William Laurie, born 1804 in Bagbie Farm, Creetown, Kirkcudbright, Scotland; died 22 October 1879 in Bagbie, Creetown, Kirkcudbright, Scotland; married Mary Martin 13 July 1831.
WILLIAM LAURIE OF BAGBIE
William Laurie, a younger son of James Laurie III of Milliganton, became a Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1824. The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh [like its English counterpart, the Royal College of Surgeons of London] is not a medical school, but a professional association to which surgeons belong. In the 19th century, a surgeon had to be a Licentiate in order to practice. The College did set an examination which trainee surgeons had to pass to gain their Licentiate, which was their license to practice surgery. In those days, a surgeon might train at university, usually as part of a general medical degree, or alternatively by apprenticeship to a qualified surgeon.

For nine years [c.1824-1833] he was surgeon to the Scot's Mining Company in Leadhills in Lanarkshire. [The Scot's Mining Company worked the lead mines in Leadhills]. His brother-in-law, James Kerr, who was a native of Leadhills, worked as a clerk for the Scot's Mining CompanyBy 1856, William Laurie was living at Bagbie, Kirkmabreck, Creetown, Kirkcudbright. This was the last year in which he appeared in the ‘Medical Directory for Scotland'. He died on 22 October 1879 at Bagbie, aged 75. His death was registered by his son, W. S. Laurie. Mary Martin survived him.

On his death certificate his profession is given as "Surgeon and Farmer". Since his last entry in the ‘Medical Directory for Scotland' was in 1856. Farming had become his main occupation in the 1860s/1870s.

Five of his sons left Scotland and became citizens in the United States.
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William Laurie was a younger son of James Laurie (d.1828) of Milliganton, Dunscore Parish, Dumfriesshire, and Helen Morin, daughter of John Morin of Lagan and Catherine Beveridge. Milliganton was the name of a small estate.

The Lauries of Milliganton were descended from William Laurie in Crofthead of Dalswinton, Kirkmahoe Parish, Dumfriesshire. He married Barbara Maxwell and died in the early 18th century. William's son James Laurie married Agnes Wilson (probably in 1726). James Laurie acquired the property of Milliganton in 1739 and became James Laurie I of Milliganton. He was succeeded by his son James Laurie II of Milliganton who married Janet Barr. Their son was James Laurie III of Milliganton, father of William Laurie of Bagbie.

James Laurie III of Milliganton was succeeded by his eldest son James Laurie IV of Milliganton (eldest brother of William Laurie of Bagbie). He got into financial difficulties by c.1850 and the Milliganton estate was sold off to pay his creditors.

William Laurie became a Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1824. He was surgeon to the Scots Mines Company in Leadhills, Crawford Parish, Lanarkshire c.1824-1833.

By 1858 he was living at Bagbie, Kirkmabreck, Creetown, Kirkcudbright. This was the last year he was listed in the Scottish Medical Directory. Since this was many years before his death, I assume that latterly he concentrated on farming. On his death certificate his occupation is given as "surgeon and farmer".
SILOUETTE ON THIS PAGE WAS LIKELY DRAWN ABOUT 1826, AFTER MEDICAL SCHOOL.