Sir George Hamilton, 1st Baronet, of Donalong facts for kids

Sir George Hamilton, 1st Baronet of Donalong and Nenagh (born around 1608 – died 1679) was an important figure in 17th-century Ireland and Scotland. He was born into a Catholic family in Scotland. He later inherited land in Ireland.

George Hamilton worked for his brother-in-law, the 1st Duke of Ormond. The Duke was a Protestant, but they worked together during the Irish Confederate Wars. George helped with important diplomatic tasks and managed royalist funds. He also bravely defended Nenagh Castle against Henry Ireton during the time of the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. George Hamilton was the father of several famous children, including Antoine Hamilton, a well-known writer, Richard Hamilton, a Jacobite general, and Elizabeth, Countess de Gramont, who was known for her beauty.

Early Life and Family

George Hamilton was born around 1608 in Scotland, likely in Paisley, near Glasgow. He was the fourth son of James Hamilton and Marion Boyd. His father became the Earl of Abercorn in 1606. George's grandfather was Claud Hamilton, 1st Lord Paisley.

His mother, Marion Boyd, came from Kilmarnock, Scotland. Both of George's grandfathers had supported Mary, Queen of Scots. George was one of nine children. While his father was a Protestant, his mother, Marion Boyd, was a Catholic, known as a "recusant" because she refused to attend Protestant church services.

George was about 10 years old when his father died in 1618. His uncle, Sir George Hamilton of Greenlaw and Roscrea, became his guardian. His uncle helped George and his siblings become Catholic.

George's father had been part of the Plantation of Ulster in 1611. This was a plan to settle Scottish and English Protestants on land in Ireland. Because of this, George's family received large estates in Ireland, especially around Strabane. George inherited a large area called Donalong, which was about 2000 acres.

By 1625, George Hamilton was involved in a silver mine near Nenagh, Ireland. In 1627, he became a commander in the Irish Army. His mother died in 1632 and was buried in Paisley Abbey in Scotland. By 1634, people often called him "Sir George," suggesting he might have been knighted or made a baronet, though the details are unclear.

Marriage and Children

In 1635, George Hamilton married Mary Butler. She was the daughter of Thomas Butler, Viscount Thurles. This marriage made the 12th Earl of Ormond (who later became a Duke and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland) George's brother-in-law.

George and Mary had six sons and three daughters:

• James (died 1673): He worked at Hyde Park and died after losing a leg in a sea battle.
• George (died 1676): He was a soldier and was killed while serving in the French army.
• Anthony (born around 1645 – died 1719): He fought for the Jacobites (supporters of King James II) and became a famous writer.
• Thomas (died 1687): He served in the Royal Navy and died in Boston, Massachusetts.
• Richard (died 1717): He also fought for the Jacobites and was captured at the Battle of the Boyne.
• John (died 1691): He was a Colonel in the Irish army and was killed in the Battle of Aughrim.

Their daughters were:

• Elizabeth (1641–1708): She was known for her beauty and married Philibert de Gramont.
• Lucia (died 1676): She married Sir Donough O'Brien, 1st Baronet, who was a Protestant.
• Margaret: She married Mathew Forde in 1674.

Life During the Wars

In May 1640, George's brother-in-law, Ormond, gave him control of Nenagh Castle and its lands for 31 years. Ormond became the commander of the Irish army in September of that year.

In 1641, George Hamilton traveled with King Charles I to Scotland. When the Irish Rebellion of 1641 began, George was in England. Because he was Catholic, some people thought he supported the rebellion. He was arrested and held in the Tower of London for a short time but was soon released.

In December 1641, Phelim O'Neill burned Strabane Castle, which was the home of George's elder brother Claud's widow, Jean Gordon. George took Jean and her children into his home at Nenagh.

In February 1642, the silver mine George operated was attacked by rebels, and his English miners were killed.

In 1646, the Confederate Ulster army defeated another army at the Battle of Benburb. The winning army then marched south. In September 1646, they captured Roscrea, but Nenagh was not attacked then.

In January 1647, George Hamilton returned to Dublin with orders from the King. The King wanted Ormond to give Dublin to the English Parliamentarians, not to the Irish. Ormond left Dublin for England in July.

Nenagh Castle was attacked in 1648 by Phelim MacTuoll O'Neill, but it was later taken back. George Hamilton was in France at this time, with the Queen's court. In September 1648, he helped Ormond return to Ireland.

In January 1649, Ormond made George Hamilton the "receiver-general" for Ireland. This meant he was in charge of collecting money for the government. He also became a colonel in the army and the governor of Nenagh Castle.

At the end of 1650, the Parliamentarian army, led by Henry Ireton, attacked Nenagh Castle. George Hamilton tried to defend it, but he surrendered the castle in late October or early November 1650 when the Parliamentarians threatened to break down its walls with cannons.

The keep of Nenagh Castle

Exile and Return

After his lands in Ireland were taken by the Parliamentarians, George Hamilton and his family went to France in early 1651. They joined Ormond in exile. His wife, Lady Hamilton, lived in a convent in Paris. In 1656 or 1657, King Charles II sent George on a diplomatic mission to Madrid, Spain.

After King Charles II returned to power in 1660 (known as the Stuart Restoration), George Hamilton came back to London. Around 1660, the King made him a baronet for a second time. This title was "Baronet of Donalong and Nenagh." His lands in Ulster were given back to him.

George Hamilton died in 1679 when he was about 71 or 72 years old. His grandson, James, was supposed to inherit the baronet title. James later became the Earl of Abercorn.

Images for kids

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  The keep of Nenagh Castle