Martha Ashe, daughter of Edward Ashe (ID=464) (also spelt Ash in early records) and Rebecca Wilson (ID=465) came to Canada in 1881 on the ship "Polynesian" which left Liverpool on 21 April 1881. She boarded at the port of Londonderry the next day and arrived at Quebec on 2 May 1881. Her occupation, as stated on the passanger list, was "Domestic Servant." She was 18 years old at the time. Also listed separately was what appear to be her mother (Mrs. E. Ash) and three yongers Ashe children, but possibly not her siblings. Also listed separately was “Miss A. Ash” who may have been her sister Anna (Annie). Her father was not named on the passenger list and it appears that he did not come to Canada. She already had an older brother living in Ottawa when she came. Although her mother came, no record can be found of Rebecca Wilson/Ashe in Canada. It is possible that Rebecca returned to Ireland shortly after seeing that her children were settled.

In 1893, Martha and her sons John, James, and William visited Ireland. They returned to Canada on the ship "Parisian" which left Liverpool on 17 August and they embarked at Londonderry on 18 August 1893. They landed at Quebec or Montreal on 25 August 1893.

Martha enjoyed working at home. She was a meticulous housekeeper (according to Jean Rook/Low). But much more than that. He granddaughter Barbara Rosenthal knew her well and they lived together for a while when Barbara was a child, and Barbara passed along some information. Martha managed a very large home, raised eight children, did all her own baking, and acted as paymaster for her husband’s business, and supervised the household help. Martha was a very warm and loving towards her children and others. Her daughter-in-law Jean Rook/Low recalls that Martha was always asking for laundry, and if anyone accidently put some clothing down while she was living with John’s family, it would promptly end up in the wash. Every morning, Martha cleaned the front walk. Martha’s daughter-in-law Jean Rook/Low recalls that Martha had a sewing machine, and was noted for making fine patchwork quilts. Barbara Rosenthal/Kirkpatrick doesn’t recall that, but remembers Martha enjoyed knitting and made a number of sweaters, mitts, scarves, and toques. Martha enjoyed dancing, according to Jean.

According to recollections by Jean Rook/Low, Martha “was noted for spoiling her children” (quote from Jean), but this was apparently an early perception from before Jean knew her well: from Jean’s perception of Martha’s younger children in Jean’s Sunday School class. Martha’s granddaughter Barbara Rosenthal remembers Martha as a very warm and loving woman. Jean Eleanor Rook (ID=157) visited the LOW household often before she married into the family. When she saw how Martha was always doing things for the children, Jean commented to Martha: "I wouldn't marry one of your son's if he was the last man on earth. You ruin them!" Not only did she marry one (John, ID=156), but even her sister married one (Minnie Rook, ID=162, married William Low, ID=161). Thus, it appears early perceptions are misleading.

After the death of her husband, she lived at a number of places in Ottawa. She lived with her son John and his wife, then later with daughter and son-in-law Frankie and Lionel at 18 Pansy Avenue in Ottawa.

While living with Frankie and Lionel, Martha Ashe suffered a stroke about 1937 while at a cottage in Woodiffe. Barbara Rosenthal was with Martha at the time of the stroke. Martha lost the power of speech, except to say “ban-ban” or “banda-banda” (Barbara Rosenthal and Reed Low had slightly different recollections), but was continued to be able to understand what others said. She was bedridden, and a few months later Martha moved in with her son Alexander Low (ID=163) and family at 29 Grosvenor, Ottawa. Apparently the decision to move was made after she was bedridden, since there were three adult women in the Alex household (wife and sisters-in-law of Alex), two being nurses, and there would be more people able to care for her. Other members of the family helped with financial support. She died at home on New Years Eve, 1938 was buried with her husband at the Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa.

James Low, son of William (Hunter) Low and Jane Mcdonald, was born at Montrose on 22 June 1861 and was raised at Brucemill, Dun, Angus. The index of births for Scotland records his birth thus:

22nd June 1861 at 25 North Street, Montrose, James Low McDonald, son of Jane McDonald, domestic servant.

The Birth register of Montrose for 1861 reads:

Registration Number: 249
Name and Surname: James-Low Mcdonald
(Illegitimate)
When and Where Born: 1861 June Twenty second
6.10 PM. 25 North Street
Montrose.
Sex: M
Name & profession of Father: (blank)
Maiden name of Mother: Jane Mcdonald,
Domestic Servant
Signature of Informant: Jane Mcdonald her
X Mark, Mother.
James Hay, Registrar
Witness.
When and Where Registered: 1861 July 4 at Montrose
and Signature of Registrar: James Hay, Registrar

The surname Mcdonald, registered at birth, was apparently never used.

