John Hamilton of Torrance

JOHN HAMILTON OF TORRANCE

Notwithstanding the fact that no evidence of relationship has been found, most if not all of the published accounts of the Hamiltons of Torrance identify John Hamilton of Torrance as the successor if not the son and heir of Thomas Hamilton of Torrance It now appears, however, that John Hamilton of Torrance was actually the successor of Robert Hamilton of Torrance

The Lands of Torrance

Lieutenant-Colonel George Hamilton noticed John Hamilton of Torrance in the witness list of a charter which was issued by Sir Robert Hamilton of Preston in 1463 and suggests that he may have already succeeded to the lands of Torrance before this date. [Lieutenant-Colonel George Hamilton, The House of Hamilton (Edinburgh, 1933), see pages 850-58 for an account of the Hamiltons of Torrance]

Marriage

John Hamilton of Torrance married Isabella Parklie, daughter of Parklie of that Ilk, as appears from a dispensation of marriage which was obtained by his great-grandson, Thomas Hamilton of Quhitebank, on 11 February 1538-39. [Lieutenant-Colonel George Hamilton, The House of Hamilton (J. Skinner & Company, Edinburgh, 1933), see pages 850-58 for an account of the Hamiltons of Torrance] According to John Anderson it was Janet Parklie who married John Hamilton of Torrance but this appears to be an error. Historical and Genealogical Memoirs of the House of Hamilton G. Harvey Johnston follows Anderson. Heraldry of the Hamiltons

Children

John Hamilton of Torrance and his wife Isabella Parklie appear to have had the following children:

1. James Hamilton of Torrance
2. John Hamilton of Peddersburn
3. Margaret Hamilton
4. ? Hamilton
5. Daughter of John Hamilton
6. Elizabeth Hamilton

Evidence published by the National Records of Scotland

                                       1

6 February 1415/16: Charter of sale by Thomas Hamiltoun, lord of Torrens, to John Gynnis, burgess of Lynl[i]thcu, of annualrent of 16s. due to said Thomas from diverse built lands in said burgh, viz. 6s. from perch of land lying on east side of the market-place between tenement of John Leche, parson of Diserte on north and tenement of Robert Scot on south, and 10s. conjointly from two perches of land, one lying between tenement of deceased Robert Kyncawil on west and tenement of Patrick Ka on east, and the other lying near the church of said burgh between land of John Carnis and land of deceased Sir Robert Aldcathi, all which perches of land Alan Paisley, burgess of said burgh, holds in feu-ferm for said sum of 16s. National Records of Scotland: Crown Office Writs, reference AD1/34

                                        2

5 October 1454: Charter by Robert de Hamilton de Torrens in favour of the chaplain celebrating mass at the altar of St Katherine in the parish church of Linlithgow of certain annualrents from property (in Linlithgow) National Records of Scotland: Papers of James Beveridge, M.A., Linlithgow, reference GD215/1662

Published Accounts of the Family

1. John Anderson, Surgeon, Licenciate of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh Historical and Genealogical Memoirs of the House of Hamilton; with Genealogical Memoirs of the Several Branches of the Family (John Anderson, Jun., Edinburgh, MDCCCXXV), pp. 386-88 for an account of the Hamiltons of Torrance
2. G. Harvey Johnston, FSA Scot., Heraldry of the Hamiltons with Notes on All the Males of the Family, Descriptions of the Arms, Plates and Pedigrees (W. & A. K. Johnston, Limited, Edinburgh and London, MCMIX), pp. 88-91 for an account of the Hamiltons of Torrance
3. Lieutenant-Colonel George Hamilton, A History of the House of Hamilton (J. Skinner & Company, Edinburgh 1933), 1167 pages.