John Hamilton of Brownhall – Isabella Stewart of Killymoon

The marriage of John Hamilton and Isabella Stewart was a significant union not only in terms of genealogical interest family-wise but in historical terms. Their marriage brought together two families who were influential in Ireland during the 18th century. The Hamilton’s of Brownhall – major landowners in Co Donegal and a branch of the family of the Ist Duke of Hamilton, and the Stewarts of Killymoon – pioneers of the Plantation of Ulster and influential figures in County Tyrone.

It is safe to assume that John and Isabella met through their fathers who were both military men of the time – Isabella’s father being Col. William Stewart and John’s father being Capt. James Hamilton with his own martial connection to the Creighton family of Col. Abraham Creighton, grandfather of the Ist Earl of Erne.

So it was from Killymoon Castle in Cookstown, County Tyrone, to Brownhall in County Donegal that young Isabella Stewart rode in horse and carriage to begin her life as Mrs John Hamilton. John and Isabella were married in 1770 and their children were:

1. James b.21.10.1771 – d.1805 (married Lady Helen Pakenham, sister of Thomas,Earl Longford)

2. Abraham b. 25.06.1773 – d.1861

3. Eleanor b&d – 1 June 1774

4. William Stewart b. 13.06.1775. Married in 1807 the Hon. Henrietta Blackwood, daughter of Hans, 3rd Baron Dufferin & Clandeboye of Co. Down.

5. John b 17.08.1777 – died in infancy

6. Henry b. 21.10.1778 – died in infancy

7. Henry Alexander b 30.09.1779

8. Dorothea b 16.09.1780

9. Robert b 20.02.1781 – stillborn.

The couple had a large family and Isabella was known as a very loving and fond grandmother to her many grandchildren. Below is a portrait of Isabella and her three grandchildren – John, Edward and Catherine Hamilton, thought to be painted at Brownhall.

This graveyard is at the end a of tiny, narrow country lane off the main road outside Ballintra and the Hamilton vault is over to the right of the cemetery. The last Hamilton to be buried in this vault was Sheila Marion Hamilton in 1976 – the vault had been unused for several generations at this time and it was by her own special request she was interred in it.

John and Isabella posed for a portrait which was painted by a renowned artist of the time (which for now escapes me though I have a print of the portrait) and the couple are shown sitting at a small table – this table still has pride of place in Brownhall house today. This painting was listed in Christie’s catalogue in the mid-1990′s – I do not know who owns this portrait today.

John Hamilton died in 1811 – Isabella died in 1832. Both are interred in the Hamilton vault in the now unused Drumholm graveyard just outside Ballintra. This was the site of the original Drumholm church and is accessed via a narrow lane off the main highway. The last Hamilton to be interred in this vault was Sheila Marion Hamilton in 1982(?). She made a special request to be buried in the vault which had not been used for several generations.

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