For more than three decades, the Gardener’s House at Old Montrose was home to Andrew Duncan and Isabella Nicoll and their growing family.
Andrew and Isabella were married on 23 April 1875 at Cauldhame Feus, Marykirk, Kincardineshire. Andrew was recorded as a coachman and gardener; Isabella a domestic servant.
They had 6 children during years when the family moved between Monifieth, Marykirk and Maryton, before finally settling at Old Montrose.
Census records show that the family were living at Queen Street, Monifieth in 1881. Here Andrew is recorded as a gardener for the first time. By 1891 the Duncans were back in Andrew’s place of birth, Maryton, now living at the Gardener’s House at Old Montrose — the home where Andrew would remain for the rest of his working life. More about Andrew’s gardening career can be read here.
The Family Bible records Andrew and Isabella’s marriage and the births of their 6 children :
Andrew and Isabella celebrated their Golden Wedding in 1925 with a family gathering at their home in Old Montrose. By then, their six children had given them seventeen grandchildren.
Andrew died in 1928 and Isabella followed a short time later in 1929. They are buried together in Maryton churchyard, only a short distance from the home and glasshouses that shaped so much of their lives.
Newspapers notices record their passings and acknowledge the respected place they held in Montrose life.
The “herd-laddie” and housemaid did well 💕
Craigachan 