 months) and Pleurosy (10 days).

     Jessie Crichton was a daughter of James Crichton (ID=457), Ploughman, and Margaret Thoms (ID=458), and was born at Dundee in 1824.  She died at Dundee on 17 May 1891 the cause of death being recorded as Broncho Pneumonia (12 days).

     In 1855, this family was living at Georges Place, Dundee.

References:  101, 118, 133, 138, 165
 
 
 
 
 

Jean (Jane) Low
 (ID=60)
    Born:  29 Jan 1832 - Langley Park, Dun, Forfarshire,
                         Scotland
    Died:  28 Jan 1837 - Langley Park, Dun, Forfarshire,
                         Scotland
    Sex: Female
    Occupation:
    Father:  John Low  (ID=37)
    Mother:  Elizabeth Cloudsley  (ID=38)

    Single
 

     Jean (Jane) Low, daughter of John Low and Elizabeth Cloudsley, was born at Langley Park, Dun, Forfarshire on 29 January 1832.  She died 28 January 1837, the day before her fifth birthday.

References:  165
 
 
 
 

John Low
 (ID=61)
    Born:  15 Jun 1838 - Langley Park, Dun, Forfarshire,
                         Scotland
    Died:  01 Mar 1901 - Brucemill, Dun, Forfarshire, Scotland
    Sex: Male
    Occupation: Wright (Joiner, House Carpenter)
    Father:  John Low  (ID=37)
    Mother:  Elizabeth Cloudsley  (ID=38)

    Married: 23 Jul 1875 -  to:
Jean (Jane) Low
 (ID=62)
    Born:  1846 - Edzell, Forfarshire, Scotland
    Died:  22 Feb 1920 - Brechin(?), Forfarshire, Scotland

 CHILDREN:
  1.  Elizabeth Cloudsley Low  (ID=92)
                                   24 Aug 1877 - 17 Apr 1951
  2.  James Alexander Low  (ID=93)
                                   12 May 1879 - 03 Feb 1969
  3.  David Low  (ID=95)           30 May 1881 - 09 Jun 1954
  4.  Agnes Alexander Low  (ID=97)
                                   26 Mar 1883 - 13 Feb 1952
  5.  John Low  (ID=99)            25 Dec 1884 - 28 Oct 1966
 

     John Low, son of John Low and Elizabeth Cloudsley, was born 15 June 1838 at Langley Park, Forfarshire and was raised at Langley Park and Kirkhill, Dun.  He was still living with his parents at the age of 23 in 1861.

     John Low was a wright by 1861.  He was later described as being a joiner and house carpenter.  For much of his life, he ran his business from a small shop located on the same property as his house (Brucemill).

     By 1871, John Low was an unmarried head of house, living at Wright's Cottage, Brucemill, Dun.  Living with him were his mother, his niece Catherine Low (ID=73) who was 15,  and his nephew James Low (ID=101)  who was 10. Also living in the household was an apprentice, John Rennie, who was 19.  John continued to live at Brucemill until his death in 1901.

     John married Jean (Jane) Low [maiden name] on 23 July 1875.  She was a daughter of James Low and Agnes Alexander and was born about 1846 in Edzell.  She was not a close relative of her husband, but further information on her background will be found in the appendix.  She had a brother Charles Alexander Low who later became a business partner of her husband's nephew James Low (ID=101).

     In 1881, John, his mother, wife, children, and nephew James were still at Brucemill, but niece Catherine was not.  About 1884, his nephew left, and in 1890, his mother died.  The 1891 census lists him, his wife, and all children living at Joiners House, Brucemill.

     It appears that the LOW family worked with the BALFOUR family for over 50 years and the two families may have lived together for part of that period.  It is even possible that the two families were related, as I discovered a James Low married a Margaret Balfour at Garvock, Kincardineshire, around 1805.  However, I was unable to prove a relationship.  As noted under John Low (ID=37) and Elizabeth Cloudsley (ID=38), John Balfour was a blacksmith at Kirkhill in the 1830's, when the LOW family was there.  John Balfour married Helen Gillespie on 3 November 1833 and they had at least six children born between 1834 and 1842.

