CHAPTER XII
THE REV. NICHOLAS HAMILTON AND HIS
DESCENDANTS
Nicholas Hamilton was the eldest surviving
son of the Rev Gustavus Hamilton (Chap IX).
The entry of his Matriculation in Trinity Col. Dublin – 10 Oct 1743 –
states that he was then 16 and that he was born at Enniskillen; he was a
scholar in 1746 and B.A. 1749, and received Holy Orders. The
following were his preferments: - Curate of Loughan Island 1753; Vicar of
Tollynakil 1759; Vicar of Tollynakil and Curate of Grey Abbey 1761-70; Vicar of
Donaghadee – all in the Dio. of Down.
His will is dated 28 March 1786.
He died at Carlingford on his way to Dublin in June 1787 (Donaghadee
Parish Register), and his was proved by his widow Christian Hamilton 14 July
1787. Christian was the daughter of
John Bailie of Inishargie, Co. Down, and sister of James Bailie, M.P. for
Hillsborough in the Irish Parliament (also sister of Jane Bailie , who m.
Robert Rollo Gillespie of Comber, Co. Down, and had one son, Major-Gen. Sir
Robert Rollo Gillespie, killed at the Fort of Kalunga in the Goorka War of
1814). She was married in 1760; died 9
May 1817, bur. at Donaghadee. Will
proved 1 Feb 1823. See pedigree,
showing her royal descent.
The following were the children of the
Rev. Nicholas Hamilton and Christian his wife:
(1)
John, of whom later (See Chap XIII)
(2)
James Mathew, of whom later (See Chap XVIII)
(3)
Wills Hill; served in the Royal Navy; ob. s.p. in the West Indies;
(4)
Charles Frederick, baptized at Donaghadee 24 July 1780; 5th Foot
(Northumberland Fusiliers); Lieut. 3 Jan 1798; Lieut. 6th West India
Regt. 25 June 1803; took part in the expedition to Holland in 1799; wounded in
the action of 6 Oct Beverwyck; on his retirement from the Army he obtained a
civil appointment in India; ob. s.p.;
(5)
Gustavus; ob. s.p. under age;
(6)
Francis William, of whom later (See Chap XIX)
(7)
Ann, who m. Alexander McMinn of Donaghadee; they had a son Alexander, whose da.
Selina McMinn resided at Donaghadee, and died in 1915;
(8)
Jane, mentioned in the will of Jane Bailie, her grandmother, pro. 19 Jul 1781.