John Hay of Cromlix

John Hay of Cromlix (1691–1740) was the Jacobite Duke of Inverness and a courtier and army officer to King James VIII & III (known as the "Old Pretender").

The family was sympathetic to the Stuart kings but still felt that being Protestant and serving Queen Anne and supporting the Harley administration did not mar this sympathy and loyalty.

[1] On 5 October 1718 John Hay was created by James III & VIII (the "Old Pretender") Earl of Inverness, Viscount of Innerpaphrie and Lord Cromlix and Erne in the Jacobite Scottish peerage.

However, in 1725, one of James Stuart's wife Clementina's cited reasons for retiring to a convent was ill-treatment by Lord and Lady Inverness, and another was Murray's being imposed on her as her children's governor despite being a Protestant.

Your letter is my authentick, I thank you my Dear sir for your good wishes on the new year and may God that before the end of it wee may be all home and that I may see you the gift of your profession in England which I don't despair of.