     William Balfour, possibly a younger brother of John Balfour, was blacksmith and veterinarian at the farm of Brucemill during the period that John and Jean Low were there.  Each had their own shop across the lane from each other.  Both of these shops are still standing and are used today for storage.

     William Balfour was married to Mary Beattie and they had at least four children.  He died 24 January 1897 at Brucemill, aged 89.

     John Low died at Brucemill in 1901.  The information on his death was supplied to the registrar by his 16 year old son John.  There was no Will.  The Calendar of Confirmations and Inventories reads:

LOW, John, Joiner, Brucemill near Montrose, died 1 March 1901, at Brucemill aforesaid, intestate.  Confirmation granted at Forfar, 1 May, to James Low, Joiner, Brucemill aforesaid, his son, Executor dative qua next of kin.  Value of Estate 128 pounds 0 shillings 3 pence.
 

     Jean Low and family moved to Brechin, Forfarshire shortly after the death of her husband.  She died there on 22 February 1920.  The family gravestone is located at Sleepy Hillock Cemetery, Brechin Road, Angus, and is inscribed:

Erected to the memory of John Low, Joiner, Brucemill who died 1st March 1901 aged 62 years and of his wife Jean Low who died 22nd Feb 1920 aged 74 years.  Also their daughters Elizabeth who died 17th April 1951 aged 73 years, Agnes (Mrs. Smith) who died 13th Feb 1952 aged 68 years.  Interred Vancouver.
 

ABOUT BRUCEMILL
===============

     The LOW family apparently were tenants on the small farm of Brucemill from at least the 1860's until 1901, when John Low died.  Brucemill was also known as Bruce Mill.  It is uncertain who the landlord was, but if Brucemill was part of the Langley Park estate, the landlord would have been members of the Cruickshank family.  It appears likely that Brucemill was once part of the Langley Park estate, as it is now adjacent to it.

     Besides carrying on the carpentry business, the family would have grown their own produce, and possibly raised livestock.  The Joiner's croft (cottage, or small house) was located at the end of a lane about a hundred yards from the road.  If you were to stand on the road facing the entrance to the lane you would see the Joiner's
shop on the right and  the Blacksmith shop on the left. The Low's, who were carpenters, became business associates of the Balfour's, who were blacksmiths.

     After the LOW's left Brucemill in 1901, John Clark became a tenant.  Not all later residents are known, but by 1930, it was bought by a Mr. Garriock who carried on a coal business and operated a dairy for about eleven years.  During the 1940's and 50's, the Gall family lived at Brucemill.  In 1956, William Stott bought Brucemill and lived there until 1968.  In that year, John Davidson bought it, and he is the present resident of Brucemill.
 

References:  91, 93, 96, 97, 100, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113,
            114, 139, 143, 146, 165, 168, 199, 204, 207,
            208, 219, 221, 224, 230, 240
 
 
 
 
 

William (Hunter) Low
 (ID=63)
    Born:  14 May 1841 - Kirkhill, Dun, Forfarshire, Scotland
    Died:  17 May 1909 - Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland
    Sex: Male
    Occupation: Mill Mechanic
    Father:  John Low  (ID=37)
    Mother:  Elizabeth Cloudsley  (ID=38)

    Not married -    to:
Jane Mcdonald
 (ID=64)
    Born:  ?1844 - Dundee, Scotland ?
    Died:   -

    Married:  22 Dec 1865 - Dunnottar, Kincardineshire,
                            Scotland   to:
Isabella Rennie Carr
 (ID=65)
    Born:  11 Jul 1836 - Arbuthnot, Kincardineshire, Scotland
    Died:  22 Apr 1916 - Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland
 

