Margaret Phillips Raitt was born was born on 8 January 1834 in Arbroath and died there on 3 November 1911. She was single all her life. She was the eldest child of of John Raitt and Elizabeth Dorward. She was probably named after her maternal grandmother Margaret Philips.  

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In the 1841 Scotland Census it says that John Raitt, born about 1806, was living at 18 Hannah St in County Angus, Parish Arbroath Lady Loan. Occupation was Merchant Seaman. Others listed in the family included wife Elizabeth (age 30 - 1831); daughter Margaret (age 7 - 1834); son John (3 - 1838); son James (8 months - 1840);  and John’s sister Susan (35 - 1806), who was presumably staying there while her husband was away at sea.

In the 1851 census for Ladyloan, living at 15 Hannah St are John Raitt, head, 45, seaman; wife Elizabeth, 42; children Margaret, 17, powerloom weaver; John, 15, machine flax dresser; James, 10, housework; David, 5, scholar; Elizabeth, 1 - all born Arbroath. In the same house is Elizabeth's mother Margaret Dorward (nee Philip) and two of her sons David (56) and James (45) - both unmarried seamen.

In the 1861 census for 18 Hannah St, Arbroath is Elizabeth Rait, 52, seaman’s wife; daughter Margaret Rait, 27, flax mill worker; son David Raitt, 14, flax mill worker; daughter Elizabeth, 10, scholar.

In the 1871 census Margaret Raitt, age 37, single, flax mill worker, was living at 8 Bridge St, Arbroath with her sister Elizabeth Raitt, age 21, bleach mill worker and her husband William R. Doig, age 23, bleach mill worker, and their newborn baby daughter Margaret Raitt, under 1 m.

In the 1881 census Margaret P. Raitt, aged 46, unmarried, flax reeler mill worker, was living at 18 Hannah St, Arbroath with her widowed mother Elizabeth D. Raitt, aged 72, who was keeping house.

In the Valuation Roll for the Burgh of Arbroath for the year 1885-1886, living in a two-roomed house at 22 Hannah Street is tenant Margaret Raitt, residenter, paying a yearly rent or value as estimated by the Assessor of £5. The property is owned by Wm. & Alexr. Thomson per Mrs Thomson.

In the 1891 census for 22 Hannah St, Arbroath, back living with her younger sister Elizabeth and her husband William Robertson Doig and their children, is Margaret Rait, 56, mangle woman. Margaret moved in with her sister after their mother died.

In the Valuation Roll for the Burgh of Arbroath for the year 1895-1896, still living in her two-roomed house at 22 Hannah Street is tenant Margaret Raitt, residenter, paying the same yearly rent of £5. At the same address and occupying two rooms and an attic is William Doig, mill foreman, paying £6. The property is owned by Wm. & Alexr. Thomson per Alexr. Thomson of Craigmakenan, Perthshire. William would have had his family with him and was likely also there in 1885 (this has not been verified because Margaret is the last name on the page and the following page was not viewed since further payment was required.)

In the 1901 census for 22 Hannah St Margaret Raitt, 67, former mangler, is still living with her sister Elizabeth Doig and her family.

In 1911 still at 22 Hannah St, Arbroath Margaret P. Raitt, 77, single, born Arbroath, is still in the household of her brother-in-law William R. Doig, head, 63, mill overseer in flax mill, born Glamis; and her sister Elizabeth, 62, born Arbroath; and eight of her children plus grandson William D. Cruickshanks, 7, school, born Aberdeen.