THE 5TH DUKE OF ABERCORN , Marquess of Abercorn, Marquess of Hamilton, Earl of Abercorn, Viscount Strabane, Viscount Hamilton, Lord Paisley, Lord Aberbrothick, Lord Abercorn, Lord Hamilton, Lord Mountcastle, Lord Kilpatrick, Lord Hamilton, Baron Strabane, Baron Mountcashell and a Baronet, also Duke of Châtellerault (Sir James Hamilton, Bt, KG (1999)) [His Grace The Duke of Abercorn KG, Barons Court, Omagh, Co Tyrone, N Ireland BT78 4EZ; 10 Little Chester St, London SW1X 7AL]; born 4 July 1934; succeeded f 1979; heir male of the House of Hamilton; educated Eton and RAC Cirencester; Lt Gren Gds 1952; MP (UU) Fermanagh and S Tyrone 1964–70; Co Tyrone: DL 1970, High Sheriff 1970, Ld-Lt 1987–; Col Irish Gds 2000, Lord Steward HM Household 2001–; memb: Cncl Europe 1968–70, European Ec and Social Ctee 1973–78, dir: Northern Bank Ltd 1970–97, NI Industrial Devpt Bd 1982–87, pres: Roy UK Beneficent Assoc 1979–, Bldg Socs Assoc 1986–92 and RUKBA 1979–, chm Laganside Devpt Corp 1989–96 and Templeton Investment Management 1985–; Hon memb RICS 1995, Hon LLB Queen's U Belfast 1997; Patron Roy Ulster Ag Soc 1990–96, Tstee Winston Churchill Meml Tst 1991–; married 20 Oct 1966 •Anastasia Alexandra, DLitt Ulster 2003, eldest daughter of Lt-Col Harold Pedro Joseph Phillips, Coldstream Gds, FRGS, of Checkendon, Reading (see 1970 edn WERNHER, Bt), and has:

1a +JAMES HAROLD CHARLES, Marquess of Hamilton; born 19 Aug 1969 (HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES stood sponsor); educated Harrow; Page of Honour to HM THE QUEEN 1982–84; married 7 May 2004 •Tanya Marie (born 20 April 1971), daughter of Douglas Percy Codrington Nation

2a +Nicholas Edward Claud; born 8 July 1979; educated Harrow

1a •Sophia Alexandra; born 8 June 1973; educated St Mary's Wantage; model to 1996; married 7 Sept 2002 •Anthony Loyd, only son of Anthony Loyd and Mrs Deirdre Brown

Lineage: GILBERT de HAMILTON (see also STRATHCLYDE, B); had:

WALTER Fitz GILBERT, 1st of Cadzow; witness to a charter to Paisley Abbey 10 Jan 1294/5, named in the Homage Roll 28 Aug 1296, granted by ROBERT I (THE BRUCE) Dalserf 3 March 1314/5 and afterwards Cadzow, which became the chief lordship and seat of the Hamilton family, also Kinneil 28 July 1323; married 1st – Helen; married 2nd Mary, daughter of Sir Adam Gordon, feudal Lord of Gordon, by whom he had, with a younger son (John Fitz Walter; ancestor of the Hamiltons of Innerwick and Earls of Haddington (qv)):

Sir DAVID Fitz WALTER Fitz GILBERT, 2nd of Cadzow; fought Battles of Halidon  Hill 1333 and Durham 1346 (where captured by English), benefactor diocese of Glasgow 1361, one of the Scottish nobles consenting to the settlement of the Crown on ROBERT II 1371; married 1388 Margaret, daughter of William, 7th Earl of Ross (see also BOSVILLE MACDONALD of SLEAT, Bt), and died 1374, having had, with two younger sons (Sir John, of Fingaltoun (ancestor of the HAMILTONs of Preston, see STIRLING-HAMILTON, Bt); Walter; ancestor of the HAMILTONs of Cambuskeith, Ayrshire):

Sir DAVID HAMILTON, 3rd of Cadzow; had grants from ROBERT II 1375 and 1378;  married Janet/Joan/Jonetta, daughter of Sir William Keith, of Galston, and died by 14 May 1392, leaving an eldest son:

Sir JOHN HAMILTON, 4th of Cadzow; witnessed a charter 14 May 1392; married Jacoba/Janet, daughter of Sir James Douglas of Dalkeith (see MORTON, E), and had, with possibly a daughter (Elizabeth, married by 1400 Alexander Fraser 1st of Philorth; see SALTOUN, L), an eldest son:

Sir JAMES HAMILTON, 5th of Cadzow; hostage for ransom of JAMES I from the English 1424 and 1426; married c 20 Oct 1422 Janet, daughter of Sir Alexander Livingston of Callendar, and died by May 1441, having had:

1a JAMES HAMILTON, 1st LORD HAMILTON

2a Alexander; had issue (see HAMILTON OF SILVERTONHILL, Bt)