 CHILDREN:
 By Jane Mcdonald:
  1.  James Low (Mcdonald) (ID=101)
                                   22 Jun 1861 - 02 Oct 1919
 By Isabella Rennie Carr:
  2.  John (Jack) Low  (ID=103)    24 Sep 1866 - 28 Feb 1947
  3.  William Carr Low  (ID=105)   27 Dec 1869 - 05 Nov 1944
  4.  Maggie Ann Low  (ID=107)     12 Sep 1871 - 16 Mar 1872
  5.  David Allan Low  (ID=108)    04 Oct 1873 - 1947
  6.  Elizabeth Cloudsley Low  (ID=110)
                                   07 Dec 1875 - 22 Nov 1895
 

     William (Hunter) Low, son of John Low and Elizabeth Cloudsley was born at Kirkhill,  Dun,  Forfarshire. Although the Old Parochial Register records his birth date as 14 May 1841 and baptism date as 6 June 1841, the family bible records his date of birth as 7 May 1841.  He was living with his parents at Dun in 1851, but was not in Dun at the age of 20 in 1861.  He is not listed in the census returns of several parishes around Dun in 1861, and it is uncertain where he was at that time.  There is, however, a William Low, age 20, Boilermaker Labourer, listed in the 1861 census of Dundee at 28 Murraygate.  The age is correct, and the occupation is in line with William's later job as a mechanic.  The only discrepency is the listed birthplace:  Barry (rather than Dun) Forfarshire. It is possible that the listed birthplace was a census recording error and, in fact, this may be "our" William Hunter Low.

     William Low became a factory mechanic.  It is possible that he apprenticed in Dundee or Montrose in the early 1860's, and possibly worked and trained in a linen mill.  He was known to be in Dundee by 1865.

     Although his name was registered as William Low at birth, and appeared as such in other records up to 1865, he apparently adopted the middle name "Hunter" after his marriage.  The reason for selecting this middle name is unknown.

     William married Isabella Rennie Carr on 22 December 1865 at Dunnottar, Kincardineshire.  The witnesses to the marriage were John Low and Elizabeth Cannon.  Apparently the witness John Low was William's brother who raised William's son James by Jane Mcdonald.

     Shortly after the marriage, William and Isabella settled in Dundee.  In 1881 they were living at 18 S. Ellen St., Dundee, and in 1891 they were at 11 Graham Place, Dundee.

     William apparently worked in various factories and mills.  In different records, he was described as a mechanic (1865), mechanic fitter (1866), fitter journeyman (1868), machine fitter forman (1873), factory mechanic (1875), machine fitter (1881), mill mechanic forman (1891), and flax mill mechanic (1901, 1909).

     It appears that William Low had little to do with the raising of his son James by Jane Mcdonald.  However, there was some contact beween James and his father's family. Refer to James Low (ID=101) for details.

     In 1896, William provided the death information on his brother Alexander Low (ID=58).

     William Hunter Low died at 11 Graham Place, St. Andrews District, Dundee of Cerebral Haemorrhage on 17 May 1909.  The death information was supplied by his niece Maggie Low, 15 Nelson Street, Dundee.  He died without a Will.  The Calender of Confirmations and Inventories reads:

LOW, William Hunter, Mechanic, 11 Graham Place, Dundee, died 17 May 1909 at Dundee, intestate.  Confirmation granted at Dundee, 5 July, to Isabella Carr or Low, 12 Raglan Street, Dundee, Executrix dative qua relict.  Value of Estate 537 pounds 15 shillings 11 pence.

     It should be noted that the value of the estate, for that time, was substantial.  With an estate worth this much, the family could have been classified as "upper middle class."  William Low probably started off with very little, and accumulated moderate wealth during his working life.  It is of interest to note that William Low was the first member of the LOW family to become directly involved in the "industrial revolution."  Until this time, LOW's followed traditional pre-industrial trades such as carpentry or blacksmithing.
 

     Jane Mcdonald, the mother of James Low (Mcdonald), marriage registrations of her son James.  Since her name was so common, the information available made it impossible to positively identify her in other records. However, a likely identification is noted below.  From information on where she lived, and lifestyles of that area, I could only surmise what she was like.

