James Hamilton, 8th Earl of Abercorn
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James Hamilton, 8th Earl of Abercorn PC (London, October 22, 1712 – October 9, 1789, Boroughbridge), was a Scottish and Irish nobleman, the eldest son of James Hamilton, 7th Earl of Abercorn and Anne Plumer. He was styled Lord Paisley from 1734 until his accession in 1744. On 22 March 1736 he was summoned to the Irish House of Lords by writ of acceleration as Baron Mountcastle.
He repurchased some of the family's ancestral lands in Scotland, which had been dissipated during their long tenure in Ireland, including the feudal barony of Duddingston and Paisley Abbey. He was responsible for beginning the development of the new town of Paisley in 1779, across the River Cart from the old town.
In 1756, he was sworn a Privy Counsellor of Ireland. From 1761 to 1784, he was a Tory representative peer for Scotland. Horace Walpole noted that Abercorn was exceptionally laconic.
On August 24, 1786, he was created Viscount Hamilton, in the Peerage of Great Britain. Upon his death without issue three years later, this title devolved by special remainder, with his other titles, upon his nephew John.
[edit] References
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by James Hamilton |
Earl of Abercorn 1744–1789 |
Succeeded by John Hamilton |
| Preceded by New Creation |
Viscount Hamilton 1786–1789 |
|
