Background
Andrew Hamilton was born c. 1676 in Scotland. He did not talk about his parentage, career, or name in the Old World.
Andrew Hamilton was born c. 1676 in Scotland. He did not talk about his parentage, career, or name in the Old World.
About 1697, Hamilton came to Accomac County, Virginia, and studied law there.
Of his early life little is known save that Hamilton was a merchant in Scotland. After the acquisition of East Jersey by the twenty-four proprietors in 1682, Hamilton was one of the Scots who became interested.
In 1686 he removed his family to the province and in the next year, upon the return to Scotland of Lord Neill Campbell, the latter named him deputy-governor. When as part of the Stuart policy of establishing an American viceroyalty, the power of Sir Edmund Andros was extended over the Jerseys, Andros continued Hamilton as his own subordinate, but few functions of government were exercised. The situation in East Jersey after the Revolution of 1688 was peculiar. There was no outbreak similar to Leisler's Rebellion in New York, but a large element objected to the restoration of proprietary rule. This opposition to the proprietary régime with its system of quitrents became the central thread in the politics of East Jersey. It was largely the expression of the dislike of the New England settlers to a semifeudal control. Hamilton therefore deemed it wise to sail for England, leaving East Jersey to the luxury of no central government.
Various efforts to reestablish proprietary rule came to nothing. But eventually in 1692 the proprietors of both East and West Jersey commissioned Hamilton as governor. By wise moderation he succeeded in having his authority recognized and for five years was able to administer the turbulent Jerseys with excellent results.
Meanwhile the precarious power of the proprietors was being threatened by the Crown, which was viewing all private jurisdictions with disapproval, and in nervous anxiety lest the fact that Hamilton was a Scot should offend the royal authorities, the proprietors removed him. The result was disastrous. Jeremiah Basse, the new governor, played into the hands of the anti-proprietary groups in New Jersey. In despair the proprietors in 1699 endeavored to reëstablish Hamilton as governor, but the riotous disturbances known as the "East Jersey Revolution" nullified his authority and brought contempt upon the proprietary régime. In consequence the proprietors of both East and West Jersey surrendered their political rights to the Crown, April 15, 1702, though retaining their title to the land. The proprietors endeavored to have Hamilton named as royal governor, but the prize went to Lord Cornbury, governor of New York, who received an additional commission for New Jersey.
Hamilton's most lasting service was his share in organizing the American postal system. In 1692 he was named deputy in America by one Thomas Neale who had received a royal patent to set up a post in the colonies. Hamilton's interest may have been due to his relations with William Dockwra, an East Jersey proprietor who had established a penny post in London. Hamilton induced various American colonies to pass laws establishing uniform rates and otherwise encouraging the post, and in 1698 he presented a valuable report to the English postal authorities. On Neale's death in 1699 the latter's interests passed to Hamilton and one West, an Englishman, who were creditors. They controlled the post till Hamilton's death. Hamilton's son, John Hamilton, was later named postmastergeneral for America and served till 1730.
Meanwhile, William Penn, on his return to England late in 1701, named Hamilton as his deputy in Pennsylvania. His brief administration there was marked chiefly by his efforts to retain a close union between the province and the three lower counties on the Delaware. Returning to visit his family in New Jersey in the spring of 1703, he died at Perth Amboy of a "hectic fever. "
The character of Andrew Hamilton was evidently that of the typical Scot, canny, moderate, and diplomatic. He served his principals faithfully and faced difficulties with courage and sense.
Hamilton was thrice married. His second wife was Anne, the daughter of Thomas Rudyard, a former deputy-governor of East Jersey. His third wife is given in his will as Agnes. John Hamilton, a son by his first wife, was long prominent in New Jersey affairs, a member of the council, and acting governor.