James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Abercorn

James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Abercorn (c. 1604 – c. 1670) was a Scottish and Irish nobleman, the eldest son of James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Abercorn and Marion Boyd.

Biography

In 1617, he was created Baron Hamilton of Strabane. Succeeding his father as Earl of Abercorn and his grandfather as Lord Paisley, he made over his lands in Strabane to his younger brother, Claud, and surrendered the Barony in 1633. It was re-issued to Claud with the original precedence in 1634.

He married, c. 1632, Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Lennox. They had three sons:

• James Hamilton, Lord Paisley (c. 1635 – bef. 1670)
• Col. William Hamilton (d. bef. 1670)
• George Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Abercorn (c. 1636 – bef. 1683)

A recusant, he was excommunicated by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1649 and ordered to leave the country. He seems also to have been in hiding from his creditors at the time. He died c. 1670.