Daily entries from the 17th century London diary
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| Denomination | Church of Scotland |
|---|---|
| Senior posting | |
| See | Diocese of Galloway |
| Title | Bishop of Galloway |
| Period in office | 1661–1674 |
| Consecration | December 15, 1661, Westminster Abbey |
| Predecessor | Thomas Sydserf |
| Successor | John Paterson |
| Personal | |
| Date of birth | 1610 |
| Place of birth | Probably Broomhill, Lanarkshire |
| Date of death | 14 August 1674 |
| Place of death | Broomhill, Lanarkshire |
James Hamilton (1610–1674), bishop of Galloway, was the second son of Sir James Hamilton of Broomhill, by Margaret, daughter of William Hamilton of Udston, and brother of John, first lord Belhaven. He studied at the university of Glasgow, graduated there in 1628, and in 1634 was ordained as minister of Cambusnethan by Archbishop Patrick Lindsay.
He was deposed by the synod of Glasgow in April 1639 for signing the protestation of the bishops and their adherents against the assembly of 1638, but on professing penitence was restored by the assembly of 1639. The committee, to whom his case was referred, reported that "he was a young man of good behaviour, and well beloved of his parish, and guilty of nothing directly but the subscribing of the declinature".
Thereafter he went with the times. In 1648 he supported the "Engagement", and was urged by his kinsman the Duke of Hamilton to accept a chaplaincy in the army raised for the rescue of the king. At the Restoration he was rewarded by a grant of money and the bishopric of Galloway, and along with Sharp, Leighton, and Fairfoul was consecrated at Westminster December 15, 1661. Galloway was a stronghold of the extreme covenanters.
Many of the ministers refused to submit to episcopacy, and when deprived held field meetings, which were largely attended by their old flocks. At the request of the bishop and his clergy, whose ranks had been recruited from the north, soldiers were quartered on the frequenters of conventicles to compel their attendance at church, and there appears to be good authority for the statement that Sir James Turner, the officer in command, "was obliged to go beyond his instructions to satisfy the bishop".
Hamilton acquired the estate of Broomhill in 1669 from his brother, who had been raised to the peerage, and died in August 1674. Burnet describes him as "a good-natured man, but weak". Wodrow says: "His gifts were reckoned every way ordinary, but he was remarkable for his cunning and time-serving temper"; while one of his grandsons describes him as "mighty well seen in divinity, accurate in the fathers and church history … very pious and charitable, strict in his morals … and every way worthy of the sacred character he bore". In 1635 he married Margaret, only daughter of Alexander Thomson, minister of Edinburgh, and had four daughters and two sons, one of whom, James, an advocate died in 1674.
| Religious titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Thomas Sydserf |
Bishop of Galloway 1661–1674 |
Succeeded by John Paterson |
“1661. JAMES HAMILTON, A.M., promoted from Cambusnethan, appointed by his Majesty’s letter 14th Aug., pres. 14th Nov., and consecrated (at London) 15th Dec.; again pres. 19th March 1662, and died 14th Aug. 1674, in his 64th year, and 40th min. Kirkton, Burnet, and Wodrow, represent him as a very ordinary person; though Birnie, a relation (and perhaps more partial), represents him as ‘a man of sprightly but ordinary stature, well seen in divinity, especially polemicks and the languages, with a good memorie, accurate in the fathers and church historie; very pious and charitable, though strict in his morals, kind to his friends, and affable and courteous to strangers. A BOANERGES in the pulpit, and everie way worthie of the sacred character.’ He marr. 26th Aug. 1635 Margaret only daugh. of Mr Alex. Thomson, one of the min. of Edinburgh, she died 16th April 1667, and had three sons Alexander, Mr James, an advocate, and John, both of Broomhill, the latter was served heir 7th April 1681, and four daugh., Margaret, spouse of John Burns, merchant, late Provost of Glasgow, Jean, spouse of Mr John Birnie, of Broomhill, min. of Carluke, Isobell, spouse of Mr John Alexander min. of Durrisdeer, and Ann spouse of Mr Alex. Milne, one of the min. of Glasgow.-[Written authorities cited.]” http://www.dwalker.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Fasti%20V.2/p.%20384%20THE%20DIOCESE%20OF%20GALLOWAY%20p.%20778.htm
List of the Bishops of Galloway (courtesy of Australian Susan):
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/plaza/aaj50/bishops.htm