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Back row: Peter Jr. (1873-1904), Jessie (1878-1947), and Martha Maxwell (1876-?).
Peter Maxwell, Sr. was my great, great grandfather. He was born in Dundee around 1850 to Thomas Maxwell
and Margaret Duff. Peter married Margaret Angus, daughter of John Angus and Margaret White, on May 4, 1869 in Dundee. Together the couple had six children including my great grandmother, Jessie Gray Maxwell. Margaret
died on July 9, 1885. Shortly after Margaret's death, Peter married Mary Ann Lowson, daughter of David Lowson and Mary Ann Jack, and the widow of Peter McGuire of Dundee. At the time, Mary Ann had no
children of her own. Well past 40 years of age, Mary Ann gave birth to her first and only child, a daughter, Helen Lowson Maxwell in June of 1895.
For most of his life, Peter worked at the docks or around the harbor at Dundee. He died in Dundee February 5, 1906.
For a later photograph of the Maxwell family, see the photo section at the bottom of this page. A genealogy of the Maxwells is provided below.
 James Maxwell and Martha ArmstrongAt present, very little is known of James Maxwell. He was a soldier and at least one document suggests that he may have attained the rank of sergeant in the 21st regiment. James married Martha Armstrong, and the couple had several children born in Stirling. James died sometime before the year 1832. Martha Armstrong was born around or about 1783. According to the information recorded in the 1861 census, Martha was born in Jamaica. Her father was a soldier and she may have been born while he was in service. Once widowed, Martha married William Dowell in Stirling on December 2, 1832. Martha died in Stirling on August 21, 1858. Children of James Maxwell and Martha Armstrong:
Thomas Maxwell and Margaret DuffThomas Maxwell married Margaret Duff around the year 1840. The OPRs record the marriage of a Thomas Maxwell and Margaret Duff in Stirling, October 11, 1835. Thomas was a weaver by trade. According to the 1861 census, Thomas was born in Stirling and he died on January 14, 1865 in the Royal Infirmary, Dundee. His death certificate lists his parents' names as James Maxwell and Martha Armstrong. Margaret was born in Perth and died in Dundee on November 09, 1883. Her death certificate lists her parents as being James Duff and Anne Stewart. Margaret is buried in Balgay Cemetery, Dundee. Children of Thomas Maxwell and Margaret Duff:
Thomas Maxwell and Margaret GowThomas Maxwell, son of Thomas Maxwell and Margaret Duff, married Margaret Gow, daughter of John and Mary Gow, on November 28, 1871, in Dundee. Thomas was a merchant seaman. The exact date of his birth is unknown. Thomas died in January 10, 1882 at Longhope Harbor, Orkney. The cause of death was recorded as suicide by drowning. For more information about the "Curious Case of Thomas Maxwell" please click here. Margaret died on June 12, 1929 in Dundee. Children of Thomas Maxwell and Margaret Gow:
Peter Maxwell and Margaret AngusPeter Maxwell, son of Thomas Maxwell and Margaret Duff, married Margaret Angus on May 4, 1869 in Dundee. She was the daughter of John Angus and Margaret White. Both Peter and Margaret were born around or about the year 1850. The 1881 census lists Margaret's place of birth as Perth. For many years Peter served as a merchant seaman. Later he worked in different positions at the docks in Dundee. Peter died on February 5, 1906 in Dundee and is buried in Balgay Cemetery. Margaret died on July 9, 1885 and is buried in Balgay Cemetery also. Children of Peter Maxwell and Margaret Angus:
Peter Maxwell and Mary Ann LowsonPeter Maxwell, son of Thomas Maxwell and Margaret Duff, later married Mary Ann Lowson, daughter of David Lowson and Mary Ann Jack, and widow of Peter McGuire, on August 13, 1885, in Dundee. She was born around the year 1850 and died in Dundee on May 03, 1918. Mary Ann is buried in Balgay Cemetery. Child of Peter Maxwell and Mary Ann Lowson:
Margaret MaxwellMargaret Maxwell, daughter of Thomas Maxwell and Margaret Duff, was born on April 17, 1856 in Dundee. Her life seems to be somewhat of a mystery left to be unraveled. Documents seem to indicate that though she never married, she was the mother of at least four children, all born in Dundee. Each birth was registered by mark (X) by Margaret Maxwell, jute weaver, the childrens' fathers' names left blank. At the time of her death, January 04, 1900, her passing was registered by her daughter, Alice Miller. The death certificate records her marital status as "Single." It is difficult to know with absolute certainty that these three children are the offspring of the Margaret Maxwell who was the daughter of Thomas and Margaret Duff. However, the death certificate information appears to tie these three generations together. Children of Margaret Maxwell:
Peter Maxwell, Jr. and Mary Ann Watson
Peter Maxwell, Jr., son of Peter Maxwell and Margaret Angus, married Mary Ann Watson, daughter of John Watson
and Ann Hendry, on April 06, 1894 in Dundee. Peter died on April 14, 1904. Mary Ann died on October 10, 1944. Both are buried in the Eastern Cemetery, Dundee. Click here to see a photograph of their gravestone.
Children of Peter Maxwell, Jr. and Mary Ann Watson:
Jessie Maxwell and Angus Black
Jessie Maxwell, daughter of Thomas Maxwell and Margaret Gow, was born in Dundee on August 23, 1872. She married Angus Black, son of William Black and
Helen McGavin, in Dundee on October 09, 1896.
Children of Jessie Maxwell and Angus Black:
Martha Maxwell and James Soutar
Martha Maxwell, daughter of Peter Maxwell and Margaret Angus, married James Soutar, son of James Soutar and Agnes Couttie, on October 14, 1903 in Dundee. She later married John Barr Charleton, son of William Charleton and Mary Garvey. Martha died September 9, 1949 in Possilpark, Glasgow. John died May 24, 1951 in Maryhill, Glasgow. Children of Martha Maxwell and James Soutar:
Jessie Maxwell and Andrew SteelJessie Gray Maxwell, daughter of Peter Maxwell and Margaret Angus, married Andrew Steel, son of Edward Lennox Steel and Jessie Scotland, on April 07, 1899 in Dundee. Jessie arrived in U.S. in October 5, 1909 from Glasgow aboard the ship Furnessia/Anchor Lines. She traveled with her three sons: Alexander 9, Peter 7, and Andrew 3 and was met by her husband who had arrived several months before. Jessie died in Bridgeport, CT on March 24, 1947. Andrew died May 10, 1952. They are both buried in Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport. Children of Jessie Maxwell and Andrew Steel:
Helen Maxwell and George PetrieHelen Lowson Maxwell, daughter of Peter Maxwell and Mary Ann Lowson, married George Adamson Petrie, son of George Petrie and Jane Ann Reid, on September 04, 1920 in Dundee.
 Maxwell Family Photographs
The Peter Maxwell Family, circa 1900
Martha Maxwell and James Soutar
Helen Maxwell and George Petrie
Jessie Maxwell and Andrew Steel
The Curious Case of Thomas Maxwell
Anyone related to or with information on this family is encouraged to contact me by clicking here.
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