James was born in 1633[1] probably at Strabane Castle, as the eldest son of Claude Hamilton and his wife Jean Gordon.
James's mother was the fourth daughter of George Gordon, 1st Marquess of Huntly.
The rebel leader Phelim O'Neill captured and burnt Strabane Castle and took him, his mother, and his siblings captive.
[5] Phelim brought them to his castle in Kinard but released them after a few days and sent them to "Sir George Hamilton".
In 1649, when he was about 16, during the Irish Confederate Wars, Strabane Castle was attacked again, this time by Robert Monro and his Covenanter army.
[13] He then sought Coote's protection; but in December, he returned to his old cause and took up arms again with Phelim O'Neill.