Abercorn

Abercorn (Hamilton). The family's Irish history began when James Hamilton of Linlithgow (d. 1618), created ist earl of Abercorn in the Scottish peerage in 1606, was granted lands in Co. Tyrone. His son James Hamilton, the 2nd earl, ws created Baron Strabane in 1616, but in 1633 passed this title, along with the Irish estate, to his brother Claude Hamilton (d. 1638). Claude's grandson Claude Hamilton (d. 1690) succeeded to the Abercorn title as 4th earl around 1680. A Catholic, he supported James II and was killed in action during the Williamite War. Although the estates and title were thus forfeited, Claude's Protestant brother Charles Hamilton (d. 1701) obtained a reversal of the attainder and succeeded as 5th earl in 1692. John James Hamilton (1756–1818), the 9th earl, created marquis of Abercorn in 1790, built up a following of active and capable members in the House of Commons during the 1790s, and had aspirations to be lord lieutenant. James Hamilton (1811–85), the 2nd marquis, became duke of Abercorn in 1868.