Family History Doctor William Munn Hunter, MD by, Margaret Hunter Challans Photo Goes Here My great-great grandfather, William Munn Hunter, had a long and interestng life. He was a remarkable man who, inhis  lifetime, had a varied career. It was said that he had a rich store of fascinating reminiscences, which I would have loved to  have heard from his own lips. Born in 1829, he was the eldest of six children  born to William Hunter of Paisley and his wife Elizabeth Munn. The Hunter family had lived in Paisley over four generations before he was born. His parents, William and Elizabeth, had been married  nearly four years, when they were blessed with William, their first child. His father, William, then aged 28 was a propering  druggist and chemist with premises at 31 Causewayside, Paisley. William Sr. had been born in humble surroundings, his father who,  by family tradition was also named William, had been a hanloom weaver, a common occupation in the Paisley district. His mother,  Elizabeth, was the daughter of Robert Munn, affectionately called Rob by family and friends, was a farmer at Old Kilpatrick on Clyde.  William the younger, was baptised one month before Easter, on  Tuesday, the 17 March 1829, at paisley Abbey, the parish Kirk dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul. William was an industrious boy. He was educated  at Paisley Grammar School and was well suited to the scholastic life. With the encouragement and support of his father, he became  a student teacher. But he was also ambitious and wanted to move on. As a young man he left the academic world for new challenges  at the publishing house of Murrays of Glasgow. Then, seeking gurther challenges, he bacame an assistant librarian in Dublin. But the  reslessness in his spirit persisted. He saw his vocation in the study of medicine and enrolled at the acclaimed School of Medicine at the University of Glasgow. During the course of his studies  William lived at home. Each day he walked the eight miles from paisley to the University to attend lectures and pursue his studies,  returning home each night. Sometimes he was accompanied on the journey by his youngest brother, John Baird Hunter, who was also studying at the University. It was a proud day for their parents when William and John passed their examinations at the same time and were awarded  the degrees of M.D. and Ch.M. respectively. After his graduation Dr William Munn Hunter  went to sea. He accepted an appointment as a ship's doctor with the Allan Line sailing on board the steamer Bohemia. The Bohemia foundered off the coast of Newfoundland. As a senior officer, William was in command of one of he lifeboats. In the terrifying  melee which ensued as frightened passengers attempted to escape  from the stricken vessel, he had the awesome task of having to threaten some who in their frenzy to board the lifeboat,  almost caused it to capsize. It was a character shaping ordeal which he was never to forget. After nearly ten years at sea, Dr Hunter took  over the established practice of Dr William Smythe Russell at Eckington in Derbyshire. Initially he lived in the house which  is now the manse of the United Methodist Church. In 1868, at  the age of 44, he married Miss mary Hutton the eldest daughter  of Mr John Jermyn Hutton, a scythe and sickle manufacturer of  Ridgeway. His bride Mary was eighteen. William and Mary had eleven children, but only nine survived. In 1874, he buillt a house in Chapel Street Eckington  which he named 'Hunterston' and this became the family home.  For many years he was assisted in his medical practice by his  son, Dr William Munn Hunter Jnr, who died in 1907 at the age of 37. As the local doctor, William was much respected  for miles around Eckington and he became a governor of Camm's School. He was also the doctor to serveral Friendly Societies in the district. His wife Mary died in 1890, leaving him a widower  for over 30 years. Doctor William Munn Hunter died at 'Hunterston'  in Eckington on Thursday, 10 November 1921, at the age of 94. His funeral took place at Eckington Cemetery the following Monday.  In his obituary in the local paper, The Dervyshire Courier dated  19 November 1921 he was described as "a genial old Scotsman, typical of his country". I am sure he would have been proud  of this epitaph. Picture Goes Here