James Erskine Wemyss
Rear-Admiral James Erskine Wemyss was a Scottish MP and Rear-Admiral.
Early life
Wemyss was born on 9 July 1789. He was the son of Gen. William Wemyss and Frances Erskine. His siblings included Frances Wemyss, Lt.-Gen. William Wemyss, and Clementina Wemyss.His paternal grandparents were Hon. James Wemyss and Lady Elizabeth Sutherland. Through his aunt Elizabeth Margaret, he was a first cousin of Elizabeth Gordon, Duchess of Gordon. His maternal grandparents were Sir William Erskine, 1st Baronet and Frances Moray.
Career
In 1820 he succeeded his father as Member of Parliament for Fife, sitting until 1831. He represented the county again from 1832 to 1847. He served as a Rear-Admiral in the Royal Navy.From 17 December 1840 until his death on 3 April 1854, he served as Lord Lieutenant of Fife.
Personal life
On 8 August 1826, Wemyss was married to Lady Emma Hay, a daughter of William Hay, 17th Earl of Erroll and, his second wife, Alicia Eliot. Her sister, Lady Isabella Hay, married James' brother, Lt.-Gen. William Wemyss. Together, they lived at Wemyss Castle, East Wemyss, Scotland, and were the parents of:- Frances Harriet Wemyss, who married Capt. Charles James Balfour, son of Lt.-Gen. Robert Balfour, 6th of Balbirnie and Eglantyne Katherine Fordyce, in 1850.
- James Hay Erskine Wemyss, who also served as MP for Fife; he married Millicent Anne Mary Kennedy-Erskine, daughter of the Hon. John Kennedy-Erskine of Dun and Lady Augusta FitzClarence in 1855.