Robert Hamilton, Lord Presmennan
Robert Hamilton, Lord Presmennan (1633–1689) was a Scottish landowner, judge and Senator of the College of Justice
Life
He was born on 3 August 1633 in Barncleuch or Barncluith in Lanarkshire the son of James Hamilton of Barncluith (now a suburb of Hamilton) (1593-1632) and his wife (and cousin) Margaret Hamilton (1580-1670).[1] Barncluith is an L-plan tower house built in 1583 by John Hamilton (still extant).[2]
Robert trained as a lawyer and qualified as an advocate around 1655. He practised law in Edinburgh from the 1650s and gained fame as a judge. At some point in the later 17th century he bought the estate of Presmennan or Pressmennan near Dunbar, east of Edinburgh. All that remains of the Pressmennan estate is a wood, now in the care of the Woodland Trust.[3]
In November 1689 he was elected a Senator of the College of Justice and adopted the title of Lord Presmennan.[4]
He died in Glasgow in February 1693 aged 59. His position as Senator was filled by James Scougal, Lord Whitehill.[5]
Family
His older brother bought a baronetcy in Nova Scotia and became Sir Archibald Hamilton, 1st Baronet of Rosehall.[6]
In 1653 he was married to Marion Denholm (1631-1686). They had 11 sons and 7 daughters including James Hamilton, Lord Pencaitland.[7]
Their daughter Marion Hamilton married Sir Hew Dalrymple of Hailes and their children included Hew Dalrymple, Lord Drummore.[8]
References
- "Robert Lord of Pressmennan Hamilton 8thGGF (1624-1695) » Family Tree Roldan Hamilton » Genealogy Online".
- The Castles of Scotland by Martin Coventry
- "Pressmennan Wood - Visiting Woods".
- An Historical Account of the Senators of the College of Justice: Brunton, Haig and Lockhart
- An Historical Account of the Senators of the College of Justice: Brunton, Haig and Lockhart
- "Archibald Hamilton of Rosehall".
- https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LH23-9TQ/sir-robert-hamilton-lord-pressmennan-1633-1693
- "Dame Marion Hamilton".