The death cert shows his parents as James Hamilton (wood turner) & Margaret Sanderson. How does he come to be known as nephew to Benjamin Mathie, who was Clerk of the Trades House of Glasgow and part-owner of the Glasgow Herald? Mathie Hamilton spent years in Peru and was author of "Notes on the Transportability of Yellow Fever".
Glasgow, past and present, By David Robertson, Robert Reid
"Dr. HAMILTON was a native of Glasgow, and in early life occupied a comparatively humble position, his professional education and training, and consequent rise in the world, being the result of his own energy and perseverance. He studied medicine at the Glasgow University, and in 1825, when thirty-two years of age, he went to South America as surgeon to the Potosi Silver Mining Company—a joint-stock concern which was got up in London. It was, however, a mere bubble company, and when Dr. Hamilton, accompanied by the working staff, reached Peru, he learned that the whole concern had suddenly collapsed, and that all he had to depend upon was his medical skill and his case of instruments. But the Doctor was by no means daunted at difficulties, and as medical science was then in its infancy in that country, and several important mercantile houses had been established, such as the firm of Anthony Gibbs and Son, he determined on prolonging his stay in Peru. He soon made his mark, and ere long was at the head of the medical staff of the Peruvian army, while at the same time he carried on an extensive practice both far and near amongst the English residenters.
Dr. Hamilton remained in South America for some ten years, when he came home with a moderate competency. He had not forgotten the injustice inflicted upon himself and others by the directors of the Potosi Company, and shortly after reaching this country he raised an action against one of their number for breach of contract, and succeeded in obtaining substantial damages. Dr. Hamilton now began to look about for an investment for his capital—the result of which was that he became a house proprietor. He was, however, little fitted to bear with a patient spirit the many petty troubles to which this class of capitalists are peculiarly exposed, and getting thoroughly sick of this way of living he disposed of his property, and again set sail for Peru. Here he was cordially welcomed by his old friends and patients, and for a time he again engaged with unvaried success in professional pursuits. About 1849 he finally quitted Peru, and returned to Glasgow, where he lived in retirement, enjoying the fruits of an industrious life. He spent much of his time in the Exchange, to the members of which he was well known, and might be found there almost daily in genial conversation with some acquaintance. Dr. Hamilton was possessed of a genial temper and great goodness of heart, and was one of those true spirits that never desert a friend. He was not married.
Few men in the city were more familiar than Dr. Hamilton with its history and its society during the last half-century, and a good many communications from his pen on old Glasgow affairs appeared from time to time in the Glasgow Herald under the signature "Aliquis." He also took a great interest in South American subjects, and occasionally corresponded with Lord Palmerston and other public men with respect both to the political relations and natural productions of that country. To professional literature he contributed a good deal, and of his journeyings in South America he has left pleasant records in print as well as in manuscript. Dr. Hamilton was well connected. His Christian name was derived from the surname of his uncle, Mr. Benjamin Mathie, a well-known Glasgow writer, and he claimed to be directly descended from John Knox. He died in 1869."
