James Laurenson was the fourth child of Fleming and Elizabeth Laurenson. He was born at Tingwell on the 16 April 1838 and in a very short space of time, started his maritime career. He was at sea by age 12 and by age 18 had risen to first lieutenant. He would rise to Master Mariner status later in life.
He emigrated to New Zealand prior to 1859 as he was married to Agnes Hanlin in that year. They married at Waikouiti on the 22 December 1859. James and Agnes 8 children between 1860 and 1870.
| Child | Born | Children | Died | Notes |
| Mary Hanlin | 1860 | 2 | 7 Oct 1945 | Kemnitz |
| Fleming | 1861 | 8 | 30 Jan 1924 | Oliver |
| James Hanlin | 1863 | 6/1 | 1 Apr 1937 | Purvis/Oliver |
| Elizabeth | 1864 | – | 13 Jul 1869 | – |
| Gilbert | 18 Feb 1866 | 10 | 29 Apr 1941 | Daniel |
| Agnes | 1868 | – | Mar 1870 | – |
| Grace Margaret | 1868 | – | Jan 1870 | – |
| John Turnbull | 24 Aug 1870 | 2 | 31 Jan 1903 | Grieve |
In 1866, James can be seen trying to purchase a 10 acre section around Otepopo (Section 75, Block II) My contention is that James was also in an internal crisis around a lot of children under age 10, his seafaring ways and perhaps not being ready to settle down. It is around 1871 that James disappeared from New Zealand. There are letters in the newspaper and then in 1877, James reappears in Samoa.
James built himself a new life in Samoa and became the Assessor. He also owned, or managed, the International Hotel.
In 1878 he also married Mary Ta’itua Marshall and the new marriage had 2 more children.
| Child | Born | Children | Died | Notes |
| William | 16 Mar 1882 | 3/11 | 26 Nov 1930 | Vaiese/Telea |
| Charles Duncan | 23 Mar 1884 | 2 | 24 May 1938 | Reardon |
There is an oral family history that suggests first wife Agnes went to Samoa to confront James. I have no idea if that is real or otherwise.
James died on the 18 June 1884 at Apia Samoa and is laid to rest in the Tuamasaga Cemetery in Apia.