Robert Hamilton, Lord Presmennan

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Robert Hamilton, Lord Presmennan (1633–1689) was a Scottish landowner, judge and Senator of the College of Justice

He was born on 3 August 1633 in Barncleuch or Barncluith in Lanarkshire the son of James Hamilton of Barncluith (now a suburb of Hamilton) (1593-1632) and his wife (and cousin) Margaret Hamilton (1580-1670).^[1] Barncluith is an L-plan tower house built in 1583 by John Hamilton (still extant).^[2]

Robert trained as a lawyer and qualified as an advocate around 1655. He practised law in Edinburgh from the 1650s and gained fame as a judge. At some point in the later 17th century he bought the estate of Presmennan or Pressmennan near Dunbar, east of Edinburgh. All that remains of the Pressmennan estate is a wood, now in the care of the Woodland Trust.^[3]

In November 1689 he was elected a Senator of the College of Justice and adopted the title of Lord Presmennan.^[4]

He died in Glasgow in February 1693 aged 59. His position as Senator was filled by James Scougal, Lord Whitehill.^[4]

His older brother bought a baronetcy in Nova Scotia and became Sir Archibald Hamilton, 1st Baronet of Rosehall.^[5]

In 1653 he was married to Marion Denholm (1631-1686). They had 11 sons and 7 daughters including James Hamilton, Lord Pencaitland.^[6]

Their daughter Marion Hamilton married Sir Hew Dalrymple of Hailes and their children included Hew Dalrymple, Lord Drummore.^[7]