James Hay

Planter. Filed Accounts Produce for Boscabelle Pen in St Mary in 1787.

1. In his will written in 1782 and proved in 1783, Walter Ewer, merchant of Little Love Lane, Aldermanbury, London, bequeathed £10 per annum for life to "my nephew James Hay, now in the island of Jamaica" and £10 per annum for life to "my nephew Henry Hay, now in the island of Jamaica". These nephews were James (born 1751) and Henry (born 1743), the children of William Hay and his wife Margaret nee Ure [the common Scottish spelling of Ewer]. Their mother, identified in the will as "my sister Margaret Hay" (wife of William Hay) was also the recipient of a bequest from her brother Walter. James Hay's mother Margaret (born 1718), his uncles Walter (born 1732) and John (born 1720) and his aunt Barbara Kidston (born 1728) were all born in Kilsyth, Stirlingshire - the children of Henry Ure (the common Scottish spelling) and his wife Agnes nee Grahame. James Hay was thus the nephew of John Ewer and Barbara Kidston (nee Ewer), and a first cousin of Alexander Kidston junior (all three q.v.).

2. James baptised 01/04/1751 to William Hay, smith in the town of Kilsyth and Margaret Ewar his spouse. Witnesses James Hay, maltster in Kilsyth and Henry Ewar, farmer in Currymyre in the East Barony of Kilsyth.

1. PROB 11/1059/329.

2. GROS OPR Births 483 40 110 Kilsyth.

We are grateful to Robert Hutcheon for his assistance with compiling this entry.