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d. 1703, colonial governor of
New Jersey, b. Scotland. Becoming deputy governor of East Jersey in 1687,
Hamilton defended the proprietors against popular opposition and shortly
had to leave the colony. In 1692 he was commissioned governor of East and
West Jersey, but after five years of effective administration he was
removed by the proprietors to please the crown. When he was recalled he
could not restore authority. Appointed deputy postmaster general for the
colonies in 1692, Hamilton induced several colonies to set up uniform
postal rates. In 1701, William Penn appointed him deputy governor of
Pennsylvania, a post he held until his death. |
