Alexander McDowal

Returnee from Jamaica, claimant and owner of Two Mile Wood in St Catherine Jamaica who subsequently died: the compensation was paid to his trustees and executors, including his wife Charles [sic] M'Dowal and her half-brother the Rev. Stair McQuhae (both of whom q.v.).  

1. Alexander McDowal married Bonnella Mary Gairdner in Ayr c. 22/09/1822. Three known daughters to this marriage: Ann Elletson b 29/01/1824 and bap 08/07/1824, Ayr, Mary b 31/03/1825 and bap 01/05/1825, Ayr and Bonella b 29/08/1826, Ayr. The last baptism gives Alexander McDowal Esquire of Cullean.

2. Bonnella Mary must have died ay some point between August 1826 and 1828. Banns were read for the marriage of Alexander McDowall in Maybole and Charles McQuhae in Ayr 30/11/1828 in Maybole.

3. In Alexander McDowal’s Settlement he describes himself as ‘I Alexander McDowal sometime residing in the parish of St Catherine County of Middlesex Island of Jamaica now residing in Nether or Low Cullean parish of Maybole County of Ayr Scotland …’. It also provides the information that Alexander died in Jamaica on or around 18/09/1834. Detailed provision is made for his wife, Charles, and his three daughters, Ann Elletson, Mary and Bonnella, from his Scottish estates but the estates in Jamica are to supplement this if necessary. The Settlement also refers to 'William McDowal my son presently in Jamaica’. This also gives William’s mother as ‘..the late Mrs Susannah Phillips otherwise McDowal his mother on a division of the means and estate of the late William Phillips her father …’. No trace of this marriage, possibly Alexander McDowal's first and possibly in Jamaica has yet been found.

4. In 1841, Charles McDowal, age 55, was living at Cullean Cottage, Ayrshire, with Ann age 17, Mary age 16, Bonella age 14 and two female servants.

5. Charles McDowal, female, age 66 years, born St Enox [sic - Quivox] Manse, died 20/01/1855 at 8 Barns Street, Ayr, daughter of William McQuahe, minister of St Enox and Elizabeth nee Park. The informant was Bonella Macdowall, step-daughter.  

T71/852 St Catherine No. 546.

1. Scot’s Magazine (see http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/AYRSHIRE/2005-10/1128615071) [accessed 29/12/2011]: ‘1822 Sep 23 – Ayr. Alex. McDowall Twomile Wood, St Catherine’s Jamaica, to Bonnella Mary, eldest dau. Alex. Gardner, Ayr’; GROS OPR Births 578 100 79 Ayr, 578 100 98 Ayr, 605 40 79 Maybole.

2. GROS OPR Marriages 605/ 50 33 Maybole.

3. Scotland's People: SC6/44/7 AYR Sheriff Court Inventories.

4. 1841 census online.

5. GROS Deaths 1855 578/1 39;