James Hamilton (1774-1817)

He inherited The Woodlands but died just four years later. He was also the "tenant for life" of Bush Hill. In agreement with his brother, Andrew, he barred the entail etc. of the Bush Hill estate by a common recovery. As such, he became entitled to two-thirds of the estate and his brother Andrew to one-third. In 1814, they agreed articles of sale to Thomas Cadwalader, Thomas Biddle, Samuel Richards, John Wharton, and others. General Cadwalader was to divide it into lots and the Hamiltons were to accept ground rent amounting in time to $36,000 per annum. After raising $200,000 principal, in 1821 Cadwalader and his associates gave up the undertaking. James Hamilton died at Poughkeepsie, New York, unmarried.