Early Life and Career
Hans Hamilton was born in 1536, illegitimate son of
Archibald Hamilton of
Raploch in Lanarkshire and an unknown mother. His legitimacy was later granted in 1553.
From
The Hamilton Manuscripts1:
This Gent. was born eldest son to a Gentleman (Archibald Hamilton, of Raploch, in Lanarkshire, who married, first, Marion, daughter of Ogilyy of that Ilk, widow of Weir of Blackwood, and of Dunbar of Blantyre) descended of the Duke Hamilton's family...This Hans, being found a very hopeful youth, of good parts and disposition, was bred at Schools and Colleges so far as was then usual, yet of no other design, but to give him the accomplishments becoming his station and natural endowments. But as it fell out that hwe was drawn to appear for the Queen Regent (Mary of Guise) in arms, in his youth, and by ill advice, he contracted the displeasure of the reforming partya, and thereby, through the malice of the friends of his father's second wife (Margaret, daughter of John Hamilton of Newton) was deprived of the estate whereunto he was born the righteous heirb.
Family Life
Hans married, in 1533,
Janet Denham2 (or Denholme), daughter of
James Denham, the Laird of
West Shields; they had the following children:
- James, who married first Penelope Cooke, second Ursula Brabazon and third Jane Phillips; later created Viscount Claneboye
- Archibald, who married first ___ Simpson, and second Rachel Carmichael
- Gawin, who married Helen Dunlop
- John, who married Sarah Brabazon
- William, who married Jane Melville
- Patrick, who married Elizabeth Glen
- Jean, who married William Mure of Glanderston
Both Gawin and Patrick are direct ancestors.
Death
The following text is commonly found online; the author appears to be Jill Stevenson but I have no further details about its original source.
The Tomb of Hans Hamilton
You'll never see it if you are just driving past, but there is a wee surprise for historians at the back of the Clandeboye Hall. (the little building at the front left of the Kirk) in memory of Hans Hamilton, the very first Protestant minister of Dunlop, there is an unassuming looking mausoleum holding the graves of the minister and his wife. Standing about 12 feet by 10 feet it is constructed of the same type of stone as the Kirk itself, ashlar. It was built by the Hamiltons son, James Viscount Clandeboye. The tomb is very difficult to view due to the lack of light falling into it. Inside is a marble recess with a curved roof. Statues of a man and woman depict Hans and his wife, both kneeling towards each other with hands raised as if in prayer. The entire recess holding the tomb appears to be behind curtains, skillfully carved in stone. Overall it is an interesting piece but is a photographers nightmare. The gauge of the steel mesh door wouldn't allow a finger to pass through let alone a lens. So for now - no piccies of the interior. Inside there are a number of inscriptions on most of the walls and the tomb itself. Below is a transcript of the words as kept in historical records at the Dick Institute Kilmarnock.
Tombstone Inscription
Heir lyes the bodies of HANIS HAMILTON, sonne of ARCHIBALD HAMILTON of Raploch, servant to King IAMES THE FIFT, & of IANET DENHAM his wife, davghter of IAMES DENHAM, laird of West-Sheilde, they lived maryed together 45 yeers, dvuring which tyme the said Hans served teh cvre at this chvrch.
They were mvch beloved of all that knew them, & especially of the parishioners. They had six sonnes, Iames, Archibald, Gavin, Iohn, William & Patrick, & on davghter, Ieane, maryed to William Mvuire of Glanders tovne.
The dvst of two lives in this arte-fvll frame, whose bvrth them honor'd. From an honored name, a painefvll pastor, and his spotles wife, whose devovt statves embleme here there life blest with the height of favors from above, blood, grace, a blest memorial, all men's love. A frvitfvll ofspringe on whom the lord hath fixt fortvnes with virtve, and with honor mixt, then live these dead above in endles ioyes, heere in their seid and noble Clandeboyes in whom (gravnt soe, o heavens) their honored name may never die, bvt in death of fame.
Rom. 8 ch. ver. 18 - The afflictions of this life are not worthie of the glory which shal bee shewed vnto vs.
Prov. 31 ch. ver. 10 & 30 - The price of a vertvovs woman is far above pearles. A woman that feareth the lord shal bee praised.
Dan. 12 ch. ver. 3 - They that tvrn many to righteovsnes shall shine as the starrs for ever and ever. This mortall mvst pvt on immortallity, 1 Cor. 15 & 53
---------------------------------------
Heir Lyis HANES HAMMILTOVN Vicar of Dvnlope qvha deceisit ye 30 of Mah 1608 of ye aige of 72 zeirs and of
IONET DENHAME his spovs
Heir restis the bodie of IONET MAXWELL spovs to Maister Hew EGLINTOVN minister of Dvnlop qvha deceisit the 30 of Ianvar 1628
Ivstvs Fide Vivit
The same tombstone inscription is mentioned in the
Genealogy of the Hamiltons3, which adds/confirms the following details:
Under a marble arch, within two pillars of the composite order, in front are two statues kneeling on a marble monument, in the attitude of devotion, and habited according to the fashion of the times. There is also a long inscription on a marble slab in the wall, stating that he was the son of Archibald Hamilton of Raploch, and that his wife was Janet, second daughter of James Denholm of Westshiells; that they lived together 45 years, during which period he had served the cure of the church; that they had six sons, and one daughter, Jean, married to Mure of Glanderston; and other particulars. It appears to have been erected by their son, James, first Viscount Clanebois, from whom came the Earls of Clanbrassil who became extinct in 1798.
Footnotes
[1]
The Hamilton Manuscripts, Sir James Hamilton, Belfast (1867)
[2] Note that
this JSTOR article (note #3) says her name was Margaret, not Janet. But Janet is confirmed by the memorial inscription.
[3]
Historical and Genealogical Memoirs of the House of Hamilton, John Anderson, Edinburgh (1825); footnote page 259
1536 - 1608 (72 years)
[3] 
