James Hay, 7th Lord Hay of Yester facts for kids
James Hay, 7th Lord Hay of Yester (1564-1609) was an important Scottish nobleman and landowner. He was also a "courtier," meaning he spent time at the royal court, advising the king.
James was the son of William Hay, 5th Lord Hay of Yester and Margaret Ker. His mother was the eldest daughter of Sir John Ker of Ferniehirst.
James became the Lord Hay of Yester in 1591. This happened because his older brother, William Hay, 6th Lord Hay of Yester, and his nephew both passed away before him.
He owned several homes, including Yester Castle and Bothans, which was later replaced by Yester House. Both of these properties are in East Lothian, Scotland. He also owned Neidpath Castle in the Scottish Borders.
James Hay passed away on February 3, 1609. His last will was written at his home, the Place of Bothans, on January 24, 1609.
James Hay's Family Life
James Hay married Margaret Ker. She was a daughter of Mark Kerr, 1st Earl of Lothian. Together, they had several children.
His Children
- John Hay, 8th Lord Hay of Yester: He later became the Earl of Tweeddale.
- William Hay of Linplum: He married a woman named Anne Murray.
- Robert Hay: Another son of James and Margaret.
- Margaret Hay of Yester (died 1659): She married twice. Her first husband was Alexander Seton, 1st Earl of Dunfermline. Later, she married James Livingston, 1st Earl of Callendar. Margaret is the person shown in the painting at the top of this page.
After James's death, his wife, Margaret Ker, did something special. In 1644, she helped establish Lady Yester's Kirk (a church) in Edinburgh.
