Hamilton, George, b. 1757

George Hamilton was born in Scotland in 1757. His father wanted him to join the clergy but his aunt supported his desire to study law. He was educated in Edinburgh and in 1777, traveled with an uncle around southern Ireland. In 1783, Hamilton sailed from London to America in hopes of pursuing a legal career there. He traveled through Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New England, and made it as far north as Niagara Falls. Discouraged by his prospects as a lawyer, he returned to England to become a clergyman.

From the guide to the George Hamilton papers, Hamilton, George papers, 1783-1786, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)