HAY, William 12th of Delgaty, Baronet, Sir 1
- Born: About 1611
- Marriage (1): BRUCE, Dorothy of Pitarthie 1
- Died: 7 June 1650, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland 1
- Buried: St Giles Church, Edinburgh, Scotland 1
Cause of his death was execution by Parliament as a Royalist.1
User ID: C560.
General Notes:
"Sir William Hay of Dalgaty, Baronet. The celebrated Cavalier, who now succeeded his father as 12th laird, is said to have been 'bred at the warrs,' so in his youth he was presumably a soldier of fortune on the Continent. As 'William Hay, ygr. of Delgaty' he was admitted burgess of Aberdeen, 1632 (Spalding Cluib, Misc. II., 370), and on 9 Nov. 1634 he had as 'eldest son' a charter from his father (Pat. Gordon's Diary). We learn from the Privy Council Records that his financial circumstances were embarrassed, and that his father, fearing his creditors, had secretly 'put away' much jewellery and plate in the custody of friends, who, unfortunately, for his son, proved unwilling to restore the objects, and Sir William sought recovery, and power to search in their charter and other chests. Sir William's first exploit in Scotland was when he acted as Commander of the Covenanters at the 'Trot of Turriff' in 1639: 'Delgaty being then leader, drew them up in order of battell, although he was there against his will, being in his heart a Royalist' (Gordon Britain's Distemper. 20). He subequently joined the Great Marquis of Montrose, and in 1644 the coats of arms of Delgaty and Lord Gordon, were 'riven at the Mercat Croce of Edinburgh, and themselves declared traitors to the Government, their lands forfaulted (Acts, VI., pt. 2, p. 313, Spalding Trebles) for following the King (Spalding Trebles, II., 467). He was wounded at the battle of Alford, and after the defeat at Carbisdale he was brought to Edinburgh, and in virtue of a further forfeiture, 31 May 1650 (Ib., p. 571) was, as a Royalist, executed by the Parliament on 7 June 1650.... Sir William's remains were buried on the Burghmuir, but on 11 May 1661 were exhumed from their traitor's grave, and under direction of the Lord Lyon Kings of Arms were laid with all the pomp of heraldry, and a public State funeral, beside that of his leader, the Marquis of Montrose, in St Giles Cathedral, the cortege being followed by the Earl of Erroll, Mr Robert Hay of Dronlaw, and George Hay of Kininmont. The heraldic 'four branches' of his grand-parents, Hay of Delgaty, Forbes, Leslie of Balquhain, and Hay of Erroll were duly displayed in the procession, being borne by cadets of the house. Immediately prior to his forfeiture in 1644, his cousin, James Hay of Muiryfold, acquired Delgaty, and in 1666 the estate belonged to George Hay of Kininmond. Meantime the right to the estate passed under the entail, to Sir William's brother."
from Transactions 1
William married Dorothy BRUCE of Pitarthie.1 (Dorothy BRUCE of Pitarthie was born about 1615.)
Marriage Notes:
"Thus perished the Cavalier laird of Delgaty, apparently the last of the direct line, for by his wife, Dorothy Bruce of Pitarthie, he left only two daughters, Anne and Sophia, who were excommunicated for Poperyby the Synod of Aberdeen. Sophia was living 2 Dec. 1667 when she had sasine of Claymires."
from Transactions 1
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