He married Janet Moffat, and lived at first in comfortable circumstances at Airdrie, where he owned a cottage and a croft.

Mrs.Hunter died, when her daughter Agnes, afterward Mrs.Neil Livingstone, was but fifteen.

Agnes was her mother's only nurse during a long illness, and attended so carefully to her wants that the minister of the family laid his hand on her head, and said, "A blessing will follow you, my lassie, for your duty to your mother." Soon after Mrs.
Hunter's death a reverse of fortune overtook her husband, who had been too good-natured in accommodating his neighbors.

He removed to Blantyre, where he worked as a tailor.

Neil Livingstone was apprenticed to him by his father, much against his will; but it was by this means that he became acquainted with Agnes Hunter, his future wife.