Mary Hay
Although Mary was the heiress of her Jacobite family, it seems to have been
her sister Margaret who was guardian of the
family traditions. Mary married Michael Carmichel of Hazelhead, and the details
of her life present her as a more pragmatic member and forward-looking,
unconcerned by religious denomination, treating land as a commodity to buy and
sell, and more interested in a secure future for her children than in
preserving what is past.
- Lived
- 1731- 5 February 1816
- Origin
- Restalrig, Edinburgh
- Father
- John Hay Esq WS, of Restalrig, treasurer to Prince Charles, grandson of Sir John Hay of Alderston d. 6 December 1784.
- Mother
- Anne Elphinstone d.1739, daughter and heiress of James Elphinston of Restalrig
- Address
- 1 South St David's Street
- Estate
- East End
- Religious views
- The preamble of her will is family-focused rather
than pious: 'For the love and regard I have to my children and grandchildren
aftermentioned and to prevent any difference among them after my decease'. Like
her sister Margaret she is particular about her
burial arrangements, but whereas Margaret looks forward to joining her
Episcopalian Jacobite parents, Mary's destination is with her husband and
daughter in the parish churchyard:
'To the Reverend Mr
Robert Ingles minister of the gospel in the parish of Carmichael the sum of Ten
pounds all sterling money. And I request of him to see my body laid between my
husband and daughter Margaret in the church yard of Carmichael.'
- Wealth at death
- £550. She received an annuity from her
eldest son.
- Story
- Through Mary the Carmichaels of Eastend came to represent
the family of Hay of Restalrig, 'and possess a pair of diamond knee-buttons,
given by the prince to their ancestor.' (3)
- Chapel connection
- 1816 (funeral)
- Married
- April 1756 at Carmichael
- Spouse
- Michael Carmichael of Hazelhead d.1788. He acquired the 15th
century castle of Hazlehead but removed the roof around 1776 and allowed it to
go to ruin, chopping down an ancient yew tree and selling the building
materials. (4)
- Children
- Maurice Carmichael of Eastend (d. 1811, succeeded by
eldest son Michael, m. Mary Honeyman, daughter and heiress of William Thomson
Honeyman of Mansefield, Ayrshire), Dr John Carmichael, Anne Carmichael (d.1836,
m. 1782 Alexander Tweedie of Quarter WS), Rebecca Thomas (m. Patrick Russell),
Jane Douglas, Mary (m.George Clerk Cragie, Esq. of Dumbarnie in 1810)
- Related to
- Margaret Hay, sister.
 |
Hazelhead in 1876 |
Sources
- Registers of Charlotte Chapel (NAS CH12/3)
- Edinburgh Post Office Directory
- George Vere Irving, The upper ward of Lanarkshire described and
delineated (Volume 2) online
accessed 27 June 2011 p.27
- Will, National Archives of Scotland SC70/1/16/263
- Hessilhead, in Wikipedia, accessed 28 June 2011.
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