James Halyburton (1707 MP) facts for kids
James Halyburton (also spelled Haliburton) of Pitcur was an important Scottish landowner and politician. He lived during the late 1600s and early 1700s. He came from a well-known family in Scotland.
About James Halyburton
Early Life and Family
James Halyburton was the only son of David Halyburton of Pitcur and Agnes Wedderburn. His family, the Halyburtons of Pitcur, had a long history in Scotland. They were related to Walter Haliburton of Dirleton, who was once the Treasurer of Scotland. Other family members had also served in the Scottish Parliament in earlier times.
Sadly, James's father, David, died fighting in a battle called the Battle of Killiecrankie. This battle was part of a conflict where people known as Jacobites supported King James VII. Because of this, James Halyburton was not allowed to take over his family's lands until the year 1700.
Political Career
In 1702, James Halyburton was chosen to represent the area of Forfarshire in the Scottish Parliament. In the same year, he was also made a special judge for the Highlands region.
While in Parliament, he supported a group of politicians known as the Squadrone. Later, Scotland and England joined together to form Great Britain with the Act of Union 1707. After this, James Halyburton became one of the Scottish representatives in the very first Parliament of Great Britain. However, he did not run for election again in 1708. In that same year, he was given the special title of a burgess in the town of Ayr.
Family Life
James Halyburton was married twice. His first wife was Catherine, who was the daughter of Sir John Hall, 1st Baronet of Dunglass. James and Catherine had two children together. Their son was Colonel James Halyburton of Pitcur. They also had a daughter named Agatha, who later married James Douglas, 13th Earl of Morton.
James Halyburton's second wife was Mary Drummond, daughter of George Drummond of Blair Drummond. They were married in 1710. James and Mary did not have any children together. It is believed that James Halyburton passed away around 1743. However, his son James officially became his heir much later, in 1755.
