The Hamilton Baronetcy (1781)

JOHN HAMILTON, of Dullerton, County Tyrone, and jure uxoris of Manor Elieston, in the same county, married Sarah, daughter of Sir William Hamilton, of Manor Elieston, son of Sir Claud Hamilton, brother of James, 1st Earl of Abercorn, and son of Claud, 1st Lord Paisley, and was father of

JOHN HAMILTON, of Dunnamanagh (Donemana), County Tyrone, had, with another daughter, wife of John Hamilton, of Hamilton's Grove, County Antrim, at least other three daughters and a son,

WILLIAM HAMILTON (1708-62), of Dunnamanagh, County Tyrone, High Sheriff of County Tyrone, 1735, MP for Strabane, 1733-62, who married, in 1735, Catherine, daughter of the Rev Dr George Leslie, of Ballyconnell House, County Cavan, and had issue,

JOHN STUART HAMILTON (c1740-1802), High Sheriff of County Tyrone, 1764, MP for Strabane, 1763-97, who married Sarah, daughter of Frederick, 3rd Viscount Boyne.

Mr Hamilton was created a baronet in 1781, designated of Dunamanagh, County Tyrone.

Sir John was a member of the Dublin Society, 1769-76. His membership lapsed in 1777 but was renewed more than twenty years later in 1798. He was listed by the Society as a member in 1802-03, and deleted ca 1804.

It is thought that the following statement alludes to the 1st Baronet, Sir John Stuart Hamilton:

"When he was but nineteen he was unanimously elected one of the representatives in Parliament for Strabane, in which high and honourable station he behaved for upwards of thirty years with a conduct suitable to the great confidence reposed in him:"

"To his immortal honour he was one of those heroic patriots of Fabrician fortitude, who signalized themselves in so conspicuous a manner in the successful defence of the pass, which in 1753 was strenuously attempted to be forced, in order to overthrow the parliamentary constitution of this country; for which they were distinguished from their opponents by their wearing gold medals in memory of that glorious epoch:"

"And so sensible were his constituents of his singular merit and invariable principles in favour of his country, that at the late general election they unanimously re-elected him to represent them in parliament; the goodness and benevolence of his heart endeared him to all, and render his death universally lamented." 

"He is succeeded in his estate by John Hamilton, Esq., his eldest son and heir." SIR JOHN CHARLES HAMILTON, 2nd Baronet, died in 1818, when the baronetcy expired. 

First published in January, 2011

The Hamilton Baronetcy (1814)

JAMES (c1519-75), 2nd Earl of Arran, Duke of Châtellerault in France, and Regent of Scotland, grandson to James, 2nd Lord Hamilton, by the Princess Mary, sister of JAMES III, King of Scots, married the Lady Margaret Douglas, daughter of James, 3rd Earl of Morton, and had issue,

James, 3rd Earl of Arran;

Gavin, died young;
John, ancestor of the ducal house of Hamilton;
David, died 1611;
CLAUD, of whom hereafter;
Barbara; Jean; Anne; Margaret.

The youngest son,

THE HON CLAUD HAMILTON (1546-1621), created, in 1587, LORD PAISLEY, wedded Margaret, daughter of George, 7th Lord Seton, and had issue,

James, 1st Earl of Abercorn;
John;
CLAUD, of whom we treat;
George;
Frederick;
Margaret.

The third son

THE HON CLAUD HAMILTON, settled in Ulster, and was, in 1618, a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber, espoused the heiress of Sir William Hamilton, of Manor Elieston, County Tyrone, and died in 1629, leaving issue,

SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON (c1604-62), Knight, of Manor Elieston, County Tyrone, who, by Beatrix Campbell, his second wife, was father of

CLAUD HAMILTON (c1648-c1695), of Monterloney [sic], County Tyrone, High Sheriff of County Tyrone, 1671 and 1683, who espoused Isabella Wingfield, and had issue (with five daughters, viz. Beatrix, Mary, Agnes, Margaret, and Rebecca), two sons,

William, his successor;
CLAUD, of whom we treat.

The younger son,

CLAUD HAMILTON, of Monterloney, County Tyrone, married Isabella, daughter of ______ Lowry, of Pomeroy, County Tyrone, and had, with other issue,

CLAUD HAMILTON, of Strabane and Monterloney, who was father of

JAMES HAMILTON (c1714-1806), of Woodbrook and Strabane, who wedded Eleanor, sister of Andrew, 1st Earl Castle Stewart, and daughter of Robert Stuart, of Stuart Hall, County Tyrone, and had issue,

JOHN JAMES, his heir;
Claud, died unmarried 1768;
Robert, died unmarried 1785;
Andrew, married Mary, daughter of Sir Samuel Hayes Bt;
James;
Stuart;
Harriett; Eleanor.