     She was recorded at 25 North Street, Montrose in June 1861 when her son was born, but she was not recorded at that address two months earlier when the census was taken.
Several Jane Mcdonalds were listed at other addresses in Montrose.  However, none were between the ages of 15 and 30 - the most likely age range.

     Since William Low was known to be a mill mechanic and living in Dundee in the mid-1860's, I checked the 1861 census of Dundee for Jane Mcdonald.  I considered it possible that they may have met in Dundee.  I found reference to a Jane McDonald, age 17, Mill Worker, born in Dundee, living on Arbroath Road.  This could very well be "our" Jane Mcdonald.  It is possible that William and Jane met in a mill in Dundee where they both worked.  When the birth of her child was almost due, she may have been sent to Montrose to be near the LOW family of Dun, who would raise her son.  The parents of this Jane McDonald were James (ID=518), age 50 and Elizabeth (ID=519), age 45 in 1861.  Both parents were born in Ireland, and James was a Sheeting Weaver.  Other children of James and Elizabeth McDonald were George (ID=520), Marg. (ID=521), and Patrick (ID=522).

     The address 25 North Street was found in the 1861 census but no relevant name was found  (see appendix). This address appeared to be like others in the area which consisted of rooming houses and tenaments with a high density population.  Most of the residents were labourers in the linen and flax factories - probably typical "sweat shop" environments.

     Jane Mcdonald was listed as a domestic servant in her son's birth registration.  But because of her address, it appears that she likely had some connection with linen and flax trade.  She possibly worked as a Linen Yarn Winder or Linen Hand Weaver.  Since she signed the birth registration of her son with an "X" I assumed that she had little education.

     William Hunter Low had some connection with the flax trade, and was possibly apprenticing to be a mechanic around 1860-61.  It is possible that William and Jane met through this flax trade connection.  Life would have been difficult for both at this time.  Jane was likely from a poor family, living in a high density industrial area. William was a young man who had just left home.  As was common at the time and in such high density - transient areas,  short-term relationships would be  established. This was normal and acceptable.  Such a relationship apparently was established between William and Jane.  When son James was born, Jane was probably too poor to properly raise him.  The LOW family undertook this responsibility.
 
 

     Isabella Carr, the wife of William Hunter Low, was born at Arbuthnot, Kincardineshire on 11 July 1836, a daughter of William Carr (ID=446) and Margaret Low (ID=447).  This Margaret Low was apparently unrelated to our family (see appendix).  Isabella was a domestic servant at Marytown, Montrose at the time of her marriage to William.  She died at 25 Lilybank Road, St. Andrews District, Dundee on 22 April 1916.  Information on her death was supplied to the Registrar by Isabella Murray, Occupier.

     All of the children of William Hunter Low left Scotland except Maggie Ann who died in infancy and Elizabeth who died in 1895 before she turned 20.  James went to Ottawa, Canada about 1886.  John went New York, U.S.A. in 1888.  William went to Australia in the 1890's and settled there by 1912 after some years in Canada and South Africa.  David moved to the U.S.A. in 1899.

References:  20, 21, 94, 95, 98, 102, 104, 115, 117, 118,
            125, 132, 138, 150, 155, 156, 163, 165, 195,
            213, 243
 

--------------------
 
 

Susan Hunter
 (ID=66)
    Born:  1848 - Montrose, Forfarshire, Scotland
    Died:   -
    Sex: Female
    Occupation:
    Father:  William Hunter  (ID=43)
    Mother:  Margaret Low  (ID=42)

    References:  124, 125
 
 
 
 

Margaret Hunter
 (ID=67)
    Born:  1850 - Montrose, Forfarshire, Scotland
    Died:   -
    Sex: Female
    Occupation:
    Father:  William Hunter  (ID=43)
    Mother:  Margaret Low  (ID=42)

    References:  124, 125
 
 
 
 

Jane Ann Hunter
 (ID=68)
    Born:  1853 - Montrose, Forfarshire, Scotland
    Died:   -
    Sex: Female
    Occupation:
    Father:  William Hunter  (ID=43)
    Mother:  Margaret Low  (ID=42)
    References:  123, 125
 

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