James was raised by his uncle John Low (ID=61), his grandmother Elizabeth Cloudsley (ID=38), his great-aunt Jane Cloudsley (ID=413), and later John's wife Jean Low (ID=62). In 1871 he was attending the Dun Parish School, and in that year he was awarded a book "The Young Orator" along with a certificate for second prize in arithmetic. This book and certificate are now in my possession.

In 1881, James, aged 20, was still at Brucemill with his uncle, aunt, and grandmother. His uncle and aunt now had three young children, Elizabeth Cloudsley aged 3, James Alexander aged 1, and David, who was born in that year.

Since James Low became a carpenter, it is assumed that he apprenticed under his uncle John, but no direct reference to this was found.

James probably left Brucemill about 1883 and was in Glasgow for a while. A book on the poetical works of Robert Burns was found with the following entry on the inside cover:

Mr. James Low
November 10th 1883
98 Eaglestram St.
Glasgow

I would suspect that there was a surplus of carpenters in the area around home at Brucemill, and he went to the big city to seek better opportunities. He probably returned to Brucemill for a short time before moving to Canada in 1886, as their is a family photograph showing him, taken about 1884 or 85.

There exists a bible presented to James Low, with the inscription “James Low from his Friends at BruceMill March 20th 1886.” Added to the bottom of the page is “John 3.16.”

In 1886, James Low came to Canada. One story I heard from my grandfather Alexander C. Low indicated that he flipped a coin to determine if he would move to Canada or Australia. He came to Canada on the S.S. Carthaginian which left Liverpool on September 1 that year, with a stop in Queenstown on September 2 and Halifax on September 11, then arrived Quebec September 14. The passenger manifest shows he travelled with Charles Low, who later became his business partner. The manifest also indicated they were continuing on to Ottawa by “S.S.R” (probably South Shore Railway Company).

It seems clear that James Low had a definite plan for coming to Ottawa but do not know his reasons for selecting this city. Since he came with Charles Low, it may have been with the plan to set up a carpentry business.

On 12 January 1888, James Low married Martha Ashe, daughter of Edward Ashe and Rebecca Wilson, at Knox Presbyterian Church, in Ottawa, Canada. They apparently met at a Celtic Dance Hall. They were married by the Rev. F.W. Farries and the witnesses were Charles A. Low and Jane Ashe. The marriage was announced in the Ottawa Daily Free Press on 14 January 1888:

LOW - ASHE - At Ottawa on the 12th inst, by the Rev. Mr. Farries, James Low, late of Bruce Mill, Angus, Scotland, to Martha, third daughter of Edward Ashe, Convoy County, Derry, Ireland.

The marriage registration, as issued by the office of the Registrar General for Ontario reads:

Date of Marriage: January 12th, 1888
Place of Marriage: Ottawa, Carleton County
Name of Groom: James Low
Age of Groom: 26 Yrs.
Place of Birth of Groom: Scotland
Groom's Parents Names: William Low & Jane Mcdonald
Name of Bride: Martha Ashe
Age of Bride: 25 Yrs.
Place of Birth of Bride: Ireland
Bride's Parents Names: Edward Ashe & Rebecca Wilson

Although James was not raised in the same household as his half-siblings, evidence was found that he maintained contact with them. He was a witness to the marriage of his half-brother John Low (ID=103) in New York City in 1895, and he sent a silver carving set to John. A grandaughter of John (Valerie Elizabeth Sequin/Coats, ID=253) recalls him saying that he had a cousin James in Canada. James was apparently referred to as "cousin James" by his half-siblings.

No record could be found of James maintaining direct contact with his father William Low, or mother Jane Mcdonald. However, James' gravestone states he was a native of Dundee, which is incorrect. His children thought that he was from Dundee, but no records indicate that he lived there. However, his father William was in Dundee, and I think it likely that there must have been some correspondence between them. From this correspondence, the city of Dundee would have been noted by the family as having some long-term connection with James. It appears his father William became fairly prosperous about the time James came to Canada, and his father may have paid his way. There is no evidence to indicate that James maintained any contact with his mother Jane Mcdonald. There was speculation that his mother may have died at his birth, but this is not the case: she signed his birth registration 13 days after he was born. However, it is possible that she died when he was young. The name is very common and I could not identify later references to many Jane McDonalds as being the mother of James Low.

Soon after his arrival in Canada, James Low and Charles Alexander Low established a contracting firm of carpenters and builders, known as "J. & C. LOW." This Charles Low was not related to James but was a brother of Jean Low (ID=62) who married James's uncle John Low (ID=61).

