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THE MARQUIS OF BUTE
THE MARQUIS of Bute was the owner of large estates in Ayrshire and the Island of Bute, Scotland. Ayrshire was a country advanced for the time in farming and stock-raising. The island of Bute was backward, so early in the nineteenth century the Marquis of Bute, desiring the island developed agriculturally, requested Alexander Montgomery and Alexander Hunter with their families to come from Ayrshire to Bute, one to live on a farm in the north part of the island, the other to live on a farm in the south part of the island, so as to introduce better methods of farming and stock-breeding.
I do not know when the Carswells came to the island of Bute, nor from where they came, but think they were here before this time. This is only a small island so in time the rural population came to be mostly descendants of these early families. They were very progressive and industrious people becoming prominent as breeders of Clydesdale horses and Ayrshire cattle. Although differing as to religious beliefs and church affiliations they were almost without exception lined up with the church and ardent workers there in civic and rural government. They held their share of offices and executed them to the best interests of the community.
The Bute Agricultural Society was organized in 1806 with their cooperation. Since that time, with few exceptions, some one of their descendants has been its president. As members of this society many honors have been won by the men in ploughing matches and by the women with butter and cheese, and the domestic arts.
MONTGOMERY LINEAGE
Alexander Montgomery married Rebecca Hunter in Kilbride parish, Ayrshire, Scotland, sometime the latter part of the nineteenth century and came to Bruchaig farm Isle of Bute, a short time afterward. The following are the names of their children, their wives or husbands and home after marriage.
Hugh married Mary McAllister and lived on Little Kilmory farm, Bute later going to Auckland, New Zealand.
Their son Alexander died just before they left for New Zealand, their other children were Rebecca, Janet and Thomas. I am not acquainted with their later lives.
Robert married a McAlister and lived on Cock Hill farm, Kilmarnock later going to Lessnesseck farm in Ayrshire, Scotland.
Their children were Robert, Hugh, Alexander, Rebecca and Mary. They all lived on farms in Ayrshire.
Jane married Ninian Duncan and lived on upper Scoulag farm, Bute. Their son Alexander married Margaret Little and lived on Birgidale farm, Bute. Their daughter Rebecca married William Barr and lived on Kerrylamont farm, Bute. Their son James married Jane Martin and lived in Rothesay, being a nailor, later he lived on Culevin farm, Bute. Their son Ninian married first a Scott and second a Crawford and lived on Culevin farm, Bute. Their son Hugh married Margaret Mackay and lived on Langalchorad farm, Bute. Their daughter Katherine married John Campbell, gardener on the Bute Estate, later they moved to Rothesay, Bute.
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