David Hamilton, Esq. and Margaret Hamilton

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Husband David Hamilton, Esq. ¹

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           Born: 1759 - York (later Adams) Co, PA 1
     Christened: 
           Died: 10 May 1839 2
         Buried:  - Mingo Cemetery, Union Twp, Washington Co, PA

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         Father: [Father] Hamilton (      -      )
         Mother: 

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       Marriage: 

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Wife Margaret Hamilton ^{1 3}

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           Born: 21 Sep 1776 1 3
     Christened: 
           Died: 1872 2
         Buried:  - Mingo Cemetery, Union Twp, Washington Co, PA

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         Father: William Hamilton (1751-      ) 3 4
         Mother: Mary Magdalena Bittinger (      -      ) 1 3

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Children

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• They had no children.

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General Notes: Husband - David Hamilton, Esq.

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He was born in a part of York County, Pennsylvania, that later became Adams County. He removed with his father's family to Washington County at an early period, and became possessor of the tract of land known as Ginger Hill. He was commissioned a justice of the peace in 1792, and for more than forty years continued in this office, filling it with more than ordinary acceptability and efficiency. His name occurs quite frequently in the historical records of the insurrection. That he took an active part in that great popular uprising is not to be denied. But there is no evidence that he approved of any of the acts of violence committed. Though he was present at the burning of Neville's house, the only connection in which his name appears is in the performance of an act of humanity. In his history, H. M. Brackenridge, relating the manner in which Major Kirkpatrick, who commanded the soldiers within the house, escaped, states: "Kirkpatrick, after being carried some distance under guard, was taken by David Hamilton behind him on horseback; when, thinking himself protected, he began to answer those who came up occasionally with indignant language, when Hamilton said to him: 'You see I am endeavoring to save you at the risk of my own safety, and yet you are making it still more dangerous for me.' On this he was silent, and being carried some distance further by Hamilton, he was advised to make his escape, which he did." Subsequently, when Hamilton was deputed by a committee of the people to go to Pittsburgh and return the pistols taken from Marshal Lenox, and require the fulfillment of what had been agreed upon on his part, it is testified by a witness under oath that, "Hamilton consented to go in order to prevent the people from coming in themselves and doing mischief, for there was danger of their going in that time." These and similar references show that, however strenuous may have been his opposition to the excise law, his influence was on the side of order and humanity. Though some attempts were made toward the close of the insurrection to apprehend him, he was successful in evading these efforts, and without serious molestation passed through the crisis in peace. In the famous congressional contest of 1794, just at the close of the insurrection, Hamilton was one of the five rival candidates, the others being Thomas Scott, H. H. Brackenridge, John Woods and Albert Gallatin. The last named, who was brought out only about ten days before the election, as what in modern days is called a "dark horse," won the contest, but only by a very slight majority.
Whatever hot blood may have coursed in David's veins in youth, his age presented the picture of a mild and courteous gentleman, an intelligent and useful citizen, and an exemplary Christian. For more than fifty years he was a member in full communion in the Presbyterian Church. At his death, which occurred in his eightieth year, he bequeathed half of his estate to the educational charities of that church.

He and his wife were distant relatives.

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General Notes: Wife - Margaret Hamilton

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She was a lady in whom were singularly combined the refined manners of the East, and the hardihood of the West. She lived to the advanced age of ninety-six. It is related of her that she crossed the mountains to and fro between Adams and Washington counties in Pennsylvania seventeen times, and always on horseback except on her last trip.

1 Editor, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 61.

2 Editor, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 62.

3 Editor, History of Adams County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886), Pg 406.

4 Editor, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 60.