"Charles Low, carpenter, 201 Bank" is listed in the Ottawa City Direcory for 1887-8, but James Low is not listed. The next available directory, for 1891-92 lists James Low at 358 Lisgar Street and Charles Low at 118 Frank Street. Also listed for the first time was the firm J. & C. LOW, at the same address as James. In 1901, James
Alexander Low (ID=93), a cousin of James and a nephew of Charles, came to Canada from Scotland and joined the firm.

J. & C. LOW was originally located at the residence of James Low. A photograph taken about 1891 shows the house and business located at 358 Lisgar Street. Later, as the business expanded and as inventory increased, the company, which included a lumber yard, was relocated to the south side of Catharine Street between Bank and Kent Streets in Ottawa. It was conveniently located close to the Grand Trunk Railway tracks for ease of shipping and receiving goods.

Martha did the bookkeeping for the Low lumber yards and construction company and paid the workers each Saturday morning from the side door of the house on Lisgar Street.

Because of the business operation, James Low was one of the first to obtain telephone service in Ottawa. In 1894 his telephone number was 1093.

J. & C. LOW constructed a number of major buildings in Ottawa between 1890 and 1914. This included the Booth Building, Masonic Temple, Y.M.C.A., American Bank Note Company, and the Trafalger Building. He also may have worked on some of the carvings in the Library of the Parliament Buildings (passed down by family and unconfirmed).

James Low personally made some fine furniture for his own family and others. I am fortunate to have acquired an oak buffet and china cabinet made by him. I also have another buffet and display case made by him, apparently after he and wife Martha received a number of gifts for their silver wedding anniversary in 1913. I also have an oak dining room table, while not made by him, was ordered by him. Thus, my wife and I are fortunate in having acquired considerable fine furniture from James Low. I am proud to say that our dining room is furnished in "early Great Grandfather!". Some day, we would like to have this furniture restored to it's original condition. But then, the many scratches and chips add character to it (This chip is where grandfather dropped the carving knife, that dent is where dad's rocking horse...). Three tables he made were passed on to his daughter Frankie and now owned by his granddaughter Barbara Rosenthal/Kirkpatrick.

The business J. & C. LOW was destroyed by fire on 24 May 1914, apparently by a firecracker, and was never re-established. The loss was $40,000, and apparently the insurance policy for $25,000 had expired several weeks earlier, through an oversight. The Ottawa Citizen of 26 May 1914 carried a lengthy article on this fire, part of which reads:

Victoria Day closed with a big fire on Catharine street when the mills and lumber yards of J. and C. Low and a considerable portion of the lumber yards of Barrett Brothers adjoining it fell prey to the flames. In all probability, this great loss, in the neighborhood of $60,000, is one that must be charged up to the practice of setting off fireworks on the holiday....
It was a spectacular fire, and for a time the heat around it was intense, so much so that the houses across the street began to scorch and the hose had to be turned on Mr. Barrett's residence, directly opposite the factory. The fire began at about nine o'clock in the evening, just the time to bring a great crowd of spectators and thousands from all parts of Ottawa thronged to see the tremendous blaze. At 11 o'clock, after two hours hard fighting the fire was well under control.
Three engines from the Ottawa fire department turned out to the fire and the new engine from Hull quickly responded to the call for assistance and did excellent work under Capt. Tessier. It was necessary to ask Hull to send over an engine because one of Ottawa's engines is undergoing repairs.
The fire started in the lumber yard of J. and C. Low, contractors, the first blaze being seen about the center of the yard. The cause is unknown some attribute it to sparks from a rocket fired from a neighboring street which exploded right over the yard. In a few minutes after the first blast was seen, the entire place was on fire and nothing of J. and C. Low's planing mill or lumber yard was saved.
There was a stiff breeze blowing from the west and it carried the flame onto the lumber yards of Barrett Brothers, which join those of Messrs. Low. The lumber was piled closely and at the first opening in the piles just west of the Barrett Brothers' brick office, the fire-men made their stand and prevented the flames from crossing to any great extent to the lumber piles nearer Bank street.
It was a very bad place for a fire to start. There is a great amount of lumber and other inflammable materials in that vicinity. The city asphalt plant is also very near. The fight among the lumber piles with the dense smoke and extreme heat was a difficult one indeed.
Messrs. J. and C. Low's mill was a two-story building of wood construction covered with sheet metal. It extended 99 feet along Catharine street and 35 feet deep. Behind it was an open lumber yard extending to the Grand Trunk tracks. The great loss, of course, was the burning up of about 50,000 feet of lumber. A large portion of it was rough lumber, but there was also a great deal of dressed stock, mouldings, floorings, and door sashes, etc. In the factory were 15 or 20 machines, which were run by electric power.
The mill was closed since Saturday and about seven o'clock yesterday evening Mr. Low went around the mill and everything was all right. There was no fire in the building during the day, in fact, nor for some months, as all the machines are run from motors. There was no watchman at the mill.
Everything was a complete loss. The 12 or 15 employees who had left their tool chests in the factory, were not even able to get them out. The fire made a clean sweep from Catharine street to the tracks. There was about $10,000 worth of machinery in the factory, and it is
estimated that the loss to the building and the lumber will amount to $30,000, making a total loss of $40,000. The insurance is in the neighborhood of $25,000.
Messrs. J. and C. Low are contractors and the mill was conducted in connection with their extensive building operations. The mill was erected back in 1893, and had escaped any fire until the one last night...

