the Ulster colonization. Her Sons were John and Robert. A grandson was Alexander Montgomery, the poet. This line also was related to the famous Field Marshal Montgomery, hero of Workl War II. An earlier offspring of this family was Major General Richard Montgomery, who was killed while leading American forces in an assault on Quebec in the American Revolution. 1

Of equal importance in the later history of the Houston family were marriage relations with the Hamiltons, who were to be associated with the Montgomerys in the settlement of Northern Ireland. While old Patrick Houston III was feuding with some of his neighbors back in the 1500’s, his daughter, Marion, married James Hamilton of Barduie in the adjoining county. Possibly this cemented a friendship between the two families. At any rate, Jean Houstoun, daughter of Sir Ludovick who succeeded to the barony in 1609, wedded Sir James Hamilton of nearby Orbiestoun. Jean was a sister of George, the first of the Johnstone Houstons.

Sir Patrick Houstoun IV chose Ann Hamilton as his wife. This marriage seems to have been one in which love endured until death in spite of religious differences which were a disturbing element at that time. A daughter of this union became the wife of Sir William Hamilton of Whitelaw, one of the senators of the college of justice.

Most, if not all, of the Houston marriages were with other Scottish Lowlanders—never with the Highlanders who treated their women almost as chattels. There was no love or friendship with the Highland clans who, next to the English, were the people most detested.

The Houston women of old Scotland achieved a high degree of refinement, dressed richly, practiced all the social graces and were treated with honor and courtesy by their chivalrous men. While they managed their households with efficiency and looked after the comfort of their men, they were not involved in drudgery.

Some idea of the comfort and luxury in which the Houston families of the 17th century lived can be gleaned from a poll tax list in 1695 during the reign of William and Mary. The roll shows three women domestics and six menservants, "exclusive

1 B. G. de Montgomery, Origin and History of the Montgomerys (William Blackwood and Sons, Ltd., Edinburgh, 1948), p. 218.