Page "James Hamilton, 4th Duke of Hamilton" Paragraph 10

Following the death of the 3rd Earl of Macclesfield without heir in 1702, a disagreement had arisen over who should succeed to his extensive estates, based at Gawsworth Hall, Cheshire.

Hamilton claimed the estates through his wife Elizabeth Gerard, a granddaughter of Charles Gerard, 1st Earl of Macclesfield.

Mohun claimed them as named heir to Charles Gerard, 2nd Earl of Macclesfield to whom he had been a companion-in-arms.

The years of litigation that followed culminated in Mohun calling Hamilton out.

The duel took place on the morning of the 15th.

The older Hamilton mortally wounded Mohun, but was himself killed by Mohun's second, George MacCartney.

Both seconds, MacCartney and Hamilton's, Colonel John Hamilton, escaped to the continent and were tried in absentia for murder, but were both later pardoned.