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August 20, 2002 - Dr. William Stirling 1682-1757
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 William Stirling (brother of Provost John) was born 6 July 1682 in Glasgow, and died 14 May 1757. He married (1) Janet Smith 1 January 1714/15. She was born 1695, and died 16 December 1719. He married (2) Elizabeth Murdoch 27 April 1721.
Notes for Dr. William Stirling from The Stirlings of Cadder by Thomas Willing Stirling, published 1933:
Dr. William Stirling, Physician and Surgeon in Glasgow, appears to have served with the Glasgow battalion, which was raised voluntarily by that City on receipt of the news of the Earl of Mar's Rising in 1715, and which formed part of the small force collected together by the Duke of Argyll to hold Stirling, by means of which he baffled the plans of the Earl of Mar and prevented the main part of the rebel army from crossing the Forth. The following extracts from the diary of the worthy doctor refer to this time, 12th Sept. 1715. "Yesterday and this day, from the apprehension of a Civil War now beginning in the North, . . . Pleaded with God that since he allowed us to call on him in time of trouble, therefore importunate for Grace to be valiant for Him and the truth."
17th Sept. 1715. "Being the day I had to go to Stirling with above 600 Volunteers, with a prospect of going directly to a battle - I endeavoured this night to fortifie myself by Meditation on - 'He that forsaketh not Father and Mother, etc. etc.' My wife being almost distracted with grief, was a great trouble to me - Lord I have yielded up myself to thy service, & now when thou art calling on me to resist unto blood, I desire to call in my poor mite to thy service. . . ."
Dr. William Stirling was a member of a co-partnery which was probably the first firm to introduce the manufacture of linen goods to Glasgow, in which connection he is mentioned by M'Ure.
Submitted by Elspeth Flood
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