Mr Hamilton died at the advanced age of 92, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL JOHN JAMES HAMILTON (1755-1835), a distinguished military commander, who was created a baronet in 1814, designated of Woodbrook, County Tyrone.

Sir John wedded, in 1794, Emily Sophia, daughter of George Paul Monck and the Lady Aramintha Beresford, sixth daughter of Marcus, 1st Earl of Tyrone, and had issue,

JAMES JOHN, his successor;
Emily Louisa; Harriet Georgiana; Aramintha Anne; Eleanor Frances Elizabeth.

He died at Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery, London.

Sir John's London residence was 19 Baker Street.

The only son and successor,

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL SIR JAMES JOHN HAMILTON JP DL, 2nd Baronet (1802-76), espoused, in 1834, Marianna Augusta, only daughter of Major-General Sir James Cockburn, Bt, though the marriage was without issue.

From County Families of the UK:

Hamilton, Lady, of Woodbrook, County Tyrone.

Marianna Augusta, daughter of the late Major-General Sir James Cockburn, Bart. (who died 1852) by the Hon Marianna, eldest daughter of John, 13th Viscount Hereford; married 1834 Sir James John Hamilton, Bart., of Woodbrook, a J.P. and D.L. for Middlesex, and for Cos. Carmarthan and Pembroke (High Sheriff of Co. Carmarthan 1887, of Co. Tyrone 1860) and formerly M.P. for Sudbury 1837-8, who d.s.p. 1876. Plas Llanstephan, Carmarthan; Woodbrook, Co. Tyrone; 6 Portman Square, W.

The 2nd Baronet had an address at Plâs Llanstephan, Llansteffan, Carnarvonshire.

I have discovered a further entry which mentions the 2nd Baronet:

"Greys, Governor of Bermuda in 1811, Major-General and Inspector of Marines in 1819. He died in 1852. By his wife, the Hon Marianna Devereux daughter of the 13th Viscount Devereux, he had a daughter, Marianna Augusta who succeeded to the Jordanston estate, and married Colonel Sir James John Hamilton, Baronet, of Tyrone, who died in 1876".

In the 1870s Sir James's address was given as Portman Square, London; and he owned 1,283 acres in County Tyrone.

There is a memorial fountain at Portman Square  in memory of the 2nd Baronet.

I'd be interested to hear from any readers who have information regarding the connection between the Hamiltons and Woodbrook.

First published in April, 2012.

The Hamilton Baronetcy (1662)

JOHN HAMILTON (c1576-1639), of Coronary, County Cavan, and of Monella (Hamiltonsbawn), County Armagh, next brother of James Hamilton, created Viscount Claneboye in 1662, married, in 1617, Sarah, daughter of Sir Anthony Brabazon, Governor of Connaught, and had issue,

HANS, his heir;
Francis, of Tullybrick;
James, of Bailieborough;
Mary; Eleanor.

The eldest son,

THE RT HON SIR HANS HAMILTON, Knight, of Hamiltonsbawn, High Sheriff of County Armagh, 1669, MP for County Armagh, 1661-6, wedded Magdalene, daughter of Sir Edward Trevor Kt, and had an only daughter, SARAH, married to Sir Robert Hamilton, Knight, of Mount Hamilton, County Armagh.

Sir Hans was knighted in 1661, and created a baronet in 1662, designated of Monella.

He died suddenly in 1681, when the baronetcy became extinct, but the estates devolved upon Sir Hans's son-in-law,

SIR ROBERT HAMILTON, Knight, of Mount Hamilton, who was appointed Sir Hans's successor as custos rotulorum of the county, and, in 1683, created a baronet, designated of Mount Hamilton, County Armagh.

*****

Louise Duncan from Australia has researched the family:

Of John's (ie John Hamilton of Monilla) family was first Hans. In his youth he was bred at (unclear) Schools; went to the college of Glasgow, in Scotland; was much disposed for learning, and very capable of it, but by his father's death, and the urgency of his affairs, was soon called back again to Ireland.

He attended his affairs carefully and discreetly till the war of Ireland broke out, at which time duty and necessity obliged him to give his assistance therein, by my Lord Claneboy's advice. His years and parts early promoted him to be a captain of horse; as in progress of time he became lieutenant-colonel. He joined, with the Earl of Clanbrassill, in Ormond's Association.

That war being ended, he married Magdalen Trevor, daughter to Sir Edward Trevor, (and sister to Marcus Trevor, 1st Viscount Dungannon) and had by her some children, whereof only his daughter Sarah came to maturity.

His business then being to improve and plant his estate, lying mostly in the upper country; and, by reason of his very good natural and acquired parts, and justice to the King's interest and family, after King Charles II’s restoration, was knighted and made Baronet., and afterwards one of his Majesty's Privy Council in Ireland, and was very much entrusted by the Government in the oversight of the upper country (at Hamilton’s Bawn in County Armagh).

