James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Abercorn

Recusant Scottish nobleman (c. 1604 – c. 1670)

James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Abercorn (c. 1604 – c. 1670) was a Catholic Scottish nobleman. He, his wife, his mother, and most of his family were persecuted by the kirk as recusants. Implementing his father's will, he gave his Irish title of Baron Hamilton of Strabane to his younger brother Claud. His younger brothers inherited his father's Irish lands, while he received the Scottish ones, which he squandered away, being deep in debt in his later days.

On 11 September 1651, the male line of the dukes of Hamilton failed when William Hamilton, the 2nd Duke died from wounds received at the Battle of Worcester fighting for Charles II against Cromwell. As the Duke had no sons, he was succeeded by his niece Anne Hamilton according to the succession rule of his title (see family tree). It was found however that Abercorn was the heir male, which was thought of no consequence at the time. This status of the Abercorns being heir male later led to a dispute between the houses of Abercorn and Hamilton over the title of Duke of Châtellerault, when this title, which had belonged to James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran, was revived by Napoleon III of France in 1864 in favour of the Duke of Hamilton.

On 22 June 1652 Abercorn sold Paisley to the Earl of Angus for £13,333 6s 8d Scots (about £1100 Sterling). Angus sold it a year later for £160,000 to Lord Cochrane, who would later become the 1st Earl of DunDonald. The 8th Earl of Abercorn would eventually buy Paisley back in 1764.

Lord Abercorn died about 1670 and was succeeded by his son George as the 3rd Earl of Abercorn. George, however, died unmarried in Padua. The earldom passed to the descendants of Claud Hamilton, 2nd Baron Hamilton of Strabane. TimelineAs his birth date is uncertain, so are all his ages. AgeDateEvent01604, aboutBorn, probably at Paisley.1606, 10 AprFather created Earl of Abercorn.1610, AprFather chosen as an undertaker in James's Plantation of Ulster.1617, 8 MayCreated Baron Hamilton of Strabane.1618, 23 MarFather died in Monkton, Ayrshire, Scotland.1621Grandfather died.1625, 27 MarAccession of King Charles I, succeeding King James I1627, AprReturned from his travels.1627Married Katherine Clifton.1628, 20 JanMother, the Dowager Countess, excommunicated in Paisley Abbey Church.1628, 3 FebWife, the Countess, excommunicated in Paisley Abbey Church.1632, 26 AugMother died in Edinburgh.1633, 11 NovResigned his Irish Peerage in favour of his younger brother Claud.1637, 21 AugWife died at Paisley.1649, 30 JanKing Charles I beheaded.1649Excommunicated and ordered to leave Scotland.1651, 11 SepBecame heir male of the Hamiltons.1652, 22 JunSold Paisley.1660, 29 MayRestoration of King Charles II1670, aboutDied