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 og 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.