the eldest succeeded. George Hamilton is noted as having re-established a parish church in Preston, built by the minister John Davidson in 1596, and founding an academy there. George married Barbara Cockburn (died 1610), a daughter of John Cockburn of Ormiston, in 1563. and they had 11 children of whom John, the eldest, succeeded. Sir John Hamilton born 1565, received crown charters of the united baronies of Preston and Prestonpans in 1617 and 1623. On 20 August 1617 King James VI granted Sir John Hamilton of Preston and Lady Jean Otterburn his spouse, the lands of Preston and Prestonpans, and on 28 March 1623 the king granted Sir John Hamilton of Preston the lands and barony of Preston and Prestonpans etc. Sir John supported the Covenanters and opposed the policies of King Charles I. He married three times. The initials of John Hamilton and his wife Katherine Howieson were carved in the stonework of Preston Tower. He was succeeded by his first born son Sir James in May 1644. Sir James Hamilton was born in 1589. He married Barbara Mure in 1609, a daughter of Robert Mure of Caldwell. He was knighted in 1615. He died in October 1644. He was a zealous Covenanter. Sir James seems to have been granted the lands and barony of Preston in 1629. On 1 May 1632, Sir James Hamilton of Fingalton, was served heir to his son Robert Hamilton of Preston, in the lands and barony of Preston and Prestonpans with Preston a free burgh of barony. His eldest surviving son John succeeded to the lands and titles. 5 November 1644, John Hamilton of Preston was served heir to his father Sir James Hamilton of Fingalton in the lands and barony of Preston and Prestonpans and Preston, a free burgh of barony. John Hamilton entailed his estates, and when he died in 1647 without issue, the lands and titles went to his uncle Robert Hamilton of Sauchieburn, second son of Sir John Hamilton of Preston, who had served as a Colonel under King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden during the Thirty Years War. He died in 1648 but with no sons. The lands and titles then went to Sir Thomas Hamilton, born 1618, 3rd son of George Hamilton of Preston, who was served heir to John Hamilton his paternal uncle's grandson nepotism patrui in the baronies of Preston and Prestonpans on 2 June 1647.