3a John; had a charter of Whitecamp and Kirkhope 14 June 1449 and died by 23 Oct 1455, leaving:

1b William

2b Robert

4a Gavin; Provost collegiate church of Bothwell; ancestor of the HAMILTONs of Orbieston (see HAMILTON OF DALZELL, B); had an illegitimate son:

1b Thomas

Sir JAMES HAMILTON, 5th of Cadzow's eldest son,

Sir JAMES HAMILTON, 6th of Cadzow, 1st LORD HAMILTON (S), so  created by roy charter 28 June 1445; at first joined the Douglas revolt of 1455 against JAMES II, later joined the King's side and helped suppress it, Sheriff Lanarks 1 July 1455, had a new charter of all his lands and baronies 23 Oct 1455; married 1st (dispensation 2 Feb 1440/1) Eupheme (dspm by 1 Nov 1468), eldest daughter of Sir Patrick Graham (see MONTROSE, D), Earl of Strathearn in right of his wife, and widow of 5th Earl of Douglas (see QUEENSBERRY, M), and had at least one daughter (Elizabeth; married 1459 (divorce c 1484) 5th Earl of Crawford (see CRAWFORD and BALCARRES, E); married 2nd (divorce by 1508) John Forrester of Niddrie and died in or after 1516); married 2nd by April 1474 Mary, daughter of JAMES II and formerly wife of 1st and last Earl of Arran of the 1467 created (see KILMARNOCK), and died 6 Nov 1479, leaving by her, with a daughter (Elizabeth; married April 1494, as his 2nd wife, Matthew Stuart 11th Earl of Lennox (see MORAY, E), and died in or after April 1531):

JAMES HAMILTON, 2nd LORD HAMILTON and 1st EARL OF ARRAN, PC (S);  born c 1475; obtained a charter of the lands and earldom of Arran to himself and his heirs male in failure of which they were to revert to the Crown 11 Aug 1503, Adml Scotland 1513, Lt-Gen Kingdom of Scotland, Warden Marches, a Lord of the Regency 1517, obtained lordship of Bothwell on its forfeiture by the Earl of Angus; married 1st (charter 28 April 1490; divorce 16 Nov 1504 on grounds of her previous marriage to Thomas Hay of Hoprew (living 20 June 1491, i.e., at the time of the marriage, though believed dead at the time), son of 1st Lord Hay of Yester (see TWEEDDALE, M), further divorce 11 March 1509/10) Elizabeth (died 1544), daughter of 2nd Lord Home (see HOME, E); married 2nd (charter 23 Nov 1516) Janet (died c 1522), daughter of Sir David Beaton of Creich, Fifeshire (Comptroller Scotland temp JAMES VI), and widow of Sir Robert Livingston of Easter Wemyss, and died by 22 July 1529, having had at least two illegitimate children (Elizabeth, married c 1543 Robert, Master of Sempill (see SEMPILL); Margaret; his daughter by his mistress Beatrice (dau of 1st Lord Drummond; see PERTH, E), married 1st Lord Stewart of Ochiltree; see MORAY, E), and leaving by his 2nd wife an eldest legitimate son:

JAMES HAMILTON, 2nd EARL OF ARRAN; Regent of Scotland 1542–54, declared Heir  Presumptive to the Crown 13 March 1542/3, Guardian to MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS and Govr of the Realm during latter's minority, Order of St Michael France 1548, created by HENRY II OF FRANCE 8 Feb 1548/9 DUKE OF CHATELLERAULT, in Poitou, with a pension, to win his consent to the match between MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS and the DAUPHIN OF FRANCE; married c 23 Sept 1532 Margaret, eldest daughter of 3rd Earl of Morton (qv), and died 22 Jan 1574/5, leaving, with a daughter (Barbara; married 1st Alexander, Lord Gordon (see HUNTLY, M); married 2nd 4th Lord Fleming, and had issue; see LAUDERDALE, E) a 5th son:

CLAUD HAMILTON, 1st Lord Paisley, Co Renfrew (S), so created 29 July 1587; born c 1542; Lay Abbot Paisley 1553; cmded the vanguard for MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS Battle of Langside 1568 (having previously helped her escape from Lochleven), subsequently outlawed and estates forfeited, but restored for loyalty to JAMES VI 1572/3 though again subject to forfeiture for activities in MARY's cause 1579, lordship of Paisley restored to him 1585, though he continued plotting for MARY's release; married 1 Aug 1574 Margaret (died by 18 Feb 1616), daughter of 5th Lord Seton (see EGLINTON and WINTON, E), and died by 3 May 1621, having had, with a younger son (Sir John, whose widow Johanna married 4th Lord Sempill; qv):