He died of a good age, in great esteem, and generally much bewailed; lies in the tomb with his father, mother, lady, and daughter.

He was guilty of great errors—whereof afterwards, His natural parts and improvements were both very considerable; his deportment, in his younger years, very commendable; but, his estate being much burdened, his disposition to live high and aim to purchase great things, occasioned many to think (as a gent, of his neighbourhood and great acquaintance once said) that.

Sir Hans Hamilton was never so honest as Hans Hamilton by half. He was unfortunate in that his daughter married contrary to his disposition, and the measures he had proposed to himself.

He fell at last in great variance with his nearest friends, and affliction by the death of his lady and daughter; went to Dublin, with design, as it is believed, to do something that was great for his family against his friends, but failed of it, and died in the enterprise, but did not perform it.

THE FORMER army barracks at Hamiltonsbawn, County Armagh, were built in 1731 on the site of a 60-square foot defensive bawn.

This bawn was built with walls twelve feet in height and used lime and stone, with two flankers which had been built as part of the plantation of Ulster by the Scottish settler John Hamilton in 1619.

It is recorded that, by 1622, the bawn was 90 feet in length and 63 feet wide.

Hamilton was responsible for a few dozen families in the area, and was able to arm thirty men as required by his undertaking as part of the Plantation.

The area had been known variously as Monela, Monella, Monilla or Moynellan.

Hamilton's bawn was almost completely destroyed during the 1641 uprising in Ulster, but following the Restoration of CHARLES II in 1660, Sir Hans Hamilton, 1st Baronet, built a three, or possibly five, chimney mansion or manor house on the ruins of the bawn.

The manor house was known colloquially as "the Castle".

Owing to substantial family debts, the land on which the bawn and house had stood was sold by Sir Hans Hamilton, 2nd Baronet, of Mount Hamilton, in the early 18th century (ca 1704).

By the 1720s it had come into the possession of Sir Arthur Acheson, of Markethill.

First published in April, 2011.

The Hamilton Baronets (1660)

CLAUD HAMILTON (1546-1621), youngest son of James, 2nd Earl of Arran and Duke  of Châtellerault, by his wife, the Lady Margaret Douglas (eldest daughter of James, 3rd Earl of Moreton), one of the most zealous partisans of MARY, Queen of Scots, whose loyalty JAMES VI of Scotland rewarded, in 1587, with a grant of the whole barony of Paisley, and the dignity of BARON PAISLEY.

His lordship married Margaret, only daughter of George, 5th Lord Seton, and had issue,

JAMES, his successor;
John;
Claud;
George;
Frederick;
Henry;
Alexander;
Margaret; Margaret.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

JAMES (1575-1618), 2nd Lord Paisley, who espoused Marion, daughter of Thomas, 6th Lord Boyd, and had issue,

James, his successor;

Claud, 2nd Baron Hamilton of Strabane;
William, 1st Baronet, of West Port, Linlithgow (c1605-80);
GEORGE, of whom we treat;
Alexander;
Anne; Margaret; Isobel; Lucy.

His lordship was created, in 1603, Baron Abercorn, with remainder to his heirs male, and assigns whatever; and advanced, in 1606, to the dignities of Baron Hamilton, Mountcastle and Kilpatrick, and EARL OF ABERCORN.

He was subsequently called by summons to the house of peers in Ireland, by the same title; and having obtained a large grant of land in the barony of Strabane, erected a strong castle, and a schoolhouse, and church, with a town of about eighty houses there.

The fourth son,

THE HON GEORGE HAMILTON (c1607-79), of Donalong (Dunalong), County Tyrone, and Nenagh, County Tipperary, a faithful adherent of THE CHARLESES, was rewarded with a baronetcy in 1660, designated of Donalong [Dunalong], County Tyrone, and Nenagh, County Tipperary.

Sir George married, in 1629, Mary, third daughter of Thomas, Viscount Thurles, and sister of James, 1st Duke of Ormonde, and had issue,

JAMES, his successor;
George, Comte de Hamilton;
Anthony, Lieutenant-General;
Thomas, Captain;
Richard, Lieutenant-General;
John, Major-General;
Elizabeth, m Philibert, Count de Gramont;
Lucia; Margaret.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR JAMES HAMILTON, 2nd Baronet (c1620-73), MP for Strabane, 1666, who wedded, in 1661, Elizabeth, daughter of John, 1st Baron Colepeper, and had issue,

JAMES, his successor;
George, Colonel;
William.

