Chapter:

Dr. James Murdoch M.D. of Craigow 1785-1848
Early Pioneer of Medicine in Van Diemens Land

2.

"Kinross 29 Nov 1813

That the bearer, Mr James Murdoch, Surgeon Ed in., and Miss Grace Beveridge in this parish have been three times publickly proclaimed in the Church here in order to marriage, and no objection offered is attested by (signature undecipherable)
(footnote in a different hand)
That the above parties were regularly married this 30th day of November is attested by Geo. Buchanan Minister ".

Grace Beveridge was the only daughter of James Beveridge and Antonia Hardie of Easter Ballado Kinrosshire, Scotland and was only 18 years old when she married, Dr. James was 28.

There is an interesting and lengthy marriage agreement between Dr. James and his wife outlining procedures in the event of his, or his wife's, death. The original is held at the Sasines in Edinburgh and a copy is held by the writer.

With regard to his medical qualifications, his diploma as a Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh is dated 5 January 1808.

The Sub-Librarian of the University of St Andrew in 1944 advised of the following extracts from the University Minutes:

"26 June 1814. Also a certificate from John Barclay MA. and John Gordon MD. The certificate was ordered to lie on the table....

9 July 1814. The University agreed to confer the degree of MD on James Murdoch one of the candidates mentioned in the minutes 21 June (corrected to 26th)”

His certificate as an MD from St Andrew was presented to him on 9th July 1814.

Following on this he made application to this college to be admitted a Licentiate and was duly admitted on 2nd August 1814. He was later admitted to the fellowship on 1st August 1815.

He attended meetings of his College regularly until 2nd March 1820 when his name disappeared from the Roll.

He published two papers while in Edinburgh: