James Hamilton, Jr. (May 8, 1786 – November 15, 1857) was an American lawyer and politician. He represented South Carolina in the U.S. Congress (1822–1829) and served as its 53rd Governor (1830–1832).
James was born on May 8, 1786 in Charleston, South Carolina to James and Elizabeth (Lynch) Hamilton-daughter of Congressman Thomas Lynch and sister of Thomas Lynch, Jr. He practiced law in Charleston, and for several years served the city as its mayor. He was elected to the South Carolina state House of Representatives, and served from 1819 until 1822. When William Lowndes resigned from the U.S. Congress, Hamilton was elected to complete his term, and started his congressional career on December 13, 1822. He was re-elected in 1824 and 1826. He was a States' Rights Democrat and a Nullifier.
Hamilton personally loaned $216,000 to the young Republic of Texas, and arranged other loans for them from the Bank of the United States. He served as a special agent for them in Europe, gaining diplomatic recognition for the new republic from Great Britain and Holland. He finally moved to Texas in 1855.
In 1857, while returning to Texas from Washington, D.C., Hamilton’s steam-boat was sunk, and he drowned in the Gulf of Mexico, reportedly after yielding his seat in a lifeboat to a woman and her child. Hamilton County, Texas is named in his honor. His brother-in-law Barnard E. Bee, Sr was the son of Congressman Thomas Bee and father of Confederate Generals Barnard E. Bee Jr. and Hamilton Prioleau Bee and grandfather of Texas Congressman Carlos Bee.
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by William Lowndes |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 2nd congressional district 1822 – 1829 |
Succeeded by Robert Woodward Barnwell |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Stephen Decatur Miller |
Governor of South Carolina 1830 – 1832 |
Succeeded by Robert Y. Hayne |
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