James Low joined the Silicate Brick Company, probably following the destruction of his business. He was Secretary-Treasurer of that company.

James broke both legs about 1914 when a vault door being placed in the American Bank Note Company fell on him. He never regained full use of his legs during the last five years of his life.

What was his personality like? Jean Rook / Low made some observation: He wanted to include the name CLOUDSLEY in the names of all his children - which was not done. He apparently was a supporter of the Liberal party in politics. He was a pipe-smoker. Jean remembers him once sitting without his pipe and commenting "For heaven's sake get me my pipe." His son Alexander once made this observation: James once said the family was Scottish. Martha promptly corrected him and said she was Northern Irish. James then remarked: "Yes - but what are the Northern Irish but a bunch of Scots anyway?"

They had a big party for their 25th wedding anniversary. Apparently they received a number of gifts, including silverware. I have a stirling silver gravy ladle given to them. It has the initials L and A (for Low and Ashe) overlapping each other, and the dates 1888-1913. A set of 12 sterling silver flatware was eventually divided into three sets of four, and given to children John, Libbie, and Frankie. Barbara Rosenthal/Kirkpatrick now has one set. Some of the silver came from A. Rosenthal & Sons, Jewellers on Sparks Street in Ottawa. This was the grandfather of Lionel Rosenthal, who later married his daughter Frankie Low.

Each summer, James would buy one or two bolts of “good Scottish tweed” and hire a seamstress who wold live with the family for a month or two, and make coats and jackets for the older boys, then rework the older boys clothes for the younger children. Thus, Libbie, Frankie, and Ernie (”Peter”) would never have “new” clothes. Libbie and Frankie learned to sew from the seamstress and eventually made their own clothes. Martha did not sew clothing, but did knit.

One incident Barbara Rosenthal/Kirkpatrick recalled: “Mother once told us that she and her friend who live across the srteet on Lisgar (Nan Burwash) exchanged plaid shirts once. Mother liked the bright red plaid that Nan wore as it was more cheerful than the dull plaid the Low’s wore. Her father, James, was angry and told her “never wear that tartan again!”

The LOW family lived at 358 Lisgar Street in Ottawa from at least 1891 until the death of James Low on 2 October 1919. He drowned in the Rideau Canal at Ottawa. His obituary in the Ottawa Journal of 4 October 1919 reads:

The body of James Low prominent Ottawa contractor was found in the Rideau Canal, opposite Patterson's Boat House, on Echo Drive, Friday morning about 8 o'clock by his son Alex. Mr. Low was last seen alive Thursday about 11 a.m., and in the evening when he did not return home a search was started. Yesterday morning it was resumed and the body was located between the steamer Wanakewan and the warf near the office of the Silicate Brick Company.
Mr. Low left his home at 358 Lisgar street in his usual good health and went to the office of the Silicate Brick Company of which he was secretary-treasurer. He left the office at 11 o'clock that being the last occasion
on which he was seen alive. It is thought that he tripped over some object as he was walking along the warf and fell, striking his head against the side of the boat and dropping into the water.
Five years ago Mr. Low had both legs broken when a vault door, which was being placed in the American Bank Note Company's Building, fell on him. He has since not had the full use of his limbs and it is thought that this affliction might have caused the accident.
The body was removed to Rogers and Burney's undertaking rooms and Coroner Craig, after viewing the remains, decided that an inquest was unnecessary.
Mr. Low was a member of the contracting firm of J. and C. Low, which for over 31 years has been prominent in the Ottawa building circles. The firm in that time has erected many well known structures, including the Booth Building, on Sparks street, the Masonic Temple, the Y.M.C.A. Building, the American Bank Note Company Building, and the Trafalger Building.
Born in Scotland 59 years ago, Mr. Low came to Canada in 1886, settling in Ottawa two years later* when he entered the contracting business. He was married the same year and surviving, besides his widow, are six sons and two daughters. The sons are: John, with the American Bank Note Co.; James, in Montreal; William, with the Modern Machine Co.; Alex, and Thomas, in the Militia; Ernest, at home. The two daughters, Elizabeth and Frances, are at home.
Mr. Low was a member of Doric Lodge, No. 58, A.F. & A.M., Progress Lodge, A.O.U.W., and Camp Argyle, Sons of Scotland. Since coming to Ottawa he had been a member of Knox Presbyterian Church.
The funeral is to be held on Monday, at 2:30 p.m. from his late residence to Beechwood Cemetery.

