Barony of Preston and Prestonpans facts for kids

The Barony of Preston and Prestonpans is a special historical title in East Lothian, Scotland. Long ago, these titles were connected to owning land. But today, Scottish feudal baronies are seen as their own type of property. This means they can be passed on or sold separately from the land itself. For most of its history, it was known as the Barony of Preston and Prestonpans. However, in 1663, the names were combined into one free barony, called the Barony of Preston.

The name 'Preston' means "the town or settlement of priests." This name came about because monks from Newbattle and Holyrood settled in the area around 1184 AD. An early important business in the nearby Prestonpans was making salt, which was called "saltpanning."

History of the Hamilton Family of Preston

The lands of Preston belonged to the Hamilton family starting in the late 1300s. Sir John Hamilton IV of Fingalton married Jane Liddell of Preston around 1400. His son, Sir James Hamilton, took over the lands before 1438.

Early Hamiltons and Royal Connections

Sir Robert Hamilton, son of Sir James, became the owner of the lands and titles by 1460. He was known as Sir Robert Hamilton of Fingalton and Salt Preston. He even went on a religious trip to Rome in 1452–1453. King James III of Scotland chose Sir Robert to help keep the peace between Scotland and England after a treaty in 1482. He passed away in 1489.

Sir Robert Hamilton, the 3rd of Fingalton, had a son named James Hamilton. Sadly, James was killed in 1520 during a street fight in Edinburgh called "Cleanse the Causeway." So, the lands and titles went to his second son, David.

Expanding Lands and Facing Attacks

David Hamilton made the family's landholdings bigger. He also traveled with King James V to France when the King married Madeleine of Valois, daughter of King Francis I of France. When the Earl of Hertford attacked Scotland in 1544, the town and castle of Preston were destroyed.

Later, Sir David was given important titles like Knight Banneret and Marischal Deputy of Scotland. He was also one of the first people in Scotland to support Protestantism in Scotland. Sir David and his wife, Janet Baillie, had 13 children. Their eldest son, George, took over the titles.

Building a Community

George Hamilton is known for helping to rebuild a church in Preston in 1596. This church was built by the minister John Davidson. George also started an academy, which was a type of school, in Preston. He married Barbara Cockburn in 1563, and they had 11 children. Their eldest son, John, inherited the titles.

Sir John Hamilton, born in 1565, received special documents from the King in 1617 and 1623. These documents officially joined the baronies of Preston and Prestonpans. King James VI granted these lands to Sir John and his wife, Lady Jean Otterburn. Sir John supported the Covenanters, a group who disagreed with the policies of King Charles I. He was succeeded by his first son, Sir James, in 1644.

Covenanters and Changes

Sir James Hamilton, born in 1589, was knighted in 1615. He was a strong supporter of the Covenanters. He passed away in 1644. His eldest surviving son, John, inherited the lands and titles.

In 1644, John Hamilton became the heir to his father's lands. John Hamilton arranged for his estates to be passed down in a specific way. When he died in 1647 without any children, the lands and titles went to his uncle, Robert Hamilton of Sauchieburn. Robert had served as a Colonel under King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, a famous Swedish king, during the Thirty Years War. Robert died in 1648 without any sons.

The lands and titles then went to Sir Thomas Hamilton, born in 1618. He was the third son of George Hamilton of Preston.

After the Civil War

Sir Thomas Hamilton joined King Charles II during an invasion of England in 1651. This invasion ended badly. Because his lands and home were destroyed by Oliver Cromwell's army after 1651, many original documents were lost. So, the Scottish Parliament reissued them. This included a new document for the united baronies of Preston and Prestonpans on June 4, 1663.

On August 20, 1663, King Charles II granted a new Royal Charter. This charter officially made the lands the free Barony of Preston. The town of Preston was also made a free burgh of barony, which meant it had the right to hold markets. Sir Thomas married three times. With his second wife, Anne Hamilton, he had two sons, William and Robert. Both of them later became baronets of Preston.

Later Hamiltons and New Owners

William Hamilton, born in 1647, became the 1st baronet of Nova Scotia in 1673. He sought safety in Holland and later returned to England with William of Orange during the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which was a big change in who ruled England. William died shortly after. He had three daughters, so his brother Robert inherited the land and titles.

Sir Robert Hamilton of Preston (1650-1701) was a very dedicated Presbyterian and a leader of the Covenanters. He led them to victory at the Battle of Drumclog but faced defeat at Bothwell Bridge in 1679. After this, he fled to Holland. He later returned to Scotland but was arrested and imprisoned in 1692–1693.

Sir Robert Hamilton, who died in 1701, never married. He passed his rights to Thomas Oswald. After the Oswald family, the estate was bought by Lord Grange. Much of it was later acquired by Dr. James Schaw around 1780, when he bought the Barony of Preston.

Dr. Schaw died in 1784. He left the barony and most of his wealth to support James Schaw’s Hospital, which was a school for boys. The organization that continued Dr. Schaw's work was the East Lothian Educational Trust.

The barony of Preston was eventually sold by the Trust. It was bought by Professor David Ian McLean. The current Baron of Preston is Robert Ian Lin McLean.