According to Grossart's excellent History of Shotts published in 1880, the estates of Murdoston had been in the hands of the Inglis family from the 15th century and by the early 18th century the family were great financial difficulties. Thomas Inglis, head of the family, sold the estate (1719) to a relation of the same name. (Alexander Inglis). quote "Alexander Inglis is not of the same family of Murdoston, but heir of the line of Inglis of Inglistarvit in Fife". In a sasine of 1709 he is described as a merchant in Edinburgh. Anyway, this Alexander died without heirs and left his estate to Alexander Hamilton, a relative who is mentioned in an old decreet as his nephew. (but probably a great-nephew). He assumed the name of Inglis as a condition of settlement. So he became Alexander Inglis Hamilton, sometimes known as Alexander Inglis alias Hamilton. Grossart goes on to say that this family died out, the last Hamilton at Murdoston was Major-General James Hamilton who died childless in 1803, he left his estate to an adopted son - James Anderson, a native of Glasgow.