OS1/21/39/1

Continued entries/extra info

List of Names as written on the plan: Hamilton

Various modes of spelling the same names: Hamilton

Authority for those modes of spelling: Mr Henderson, town clerk ; Brown’s handbook of Hamilton; Chalmers Caledonia; Origines Parochiales Scotia; New & Old Stat Accts.

Descriptive Remarks, or other general observations which may be considered of interest
A considerable town, being the capital of the middle ward of Lanarkshire, occupies a pleasant site on the valley of (Clydesdale-word scored out on record) the Clyde, not far from its confluence with the “Avon”.

“In 1661 the town was by an act of Parliament granted to Duchess Anne. Stripped of these privileges, and made the chief burgh of legality and dukedom of Hamilton. The Duchess, who is styled in old deeds, “High and Mighty Princess”, and still talked of as the good Duchess Anne, and who was a Lady of great talent and beneficence, has acquired the right of electing a town clerk and two bailiffs out of 6, chosen by the council annually. This right, contested in vain in 1732, remained in the hands of the ducal house till the Reform Act of 1832, when Hamilton was made a parliamentary burgh, electing its own council, and sharing in the privilege of electing a member to parliament.” Brown’s directory and handbook of Hamilton.