Career
Hamersley"s family estate was at Pyrton Manor near Watlington, Oxfordshire, but he rose to prominence in London as a merchant. Hamersley was Sheriff of London for the year 1618 to 1619 and was elected an alderman of the City of London for Bishopsgate ward on 16 July 1619. He was Master of the Haberdashers Company from 1619 to 1620 and became president of the Honourable Artillery Company in 1619, retaining the position until 1633.
In 1622 he became alderman for Aldgate ward until his death.
He became Governor of the Russia Company and Governor of the Levant Company in 1623. In 1627 he became Lord Mayor of London and served another term as Master of the Haberdashers Company.
After his term as Mayor he was knighted by King Charles I on 8 June 1628. He became Colonel Trained Bands of the City in 1631.
In 1634 he became president of Christ"s Hospital charitable school.
After Hamersley"s death a memorial was erected by his widow in the church of Street Andrew Undershaft, London. A portrait of him in mayoral robes was donated to Haberdasher"s Hall, London by his great-grandson in 1716. The Ashbourne portrait is also believed to represent Hamersley, and not, as long thought, William Shakespeare.