James Hamilton (English army officer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Hamilton
Died	6 June 1673
Buried	Westminster Abbey
Allegiance	Kingdom of England
Service/branch	English Army
Rank	Colonel
Spouse(s)	Elizabeth Colpeper
Children	James

Colonel James Hamilton (died 1673) was an important person at the court of King Charles II after the king returned to power in 1660. His brother, Anthony Hamilton, wrote about him in his famous book, Mémoires du Comte de Grammont.

James and his family had to leave Ireland in 1651 because of a war called the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. They joined King Charles II, who was also living in exile. When Charles II became king again in 1660, James returned to England with him. James changed his religion from Catholic to Protestant so he could marry. The king then gave him important jobs, like looking after Hyde Park and being a special assistant (a "groom of his bedchamber"). In 1666, James became a member of the Irish Parliament for a place called Strabane. Sadly, in 1673, during a naval war with the Dutch, James was badly hurt and died a few days later. Years later, in 1701, his oldest son became the 6th Earl of Abercorn.

Early Life and Family

James Hamilton was born around 1638 in Ireland. He was the oldest son of George Hamilton and Mary Butler. His father was from Scotland and was the fourth son of the first Earl of Abercorn. James's father supported the Marquess of Ormond during the wars in Ireland.

James's mother, Mary Butler, was Irish. Her family, the Butlers, were a powerful Old English family in Ireland. Her brother was James Butler, who later became the Duke of Ormond and a very important leader in Ireland.

James's parents got married in 1635. He was likely born in a place called Nenagh, in Ireland. James had eight brothers and sisters, including George, Elizabeth, Anthony, Richard, and John. Both of James's parents were Catholic.

Wars in Ireland and Living in Exile

James's father fought in the Irish army under his brother-in-law, the Earl of Ormond. This was during the Irish Confederate Wars (1641–1648) and the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland (1649–1653).

In 1650, James's father was in charge of Nenagh Castle. The Parliamentarian army, led by Henry Ireton, attacked and captured the castle.

In early 1651, when James was about 21, his family had to leave Ireland and go to France with Ormond. They first stayed in Caen. James then worked for King Charles II, who was also living in exile. His mother went to Paris and lived in a convent.

Later, before a battle in 1658, James was a lieutenant-colonel in a Scottish army regiment. This regiment was part of King James II's army, which was also in exile.

Return to England and Court Life

In May 1660, King Charles II returned to England and became king again. This event is known as the Restoration. James, his father, and his older brothers and sisters moved to the royal court in London. James and his brother George became important people at court. The king gave James's father back his lands in Ireland.

Hyde Park Ranger

On September 19, 1660, James was given the job of "ranger" of Hyde Park. This meant he was in charge of the park. He built a fence around part of Hyde Park and brought deer back to live there.

He was also given a piece of land at the corner of the park. A street there is now named Hamilton Place after him.

A Stylish Courtier

James was known for his good manners, his fancy clothes, and his charm. His brother, Anthony Hamilton, described him as someone who dressed very well and was good at making friends and finding success. He was a very dedicated courtier (someone who attended the king), had a quick mind, and was very polite. He was also a great dancer and popular with many people, which was important in the king's court.

Marriage and Children

King Charles II helped James marry Elizabeth Colepeper. She was one of the special assistants to the Princess Royal, Mary. Elizabeth was Protestant, so James changed his religion to Protestant just before they got married in 1661. His mother, who was a strong Catholic, tried to stop him, but he went ahead with the marriage.

James and Elizabeth had three sons:

• James (born around 1661, died 1734): He later became the 6th Earl of Abercorn.
• George (died 1692): He became a colonel in the army and died in a battle.
• William (born after 1662, died 1737): He married his cousin and became the ancestor of the Hamiltons of Chilston.

Later Life and Death

Changing his religion helped James have a career in the English Army. He became a colonel in charge of a regiment of soldiers. This helped him avoid problems that his younger brother George faced, who was dismissed from the army because he was Catholic. George and two other brothers, Anthony and Richard, then went to serve in the French army.

On October 28, 1664, James became a "groom of the bedchamber," a close assistant to the king.

He was also elected to the Irish Parliament for Strabane. He served as a Member of Parliament (M.P.) from 1661 to 1666.

In 1667, he was given a job called Provost Marshal-General of Barbados. This was an easy job that gave him money without having to do any work. He never even went to Barbados.

In June 1670, James was present when a very important agreement, the Secret Treaty of Dover, was made. He was also a witness after the sudden death of Henrietta of England, the Duchess of Orléans.

James was killed during the Third Anglo-Dutch War. On June 3, 1673, a cannonball hit his leg during a sea battle with the Dutch. He died three days later, on June 6, 1673, from his injuries. He was buried on June 7 in Westminster Abbey. His uncle, the Duke of Ormond, built a monument there to remember him. James's wife died in 1709.

Even though James was the oldest son, he never inherited his father's titles or lands because his father lived six years longer than him. However, on December 2, 1701, James's oldest son, James, became the 6th Earl of Abercorn after a distant cousin died.

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