JAMES HAMILTON, 1st Earl of Abercorn, so created 10 July 1606, as also LORD PAISLEY, HAMILTON, MOUNTCASTELL and KILPATRICK and earlier 5 April 1603 LORD ABERCORN, Co Linlithgow (all S), PC (S); MP (S) Linlithgow 1597, Gent of Bedchamber to JAMES VI, granted office of Sheriff Linlithgowshire for him and his heirs male 1600; married Marion (died 20 Aug 1632), daughter of 6th Lord Boyd (see KILMARNOCK, B), and died in the lifetime of the father 23 March 1617/8, leaving, with other issue:

1a JAMES HAMILTON, 2nd Earl of Abercorn; succeeded his cousin 2nd Duke of Hamilton (see HAMILTON and BRANDON, D) as heir male of the House of Hamilton, created 8 May 1617 LORD HAMILTON, BARON OF STRABANE, Co Tyrone (I) with remainder to the heirs male of the body of his f, an honour transferred to his next brother Claud 11 Nov 1633 following his (James's) resignation, a resignation itself following James's succession to his f's and grandfather's peerages; married c 1632 Catharine (died 17 Sept 1637), daughter and heiress of 1st Baron Clifton (of Leighton Bromswold) and widow of 3rd Duke of Lennox (see MORAY, E), and died c 1670, having had, with two elder sons (died in the lifetime of the father):

1b GEORGE HAMILTON, 3rd Earl of Abercorn; born c 1636; died unmarried Padua by 1683

2a CLAUD HAMILTON, 2nd Lord Hamilton, Baron of Strabane; succeeded to the family's Irish estates on the resignation of his brother and was created (effectively a recognition) 14 Aug 1634 LORD HAMILTON, BARON OF STRABANE, Co Tyrone (I), with the precedence of the former patent 8 May 1617 (see below); married 28 Nov 1632 Jean (married 2nd after 1641 Sir Phelim O'Neill; see O'NEILL, B), daughter of 1st Marquess of Huntly (qv), and died 14 June 1638, having by her had, with other issue:

1b JAMES HAMILTON, 3rd Lord Hamilton, Baron of Strabane; born 1633; died unmarried 16 June 1655

1b GEORGE HAMILTON, 4th Lord Hamilton, Baron of Strabane; married 1659 Elizabeth, daughter of Christopher Fagan, of Feltrim, Co Dublin, and died 14 April 1668, leaving issue, with two daughters (one of whom married Sir John Browne, 3rd Bt; see KILMAINE, B):

1c CLAUD HAMILTON, 5th Lord Hamilton, Baron of Strabane and 4th Earl of Abercorn, PC (I); baptised 13 Sept 1659; Lord of the Bedchamber to JAMES II whom he accompanied to France after the Battle of the Boyne 1 July 1690, outlawed 11 May 1691 and his Irish peerages and estates confiscated, cmded a Jacobite Regt Battle of Aughrim, Ireland, 12 July 1691; killed in action soon after in an engagement with a Dutch man-of-war nr Brest, whilst returning to France

2c CHARLES HAMILTON, 5th Earl of Abercorn; restored to the title and estates 24 May 1692; married Catharine (died 24 May 1723), daughter and heir of James, Lord Paisley, eldest son of James, 2nd Earl of Abercorn, and widow of William Lenthall, of Burford Priory, Oxford; died without surviving issue June 1701

1b Catherine; married 1st 1647 her cousin James Hamilton, elder brother of 1st Viscount Boyne (qv); married 2nd Owen Wynne; married 3rd John Bingham, of Castlebar, Co Mayo

3a Sir George Hamilton, 1st Bt, so cr c 1660 (NS), of Donalong, Co Tyrone, and Nenagh, Co Tipperary; married (contract 2 June 1629) Mary (died Aug 1680), 3rd daughter of Thomas Butler Viscount Thurles (see MOUNTGARRET, V), and died 1679, leaving, with other issue:

1b James; Col in serv of CHARLES II and Groom of the Bedchamber; married 1661 Elizabeth (died 1709), daughter of 1st Baron Colepeper of Thoresway (extinct 1725), and died in the lifetime of the father of a wound recd in a naval engagement with the Dutch 6 June 1673, leaving, with other issue:

1c JAMES HAMILTON, 6th Earl of Abercorn, PC (I); did not take the title of Bt on grandfather's death, took part in defence of Londonderry during Siege by JAMES II, MP (I) Tyrone 1692 and 1695, created 2 Sept 1701 BARON MOUNTCASHELL, Co Tyrone, and VISCOUNT STRABANE (both I); married c 24 Jan 1683/4 Elizabeth (died 19 March 1754), daughter and heiress of Sir Robert Reading, 1st and last Bt, of Dublin; died 28 Nov 1734, having had, with other issue:

1d JAMES, 7th Earl

2c William, of Chilston Pk, Kent (see HAMILTON of Trebinshun, Bt)

