• Robert and Hants were the sons of William Hamilton and his wife of Northern Ireland, who, it is believed, were the parents of 10 sons and 2 daughters. An old family letter records that at least two sons, a granddaughter and a grandson settled in Nova Scotia. A great-great-grandson, Pierce Stevens Hamilton, Esq., visited the homeland and returned with charts and notes recording the family genealogy and history – those are still kept in the family and an outline is presented next.
William's ancestors came to Great Britain with William the Conqueror in 1066, the family name then being DeMellent or Bellomont.
Robert DeMellent or Bellomont - First Earl of Leicester, 1066. His sons William and Roger came to England with William the Conqueror in 1066. Of these William married Mary, daughter of the Earl of Strathern and their son Sir Gilbert Hamilton was companion of Robert the Bruce.
Sir Gilbert's son was Sir Walter FitzGilbert, who was the father of David FitzWalter. His son was David Hamilton who was the father of Sir John Hamilton. Sir John was father of Walter Hamilton of Raploch who died before May 20 1441.
Lineage from Walter is > James Hamilton > William Hamilton, of Raploch circa 1492 > James Hamilton of Raploch, died before January 1532 > Archibald Hamilton of Raploch, died before September 1561 > His natural son John was a Vicar and was known as Hans Hamilton. He died May 30 1608 at 72 years > His son (name unknown) was father of Gavin Hamilton, of Ballygally circa 1578 > John or James Hamilton, who died 1666 age 65 years > William Hamilton > Robert & Hans Hamilton - settlers to Nova Scotia.8369