CHAPTER X
NEWBURGH HAMILTON
Newburgh Hamilton, son of Patrick Hamilton
of Killeter (Chap VIII) was born in the Co. of Tyrone in 1691-2; educated
at Raphoe, Co. Donegal; entered Trinity College, Dublin, 14 Feb 1707-8, aged
16; Tutor J. Elwood – (vide Matriculation Entry T.C.D.). Left College without
taking a degree. Lived in London,
was a writer of plays, and was in the employment of Thomas Earl of Strafford
and of his Dowager Anne Countess of Strafford, as an agent or man of business. He witnessed the Earl's will, dated 22 June
1732, and made an affidavit in 1739, in reference to the signing of it. In a letter dated 9 Jan 1739, from Lord Wentworth
to his father, Lord Strafford,
[1]
he says, "Mr. Handel rehearsed yesterday a new Oratario
called Saul, and Mr. Hamilton thinks it is a very good one." Lady Strafford, in a codicil dated 20 March 1754, to her will,
made the following bequest "Then I leave to Mr. Newburgh Hamilton (if
living with me at the time of my death) the sum of £30 a year for his life
to be paid by my executor." In
an affidavit which he made in 1754 with regard to her will, he states that
he was well acquainted with Lady Strafford "by living in her family many
years." There are several letters
from Newburgh Hamilton to the Earl of Strafford relating to matters of business
from 1728-54 in the British Museum ("Addl. MSS.," Vols. Nos. 22253-4
and 31142). Several of these letters,
where the enclosing fold is preserved, are sealed with red or black wax, the
seal impressions, which are wonderfully fresh and distinct show a coat of
arms with crest and motto; the coat has four quarterings – 1st
and 4th; gules, 3 cinquefoils ermine pierced of a field for Hamilton;
and 2nd and 3rd Or, 3 bendlets azure within a bordure
gules for Newburgh. Crest: oak and frame saw in a ducal coronet and the motto "Through."
In the same collection of letters there is one from Newburgh's brother,
Capt. Charles Hamilton, written from York in Feb 1735-6, to Lord Strafford
thanking him for a present of venison.
In the British Museum catalogue the
following words by him are mentioned: - "The Doating Lover, or the
Libertine Tamed," "A Comedy as it is acted at the Theatre in
Lincoln's Inn Fields," dedicated to the Duchess of Hamilton and Brandon
MDCCXV. "The Petticoat
Plotter," "A Farce in two acts as it was acted at the Theatre Royal
in Drury Lane and the New Theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields," MDCCXX. In 1743 J. & R. Tonson published
"Samson," "an Oratario as it is performed at the Theatre Royal
Convent Garden. Altered and Adapted for
the stage" by Newburgh Hamilton from the Samson Agonites by John Milton;
set to music by George Frederick Handel.
In a codicil, dated 6th August 1756, to the will of George
Frederick Handel, there is the following legacy: "I give to Mr. Newburgh
Hamilton of Old Bond Street, who has assisted me in adjusting words to some of
my compositions, one hundred pounds."
Newburgh Hamilton was buried in the graveyard of St. George's, Hanover
Square, London, on 19th September 1761.
On the 1st October, 1761,
letters of administration were granted
by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury in the goods of "Newburgh Hamilton,
late of the Parish of St. George's, Hanover Square, in the County of Middlesex,
Esquire," to Charles Hamilton, Esquire, his brother.
In "Biographica Dramatica"
(ed. 1812 by D.F.Baker) it is stated, apparently incorrectly, that Newburgh
Hamilton lived in the family of the Duke of Hamilton; also that neither of the
two plays mentioned met with success, but that the first of them ("The
Doating Lover") was "supported through three performances, for the
sake of the author's benefit, whose interest was so strong and his acquaintance
so extensive that he was enabled to lay…..pit and boxes together, at the
advanced price of six shillings for each ticket."