John Home, Lord Renton facts for kids

Sir John Home of Renton, Lord Renton (died 13 July 1671) was an important Scottish lawyer and judge. He was chosen by King Charles II to be the Lord Justice Clerk, a top legal position. He was also a judge in Scotland's highest court, the College of Justice, where he was known by his title, Lord Renton.

About Sir John Home of Renton

John Home was the son of Sir Alexander Home of Renton and Margaret Cockburn. His father, Alexander Home, was in charge of law enforcement in the area of Berwickshire from 1616 to 1621.

Family History and Witch Trials

John Home once wrote to his cousin, Sir Patrick Home of Polwarth. In his letter, John mentioned that his father had handled eight trials involving accusations of witchcraft in his area.

Land Ownership and Records

A legal document from Edinburgh, dated August 28, 1671, shows that Sir Alexander Home of Renton (John's oldest son) and his brother Patrick (John's second son) gave land to George Home of Kames. This land included Northfield, East and Wester Lochs, and Fewalls, all located in the area of Coldingham, Berwickshire. The official transfer of this land was recorded on November 29, 1673.

Criticism of Lord Renton

A well-known judge named Lord Fountainhall wrote about Sir John Home of Renton. He said that Lord Renton got his important job because of the support from the Duke of Lauderdale. However, Lauderdale and Renton had a disagreement in 1664.

Lauderdale's Opinion

When there was talk of making Renton the Lord Chancellor of Scotland (another very high legal position), the Duke of Lauderdale commented that "Renton did not have enough wealth to hold the rank of a Chancellor." Lord Fountainhall also described Renton as someone who was "very bossy to people below him or equal to him, but acted like a servant to anyone he thought was powerful at Court, whom he would flatter very much."

Lord Renton's Marriages and Children

Lord Renton was married twice and had several children.

First Marriage

His first marriage was to Janet, who was the daughter of Sir George Home of Manderston. Their marriage agreement was signed on February 15, 1622. They had at least three sons:

• Sir Patrick Home of Lumsden, who later became a Baronet. His family line through male children ended in 1783.
• Charles, who was mentioned as the third son in a legal case about his share of his father's property.

Second Marriage

Lord Renton's second wife was Margaret. She was the daughter of John Stewart, who was the Commendator (a type of manager) of Coldingham Priory and the son of the famous Francis Stewart, 1st Earl of Bothwell. With Margaret, Lord Renton had:

• Sir Alexander Home, 1st Baronet, who became the first Baronet of Renton.
• Patrick, who was their second son and was alive in 1673.

Other Children

Lord Renton also had two other children:

• Henry Home of Kames (died June 1690), who was a legal official in Lauder. Henry gained ownership of the Kames lands after his uncle, George Home of Kames, passed away without children. Henry is believed to have had children of his own.
• Isabel, who married Sir John Seton, 1st Baronet, of Garleton.