(1805-1855), Baptist clergyman. Born in Killin, Scotland. Parents: John MacLaurin and his second wife Janet McIntyre. He came to Canada with his parents in 1815, and became a Baptist minister, serving first a charge at North Gower and Osgoode, Ont. His education included attendance at Baptist College in Montreal. A short article on the Baptist church at Vankleek Hill by Rev. James McEwen (b. 1852 in Lanark County), himself a Baptist minister at Vankleek Hill, was printed in C. Thomas’ history of 1896, and says “As far back as the year 1843, the Rev. John McLaurin and family moved here [to Vankleek Hill] from South Gower, and besides looking after his business, he preached the Gospel fairly frequently.” At the laying of the foundation stone for the Free Church, Kirk Hill, in July 1849, where part of the proceedings was in Gaelic, “Mr. John McLaurin, of the Baptist Church,” gave one of the addresses in English. John McLaurin was married to Hannah Drake, a native of England. (ten children) His wife long outlived him, to die at Vankleek Hill 30 May 1906. He and his wife are buried in the Breadalbane Cemetery, GC, near the scenes of his boyhood. Their son Willie Drake MacLaurin of Vankleek Hill, originally a cooper, toured the countyside in his horse and buggy showing magic lantern projections.

Donald A. MacLaurin, Some of the Craignavie MacLaurins (1990) 29-30, 65, [76] * Whyte, i, 275 * Thomas 573-574 followed by Quarterly of Clan McLaren Society U.S.A.,Vol. III No. 12 (Dec. 1971) & MacKinnon 58 * cf. reference to “Brother McLaurin,” of Vankleek Hill,” The Breadalbane Baptist Church 1816::1916 (n.d.), p. [11] * The Ecclesiastical and Missionary Record, for the Presbyterian Church of Canada, Aug. 1849 p. 149 * Willie Drake MacLaurin: biog. sketch in Sadie E. MacLaurin’s MS as cited in notes to life of John MacLaurin, pioneer