2b George (Sir); Count Hamilton in France and Maréchal du Camp; married 1665 Frances (‘La Belle Jenyns', who married 2nd 1679, as his 2nd wife, 1st Duke of Tyrconnell see TALBOT OF MALAHIDE, B), and died 9 March 1730), eldest daughter and coheir of Richard Jenyns, of Sandridge, Herts, and sister of Sarah Duchess of Marlborough (qv), and died 1676, having had three daughters (including Frances; married 1st 1687 8th Viscount Dillon of Costello-Gallen (qv); married 2nd c 1714 Patrick Bellew, qv)

3b Anthony Count Hamilton; Lt-Gen French serv; author: Mémoires de Gramont; died 20 April 1719 aged 74

1b Elizabeth; married Philibert Count de Gramont, and had issue (see STAFFORD, B)

1a Anne; married c 1611 5th Lord Semphill (qv)

The 6th EARL OF ABERCORN's eldest son,

JAMES HAMILTON,  7th Earl of Abercorn, PC (E and I); born 22 March 1685/6; FRS; married (licence 26 March 1711) Anne (died 7 Aug 1776), eldest daughter of Col John Plumer, of Blakesware, Herts, and died 11 Jan 1744, having had, with other issue:

1a JAMES HAMILTON, 8th Earl of Abercorn; born 22 Oct 1712; Rep Peer Scotland 1761–86, created 8 Aug 1786 VISCOUNT HAMILTON (GB), with remainder in default of male issue to his n John James Hamilton; died unmarried 9 Oct 1789

2a John; Capt RN; married 13 Oct 1749 Harriet (died 1 Feb 1769), illegitimate daughter of James Craggs, PC, and widow of Richard Eliot, (see SAINT GERMANS, E), and was drowned off Portsmouth 18 Dec 1755, leaving:

1b JOHN JAMES, 1st Marquess

1b Anne; died unmarried 4 Nov 1764

3a George (Rev); born 11 Aug 1718; Canon Windsor; married Elizabeth (died 1800), daughter of Lt-Gen Richard Onslow (qv), and died 26 Nov 1787, having had a son and eight daughters (including Elizabeth; married Glynn Belasyse-Wynn; see NEWBOROUGH, B)

The 8th EARL OF ABERCORN's n,

JOHN JAMES HAMILTON,  9th Earl and 1st Marquess of Abercorn (I), so created 15 Oct 1790, KG (1805), PC (I 1794); born posthumously July 1756; married 1st 20 June 1777 Catherine (died 13 Sept 1791), daughter of Sir Joseph Copley, 1st Bt, of Sprotborough, Yorks, and had:

1a James, Viscount Hamilton; born 7 Oct 1786; married 25 Nov 1809 Harriet (married 2nd 8 July 1815 4th Earl of Aberdeen (see ABERDEEN AND TEMAIR, M), and died 26 Aug 1833), daughter of Hon John Douglas (see MORTON, E), and died in the lifetime of the father 27 May 1814, leaving:

1b JAMES, 2nd Marquess and 1st Duke of Abercorn, for whom see further below

2b Claud, PC; born 27 July 1813; MP Co Tyrone 1835–37 and 1839–74; V-Chamberlain Household 1866–68; married 7 Aug 1844 Elizabeth Emma (d 24 June 1900), 2nd daughter of 3rd Earl of Carysfort, and died 3 June 1884, leaving a son (Douglas James HAMILTON later PROBY (roy licence 1904); married and had issue; see PROBY, Bt), and three daughters (Louisa Charlotte, married 29 Feb 1876 John Tyndall, LLD, DCL, FRS (died 4 Dec 1893), son of John Tyndall, of Leighlin Bridge, Co Carlow, and died 18 Aug 1940; Emma Frances, died 2 Jan 1924; Mary Stuart, married 2 Oct 1878 2nd Baron Tollemache (died 6 Jan 1939, qv)

1b Harriet; married 15 May 1836 Adml William Alexander Baillie Hamilton, and died 19 March 1884, leaving issue (see HADDINGTON, E)

2a Claud; born 1 Nov 1787; died 1808

1a Harriet Margaret; died 30 April 1803

2a Katharine Elizabeth; married 28 July 1805 4th Earl of Aberdeen (see ABERDEEN AND TEMAIR, M), and died 20 Feb 1812, leaving issue who died unm

3a Maria; died unmarried 21 Jan 1814

The 1st Marquess married 2nd 4 March 1792 (divorce 1799) his cousin Cecil, daughter of Rev Hon George Hamilton (see above), and by her had:

4a Cecil Frances; married 16 Feb 1816 4th Earl of Wicklow (died 22 March 1869; see 1970 edn), and died 7 July 1860, leaving issue

