James Hamilton (colonel)
Encyclopedia
James Hamilton was an Irish courtier and soldier, the eldest son of Sir George Hamilton, 1st Baronet and Mary Butler.
Like his younger brothers, he chose a military career, and became a colonel. A favorite of Charles II
, he was appointed Ranger of Hyde Park
in 1660 and Groom of the Bedchamber on 28 October 1664. He was responsible for the partial enclosure of Hyde Park and its re-stocking with deer. Hamilton Place, in the vicinity of Hyde Park, is named for him.
Hamilton was known for his fine manners and dress and his gallantry. An admirer of the Countess of Chesterfield
, his first cousin, he carried on a romance with her by turning her husband's suspicion on the Duke of York
, only to discover that York was courting her as well.
In 1661, he married Elizabeth Colepeper, daughter of John Colepeper, 1st Baron Colepeper
by his second marriage. They had three sons:
Col. Hamilton had one of his legs blown off by a cannonball in a sea-fight with the Dutch (presumably the Battle of Schooneveld
), and died as a result thereof on 6 June 1673. He was buried in Westminster Abbey
.
Like his younger brothers, he chose a military career, and became a colonel. A favorite of Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
, he was appointed Ranger of Hyde Park
Hyde Park, London
Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, United Kingdom, and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner.The park is divided in two by the Serpentine...
in 1660 and Groom of the Bedchamber on 28 October 1664. He was responsible for the partial enclosure of Hyde Park and its re-stocking with deer. Hamilton Place, in the vicinity of Hyde Park, is named for him.
Hamilton was known for his fine manners and dress and his gallantry. An admirer of the Countess of Chesterfield
Elizabeth Butler Stanhope, Countess of Chesterfield
Elizabeth Stanhope, Countess of Chesterfield was the second wife of Philip Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Chesterfield, and the eldest daughter of James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde and Lady Elizabeth Preston.-Marriage:...
, his first cousin, he carried on a romance with her by turning her husband's suspicion on the Duke of York
James II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
, only to discover that York was courting her as well.
In 1661, he married Elizabeth Colepeper, daughter of John Colepeper, 1st Baron Colepeper
John Colepeper, 1st Baron Colepeper
John Colepeper of Bedgebery, 1st Baron Culpeper of Thoresway was an English politician.-Life:He was the only son of Thomas Culpeper of Wigsell and Anne Slaney , daughter of Sir Stephan Slaney, Lord Mayor of London...
by his second marriage. They had three sons:
- James Hamilton, 6th Earl of AbercornJames Hamilton, 6th Earl of AbercornJames Hamilton, 6th Earl of Abercorn, PC was a Scottish and Irish nobleman, the son of Colonel James Hamilton and Elizabeth Colepeper....
(c. 1661–1734) - Col. George Hamilton (d. 3 August 1692, Battle of SteenkerqueBattle of SteenkerqueThe Battle of Steenkerque was fought on August 3, 1692, as a part of the Nine Years' War. It resulted in the victory of the French under Marshal François-Henri de Montmorency, duc de Luxembourg against a joint English-Scottish-Dutch-German army under Prince William of Orange...
) - William Hamilton (aft. 1662–1737), married his cousin Margaret Colepeper and had issue
Col. Hamilton had one of his legs blown off by a cannonball in a sea-fight with the Dutch (presumably the Battle of Schooneveld
Battle of Schooneveld
The Battles of Schooneveld were two naval battles of the Franco-Dutch War, fought off the coast of the Netherlands on 7 June and 14 June 1673 between an allied Anglo-French fleet commanded by Prince Rupert of the Rhine, and the fleet of the United Provinces, commanded by Michiel de Ruyter.The...
), and died as a result thereof on 6 June 1673. He was buried in Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
.