Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Duke James Hamilton and his Red Beard

The Hamiltons of Abercorn are a well known and quite famous family.  They had estates in northern Tyrone and east Donegal and have had them for ages.  I descend from Hance Hamilton, to whom I discovered via DNA test results was a Abercorn Hamilton himself.  Hance's line migrated to the Colonies in the late 1720s.  Now photo and letter concerns James Hamilton 1st Duke of Abercorn (21 January 1811 - 31 October 1885, Samhain night).  Duke Hamilton served twice as the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.  

Like any man in a position of power, the Duke made enemies of course.  Here is a threatening letter written to Duke Hamilton during the 1870s concerning the Duke's handsome red beard and its effect on the ladies.  Please note that the spelling in the letter is non standard, but can easily be deciphered.



James Hamilton and his Big Red Baird


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