Arthur Philip Hamilton

Arthur Philip Hamilton (1787-1877), Tobago-born admiral in the Royal Navy, co-trustee (with his brother Rev. James Hamilton, q.v.) of Riseland and Indian Walk plantations in Tobago, of which another brother, John Hamilton (q.v.) was tenant-in-tail.

1. Born in Tobago in 1787, the fifth (fourth surviving) son of John Hamilton (1744-1800) and Mary Susannah Anna Hamilton née Wilson. John Hamilton was born in Glasgow in 1744 and was owner of Riseland and other estates in Tobago in 1789, "a gentleman of considerable property and influence on the island", when he was instrumental in setting up a United Brethern ministry in the island.

2. Arthur Philip Hamilton was educated at Eton and joined the Royal Navy in 1800 as a midshipman and was commissioned as a Lieutenant, 28/04/1807, a Commander, 21/10/1810 and a Captain, 31/05/1816. He married Caroline Cook, only child of the late Lieut-Col. Cook, of Chingford, Essex, 26/02/1828; the presiding vicar was his brother James Hamilton, vicar of Hackington (q.v.).

3. He was described as "of Munich in Germany, a Captain in the Royal Navy" in a letter from his attorney to the Compensation Commission.

4. By 1841 he was living at 48 Wimpole Street, London, occupation "Navy", age 52, with his wife Caroline, age 55, 4 female servants and 2 male servants. In 1851 he was at the same address, "Retired Captain RN", born in Tobago, West Indies, age 64, with his wife Caroline, age 70, born in Bankepon, East Indies, 5 female servants and 1 male servant.

5. Not found in the 1861 census, but at some point between 1851 and 1871 his first wife presumably died as by 1871 he was living at 2 Dorset Square, age 84, Admiral, with his second wife Ellen, age 48, born Barton, Warwickshire (plus 2 visitors, 3 female servants and 1 male servant).

6. Arthur Philip Hamilton died 02/09/1877, age 90. In February 1878 the London Gazette advertised for people with debts, claims or other demands upon his estate. Probate 09/11/1877 effects under £1500; resworn May 1878 effects under £4000. Re-entered again 25/06/1914, effects of £4807 6s 2d to George Trayton Elliott Hamilton.

T71/891 Tobago claim nos. 16 (Riseland) and 36 (Indian Walk).

1. For a genealogy of the Hamilton family in Tobago, see http://johnmadjackfuller.homestead.com/fullerfam/pafg44.htm#3222. For an account of John Hamilton and the United Brethren Church in Tobago, see John Holmes, Historical sketches of the missions of the United Brethren: for propagating the Gospel among the Heathen (Dublin, 1818) pp. 463-464.

2. Hamilton minor (Arthur Philip) was in the Fourth Form in the Eton School Lists of 1799: H.E.C. Stapylton (ed.), The Eton school lists, from 1791 to 1850 (London, E.P. Williams, 1863) p. 32. For Hamilton's naval career, see William R. O'Bryne, A Naval Biographical Dictionary (London, John Murray, 1849) p. 449. Ancestry,com, London, England, Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921 [database online].

3. T71/1610, letter from A. Gordon, 03/02/1837.

4. 1841 census online; 1851 census online.

5. 1871 census online.

6. FreeUKGen, England and Wales Free BMD Database, Deaths, 1837-1983 [database online], Q3 1877. London Gazette, Issue 24550, 08/02/1878, p. 658. National Probate Calendar (1877 and 1914).