Rev. James Hamilton

Rev. James Hamilton (1784-1840), Tobago-born clergyman of the Church of England, co-trustee (with his brother Arthur Philip Hamilton, q.v.) of Riseland and Indian Walk plantations in Tobago, of which another brother, John Hamilton (q.v.) was tenant-in-tail. He also claimed for a moiety of ownership of enslaved persons on Whim estate, but the compensation was awarded to counterclaimants and mortgagees (one of whom was, again, his brother John).

1. Born in Tobago in 1784, the fourth (third surviving) son of John Hamilton (1744-1800) and Mary Susannah Anna Hamilton née Wilson. John Hamilton was born in Glasgow in 1744 and was owner of Riseland and other estates in Tobago in 1789, "a gentleman of considerable property and influence on the island", when he was instrumental in setting up a United Brethern ministry in the island.

2. Born in Tobago, 04/04/1784. Attended Eton School. Matriculated at St John's College, Cambridge, 1801; B.A. 1805; M.A. 1808. Admitted to the Middle Temple, 30/12/1800. Ordained deacon (Winchester) 20/12/1807; priest, 18/12/1808; Curate of Weyhill, Hants., 1807-1813; Curate of Barham, Kent, 1813; Vicar of Warlingham, Surrey, 1821-1826; Rector of Stapleford Abbotts, Essex, 1826-1840; Vicar of Hackington, Kent, 1828-1840; appointed one of the Six Preachers of Canterbury cathedral, 1828; Rector of Great Baddow, 17/07/1840. Married  Margaret, daughter of J. Trayton Fuller, Esq., of Ashdown House, Sussex. Died 29/09/1840.

3. His daughter, Penelope Susan Hamilton, was born in 1818.

4. Presided at the marriage of his brother Arthur Philip Hamilton (q.v.) 26/02/1828.

T71/891 Tobago claim nos. 16 (Riseland), 32 (Whim) and 36 (Indian Walk).

1. For a genealogy of the Hamilton family in Tobago, see http://johnmadjackfuller.homestead.com/fullerfam/pafg44.htm#3222 [accessed 28/01/2012]. For an account of John Hamilton and the United Brethren Church in Tobago, see John Holmes, Historical sketches of the missions of the United Brethren: for propagating the Gospel among the Heathen (Dublin, 1818) pp. 463-464.

2. Ancestry.com, Cambridge University Alumni, 1261-1900 [database online]. ‘Obituary – Clergy Deceased’, Gentleman’s Magazine, November 1840. Hamilton minor (James) was in the Fifth Form in the Eton School Lists of 1799: H.E.C. Stapylton (ed.), The Eton school lists, from 1791 to 1850 (London, E.P. Williams, 1863) p. 32.

3. Newletter of the 'Friends of Blean Church', Autumn 2008, available at http://www.bleanchurch.net/Images/Newsletter%202.pdf [accessed 28/05/2012].

4. Ancestry.com, London, England, Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921 [database online].