Miniatures 262: Contemplations, by John E. WEST (1863-1929)

https://www.stmarysepiscopalhamilton.... "The preliminaries to establishing an Episcopal Church in Hamilton were set in motion when a committee consisting of John Leslie Esq. Robert Graeme Esq. and Captain H. H. Vaughan drew up a circular, copies of which were to be sent to the Rt. Rev. Dr. Michael Russell, D.C.L. Bishop of Glasgow and to, "certain influential Gentlemen and nobility of the neighbourhood" on the 3rd December, 1841. It would appear that Captain Vaughan was the prime mover and there can be no doubt that the impetus for the provision of an Episcopal Congregation came from the military establishment, which is quite understandable in view of the Cameronian Barracks with its quota of English officers in Almada Street. A committee was formed which sent out a circular letter in 1841, proposing the setting up of such a Church. This attracted the support, among other local notable Episcopalians, the Duke of Hamilton, who donated the [recently-restored Forster and Andrews from 1889] organ from the Hamilton Palace." The instrument was recently awarded a certificate by the British Institute of Organ Studies in recognition of its historic importance.