In a writ of that year, his father Sir John Hamilton granted him the lands and privileges of Kinneil, in return for the superiority of all property that had been promised to him through his marriage after his attainment of majority.
Hamilton next comes to notice in a Safe-conduct issued by Henry V of England to travel to Calthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire.
In 1424, Hamilton was one of the Scottish Lords allowed passage to Durham to visit the captive James I of Scotland.
Hamilton died not later than 1441, when his son is described as Lord of Cadzow.
James Hamilton married Janet Livingston before 1422, when he received a charter of the lands of Schawis from his father-in-law, Sir Alexander Livingston of Callendar.