James Hamilton (Pennsylvania)
Encyclopedia
James Hamilton son of the well-known Philadelphia lawyer Andrew Hamilton
, was a prominent lawyer and governmental figure in colonial Philadelphia and Pennsylvania
.
In May of 1734 James’ father Andrew Hamilton
sold to him the town site of Lancaster, Pennsylvania
for the price of five shillings. Later that month, on May 21, James secured a patent from the Penn family for his grant on the Lancaster land.
After the death of Andrew Hamilton on August 4, 1741, James Hamilton assisted his brother-in-law, William Allen
, in the administration of lands purchased by his father to be used for the state house
and surrounding public space.
He was elected to the provincial assembly in 1745 and was re-elected five times.
He served as mayor of Philadelphia for one year from October 1745.
Hamilton became a member of the provincial council
in 1746, and was commissioned by the sons of William Penn
as lieutenant-governor, as which he served until 1754, then again from 1759 to 1763, then briefly also in 1771 and 1773.
On September 13, 1761 James Hamilton and William Allen conveyed Lot no. 1 and the other pieces of property obtained by both Andrew Hamilton and William Allen to Isaac Norris II and the other trustees in charge of purchasing property for the Philadelphia state house. The conveyance of this land completed the Yard of property that contained the state house and the public spaces surrounding it.
) and as the head of the American Philosophical Society
.
Andrew Hamilton (lawyer)
Andrew Hamilton was a Scottish lawyer in Colonial America, best known for his legal victory on behalf of printer and newspaper publisher John Peter Zenger. This 1735 decision helped to establish that truth is a defense to an accusation of libel...
, was a prominent lawyer and governmental figure in colonial Philadelphia and Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Life
Hamilton was educated in Philadelphia and England before becoming a practising lawyer in 1731. When on December 28, 1733 his father resigned as prothonotary of the supreme court of Pennsylvania, he was appointed to the office.In May of 1734 James’ father Andrew Hamilton
Andrew Hamilton (lawyer)
Andrew Hamilton was a Scottish lawyer in Colonial America, best known for his legal victory on behalf of printer and newspaper publisher John Peter Zenger. This 1735 decision helped to establish that truth is a defense to an accusation of libel...
sold to him the town site of Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is a city in the south-central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Lancaster County and one of the older inland cities in the United States, . With a population of 59,322, it ranks eighth in population among Pennsylvania's cities...
for the price of five shillings. Later that month, on May 21, James secured a patent from the Penn family for his grant on the Lancaster land.
After the death of Andrew Hamilton on August 4, 1741, James Hamilton assisted his brother-in-law, William Allen
William Allen (loyalist)
William Allen was a wealthy merchant, Chief Justice of the Province of Pennsylvania, and mayor of Philadelphia. At the time of the American Revolution, Allen was one of the wealthiest and most powerful men in Philadelphia...
, in the administration of lands purchased by his father to be used for the state house
Independence Hall
Independence Hall is the centerpiece of Independence National Historical Park located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, on Chestnut Street between 5th and 6th Streets...
and surrounding public space.
He was elected to the provincial assembly in 1745 and was re-elected five times.
He served as mayor of Philadelphia for one year from October 1745.
Hamilton became a member of the provincial council
Pennsylvania Provincial Council
The Pennsylvania Provincial Council helped govern the Province of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1776.-References:*----...
in 1746, and was commissioned by the sons of William Penn
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
as lieutenant-governor, as which he served until 1754, then again from 1759 to 1763, then briefly also in 1771 and 1773.
On September 13, 1761 James Hamilton and William Allen conveyed Lot no. 1 and the other pieces of property obtained by both Andrew Hamilton and William Allen to Isaac Norris II and the other trustees in charge of purchasing property for the Philadelphia state house. The conveyance of this land completed the Yard of property that contained the state house and the public spaces surrounding it.
Legacy
Hamilton was active in founding several institutions in Philadelphia, serving as president of the board of trustees of the College of Philadelphia (now the University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
) and as the head of the American Philosophical Society
American Philosophical Society
The American Philosophical Society, founded in 1743, and located in Philadelphia, Pa., is an eminent scholarly organization of international reputation, that promotes useful knowledge in the sciences and humanities through excellence in scholarly research, professional meetings, publications,...
.
External links
- Biography at Temple University
- Biographical sketch and portrait at the University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of PennsylvaniaThe University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...