William Robert Hay

William Robert Hay (1761–1839) was a British barrister, cleric and magistrate, one of the Manchester group associated with the Peterloo Massacre. Early life He was the son of Edward Hay, a diplomat and Governor of Barbados, and his wife Mary Flower, and grandson of George Hay, 8th Earl of Kinnoull. Born in Portugal, he was sent when young to England, and was brought up for some years by Archbishop Robert Hay Drummond, his uncle. He was on good terms with Robert, the archbishop's eldest son, and was sent to Westminster School with his older brother Thomas. He matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford in December 1776, six months after Thomas and at age 15, graduating B.A. 1780 and M.A. in 1783. Hay entered the Inner Temple in 1781, and was called to the bar in 1788. He then went the northern circuit. He had little success as a barrister, but was employed by Sir John Parker Mosley, 1st Baronet as steward to the Manchester manorial court. Clerical career Possibly influenced by Lewis Bagot, a connection by marriage, Hay was ordained deacon in 1797, priest in 1798, and was placed at Ashton-under-Lyne. He was assistant curate at Disley, in 1798. In 1799 he was curate at Hollinwood for Rev. John Darbey. He lived at Dukenfield Lodge, a property in his wife's family that was owned by Francis Dukinfield Astley.