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William Hamlet the Younger (1779-1815) was the son of William Hamlet Snr and Elizabeth Morgan. He was a versatile artist who created profiles on various materials and painted colored miniatures, distinguishing himself from his father. Recent research revealed his possible Afro-American or Afro-Caribbean heritage. In 1829, Freedom's Journal mentioned his son, George Hamlet, mulatto, imprisoned in Virginia, as the son of William Hamlet, a profile painter for the Royal Family. Baptized in Salisbury.
William Hamlet Jr. moved to Bath in 1801, marrying Jane Fox. He faced competition from established artists but produced his first known work in 1806. By 1815, he had become a skilled artist, residing at 2 Old Bond Street with his growing family. He became a freemason and was highly productive. His unexpected death on November 5, 1815, led to a notable absence of work from his father until 1820, despite evidence suggesting William Hamlet Snr. remained active. Hamlet Jr.'s obituary appeared in the Bath Chronicle on November 9, 1815, noting his age at the time of death. (2)
According to Profiles of the Past (2), he appears to have been ill before his death and his family had been reduced to impoverished circumstances. A sad newspaper plea, published the day after his actual death, headed 'To the Charitable and Humane..." in the BATH JOURNAL 6th November 1815 showed he and his family were in trouble, as he had '...for some time past, laboured under severe bodily and mental Affliction...being in great Distress and totally incapable of providing for...[his family]. The smallest Donations would be most thankfully received at the principal Inns and Libraries'. Subscribers donated nearly £3000 in 2023 terms.
Jane Fox was born 19 September 1778 in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England and christened 26 May, 1779 at Salisbury the Close of the Canons of the Cathedral Church, Wiltshire, England. She married William Hamlet (the younger) at Bath St Michael With St Paul, Somerset, England, on August 10, 1801. (2) Witnesses to the marriage were listed as Robert Higginbotham and C. Russell. Jane was illiterate, like her mother-in-law. Together, they had 3 sons and 3 daughters and was pregnant with her 4th son when William suddenly died.
One of their sons, George, appears to have been arrested in Virginia, USA, for not having his "freedom papers". He was gaoled as a mulatto, although he explained that he was, in fact, British, and had never been subjected to slavery. He became the father of famous American political activist and politician George Byron Hamlet.
Their daughter, Jane, became a servant at Partis College, a discreet home for gentlewomen in distress.
Their son, William, became a wealthy investor, amassing a large collection of valuable art and antiques, which, according to directives in his will, were sold upon his death. He bequeathed large sums to various charitable institutions and some money to his siblings and other relatives, including a token sum to my GG grandfather and his brother in Australia.
Richard died young.
Charlotte married an Inn Keeper, John Sharp, in 1847. John died shortly after. She was left considerable wealth by her wealthy brother, William and, in turn, left a large inheritance for my GG grandfather William Henry Hamlet. What became of that inheritance is unknown, although I did hear a family story that the solicitors took it and absconded to America, whilst in transit to Australia.
My 3rd great grandfather was Charles. He was listed as a servant on his son's birth certificate, so the family fortunes must have wained after his father's untimely death.
(1) FamilySearch. (2022). England, Somerset, Church Records, 1501-1999. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6D9J-9VS5
(2) Profiles of the Past. (n.d.). Hamlet, William, the Younger. Retrieved May 18, 2025, from https://profilesofthepast.org.uk/artist/hamlet-william-younger
(3)Source Date 10 August 1801
"England, Somerset, Church Records, 1501-1999", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6DMK-VCM4 : 10 August 2022), Jane Fox in entry for William Hamlett, 1801.