The 1st Marquess married 3rd 3 April 1800 Anne Jane (died without issue 8 May 1827), daughter of 2nd Earl of Arran of the Arran Islands (qv) and widow of Henry Hatton, of Clonard, and died 27 Jan 1818, having had an illegitimate son by Frances Hawkins (Arthur Fitz-James; born 1799)

His gs,

JAMES HAMILTON,  2nd Marquess and 1st Duke of Abercorn, so created 10 Aug 1868, as also MARQUESS OF HAMILTON (both I), KG, PC, DCL, LLD; born 21 Jan 1811; Ld-Lt Ireland 1866–68 and 1874–6, Groom Stole to HRH THE PRINCE CONSORT, Lt and custos rotulorum Co Donegal, Col Donegal Militia, Maj-Gen Roy Co of Archers; a Govr Harrow Sch, Chllr Roy U of Ireland; served heir male of the body of the 1st Duke of Chatellerault by the Sheriff of Chancery in Scotland 13 Jan 1862 and as such asserted hereditary right to the dukedom created 1549, the descent of French dukedoms having been declared by edict of LOUIS XIV 1711 to be to heirs ‘descendus de mâle en mâles'; married 25 Oct 1832 Louisa Jane, VA (died 31 March 1905), 2nd daughter of 6th Duke of Bedford (qv), and died 31 Oct 1885, having had:

1a JAMES, 2nd Duke

2a Claud John, PC (1917); born 20 Feb 1843; educated Harrow; Capt Gren Gds, Hon Col 5th Bn Roy Inniskilling Fus; High Steward Gt Yarmouth and Harwich, MP Londonderry 1865–68, King's Lynn 1869–80, Liverpool 1880–88, and S Kensington 1910–18, a Lord Treasury 1868, ADC to HM QUEEN VICTORIA 1887–97, KJStJ; married 20 July 1878 Carolina (died 21 Sept 1911), daughter of Edward Sacheverell Chandos Pole, of Radborne Hall, Derby, and died 26 Jan 1925, leaving:

1b Gilbert Claud, CMG (1919), DSO (1915); born 21 April 1879; Col Gren Gds, Boer War 1899–1902 (despatches, two medals, eight clasps) and WW I (despatches twice); married 1st 16 May 1911 Enid Awa (died 19 April 1916), daughter of Charles Elgar, of Fernside, Featherston, NZ; married 2nd 29 Nov 1916 Mary (died 8 Jan 1961), daughter of Joseph Allan Blair, of New York, and formerly wife of Gould Brokaw, and died without issue 30 March 1943

1b Ida Hamilton; born 23 July 1883; married 24 April 1909 (divorce 1923) Hugh Duncombe Flower (died 9 Dec 1950), 2nd son of Arthur Flower, and died Nov 1970, leaving:

1c Peter Hugh; born 30 Jan 1910; educated Harrow; Lt-Col Coldstream Gds, WW II (despatches), ADC to High Commr Egypt 1934–36, Assist Mil Attaché Greece 1956–57 and France 1957–59; married 26 April 1937 •Lydia Josephine, younger daughter of Maj Geoffrey Edward Huth, JP, of Marlborough, Wilts, and died 3 May 1993, leaving:

1d •Charles Hugh; born 26 Oct 1941; educated Harrow and Ch Ch Oxford (BA 1963); married 24 Sept 1960 •Harriet, sister of Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (qv)

1d •Venetia [Lady Hugh-Smith, The Old Rectory, Grendon Underwood, Bucks HP18 0SY]; born 21 April 1939; married 22 July 1964 •Sir Andrew Colin Hugh Smith (qv), elder son of Lt-Cdr Colin Edward Hugh Smith, RN, and has issue

3a George Francis, GCSI (1903), PC (1878), JP Middx and Westminster; born 17 Dec 1845; educated Harrow; Lt Rifle Bde and Coldstream Gds; MP Middx 1868–85, Ealing 1885–1906, Parly U-Sec India 1874–78, V-Pres Ctee Cncl on Educn 1878–80, First Lord Admlty 1885–86 and 1886–92, Chm London Sch Bd 1894–95, Sec State India 1895–1903; DCL Oxon, Hon LLD Glasgow, Capt Deal Castle 1899–1923, Mayor Deal 1909; married 28 Nov 1871 Maud Caroline, CI (died 14 April 1938), daughter of 3rd Earl of Harewood (qv), and died 22 Sept 1927, leaving:

1b Ronald James, OBE (1919); born 26 Sept 1872; First Sec Dip Serv; WW I (wounded), Order Crown Belgium; married 10 Feb 1915 Florence Marguerite (Sarah Brooke) (died 5 Aug 1959), only daughter of Maj John Hanna by Emilie Sarah, daughter of Rev Charles Darby Reade, JP, and died 22 Jan 1958, leaving:

