Could he have been a widow?
There is this family on the 1901
1 Townhead St, Lochmaben
Rae
William, 26, blacksmith
Margaret, 20
Jemima, 4
Robert, 1
Isabella J , 3 months
Janet Easton, sister in law, 16, domestic servant - unemployed
Robert Gilespie(?), boarder, 9, blacksmith, b. Dalbeattie, Kkd
All b. Lochmaben except Robert Gillespie
JL