Gilbert Laurie
Gilbert Laurie of Polmont (1729–1809) was an 18th-century Scottish merchant and senior excise officer who twice served as Lord Provost of Edinburgh: from 1766 to 1768 and 1772 to 1774.
Life
[edit]He was born in Polmont in 1729. He was Commissioner of Excise for edinburgh from around 1760. In 1766 he succeeded James Stuart of Binend as Lord Provost of Edinburgh.[citation needed] The construction of Edinburgh's New Town began during his term of office.
In 1774, he was living at Baxters Close off the Cowgate in Edinburgh.[1] In 1784, he was still Commissioner of Excise but lived at Cowgatehead at the east end of the Grassmarket.[2] In 1784/5, he built or remodelled Polmont House near Falkirk, as his main home.[3][4]
He died at Polmont, on 10 September 1787, and is thought to be buried in Polmont Parish Churchyard.
Artistic recognition
[edit]He was portrayed in office around 1768 by David Martin.[5]
Family
[edit]He married Katherine Erskine, daughter of the Hon Thomas Erskine, son of Henry Erskine, 3rd Lord Cardross.[6][7]
His daughter, Katherine Laurie married Alexander Marjoribanks of Marjoribanks (1750-1830) in 1790.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Williamsons Edinburgh Directory 1774
- ^ Williamsons Edinburgh Directory 1784
- ^ "Polmont House | Canmore". Canmore.org.uk. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ "A sad loss for Polmont - Falkirk Herald". Archived from the original on 21 February 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- ^ "Gilbert Laurie (1729–1809), Lord Provost of Edinburgh (1766–1768 & 1772–1774) | Art UK". Artuk.org. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ "Person Page". Thepeerage.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ "Gilbert Laurie, of Polmont, Lord Provost of Edinburgh d. Yes, date unknown: MacFarlane Clan & Families Genealogy". Clanmacfarlanegenealogy.info. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ "Marjoribanks". Electricscotland.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
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