Claud Hamilton, 2nd Baron Hamilton of Strabane facts for kids

Claud Hamilton, 2nd Baron Hamilton of Strabane (around 1605 – 1638) was an important person in the Hamilton family. He started the Strabane branch of the Hamiltons. He passed away quite young, at about 32 years old. After his death, his wife, Jean Gordon, married Sir Phelim O'Neill. Phelim O'Neill was one of the leaders of the 1641 rebellion in Ireland.

Claud Hamilton's Early Life and Family

Claud Hamilton was born around the year 1605. He was likely born in Paisley, Scotland. He was the second son of James Hamilton and his wife Marion Boyd.

His father, James Hamilton, was made Lord Abercorn in 1603 by King James VI and I. He later became the Earl of Abercorn in 1606. Claud's grandfather was Claud Hamilton, 1st Lord of Paisley. His mother, Marion Boyd, was the daughter of Thomas Boyd, 6th Lord Boyd of Kilmarnock. Both sides of Claud's family were from old and respected Scottish noble families.

Claud's father was a Protestant. However, his mother, Marion Boyd, was a Catholic. She raised Claud and all his brothers and sisters in the Catholic faith. His uncle, George of Greenlaw, also encouraged them to follow the Catholic religion.

Claud had four brothers and four sisters. You can find their names listed in his father's article, James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Abercorn.

Education and Family Estates

Claud Hamilton started studying at the University of Glasgow in 1621. However, it seems he left the university without finishing his degree.

His father passed away in 1618. Claud's oldest brother became the 2nd Earl of Abercorn. He inherited their father's lands in Scotland. But in his father's will, the lands in Ireland were given to Claud and his younger brothers. Claud received the most important of these properties: the Strabane estate and the castle his father had built there.

His father also wanted Claud to inherit the Irish title of Baron Hamilton of Strabane. This was a bit tricky because titles usually pass to the oldest son first. So, Claud's oldest brother had to become the Baron in 1618. Then, he gave up the title so that the King could give it to Claud. This process took some time and was only completed in 1633.

Claud's father died before his grandfather did. His grandfather was still the Lord of Paisley and owned the lands of the old Scottish abbey. Claud's oldest brother eventually inherited these lands in 1621.

Becoming Lord Strabane

In 1633, Claud's older brother, James, who was the 2nd Earl of Abercorn in Scotland and the 1st Baron Hamilton of Strabane in Ireland, gave up his Irish title to the King. The King then gave the title to Claud on August 14, 1634. This meant Claud became the 2nd Baron Hamilton of Strabane, keeping the original importance of the title.

Marriage and Children

On November 28, 1632, Lord Strabane, as he was now known, married Jean Gordon. Jean was the fourth daughter of George Gordon, 1st Marquess of Huntly. The Huntly family was a Catholic family from Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Claud and Jean had two sons and two daughters:

• Sons:
  • James (1633 – 1655), who later became the 3rd Baron Hamilton of Strabane.
  • George (1636/7 – 1668), who later became the 4th Baron Hamilton of Strabane.
• Daughters:
  • Catherine (died 1670/1), who married James Hamilton of Manorhamilton. He was the oldest brother of Gustavus Hamilton, 1st Viscount Boyne. Catherine also married two other husbands later.
  • Cecilia, who was also called Mariana, and married Richard Perkins of Lifford.

Death

Lord Strabane passed away on June 14, 1638. He likely died at the Castle of Strabane. He was buried at Leckpatrick, Strabane, in County Tyrone. He was only in his thirties when he died.

His oldest son, James, took over as the 3rd Baron Hamilton of Strabane at the age of five. Claud's wife, Jean Gordon, later married Sir Phelim O'Neill in November 1649.