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| William Hamilton http://www.nelsonandhisworld.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1613 |
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| Author: | silvasands [ Sun Mar 02, 2014 11:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | William Hamilton |
I thought it might be of passing interest to readers who enjoy some historical facts...a little info about William Hamilton . It began with my watching a film about Lady Caroline Lamb, late into the night. I used my computer to discover some more information. From that site, I decided that I didn`t know too much about Lady Hamilton. I`ve visited Tenby and seen a plaque outside one of the houses where Nelson stayed, so, when I was reading up and came across this site, something at the back of my mind , popped forward. Last week I was at Slebech Park near Haverfordwest. An old estate complete with a pre medieval church.In the graveyard are some very interesting old graves, quite clear to read, some of them.Whilst reading about Lady Hamilton, I noted Naples as her place of residence with William Hamilton. It then struck me that I had seen something written on a gravestone in Slebech graveyard, stating that a William Hamilton , late of Naples, had been returned to Slebech and had been buried , after his death, alongside his first wife, he having given her that promise. It`s a fabulous place, a bit off the beaten track but well worth a visit. The church is magical and the area, unusual.It`s possible to stay at Slebech or simply partake of a meal in their restaurant, which is what we do every few months, if possible, as we live on Gower, not so near. I thought the coincidence quite remarkable and hope readers are able to visit should they be in the vicinity.Read for yourselves what William Hamilton has , on his gravestone. |
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| Author: | tycho [ Mon Mar 03, 2014 4:49 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: William Hamilton |
Welcome to the forum and thank you for that interesting post. As I now live in Wales, a trip to Slebech might make a nice outing in the summer. |
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| Author: | EMP [ Thu Mar 06, 2014 12:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: William Hamilton |
Silvasands, Check out the thread 'Death of Sir William Hamilton' for a little more info and pics on this subject. And Anna, if you happen to make a visit, give me a call. |
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| Author: | Devenish [ Thu Mar 06, 2014 4:25 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: William Hamilton |
Silvasands, Further to what EMP has written, you might find this short resumé of interest: Sir William Hamilton had originally married Catherine Barlow, an heiress to a Pembroke estate, in 1758. He was well connected but without money, whilst her estate was worth £8,000 a year. Their marriage however, seemed a happy one and when he took up the appointment of Ambassador to the Court of Naples in 1763 she accompanied him. They lived at the Palazzo Sessa, the official British residence, where she took care of the entertainment and socialising that was expected of his position. She fell ill and died in 1773, being returned to her native Wales to be buried. William himself returned to Britain in 1800, initially accompanying Nelson and Lady Hamilton on their return through Europe, narrowly avoiding the French. All three then lived at Merton, but in his old age William grew tired of the seemingly incessant bustle and endless parties given by Emma, and moved to his house in Piccadilly. It was there he died in April 1803, in Emma's arms and with Nelson present. His body was then transported to Slebech, to buried alongside Catherine, as he had wished. I believe this was stipulated in his will. It would be interesting to see a photo of his tombstone. |
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| Author: | Trimmer [ Wed Jul 09, 2014 9:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: William Hamilton |
I recently enjoyed a tour of south Wales, themed on Nelson and the Hamiltons tour in 1802. I was one of a group of ten people who spent three days on 'Nelson's Cambrian Tour,1802'. A booklet full of fascinating information concerning the places we visited was produced to mark the occasion. It occurs to me that members following this thread might find some details given in the booklet, concerning Hamilton's vault at Slebech of interest: David Constantinein Fields of Fire: A Life of Sir William Hamilton, 2001 gives the impression that a plaque was once affixed to the northern wall commemorating the achievements of Sir William. He also gives a clue as to where he assumes the remains of the Hamiltons now lie: "In the old place by the muddy western cleddau, under the rooks and the yew trees, no indication remains that Hamilton and Catherine are buried there...the Church records attest their interment in the vault, the first on 22nd February 1783, the second on 19th April 1803. The floor of the Church open to the sky, is thick grass, but if you stamp in the right spot the vault sonds hollow." Constantine continues by reproducing the report held in Haverford west Public Library- Slebech file of 7349040 Sgt Bernard Allcock from 1945, when a Field Ambulance unit was billeted at Slebech Hall. Together with a party of German prisoners-of-war they decided to clean up the old Church. They cleared away the rubbish until they reached the original floor: " we carried on digging. All this time the hollow sound had increased, and we were very much elated when a large slab was uncovered then another; between the two was a slight gap, through which we dropped small stones, and placing our ears to the gap, listened for the stones to either splash into water or hit a hard surface. It did neither; after talking a bit, we decided to try and lift up one of the slabs to see if it was an entrance: it was; there were about eight steps leading down to a crypt which looked very forbidding, but with so much success on our hands, we overcame that feeling and entered. With the aid of electric torches we saw seven coffins laying there and in the right hand corner an urn, about two feet high. We glanced at the coffins to see if names and dates could be found, but unfortunately there was nothing to give us any clues; we did notice that the coffins were hewn out of tree trunks and finished of by making the outsides very smooth, but whether they were stained or not we could not tell; they were dark but this may have been through age and not stain. I would like to point out that the coffins and ornaments were not interfered with or violated in any form by us, but it was noticed that at some time or other the crypt had been entered and interfered with, much to our sorrow. After our visit, it was decided to close up the crypt entrance by replacing the slab, and putting down cement to seal it off from further violation; this seal was put down on V.E Day, and the following inscription was carved in the cement: 177 Field Ambulance. R.A.M.C. V.E. Day, May 8th 1945. A penny was placed in the cement as a seal" Slebech is a magical place, for me the highlight of the three day tour. I couldn't resist stamping on the floor! |
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| Author: | Galiano [ Thu Jul 10, 2014 2:29 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: William Hamilton |
For a few moments your post transported me in place and time... this is what I love about this board. |
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| Author: | mythras [ Fri Jul 11, 2014 8:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: William Hamilton |
Quote: Sir William Hamilton had originally married Catherine Barlow, an heiress to a Pembroke estate, in 1758. He was well connected but without money, whilst her estate was worth £8,000 a year. The estate was Colby Lodge, now partly administered by the National Trust. It is a beautiful place. at it's best in the Spring when the rhododendrons and azaleas are in their prime. I think there is also a connection with Thomas Foley, one of the Band of Brothers and Hero of the Nile, who married into the Perrot family based at Laugharne Castle, very near where Dylan Thomas mused across the estuary and imagined Milk Wood. Foley lived at Abermarlais Manor, near Llandeilo, and at one time was the Admiral of the Port of Dover, at the time when Cochrane fell into bother with the Stock Market scandal. Bill. |
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| Author: | Devenish [ Thu Jul 17, 2014 11:12 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: William Hamilton |
This is turning into an interesting discussion, and the excerpts from 'Fields of Fire' makes it even more so. I have it on order from Amazon. Another reason for purchasing it is that my wife and I visited Naples in late May, and whilst there visited the Palazzo Sessa. I have written an article about the trip, and it should be appearing in the Nelson Dispatch at some point. |
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