BIOGRAPHY: James Hamilton; Newburgh, Orange co., NY
surname: Hamilton, Bontecu, Chapman, Wilson

submitted by Michelle L. McKenzie 
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Source: NEWBURGH, Her Institutions, Industries and Leading  Citizens,
Historical, Descriptive and Biographical. Compiled by John J. Nutt, Published
by Ritchie & Hull, Proprietors Newburgh Journal,  Newburgh, N.Y., 1891, page
212

     JAMES HAMILTON has the distinction of being the oldest member of the
Masonic fraternity in Newburgh, and, in a certain sense, he is also the oldest
fireman. He became a member of old Hiram Lodge in 1843. Peter F. Hunt was then
the Master, and the lodge room was in the Orange Hotel. In 1853 he wrote the
petition to the Grand Lodge for the formation of Newburgh Lodge, and he is the
oldest charter member now living. He prepared an interesting sketch of his
recollections concerning the formation of Newburgh Lodge which was read at the
thirty- seventh anniversary celebration in June, 1890. Mr. Hamilton became a
member of Niagara Engine Company, No. 5, at its organization in 1837, and
continued a member till its disbandment He was born October 15, 1810, and came
to Newburgh in 1830. As clerk and proprietor he conducted the grocery business
at No. 68 Water Street for twenty-six years. In 1859 he was appointed
Under-Sheriff by Sheriff John Cowdrey. His wife (now deceased) was Harriet
Bontecou, a Huguenot descendant, of La Rochelle, France. Out of a family of
eight children three are now living   a son and two daughters, viz.. Mrs.
Charles F. Chapman and Mrs. Arthur Wilson, of Newburgh, and Robert J.
Hamilton, of Long Island City. NY.

     The ancestry of Harriet Bontecou has been traced back for forty
successive generations, extending through thirteen centuries; and these data
have been compiled and published by John B. Morris, of Hartford, Conn.

[Note that the original article contained a portrait.]