1c Maud Sarah; born 4 April 1917; married 4 Nov 1939 (divorce 1947) S/Ldr Count Manfred Maria Edmund Ralph Beckett Czernin, DSO, MC, DFC, RAF (died 6 Oct 1962), youngest son of Count Otto Czernin (see GRIMTHORPE, B), and died 6 Oct 1995, leaving:

1d •(Manfred) Nicholas; born 12 Oct 1942; educated Harrow; married 1st 1970 (divorce 1982) Danielle Alligier, and has:

1e •Nicholas; born 1962

1e •Sarah Moon; born 1970

1d (cont.) Nicholas Czernin married 2nd 1987 •Orapin Champanich, of Bangkok, and by her has:

1e •Pawau Beckett; born 1989

1d •Carolyn Lucille; born 9 May 1941; married 9 July 1966 •Charles Norman George Peploe, younger son of Capt Charles Peploe, RN, of White Lodge, Gullane, E Lothian, and has:

1e •Manfred Crispin David; born 10 Aug 1969

2e •Fergus Charles Nicolas; born 22 Aug 1970

2b Anthony George; born 17 Dec 1874; Maj E Kent Regt WW I; died 11 July 1936

3b Robert Cecil; born 31 Jan 1882; V-Adml WW I; married 30 May 1911 Edith Maud (died 8 July 1967), 2nd daughter of Algernon Herbert Paley (see BLG 1969), barrister, of Henley-on-Thames, and died without issue 31 July 1947

4a Ronald Douglas; born 17 March 1849; died Nov 1867

5a Cosmo; born and died 16 April 1853

6a Frederick Spencer; born 13 Oct 1856; 2nd Sec Dip Serv 1877–84, MP SW Manchester 1885–86 and N Tyrone 1892–95; author: Vanished Pomps of Yesterday, The Days Before Yesterday and Here, There and Everywhere; died unmarried 11 Aug 1928

7a Ernest William; born 5 Sept 1858; educated Harrow and RMC; Capt 11th Hus; MP N Tyrone 1885–92; married 2 June 1891 Pamela (died 11 May 1931), daughter of Capt Frederic Augustus Campbell (see CAMPBELL, Bt), and died 14 Dec 1939, having had:

1b Guy Ernest Frederic; born 11 Nov 1894; died unmarried 23 Nov 1914

2b John George Peter; born 15 Oct 1900; educated Harrow; married 25 May 1932 Alexandra Christine (died 10 Aug 1963), daughter of William Egerton, of Kimberley, S Africa, and formerly wife of Alexander Lodewyk Bennink-Jassonius, and died without issue 17 June 1967

1b Mary Brenda; born 28 March 1897; married 22 April 1922 Lt-Col Prince Alphonse de Chimay, TD, Scots Gds (died 1 Oct 1973), only son of Prince Alphonse de Chimay, Count de Caraman, and had:

1c •(Pamela Therese) Louise [The Most Hon The Dowager Marchioness of Hertford, The Garden House, Alcester, Warwicks B49 5NH]; born 18 Nov 1932; married 10 July 1956 8th Marquess of Hertford (qv), and has issue

2b Jean Barbara; born 6 Sept 1898; married 8 June 1921 (divorce 1944) Sir John William Buchanan-Jardine, 3rd Bt (qv), and had issue

1a Harriet Georgiana Louisa; married 10 April 1855 2nd Earl of Lichfield (qv), and died 23 April 1913, leaving issue

2a Beatrix Frances; married 23 May 1854 2nd Earl of Durham (qv), and died 21 Jan 1871, leaving issue

3a Louisa Jane, VA; Mistress of the Robes to TM QUEEN VICTORIA 1885–92 and 1895–1901 and QUEEN ALEXANDRA 1901–12; married 22 Nov 1859 6th Duke of Buccleuch and (9th of) Queensberry (qv), and died 17 March 1912, leaving issue

4a Katherine Elizabeth; married 26 Oct 1858 4th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe (qv), and died 3 Sept 1874, leaving issue

5a Georgiana Susan; married 16 March 1882 5th Earl Winterton (qv), and died 23 March 1913, leaving issue

6a Albertha Frances Anne; married 8 Nov 1869 (divorce on her petition 1883) 8th Duke of Marlborough (qv), and died 7 Jan 1932, having had issue

7a Maud Evelyn, CI, GBE, VA, CH, DGStJ; Lady of Bedchamber to HM QUEEN ALEXANDRA 1905–09, Extra Lady of the Bedchamber 1910–25; married 8 Nov 1869 5th Marquess of Lansdowne (qv) and died 21 Oct 1932, leaving issue

