HAY Robert, Rosebank Pottery, Portobello

[Phoebe76]

I have hit a dead end trying to find the parents of Robert Hay. Born circa 1760. Married Elizabeth Hillcoat (Hillcote) 5 Oct 1792. Deceased 7 June 1833. My father was Thomas Reid Hay who lived at Rosebank until it was closed in 1929 or thereabouts.
Grateful if anyone has any information on Robert Hay.

[IanB]

Perhaps not much help, but if you Google under "Rosebank Potteries" one of the 'hits' should be chapter VIII of a book on Prestonpans, which comments upon potteries in Portobello and Prestonpans. This tells how John Hay acquired Rosebank in 1830, perhaps from one of both of his grandfathers - Anthony Hillcoat (Westbank Potteries) and Robert Hay. [The text says 'flay' but I am sure this is a scanning error].

The chapter is interesting to read; for me, too, because I lived in Portobello in the 1930s and walked past a pottery and a bottle works every day on my way to school.

Ian Morrison

[Phoebe76]

Thank you for replying. Unfortunately I had read the book mentioned and Robert 'Flay' was indeed Robert Hay. It is interesting that you used to walk by there - you may well have seen my father as a wee lad playing in the grounds.
Robert has become an enigma! My father tried for years before his death at 93 and I have since taken up the mantle with no luck so far!
Thank you once again.

[Maisie Egger]

For all on this list seeking information on HILLCOATS, beginning With THOMAS HILLCOAT 1645-1704, m ANN FENWICK in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, I have a 59-page list of names of Hillcoats from that date until more recent times.  They are all over the globe, now, Australia, etc., as you can imagine.

My Hillcoat connection died out, if you will, when Jeanie Hillcoat (artist in a pottery) whose family had moved to Renfrewshire, married Alexander John Spence, journeyman potter, Glasgow, Lanarkshire.

If you would like basic BDMs on any Hillcoat name, please let me know.  e-mail address: (*)

Maisie Egger
California

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[Phoebe76]

For all on this list seeking information on HILLCOATS, beginning With THOMAS HILLCOAT 1645-1704, m ANN FENWICK in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, I have a 59-page list of names of Hillcoats from that date until more recent times.  They are all over the globe, now, Australia, etc., as you can imagine.

My Hillcoat connection died out, if you will, when Jeanie Hillcoat (artist in a pottery) whose family had moved to Renfrewshire, married Alexander John Spence, journeyman potter, Glasgow, Lanarkshire.

If you would like basic BDMs on any Hillcoat name, please let me know.  e-mail address: (*)

Maisie Egger
California

(*) Moderator Comment: e-mail removed in accordance with RootsChat policy,
to avoid spamming and other abuses.
Please use the Personal Message (PM) system for exchanging personal data.

New members must make at least three postings before being allowed to use the PM facility.
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Thank you Maisie. If you have the marriage certificate for Elizabeth Hillcoat ( married Robert Hay, 5 October 1792) that would be great. I have found a old parish record but it doesn't give the father's name for Robert. So frustrating!
Again, thank you for your kind offer.

[IMBER]

Have you seen the brief references to the Hilcotes and Robert Hay in "Scottish East Coast Potteries, 1750-1840" by Patrick McVeigh?

[lorri13]

I too am researching Robert Hay, Portobello and was wondering if you have managed to find any more information.
 I am descended from his son, Robert who married Fernie Melville in 1825

[ramornie]

Hi, I have just searched Rosebank Pottery on Google and have come up with your rootschat comments.  I am assuming that you are in Australia/New Zealand but please be in touch to confirm.  Many thanks.

[Phoebe76]

Yes, I am in New Zealand.