Namesake:
Paul Hamilton
Born on 16 October 1762 in
Saint Paul's Parish, South Carolina, Paul Hamilton was the son
of Archibald and Rebecca (Brandford) Hamilton. At the young age
of 16, Paul Hamilton fought under Generals Gates, Marion, and
Harden during the American Revolution.
Paul Hamilton was the nation's third Secretary of the
Navy, serving under President James Madison from 1809 to 1813.
As Secretary of the Navy he was a strong proponent of military
preparedness, especially sea fortifications. Although he wanted
to strengthen the Navy, he found the Congress hostile and the
President indifferent to his ideas. One of his greatest
achievements under his tenure was the passage of the Naval
Hospitals Act of 1811. In 1813 he resigned his post as Secretary
of the Navy.
Prior to his appointment as Secretary, he served the state
of South Carolina in a number of public offices, including State
Senator, 1794, 1798-1799, Comptroller of Finance, 1800-1804, as
well as Governor of South Carolina, 1804-1806.
On 10 October 1782 he married Mary Wilkinson. Paul
Hamilton died on 30 June 1819 in Beaufort, South Carolina.
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