Pioneers of St. Clair County, Michigan - Person Sheet
Pioneers of St. Clair County, Michigan - Person Sheet
Individual Notes
• Reputed (family tradition) to be descended from the second son of Viscount Clandeboye.1
• There seems to be absolutely no possibility that Hans Hamilton, father of Elizabeth, descended from the 1st or 2nd Earl of Clanbrassil of the first creation as otherwise these titles would surely have devolved upon him.6888
• Provincial records do not reveal many details about Hants after his arrival in Nova Scotia. It is believed he came with the family of his brother Robert. It is not known if his children came at the time or later.
His name is recorded in the Cornwallis, Kings County Poll Tax Record for 1791 where his property was Assessed and Taxed. This explains why the letter from his brother William in Ireland was readdressed to Cornwallis and therefore it was likely Hants who received the letter first.8369
• The old family manuscript, held in the family for many years and published in “A History of The House of Hamilton” (1933), records the following, “Hans, who accompanied his brother Robert to Nova Scotia and had issue:- (a) James. (b) John, who had issue a daughter, Mrs. Gorsham of Halifax, N.S., (c) Archibald, who migrated from Nova Scotia into Canada and had issue a son Christopher; (d/h) Five daughters. His name can be found among his male descendants for many generations.8369
• In 1790 a letter addressed to Robert and his brother Hants arrived from Ireland, giving news of family and asking if the prospects were good in Nova Scotia. There was no envelope, simply a folded letter addressed to William or Hants Hamilton, Halifax. It had been readdressed to Cornwallis. A large figure 8 marked on the backside indicated that the postage collected was 8 pence.
Feb 23 1790, Ireland
"Dear Brothers,
This comes to let you know that I am in good health, and my family at present, thanks to God. I hope that this will find you and families the same.
I will acquaint you that your sister Jane is dead, and her daughter, Nancy. Also your brother David. Your brother Archibald is in good health. You may let Esther know that her sister Simpson is dead, and her mother.
I had an account since you wrote, that you were all well. The rest of the _? and John Rowan are still in good health. I hope that you will write as soon as this comes to your hand, and please to tell us of the affairs of that country, and how you would advise my sons as they are thinking of going to it if you would send them any encouragement. Please let me know how John Hamilton's daughter is. The Fergusons are all well and they will write you. I have written you several times, but received no answer these two years. I have nothing more to inform you of, only that there has been some disturbances for these three years past between the Protestants and the Papists. Every means has been taken to settle them by gentle means, but cannot say that this has come to an end yet.
My wife and family all join with me in sending our best wishes.
Farewell, I am, Dear brother, your affectionate brother.
(sgd)
William Hamilton
• There seems to be absolutely no possibility that Hans Hamilton, father of Elizabeth, descended from the 1st or 2nd Earl of Clanbrassil of the first creation as otherwise these titles would surely have devolved upon him.6888
• Provincial records do not reveal many details about Hants after his arrival in Nova Scotia. It is believed he came with the family of his brother Robert. It is not known if his children came at the time or later.
His name is recorded in the Cornwallis, Kings County Poll Tax Record for 1791 where his property was Assessed and Taxed. This explains why the letter from his brother William in Ireland was readdressed to Cornwallis and therefore it was likely Hants who received the letter first.8369
• The old family manuscript, held in the family for many years and published in “A History of The House of Hamilton” (1933), records the following, “Hans, who accompanied his brother Robert to Nova Scotia and had issue:- (a) James. (b) John, who had issue a daughter, Mrs. Gorsham of Halifax, N.S., (c) Archibald, who migrated from Nova Scotia into Canada and had issue a son Christopher; (d/h) Five daughters. His name can be found among his male descendants for many generations.8369
• In 1790 a letter addressed to Robert and his brother Hants arrived from Ireland, giving news of family and asking if the prospects were good in Nova Scotia. There was no envelope, simply a folded letter addressed to William or Hants Hamilton, Halifax. It had been readdressed to Cornwallis. A large figure 8 marked on the backside indicated that the postage collected was 8 pence.
Feb 23 1790, Ireland
"Dear Brothers,
This comes to let you know that I am in good health, and my family at present, thanks to God. I hope that this will find you and families the same.
