James Wemyss, 5th Earl of Wemyss facts for kids

Riddle's Court in Edinburgh, where James Wemyss lived.

James Wemyss, the 5th Earl of Wemyss, was an important Scottish nobleman. He was born on August 30, 1699, and passed away on March 21, 1756. His father was David Wemyss, who was the 4th Earl of Wemyss.

Who Was James Wemyss, 5th Earl?

James Wemyss inherited the title of Earl of Wemyss from his father. An Earl is a noble title, usually passed down through families, and it meant he was a person of high rank and importance in Scotland. He lived in a historic building called Riddle's Court in Edinburgh. This home was located near the famous Royal Mile, and it still has many of its original features from the 1600s.

His Family Life

On September 17, 1720, James Wemyss married Janet Charteris. Janet was the daughter of a wealthy man named Colonel Francis Charteris. James and Janet had four children together:

• David Wemyss, who later became the 6th Earl of Wemyss (1721–1787)
• Francis Charteris, who became the 7th Earl of Wemyss (1723–1808)
• James Wemyss (1726–1786)
• Frances Wemyss (died 1789)

A Helping Hand

In 1730, James Wemyss played a key role in helping his father-in-law, Colonel Francis Charteris. Colonel Charteris was in a very serious situation and was being held in Newgate Prison. James Wemyss worked to secure his release, helping him to be freed from prison.

A Change of Name

James's second son, Francis, later became the 7th Earl. When Francis inherited a large family fortune from his mother's side, he legally changed his last name to Charteris. This was his mother's maiden name, and he took it to honor the family who had built this wealth.

Important Roles and Titles

James Wemyss held several important positions during his lifetime. From 1743 to 1744, he served as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. This was a leadership role within a well-known historical organization. He also held the title of Earl of Wemyss from 1720 until his death in 1756.