Hamilton was founded in 1827 as seat of the newly formed Harris County.

[7] The city was named for U.S. Secretary of the Navy and governor of South Carolina Paul Hamilton (1762–1816).

[9] Coverage by local newspapers at the time suggested the four were guilty.

[10] Hamilton is located slightly northeast of the center of Harris County, at the southern base of the Pine Mountain Range in the Piedmont region of the state.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.6 km2), all land.