Thomas Kerr of Ferniehirst

Thomas Kerr of Ferniehirst (died 31 March 1586) was a Scottish landowner, Roman Catholic and supporter of Mary, Queen of Scots.

[1] A letter written by Robert Constable in 1569 described how English and Scottish rebels drank ale played cards for "placks and hardheads" at Thomas Kerr's house in Jedburgh.

[2] During the Marian Civil War, Ferniehirst and his wife Jean were among the supporters of William Kirkcaldy of Grange who lent him money on the security of the jewels of Mary, Queen of Scots.

[3] In July 1575 he wrote from Paris to Mary, Queen of Scots, describing the destruction of his houses with fire and gunpowder by English forces during the Marian Civil War costing him at least 20,000 crowns, and the injuries sustained by his family and followers fighting for her cause in Scotland.

In June 1581 James Stewart, Earl of Arran tried to block the restoration and rehabilitation of Ferniehirst, who was considered guilty of taking "art and part" in the killing of the king's grandfather Regent Lennox.

However, Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox supported his return to favour and Ferniehirst knelt before the king for forgiveness in the garden at Dalkeith Palace.

[6] The Scottish poet William Fowler reported to Francis Walsingham that the Laird of Ferniehirst had arrived secretly in London in May 1583, and was expected to go to France again.