James Maitland Hog

James Maitland Hog of Newliston and Kellie FRSE DL (7 August 1799 – 1 August 1858) was a Scottish advocate and landowner. He owned Newliston House and its estates, an impressive mansion by Robert Adam. Early life James Maitland Hog, of Newliston and Kellie, was born on 7 August 1799. He was the son of Thomas Hog of Newliston (1742–1827) and his second wife, Mary Stuart (following the death of Lady Penelope-Madan Maitland). He was baptised at Kirkliston Parish Church on 25 August. He studied at the University of Edinburgh and became an advocate in 1822 ; but being in independent circumstances, he did not long continue to practise. He appears to have inherited Kellie Castle in Fife in 1829 but made little use of the property, which was largely left to fall into disrepair. The Castle later became the home of Prof James Lorimer and his sons Robert Lorimer and John Henry Lorimer. Inheritance and the ten years conflict He resided for some time on a small estate called Muirestone, near Edinburgh; but in 1834, on the death of his brother, whom he succeeded, removed to Newliston. Mr Hog was decidedly pious; his tastes even when a boy were religious. Attending the ministry of Robert Gordon in Edinburgh, he seems to have profited thereby above many. Before he turned 30, he was set apart as an elder in the Church of Scotland. Evangelical Christianity was then rising in influence among the people, and progressing in the councils of the church. One sign of the times was the sending of Alexander Duff as the first Missionary of the Scottish Church to India. Another was the great effort made by Thomas Chalmers to provide 200 additional churches for the people of Scotland. Mr Hog was then taking an active part in ecclesiastical matters, and was appointed a member of Chalmers' "Non-intrusion Committee." He was the very first to suggest the immediate commencement of a subscription, and the second to put down his own name for a liberal sum. Hog accompanied Chalmers on some of his tours throughout Scotland. During the first year £200,000 was subscribed, and only a few years elapsed before the 200 churches were erected and supplied.