Frederick Hamilton (Londonderry politician)

Lt.-Gen. Frederick Hamilton PC JP (died 26 March 1732) was a Scottish born Irish general and politician who served in the Parliament of Ireland.

Frederick Hamilton
Member of Parliament for Coleraine
In office
1713–1727
Preceded bySir Arthur Langford, 2nd Bt
Thomas Pearce
Succeeded byHenry Carey
Thomas Jackson
Personal details
Died(1732-03-26)26 March 1732
Political partyWhig
SpouseJane Beresford
Parent(s)Archibald Hamilton
Mary Howard

Early life edit

Hamilton was the son of Mary (née Howard) Hamilton and Archibald Hamilton, the son of Robert Hamilton, 7th of Fairholm and of Milburne (brother to Matthew Hamilton of Milnburn), and Isobel Hamilton (a daughter of John Hamilton, 2nd of Stonehouse).[1] His father was hanged in 1651 at Stirling, Scotland, for giving information to the English which led to the capture of Earl of Eglinton. His mother was subsequently granted reparation and the family moved to Ireland.[2]

Career edit

From 1677, he was captain of an independent company in Charles II's Irish army, active against tories in the district of Lough Erne. He eventually gained the rank of Lieutenant-General.

He was recognised by Lord Lyon King of Arms, and matriculated his arms at the Lyon Court between 1680 and 1687. He held the office of Whig Member of Parliament for Coleraine from 1713 to 1727 and was appointed Privy Counsellor in 1715. He also held the office of Lord Justice of Ireland.[1]

Hamilton served as a Governor of Royal Hospital, Dublin between 1718 and 1732.[1]

Personal life edit

He married Jane Beresford (1665–1716), daughter of Sir Randal Beresford, 2nd Baronet, and Hon. Catherine Annesley (a daughter of Francis Annesley, 1st Viscount Valentia). Their only child, a daughter called Jane, probably died young.[3] He resided at Walworth and had estates at Tipperary, Kildare, and County Londonderry, Ireland, and at Millburn, Scotland.[2] In 1713 he obtained a private act of the British parliament confirming his land purchases.[3]

He died on 26 March 1732.[2] His heirs were his wife's nephews, Marcus Beresford, 1st Earl of Tyrone; and his brother George's grandson, Frederick Carey.[3]

In popular culture edit

Hamilton was said to be the inspiration for Sir Walter Scott's character Morton of Milnewood in his 1816 tale of Old Mortality.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Notes and Queries. Oxford University Press. 1884. p. 408. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Mosley, Charles, editor. Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes. Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003, volume 3, page 4086.
  3. ^ a b c "Hamilton, Frederick". www.dib.ie. Dictionary of Irish Biography. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  4. ^ Burke, John (1837). A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry; Or, Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland Etc. Henry Colburn. p. 51. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
Parliament of Ireland
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Coleraine
1713–1727
With: George Lowther
Sir Marcus Beresford, 4th Bt
Francis Burton
Succeeded by