The 1st DUKE OF ABERCORN's eldest son,

JAMES HAMILTON,  2nd Duke of Abercorn, KG, CB, PC; born 24 Aug 1838; educated Ch Ch Oxford (MA); Hon Col N Irish Horse and of the 5th Bn Roy Inniskilling Fus; MP 1860–80; Lt and custos rotulorum Co Donegal, Ensign Roy Co Archers 1908–12; Lord of Bedchamber to HM EDWARD VII when PRINCE OF WALES 1866–86, Groom Stole 1886–1901; Special Envoy Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, Russia, Germany and Saxony to announce accession of HM EDWARD VII 1901; High Constable Ireland Coronation of HM GEORGE V; married 7 Jan 1869 Mary Anna (died 10 May 1929), 4th daughter of 1st Earl Howe (qv), and died 3 Jan 1913, having had:

1a JAMES ALBERT EDWARD, 3rd Duke

2a Claud Penn Alexander; born and died 18 Oct 1871

3a Charlie; born and died 10 April 1874

4a Claud Francis; born 25 Oct, died 25 Dec 1878

5a (Arthur) John; born 20 Aug 1883; Capt Irish Gds, Dep-Master Household 1913–14; killed in action 6 Nov 1914

6a A son; born and died 31 Oct 1886

7a Claud Nigel, GCVO (1949), CMG (1920), DSO (1914); born 10 Nov 1889; educated Wellington; Capt Gren Gds WW I (despatches), re-employed WW II 1939–42; Equerry-in-Ordinary to HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES 1919, Dep Master HM's Household 1921, Extra Equerry 1922–24, Equerry-in-Ordinary to HM GEORGE V 1924–36, Comptroller, Treas and Extra Equerry to HM QUEEN MARY 1936–53, Extra Equerry to HM THE QUEEN 1953–75; married 11 July 1933 Violet Ruby (died 1984), daughter of James Ashton, and formerly wife of Lt-Cdr Keith Newall, RN, and died without issue 22 Aug 1975

1a Alexandra Phyllis (HM QUEEN ALEXANDRA stood sponsor); born 23 Jan 1876; died unm, lost at sea 10 Oct 1918

2a Gladys Mary; born 10 Dec 1880; married 14 Jan 1902 7th Earl of Wicklow (died 11 Oct 1946; see 1970 edn), and died 12 March 1917, leaving issue

The 2nd DUKE OF ABERCORN's eldest son,

JAMES ALBERT EDWARD HAMILTON,  3rd Duke of Abercorn, KG (1928), KP (1922), PC (GB 1945, NI 1922); born 30 Nov 1869 (HM EDWARD VII stood sponsor); Capt 1st Life Gds and Maj N Irish Horse, Hon Col 9th AA Regt 1939; MP Londonderry City 1900–13; Treas Household 1903–05; HM's Lt Co Tyrone; DL Co Donegal; Govr NI 1922–45; KGStJ; one of the four Peers bearing the Canopy Coronation 1937, Roy Victorian Chain 1945, Hon LLD Queen's U Belfast 1928; married 1 Nov 1894 Rosalind Cecilia Caroline, DBE, Hon LLD Queen's U Belfast (died 18 Jan 1958), only daughter of 4th Earl of Lucan (qv), and died 12 Sept 1953, having had:

1a JAMES EDWARD, 4th Duke

2a Claud David; born 13 Feb 1907; educated Eton and Ch Ch Oxford (BA 1929); barrister Inner Temple 1930; Capt Irish Gds WW II; married 21 Feb 1946 Genesta Mary (died 20 Dec 1990), only daughter of Cuthbert Eden Heath, OBE, of Anstie Grange, Holmwood, Surrey (see BLG 1952), and formerly wife of (a) Arthur McNeill Farquhar and (b) Capt Edward Caswell Long, and died without issue 15 Feb 1968

1a Mary Cecilia Rhodesia; born 21 Jan 1896; married 1st 24 May 1917 (divorce 1930) Capt Robert Orlando Rodolph Kenyon-Slaney, Gren Gds (died 14 Jan 1965), and had issue (see KENYON, B); married 2nd 26 Nov 1930 Sir John Little Gilmour, 2nd Bt, and died 5 Sept 1984, having had further issue (see GILMOUR OF CRAIGMILLAR, B)

2a Cynthia Elinor Beatrix, DCVO (1953), OBE (1943); born 16 Aug 1897; Lady of Bedchamber to HM QUEEN ELIZABETH (later HM QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER) 1937–72; married 26 Feb 1919 7th Earl Spencer (qv), and died 4 Dec 1972, leaving issue

3a Katherine, DCVO (1961); born 25 Feb 1900; Woman of Bedchamber to TM QUEEN MARY 1927–30 (Extra Woman of Bedchamber 1930–53) and QUEEN ELIZABETH (later QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER) 1937–60, Extra Woman of Bedchamber 1960–85; married 6 Aug 1930 Lt-Col Sir Reginald Henry Seymour, KCVO (died 2 Oct 1938), and died 28 April 1985, leaving issue (see HERTFORD, M)

