COUTTS, Margaret ^{1 2}

   Cause of her death was old age.

   User ID: M166.

  General Notes:

The 1841 census for Strathdon Parish, Aberdeenshire, recorded Francis Coutts, aged 86 years, living at Ballachailach with two women, both called Margaret Coutts, one aged 59 years and one aged 35 years, and a young girl, Ann Lindsay, aged 11 years, probably the daughter of Alexander Lindsay and Isobel Coutts. All entries answered 'Yes' to the question of whether they were born in the county they were then living in.

The 1861 census for Strathdon Parish in Aberdeenshire recorded Margaret Coutts living at Ballochhilech with James Warrack, styled the head of the household, and James Strachan, recorded as a lodger. Margaret Coutts was recorded as a domestic servant. James Warrack was a merchant grocer who had been born in Towie parish. He was unmarried and aged 57 years. Margaret Coutts was unmarried and aged 50 years. Her birthplace was Strathdon parish. James Strachan was a widower, aged 78 years, and a musician. His birthplace was Glenbucket parish.

In 1871, the census recorded Margaret Coutts as head of a household living at Ballochhilech in Strathdon Parish, Aberdeenshire. She was unmarried and aged 65 years. Her birthplace was Strathdon parish, and her occupation that of merchant grocer. Two others lived in the household: James Strachan, recorded as her uncle, a musician of 87 years and a widower whose birthplace was Glenbucket; and James Warrack, designated a boarder, who was a retired farmer's son, unmarried, aged 66 years, who had been born in Towie Parish.

In 1881 Margaret Coutts was living alone at Ballochhiloch in Strathdon parish. She was recorded as aged 70 years and born in the parish. She was a pauper.

"COUTTS
MARGARET
77
1883
240/ 5
Strathdon"

from Index of Deaths

In her death certificate of 1883, Margaret Coutts was recorded as ' Pauper formerly domestic servant, single' and aged 77 years. Both of her parents were deceased. They were named as 'Francis Coutts agricultural labourer deceased' and 'Margaret Coutts MS Strachan deceased'. ^{1 2}

  Research Notes:

BALLACHEILLACH

This is spelt differently, trying to render the gaelic sound. 'Ballachalich' seems the most recognizable to modern sources.
'Polhollick (Glenmuick). " Polholick is a place adjoining Bellachalich, and was part of the pasture of that place," Aberg., pp. 1798. Ballachalich is pronounced Balhollak, and is entered in Val. Roll Balthollak. Holick appears to be a corruption of chalich, and Poll-chalich is 'the pool or hole of the old woman'."

from The Place Names of West Aberdeenshire ³

  Medical Notes:

Margaret Coutts had no medical attendant.

Ann Emslie, a neighbour who was present where the death occurred, gave notice of Margaret's death before the registrar, James Wattie, on 6 April 1883 at Strathdon.