George Laurence
George Laurence (b. 2 November 1810, Lerwick, d. 22 August 1885, Lerwick) was grocer, plumber, auctioneer and Lerwick Town Councillor.
At age 13 in 1823, George left Shetland to learn the plumbing trade, returning to the Isles in 1834 to practice his calling in Lerwick. At that point, he was the only plumber in Shetland, and was employed by many Lairds and other large homeowners throughout the Isles. The introduction of gas lamps in Lerwick in 1856 provided much work for George.
In 1837, he opened a grocery business situated around 69 Commercial Street. In 1859, he opened a drapery at the site of Queen's Lane (that site is now occupied by the Royal Bank of Scotland).
He started work as an auctioneer in 1849, taking over from James Bain. His first sale, on 5th November of that same year, was a memorable one. It was a cattle sale but a huge storm hit Shetland (causing the loss of several lives), and made George consider giving up the gig.
At the time of his death, George was the oldest merchant in Lerwick.