The 3rd DUKE OF ABERCORN's elder son,

JAMES EDWARD HAMILTON,  4th Duke of Abercorn; born 29 Feb 1904 (HM EDWARD VII stood sponsor); educated Eton; Capt (RARO) Gren Gds, Hon Col 5th Bn Roy Inniskilling Fus (TA) 1963; HM Lt Co Tyrone 1950 and 1975, High Sheriff 1946, CC (1946) Co Tyrone, Memb Senate NI 1949, Chm Tstees Ulster Museum 1962, Pres Roy Forestry Soc of England, Wales and NI 1964–66; married 9 Feb 1928 Mary Kathleen, DCVO (1969) (died 2 Feb 1990), Mistress of Robes to HM QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER 1964–90, sister of 5th Earl of Erne (qv), and died 4 June 1979, leaving:

1a JAMES HAMILTON, 5th and present Duke of Abercorn

2a +(Claud) Anthony, JP (1991) DL (Co Fermanagh 1978) [The Lord Anthony Hamilton JP DL, Killyreagh, Tamlaght, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh]; born 8 July 1939; educated Eton; Lt Irish Gds 1957–60; married 7 April 1982 •Catherine Janet, eldest daughter of Sir (James) Dennis Compton Faulkner, CBE, of Ringhaddy House, Killinchy, Co Down, and has:

1b +Alexander James; born 8 June 1987

1b •Anna Kathleen; born 23 Aug 1983

1a •Moyra Kathleen, CVO (1963) [The Lady Moyra Campbell CVO, Hollybrook House, Randalstown, Co Antrim]; born 22 July 1930; a Train Bearer to HM THE QUEEN Coronation 1953, T/Lady-in-Waiting to HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA 1954–64, Lady-in-Waiting 1964–66, Extra Lady-in-Waiting 1966–69; married 12 Nov 1966 •Cdr Peter Colin Drummond Campbell, LVO, RN, eldest son of Maj-Gen Sir (Alexander) Douglas Campbell, KBE, CB, DSO, MC, of Green Bough Cottage, Shipley, W Sussex, and has:

1b •Rory Gerald Peter; born 9 Aug 1967 (HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA stood sponsor); educated Harrow and Trin College Cambridge

2b •Michael James Douglas; born 3 Nov 1970 (HRH PRINCE MICHAEL OF KENT stood sponsor); educated Harrow and Trin College Cambridge

Seat: Barons Court, Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Despite the galaxy of distinguished architects who have worked on it, Barons Court is externally speaking a bit of a disappointment. Its garden front, where originally the main entrance was sited, looks somewhat slablike and too long for its height of only two storeys. True, the facade is relieved by having the seven-bay central block jut far forward from the wings, which are of four bays each. But the central pediment here rises insufficiently high above its supporting masonry and is placed too close to the tops of the twelve-pane windows of the upper storey. Moreover, ungainly chimney stacks dominate the skyline.

On the present entrance side the vast port-cochère dominates the rest of the facade, more so than ever following the truncation of the main block by Sir Albert Richardson just after the War and the sweeping away of a redundant eastwards-facing service wing by Raymond Erith in the early 1970s. But Barons Court's glories are predominantly internal, and the port-cochère does at least shelter the visitor sufficiently to justify conversion of the original entrance hall, on what is now the garden side, to a long gallery. This, in plan if not execution, is the achievement of Sir John Soane, who was called in by the 1st Marquess in 1791. It has a magnificent plaster ceiling supported by Corinthian columns (the ones are Ionic). They divide up the length much as, though less solidly, the original walls of the three rooms did.

The Ionic order is brought into play again in the rotunda, which is covered by a dome the height of the entire house and now serves as a dining-room. It was formerly a billards-room, whereas what was once the dining-room is now used for general family recreation. Also circular is the library ceiling. The Corinthian order returns in the pilasters adorning other rooms, such as the family one just mentioned, while coffering, which is used in both the rotunda ceiling (octagonally) and the staircase hall (in rectangles), is a recurrent decorative motif.

Soane, despite his great influence on the way the house developed, was not the original architect. That distinction belongs to George Steuart, a Scot who later worked on Attingham Hall, Shropshire, and who was employed throughout nearly the entire 1780s by the 8th Earl, uncle of Soane's patron the 1st Marquess. Soane's work did not last long, falling victim to a fire in 1796, and it was nearly forty years before work was resumed by the father-and-son team of Sir Richard and William Vitruvius Morrison. There is some uncertainty as to which of the two was originally commissioned to inspect the house, the weight of informed opinion inclining to William Vitruvius. Sir Richard is known to have outlived his son and therefore must have completed the plans whichever of them was first involved. In modern times David Hicks (see MOUNTBATTEN OF BURMA) has contributed heavily to the decor.

Scotland

Peerage 200003