HAMILTON, James, Visct. Hamilton (1786-1814), of The Priory, Stanmore, Mdx.

Hamilton’s father intended to put him up for county Donegal ‘upon the first occasion in his power’, otherwise for county Tyrone. Before he came of age he was returned for Dungannon on the interest of his father’s friend Lord Northland. He was still not of age and ineligible for county Donegal when Lord Eliot, his kinsman, returned him for Liskeard in 1807. Having reached his majority, he moved the address on 20 Jan. 1808 and did it ‘remarkably well’, so the chief secretary thought.1Conyngham mss, Abercorn to Conyngham, 23 Aug. 1806; PRO NI, Abercorn mss IB3/11/17, 19, 20, 23; Wellington mss, Castlereagh to Wellesley, 9 Nov. 1807; NLI, Richmond mss 66/835. On 22 Feb. 1810 a resolution of his to extend corn distillery prohibition to Ireland was defeated by 110 votes to 68. He made no further mark in Parliament, being listed favourable to government in 1810. When Lord Eliot offered to return him again in 1812, his father declined on his behalf, describing him as ‘long dying’. ‘The last vote that he gave (in support of the Duke of York), I believe cost him very dear,’ added Abercorn, and ‘he is utterly incapable of assisting his friends.’2Abercorn mss EL13/5; IK/20/52. He contrived to become a founder member of Grillion’s Club that year. He died v.p. 27 May 1814.