Family and Education

b. 22 Dec. 1751, 2nd s. of William Nisbet of Dirleton, Haddington by Mary, da. and h. of Alexander Hamilton of Pencaitland and Saltcoats; bro. of William Nisbet*. m. 8 Oct. 1782, Janet, da. of Robert Dundas^†, ld. pres. of ct. of session, s.p. As heir (by entail 1747) to Pencaitland took name of Hamilton (served heir 11 Apr. 1803).

Offices Held

Receiver of land tax [S] 1795-d.

Biography

Captain Hamilton owed his seat to a substantial interest in Haddingtonshire and to numerous connexions, notably with Henry Dundas, his wife’s uncle. He continued to support Pitt silently after 1790, voting against the exemption of Scotland from the Test Act, 10 May 1791. He retired on being appointed to the receivership of the land tax in Scotland. He circularized his retirement in March 1795, but delayed it until November to facilitate Dundas’s arrangements for the substitution of Hew Hamilton Dalrymple in his place. He died 25 Dec. 1804.

Pol. State of Scotland 1788, p. 160; H. Furber, Henry Dundas, 219-20.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: D. G. Henry

Notes