John Hamilton, 2nd Lord Bargany facts for kids

John Hamilton, 2nd Lord Bargany, lived from about 1640 to 1693. He was a Scottish nobleman whose family faced many challenges. These challenges were often linked to big disagreements over religion in Scotland. People argued about the Presbyterian Church and the Church of England. John Hamilton was even accused of treason, which means betraying his country, but he was found innocent.

About John Hamilton

Early Life and Family Challenges

John Hamilton's family had a tough time during the English Civil War. His father, also named John Hamilton, first supported the Parliament. But later, he joined the Royalist side in 1648. Because of this, the Parliament took his family's lands. They had to pay a large fine of £2,000 to get them back.

John Hamilton was the oldest of seven children. He became the Lord Bargany in 1662, after his father passed away. After the king returned to power in England, both his father and then John tried to get the fine money back. But they were not successful.

In the same year he became Lord, John Hamilton married Lady Margaret Cunningham. Her father was the top legal official in Scotland, called the Lord Chancellor of Scotland. John's own family had different beliefs. The women often favored the Presbyterian Church, while the men usually supported the official state church. This made John Hamilton a person people watched closely throughout his life.

His Role in Scottish Conflicts

John Hamilton was strongly against the Puritans, who were a strict group of Protestants. In 1666, he led a group of soldiers in a battle against the Presbyterians at Rullion Green.

The next year, his first wife died. He married again to Lady Alice. This marriage caused him many problems. He likely married her for money, as she was the widow of a man who had gained a large fortune. Lady Alice died in 1677. John Hamilton did not get the money she had from her first husband. He also lost £3,000 he had paid to clear her debts when they married.

In 1678, John Hamilton started to oppose the government. However, he did not support the Presbyterian Covenanters, who were rebels. He even led soldiers against these Puritan rebels at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge.

Dealing with False Accusations

John Hamilton had a neighbor in Ayrshire named James Crawfuird. This man was in charge of finding and arresting Covenanter rebels. But Crawfuird and his sons often took money or favors from prisoners and then let them go.

Crawfuird was hiding a rebel leader named Thomas Cunningham. He was worried John Hamilton would find out. So, Crawfuird paid many people to lie and say that Hamilton was a traitor. They claimed Hamilton was talking with a rebel leader named John Welsh. They also said he helped start the uprising at Bothwell Bridge. And they even accused him of paying to harm the Duke of Lauderdale.

John Hamilton was put in prison. But James, Duke of York, who was a powerful prince, made his trial shorter. Hamilton was released on bail. He started to look into the false accusations. However, the Duke of York stopped his investigation.

In 1682, John Hamilton found proof that Crawfuird was again taking money to release prisoners. He worked to have Crawfuird arrested. Crawfuird, also known as Lord Armillan, was arrested. But he and two of his sons escaped the country in 1684. Hamilton was then given Crawfuird's old job. He became responsible for finding and arresting rebels.

Later Life and Support for William of Orange

In 1688, John Hamilton supported William of Orange during the Glorious Revolution. This was when William became king of England. Hamilton offered to send a group of infantry soldiers to help William in Ireland. The soldiers were accepted and joined another group of troops.

John Hamilton passed away on May 15, 1693.

Family Life

John Hamilton had two sons and one daughter with his first wife, Lady Margaret Cunningham. She was the second daughter of William Cunningham, 9th Earl of Glencairn, who was the Lord High Chancellor of Scotland.

• John, who was the Master of Bargany. He married Jean, the daughter of Sir Robert Sinclair, 1st Baronet. But he died before his father and did not have a son to inherit the title.
• William Hamilton, 3rd Lordy Bargany
• Nicolas, who married Sir Alexander Hope of Kerse in April 1690. They had a son named Sir Alexander Hope of Kerse.

John Hamilton did not have any children with his second wife, Lady Alice Moore. She was the oldest daughter of Henry, the first Earl of Drogheda.