James Hamilton, 6th Earl of Abercorn

James Hamilton, 6th Earl of Abercorn, PC (Ire) ( – 28 November 1734), was a Scottish and Irish peer and politician. Appointed a groom of the bedchamber to Charles II after his father's death in battle, he took the Williamite side at the Glorious Revolution and in March 1689 supplied Derry with stores that enabled the town to sustain the Siege of Derry until it was relieved in August. Shortly after inheriting a Scottish and Irish peerage from a second cousin, he was created a viscount in Ireland for his services to the Williamite cause.

Birth and origins James was born in 1661 or 1662,Efn|His year of birth, given by Henderson (1890) as 1656, is corrected to "about 1661" in Handley (2004).

Sixth Earl of Abercorn In June 1701 died in Strabane his second cousin Charles Hamilton, 5th Earl of Abercorn, without surviving children. Captain Hamilton was his second cousin. The great-grandfather they had in common was James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Abercorn (see Family tree). Captain Hamilton succeeded as 6th Earl of Abercorn in the Scottish and 7th Baron Hamilton of Strabane in the Irish peerage. His eldest, James, acquired the courtesy title Lord Paisley as the heir apparent. The new Lord Abercorn also entered into the possession of the corresponding lands.

About six months later, on 2 December 1701, Lord Abercorn was rewarded by King William with the titles of Viscount Strabane and Baron Mountcastle, both in the Peerage of Ireland. The former was an enhancement of his title of Baron Hamilton of Strabane and was probably given to improve his precedence at the Irish House of Lords.

Lord Abercorn took his seat in the Irish House of Lords (as Viscount Strabane) on 21 September 1703, and in the Parliament of Scotland (as Earl of Abercorn) on 3 October 1706. By April 1711, he had been appointed also to the Privy Council of Ireland.

His father-in-law had built several lighthouses on Ireland's coast under a patent from Charles I. They had been made over to Hamilton as part of the dowry. In 1703 the Irish government found the lighthouses neglected and took them over. Hamilton was compensated by a payment of £3,000.

Death, succession, and timeline Abercorn died on 28 November 1734 at the age of 73 and was buried on 3 December in the Ormond vault of the Henry VII Chapel in Westminster Abbey. The Ormond Vault was opened in 1868 and was found to be filled with many coffins stacked one over the other. Their number was estimated at 59. Individual identification beyond the top layer was not attempted. Abercorn's remains may well be there.

He was succeeded by his eldest son James as the 7th Earl. His wife died on 19 March 1754.

TimelineAs his birth date is uncertain, so are all his ages.AgeDateEvent01661, aboutBorn 1673, 6 JunFather died from a wound received in a sea fight against the Dutch. 1679Did not assume the title of Baronet Hamilton of Donalong and Nenagh at his grandfather's death.1683, JanMarried Elizabeth Reading. 1685Lost his office as groom of the bedchamber at Charles II's death.1688Sided with William at the Glorious Revolution.1689, 21 MarBrought provisions to Derry. 1692, 22 SepElected MP for County Tyrone. 1695, 12 AugRe-elected MP for County Tyrone. 1701, JunSucceeded his second cousin Charles as 6th Earl of Abercorn. 1701, 2 SepCreated Baron Mountcastle and Viscount Strabane. 1709Mother died.1734, 28 NovDied and was buried in the Henry VII Chapel at Westminster Abbey.

Legacy Abercorn Street in Savannah, Georgia, is named for the 6th Earl.

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