William Douglas became a soldier in the Royal Scots and fought in Germany and Spain and rose to the rank of captain.
It is known for certain that they knew of each other, because in a later letter by Anna she says in reply to news about Douglas, "I trust that he has forsaken his treasonable opinions, and that he is content."
Under her directions the present mansion of Craigdarroch was built, and a relic of her taste is still preserved in the formal Georgian gardens at the rear of the house.
In February 1890 Lady John Scott (1810–1900)[3] (née Alicia Ann Spottiswoode) wrote to the editor of the Dumfries Standard, claiming that she had composed the tune and had written most of the modern words.
The earliest known version by Lady John was published by James Lindsay of Glasgow and is: Maxwelton's braes are bonnie, Where early fa's the dew, Twas there that Annie Laurie Gi'ed me her promise true.
Gi'ed me her promise true - Which ne'er forgot will be, And for bonnie Annie Laurie I'd lay me down and dee.
Like dew on gowans lying, Is the fa' o' her fairy feet, And like winds, in simmer sighing, Her voice is low and sweet.
The earliest known version, one that may be closest to what Douglas wrote, follows: Maxwelton braes are bonnie, where early fa's the dew Where me and Annie Laurie made up the promise true Made up the promise true, and ne'er forget will I And for bonnie Annie Laurie I'd lay doun my head and die
She's backit like the peacock, she's breistit like the swan She's jimp aboot the middle, her waist ye weel may span Her waist ye weel may span, and she has a rolling eye And for bonnie Annie Laurie I'd lay doun my head and die.