The Hon. Hamilton Douglas Halyburton of Pitcur (1763-1784) was the younger son of Sholto Charles, 15th Earl of Morton (1732-1774). He joined the Royal Navy at an early age, firstly on the Frigate Apollo, under Captain Pownall, and then transferring as first lieutenant, on the 50 Gun Assistance, under Commodore Sir Charles Douglas Bt. It was during the evacuation of New York in December 1783, that he volunteered to pursue a long boat of mutineers, and at the command of a barge, he led 'twelve young gentlemen and one mariner, it not being judged prudent to trust more of the common sailors on such service'. Tragically all were found dead on the 1st January 1784, lying in the mud on the Jersey shore. A monument was erected in their memory at Sandyhook by the Douglas family