* Note: the obituary says “settled in Ottawa two years later.” However, records indicate he came to Ottawa immediately upon arrival in Canada.

At the time of his death, personal property was listed at a value of $700.00, and realty at a value of $4325.00.

Before James died, the family was preparing to move into a new home being built on McLeod Street in Ottawa. Because of problems settling the estate, the family home had to be sold, and apparently they never moved into the new home: apparently problems were related to investments in the stock market that went bad. There was apparently some life insurance. For a time after James' death, Martha and her younger children lived with her son John and his wife Jean.

The 1891 Census of Canada was released to researchers in December 1985. On December 27, I made a quick search for this family. James Low was listed as a Carpenter who employed 20 people. His wife Martha and sons John and James were listed. The family religion was Presbyterian. Later, at the time of union (after James’ death), the family became members of the United Church.

Also listed with the family was Alice Blair, age 10, who was born in Quebec. The birthplace of her parents were Scotland (father) and Ireland (mother), but her parents were not recorded. Her listed relationship to the head of house was "Dom" (probably Domestic). Perhaps this was a "foster" child who received care while being expected to help around the home. It is possible she was related to the ASHE family.

The 1901 census lists James as a Building Contractor. The youngest child, born less than a month before the census was taken was listed as a female baby, with no name. This was Elizabeth (”Libbie”).

In the 1911 census, it stated he came to Canada in 1886 (this confirmed my earlier estimate date of 1885-1887). His occupation is “Contractor.” James Low was shown to have an insurance policy of $5000 and payments of $140 a year for insurance. In the household, there was a “Domestic” Annie Ferguson born May 1891 and came from Scotland in 1910. Her religion was listed as Roman Catholic. The Low family was listed as Presbyterian.

Estate valued at $24,300 at death. Real estate $4320. Personal $700. Bank & stock $200. Motor Car $300. Plumbing $200. Property 252 Argyle $4000. Lot 2118 Byron $325. Summer cottage Cascades $1000. Life insurance $18275. 20 shares Masonic temple $200. Misc. $500.

The family gravestone in Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa is inscribed:
In Memory of James Low 1861-1919 Native of Dundee, Scotland. His Wife Martha Ashe 1862-1938 Native of Convoy, Ireland. At Rest. Rebecca 1892. Jessie 1866. Samuel 1899.


NOTE ON THE BIRTHPLACE OF JAMES LOW (ID=101)
     James Low (ID=101) was born at 25 North Street, Montrose on 22 June 1861.  No relevant name was found at that address in the census of 8 April 1861, just over two months prior to the birth of James Low.  The census shows this address.  It was apparently a rooming house used to house transient workers for the local linen mill.  The residents of this address are listed here in case someone wishes to search these names for a possible connection with Jane Mcdonald.
1861 Census:  Montrose 
25 North Street 
==========================================================
2 rooms: 
   Alexander Maiden, Head, Married, age 51, 
                  Linen Handloom Weaver, born Montrose 
   Isabella Maiden, Wife, Married, age 49, b. Montrose
2 rooms: 
   Jane Hershell, Head, Widow, age 68, Linen Yard Winder, 
                  born Dunnichen, Angus
1 room: 
   Sarah Petrie, Head, Married, age 33, Linen Handloom 
                  weaver, born Montrose 
   Isabella Petrie, Daughter, age 1, born Montrose
1 room: 
   Lillas C. Kennedy, Head, Unmarried, age 66, Linen 
                  Yarn Winder, born St. Martins, Perthshr 
   Jane Kennedy, Daughter, Unmarried, age 40, Flax Mill 
                  Spinner, born Perth, Perthshire
The census of 1851 was also checked:  all names at this address were different and no relevant name was found.