John Hay of Restalrig facts for kids
John Hay of Restalrig (born around 1705 – died 1781) was a Scottish supporter of the Jacobite cause. He worked as a Secretary for Charles Edward Stuart, also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, during the final part of the Jacobite rising of 1745.
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Who Was John Hay?
John Hay was born around 1705. His parents were Alexander Hay and Mary Gordon. He studied law and became a Writer to His Majesty's Signet in 1726. This meant he was a legal professional who prepared important documents for the King's seal. He also worked as a substitute Keeper of the Signet from 1742 to 1744. This role involved looking after the official seal used for royal documents.
Joining the Jacobites
In 1745, Prince Charles Edward Stuart, who wanted to reclaim the British throne for his family, landed in Scotland. John Hay decided to join the Prince's forces. He quickly became an important person in the Jacobite army. At first, he was made the Treasurer for Prince Charles, meaning he managed the money.
Working for Prince Charles
In March 1746, John Hay was promoted to Secretary for Prince Charles. He took over from John Murray of Broughton. However, not everyone was happy with his work. Lord George Murray, a general in the Jacobite army, criticized John Hay. Lord George Murray blamed him for problems with supplies and organization before the important Battle of Culloden. After the Jacobites lost this battle, the British government declared John Hay an "attainted" person. This meant he lost his rights and property because he was seen as a traitor.
Life After the Rebellion
After the defeat, John Hay went into exile with Prince Charles. He continued to serve the Prince in his personal group of helpers. When Prince Charles's father, James Francis Edward Stuart, died in January 1766, John Hay went with Charles to Rome. There, he became the Major-Domo of the Household. This meant he was in charge of the Prince's household staff.
On December 31, 1766, Prince Charles gave John Hay a special title: he made him a baronet in the Jacobite peerage. This was a title of honor given by the exiled Jacobite court. John Hay stayed with Prince Charles until December 8, 1768, when he was dismissed from his service. After this, John Hay returned to Scotland, where he passed away in 1781.
Family and Legacy
John Hay married a woman named Anne. She was the only child of James Elphinstone. Through this marriage, John Hay became the owner of Restalrig House in Edinburgh. His son, Alexander, inherited his Jacobite title. Later, in 1825, this Jacobite title joined with another noble title, the Hay baronetcy of Alderston.
