Alexander Hamilton Hamilton formerly Kelso

Son of Patrick Kelso and Mary Hamilton, but changed his name to Hamilton after inheriting the property of his maternal uncle Sir Alexander Hamilton (d. 1809) who was High Sheriff of Devon. Slave-owner in Grenada, as his uncle had also been.

1. Born 1783, second son of Patrick Kelso (1749-28/12/1791) of Hullenhirst Ayrshire and Mary Hamilton, daughter of Robert Hamilton of Saltcoats. Married 1809 to Rosalie, daughter of Edward J. Colbiornsen [sic] of Denmark, a judge there. 3 sons, 6 daughters. 'Apparently a landowner in Devon and Scotland and an East India company fortune - he spent ten years in the East India Company. His family is described as significant landowners in the Exeter area (Lysons) but are not listed in Bateman.' Left £250,000. 'The size of his fortune strongly suggests he must have had other sources of income, possibly mercantile connections in Exeter or elsewhere but these could not be traced.'

2. Married 24 Apr 1809 (as Kelso) in Trichinopoly, Madras 1809 to Maria Rosalie, daughter of Edward J. Colbiornsen [sic] of Denmark, a judge there. Children baptised in Topsham, Devon when his address was The Retreat: Maria Frances Anne (1812); Emma (1816); Harriet (1819); Alexander Edward Kelso (1822); Julia (1825); Alexander Henry Abercromby (1829); Maria Rosalie (1832); and Lydia Mary (1835). Living at The Retreat in 1851 with his wife, three of his children, his mother-in-law, four male servants and five female servants.

3. Alexander Hamilton Hamilton's daughter Harriet (d. 1844) married in 1840 William Nation, barrister and landowner, who died in 1861 leaving £120,000.

4. Described as a writer in the East India Company at Madras in the will of his uncle Sir Alexander Hamilton (proved 1809).

T71/880 Grenada claim nos. 685 (Samaritan) and 709 (Parish of St Patrick).

1. William D. Rubinstein, Who were the rich? A biographical dictionary of British wealth-holders Volume Two 1840-1859 (MS) reference 1853/11, giving references including Gentleman's Magazine 1853 II p. 103; Daniel and Samuel Lysons, Magna Britannica Vol. 6 (1822) p. 520, online.

2. Findmypast.co.uk, British India Office Ecclesiastical Returns [database online]; Findmypast.co.uk, Devon Baptisms [database online]; 1851 census online.

3. William D. Rubinstein, Who were the rich? 1860- (Volumes 3 and 4, manuscripts in preparation), reference 1861/36 Nation, William.

4. PROB 11/1502/703.

We are grateful to Peter Selley for his assistance with compiling this entry.