Early Career
It was not until 1712, at age 36, that Hamilton had established himself in Chestertown, Maryland with a reputable and lucrative law practice. During this year, he traveled to London in order to gain higher rank and favor in his profession. On January 27, he joined the legal society of Gray’s Inn, one of the four societies for barristers in London. Two weeks later on February 10, he was called before the English Bar. At the end of the year, during the winter of 1712/13, William Penn hired Hamilton in a replevin case against Berkeley Codd, Esq. Codd disputed some of Penn’s rights under his grant from the Duke of York, who would later become King James II. This started the long and friendly relationship between Hamilton and the Penn family.
His trip to London and continued work in the colony of Pennsylvania and with the Penn family raised Hamilton to higher prominence. He came to the attention of both the Baltimore family and the government of the Maryland colony. In April 1715, he was chosen as a deputy to Maryland's House of Delegates from Kent County. Hamilton was presenting cases before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on April 29, 1715. He did not return to Maryland or learn of his selection until May 5, 1715. Hamilton took the oath of office, test, and abjuration the day of his return. But, he was arrested by the House due to his delayed taking of the oath and reporting to the House. They accepted his explanation that he was 100 miles from his home in Chestertown and unable to return because of business, but he had to pay a 65-shilling fine to officials.
Placed on the Committee of Laws, Hamilton was charged with the organization and codification of the Maryland colony's judiciary laws. By May 14, 1715, Hamilton had helped put together a series of laws that became the Act of 1715. This Act would form the basis of the law for Maryland until the Revolution.
At some point during 1715, Hamilton moved to Philadelphia. He and his family occupied Clark Hall, owned by William Clark Jr. and Rebecca Clark, and managed by their relative Clement Plumsted. It was located at the corner of Third and Chestnut Streets.
Read more about this topic: Andrew Hamilton (lawyer)
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