Sir James was succeeded by his eldest son,

JAMES (c1661-1734), MP for County Tyrone, 1692-9, who espoused, in 1684, Elizabeth, daughter of  Sir Robert Reading, 1st Baronet, and had issue,

JAMES, his successor;
George, MP;
Francis;
William;
Charles, MP;
Elizabeth; Mary; Jane; Philippa.

Captain Hamilton, who succeeded his cousin as 6th Earl of Abercorn, declined assuming the title of baronet upon the demise of his grandfather in 1679, and was known simply as "Captain Hamilton."

*****

THE PERIOD immediately after the Flight of The Earls in 1607 was marked largely by relative peace; however, instability was never far from the horizon.

The 1641 rising led by Sir Phelim O'Neill, of Caledon, was the next major event to beset the district.

After the capture of Dungannon, Charlemont and Mountjoy, Sir Phelim attacked Strabane and carried off Lady Strabane, daughter-in-law of Lord Abercorn.

Colonel Sir George Hamilton retook Strabane three days later with an expeditionary force of Scottish soldiers.

Derrywoon Castle is now within the grounds of Baronscourt, near Newtownstewart, seat of the Hamiltons, Dukes of Abercorn.

A report on the Plantation from 1622 noted that Sir George had 

"begun to build a fair stone house, 4 storeys high, which is almost finished, and a bawn of stone and lime, 90 foot long, 70 foot broad and 14 foot high".

When the compilers of the report arrived at the site they found ‘good store of workmen there upon it’ and were informed that when it was finished Sir George intended to live there himself.

The building was destroyed in the 1640s and by the time of the Civil Survey (1654-56) it was described as ‘a ruinous castle burned by the rebels [and] not yet re-edified’.

There is no evidence that it was rebuilt.

Hamilton was one of the proprietors of the silver mines of Knockaunderrig before the English Civil War.

Hamilton's early advancement was hindered by his Catholicism, but he was appointed a colonel of foot, 1649, and upheld the Royalist cause in Ireland.

He was the commander at Nenagh when Ireton arrived to besiege it for the Parliamentarians in October, 1650.

Initially defiant, Hamilton surrendered to Ireton when the latter threatened to breach the walls with artillery.

Hamilton's Irish lands were confiscated and he went into exile in Paris.

Upon the Restoration, he was high in favour with CHARLES II and was rewarded with a baronetcy in 1660.

Regarding Nenagh in County Tipperary, in 1648 Owen Roe O'Neill took Nenagh Castle.

Lord Inchiquin re-took it that same year and, when Cromwell arrived in Ireland, Nenagh was being held by Sir George Hamilton.

In October, 1650, Cromwell's son Ireton arrived at and demanded the surrender of the town.

Hamilton initially refused, but when field artillery was put in place in front of the town's walls he wisely yielded.

See Duke of Abercorn for further succession.

James, 5th and present Duke of Abercorn, KG, is the 15th Hamilton Baronet.

First published in April, 2011.

The Hamilton Baronetcy (1683)

JOHN HAMILTON (1576-1639), of Corraneary, County Cavan, and Hamiltonsbawn, County Armagh, next brother of JAMES HAMILTON (created Viscount Claneboye, 1622), married Sarah, daughter of Sir Anthony Brabazon, Governor of Connaught, and had issue,

HANS, his heir;
James;
Francis, of Tullybrick;
Mary; Eleanor.

The eldest son,

THE RT HON SIR HANS HAMILTON, Knight, of Hamiltonsbawn, MP for County Armagh, 1661-66, High Sheriff of County Armagh, 1669, married Magdalene, daughter of Sir Edward Trevor, Knight.

Sir Hans was created a baronet in 1662, designated of Monilla, County Armagh.

He had an only daughter, SARAH, married to Sir Robert Hamilton, Knight, of Mount Hamilton, County Armagh.

Sir Hans died suddenly in 1682, when the baronetcy expired, and the estates devolved upon Sir Hans's son-in-law,

SIR ROBERT HAMILTON, Knight, of Mount Hamilton, who was appointed Sir Hans's successor as custos rotulorum of the county.

Sir Robert was created a baronet in 1683, designated of Mount Hamilton, County Armagh.

Sir Robert, Privy Counsellor, 1685, died in 1703, and was succeeded by his son,

SIR HANS HAMILTON, 2nd Baronet (1673-1731), MP for Armagh County, 1703-13, Carlingford, 1713-14, who married Jane, eldest daughter of Clotworthy, 2nd Viscount Massereene, and had an only daughter and heiress,

ANNE HAMILTON, who married John Campbell, of London, banker, goldsmith, and founder of the great house of Coutts and Co, of the Strand, who assumed the surname of HAMILTON to possess her estate and was well known in the family as "Campbell Hamilton".

Sir Hans died at Utrecht, when the baronetcy expired.

First published in February, 2011.