Sir George Hamilton, 1st Baronet, of Donalong

Sir George Hamilton

Sir George Hamilton, 1st Baronet (c. 1607–1679), an Irish baronet, was one of the proprietors of the silver mines of Knockaunderrig before the English Civil War.

Life

The fourth son of James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Abercorn and Marion Boyd, Hamilton's early advancement was hindered by his Catholicism, but he was appointed a colonel of foot in 1649, and upheld the Royalist cause in Ireland. He was the commander at Nenagh when Ireton arrived to besiege it for the Parliamentarians in October 1650. Initially defiant, he surrendered to Ireton when the latter threatened to breach the walls with artillery. Hamilton's Irish lands were confiscated and he went into exile in Paris. Upon the Restoration, he was high in favor with Charles II and was created a baronet in 1660.

Family

He married Mary Butler, sister of James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde. They had nine children, several of whom gained advancement in French service:

• Col. James Hamilton (c. 1620–1673)
• Sir George Hamilton (bef. 1621–1676), Comte de Hamilton, Maréchal de Camp,^[1] married Frances Jennings, sister of the Duchess of Marlborough and had issue. He commanded an Irish regiment under Turenne at the battles of Sinzheim and Enzheim, and covered the retreat at Altenheim after Turenne's death at Sasbach. He was killed while serving under Luxembourg at the Zaberner Steige.
• Elizabeth Hamilton (c. 1641–1708), married in 1664 Philibert, comte de Gramont (d. 1707) and had issue
• Antoine Hamilton, Comte de Hamilton (1646–1720) was a Jacobite and a noted author.
• Thomas Hamilton
• Lt.-Gen. Richard Hamilton (d. 1717), who commanded the infantry defending the ford at Oldbridge during the Battle of the Boyne.
• Col. John Hamilton (d. 12 July 1691, Battle of Aughrim), Comte de Hamilton, married in January 1690 Elizabeth Macan and had issue
• Lucia Hamilton (d. 1676), married Sir Donough O'Brien, 1st Baronet in 1674
• Margaret Hamilton, married in July 1674 Mathew Forde of Seaforde Co. Down and Coolgreany Co. Wexford ^[2][3]

References