I will acquaint you that your sister Jane is dead, and her daughter, Nancy. Also your brother David. Your brother Archibald is in good health. You may let Esther know that her sister Simpson is dead, and her mother.
I had an account since you wrote, that you were all well. The rest of the _? and John Rowan are still in good health. I hope that you will write as soon as this comes to your hand, and please to tell us of the affairs of that country, and how you would advise my sons as they are thinking of going to it if you would send them any encouragement. Please let me know how John Hamilton's daughter is. The Fergusons are all well and they will write you. I have written you several times, but received no answer these two years. I have nothing more to inform you of, only that there has been some disturbances for these three years past between the Protestants and the Papists. Every means has been taken to settle them by gentle means, but cannot say that this has come to an end yet.
My wife and family all join with me in sending our best wishes.
Farewell, I am, Dear brother, your affectionate brother.
(sgd)
William Hamilton
Research
• Burke's Irish Family Records; 941.5 D22 bur 1976.
• With regard to the Hamilton family it would probably be best for us to start with your known ancestry rather than attempt to deduce a pedigree from the Viscounts Clandeboye. In genealogical research one must always work backwards, proving each link, and any attempt to work "downwards" always fails.
You probably are aware the Clandeboy is an area in County Down and many Hamilton families settled in this county after 1600. Hans also, as a Christian name, was very popular in Co. Down and for both of these reasons it seems likely that your family may have originated in this County. However, I must point out that Hamilton is a very common surname in Ulster and is found literally in all 9 counties that compose the province.
You suggest that Hans Hamilton was born circa 1760 and his daughter Elizabeth married a David Nelson before 1813. The best starting point in this case would be for us to ascertain if any Hans Hamilton occurs on the 1796 Flax Premiums as a recipient of the concession of one free spinning wheel per 1/4 acre of flax cultivated. The linen industry (linen is produced from Flax) was very prominent in Ulster in 1796 and the returns can be used as a primitive census. If a Hans Hamilton is listed his parish of residence will be given. We could also compile a list of all those parishes in which both Hamilton and nelson occur in common. Nelson is much rarer than Hamilton as a surname and thus might give us a good lead as to the families place of residence.
Another way forward would be for us to examine the Grantor's Index to the Registry of Deeds, circa 1810-1815, to see if David Nelson sold any leasehold or freehold land in Ireland prior to or soon after emigrating. If such deeds could be located they would give us information on his Irish address.
State Registration of marriages in Ireland only began in 1845. Prior to this date records were maintained by Parish and there are no master indices. We could, however, examine the Diocesan Marriage Licence Bonds for a Nelson/Hamilton marriage. If found this would at least narrow down the Diocese of research.3537
• With regard to the Hamilton family it would probably be best for us to start with your known ancestry rather than attempt to deduce a pedigree from the Viscounts Clandeboye. In genealogical research one must always work backwards, proving each link, and any attempt to work "downwards" always fails.
You probably are aware the Clandeboy is an area in County Down and many Hamilton families settled in this county after 1600. Hans also, as a Christian name, was very popular in Co. Down and for both of these reasons it seems likely that your family may have originated in this County. However, I must point out that Hamilton is a very common surname in Ulster and is found literally in all 9 counties that compose the province.
You suggest that Hans Hamilton was born circa 1760 and his daughter Elizabeth married a David Nelson before 1813. The best starting point in this case would be for us to ascertain if any Hans Hamilton occurs on the 1796 Flax Premiums as a recipient of the concession of one free spinning wheel per 1/4 acre of flax cultivated. The linen industry (linen is produced from Flax) was very prominent in Ulster in 1796 and the returns can be used as a primitive census. If a Hans Hamilton is listed his parish of residence will be given. We could also compile a list of all those parishes in which both Hamilton and nelson occur in common. Nelson is much rarer than Hamilton as a surname and thus might give us a good lead as to the families place of residence.
Another way forward would be for us to examine the Grantor's Index to the Registry of Deeds, circa 1810-1815, to see if David Nelson sold any leasehold or freehold land in Ireland prior to or soon after emigrating. If such deeds could be located they would give us information on his Irish address.
State Registration of marriages in Ireland only began in 1845. Prior to this date records were maintained by Parish and there are no master indices. We could, however, examine the Diocesan Marriage Licence Bonds for a Nelson/Hamilton marriage. If found this would at least narrow down the Diocese of research.3537