David W. Hamilton. Last Will and Testament 1896.

David W. Hamilton’s recently discovered March 29, 1895 Will revealed so many interesting facts.

He begins with, “David W. Hamilton of Indianapolis, Indiana, make and publish this my last Will and Testament  …

“Item 4: I give and devise three hundred dollars ($300) for the purpose of repairing and putting an iron fence around the graves of my Father [James Hamilton], Mother [Margaret Turner], Brother [presently unknown]and Sister [presently unknown], who are buried on Mr. Burns Peery’s farm in Decatur County, Ind., and to put a stone at the grave of my brother Frank [Frank was not listed among James Hamilton heirs], who is buried in Richland Cemetery, Monroe County, Ind.”

 October 18, 1895 Codicil [to amend or change]:

“I hereby revoke Item 4 of my will in which provision for the purpose or reparing [sic] and putting an iron fence at the graves of my father, mother, brother, and sister, who are buried in the farm now owned by Mr. Burns Peery in Decatur County, Indiana and stove at my brother Frank’s grave in Monroe County, Ind.”

 I've discovered that David W. Hamilton does NOT have a brother named Frank.  David’s oldest brother Jesse T Hamilton is buried at Richland Cemetery in Monroe County, Indiana, as is Jesse’s son Frank B. Hamilton.

Mr. Burns Peery’s 1917 obituaries tell us a little about where James [died 1844] and Margaret Hamilton [died 1855] and two of their children are actually buried. No wonder I’ve never found them during “traditional searching.”

The Old Peery Homestead and Auburn Hill

"Thomas Burns Peery was born on a farm near Kingston, Ind., in the old Peery homestead now a part of Auburn Hill. In early boyhood his parents bought the farm later known has Wm. S. Peery Farm and removed to that place.  ... His father was a pioneer of Methodism in Decatur county, his home being used as a place of worship in the early history of the county before there were any churches unless perhaps in the county seat."  (August 3, 1917 Greensburg Standard Newspaper)

"The deceased was married to Louisa J. Guest, of Milford, February 27, 1866, and they resided for about forty years on the farm two miles northwest of Greensburg, retiring to this city ten years ago."  (July 27, 1917 Greensburg Standard Newspaper)

All of this helps answer the question of why James and Margaret Hamilton don't appear in any known cemetery records. Their son's Will identifies their burial sites. The names of the brother and sister buried with their parents remain to be discovered.  

                                       

Franklyn B. Hamilton Richland Cemetery gravestone

Bessie Morgan Rex and Her Hat!

Keepapitchinin recently published,  "Leave Your Hats Off While We Pray" by Annie Malin. I've been looking for this picture of my grandmother Bessie Morgan Rex and her hat ever since reading the poem.  I believe they go together.

Leave Your Hats Off While We Pray

by Annie Malin (1915)

It's the rule now for the ladies

Almost everyplace they go,

To lay aside their head-gear,

And the rule is good I know;

But if asked for my opinion

I should very quickly say,

"For goodness sake, my sisters,

Leave your hats off while we pray!"

For when the sermon's ended

There's a bustle and a stir

As if each one feared her neighbor

Would get out ahead of her;

There's a pinning and a bobbing

In a most distracting way -

So I feel like say, "Sisters,

Leave your hats off while we pray."

We try to see who's called on'

To make the closing prayer,

But the sisters still are pinning

And smoothing down their hair.

I should truly think the brother

Would forget himself and say,

"We would like to see the sisters

Leave their hats off while we pray."

Garrard Morgan died when? And he is buried where?

Recently a Find A Grave volunteer took this picture of Great Great Grandmother Eliza Ann Hamilton Morgan's grave site at my request. She was buried here in South Park Cemetery, Greensburg, Decatur, Indiana following her April 18, 1901 passing. She was living in Greensburg with her oldest son at that time.

Sadly there wasn't anyone living to see to it that a gravestone was placed at her grave site.  Or perhaps there wasn't any money to pay for one. Her obituary appeared in the Greensburg newspaper and is posted here. 

It was a pleasant surprise to discover her brother David W. Hamilton's gravestone prominently placed next to the unmarked area, which is her grave site. His death was five years before hers. 

The part of the story we don't know, is, "where is her husband Garrard Morgan" buried? According to a letter Eliza Ann wrote her daughter-in-law in 1895 Garrard was still living with her then, in Champaigne, Illinois. In the 1900 census (June 14, 1900) Eliza Ann is a widow living with her son William H. Morgan in Fall Creek Township, Middletown, town, Indiana.

It's presumed Garrard died in Illinois and is buried there somewhere.   

"Champaigne, Illinois April 29, 1895
"My dear Daughter [Helen Melvina “Mellie” Groesbeck Morgan]
“It is Monday morning and wash day …. Yes, this is your Pa’s birth month and all the children have written him such nice affectionate letters and he puts all the letter writing upon me. Says he cannot wright—I am sorry to say it is true—he cannot collect his thoughts. I am very fond of writing letters, but oh how I dread to write your Pa’s.”

John Hamilton Ham - son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Hamilton) Ham

According to Mary Ann Linton Morgan's research notes, in the late 1700 between seven and eight-hundred Hamiltons lived in Bracken County which was located about 30 miles from the Blue Lick Springs. It is essential that we gather all of the identifying sources possible in putting our John and Elizabeth Hamilton’s family together.

The following biography of John Hamilton Ham included in an 1882 Nicholas County History Volume identifies him as the son of John Hamilton’s daughter Elizabeth Hamilton Ham and her husband Samuel.

JOHN HAMILTON HAM, dealer in real estate, Carlisle, was born in McBride's Run, Nicholas County, Ky., Dec. 22, 1821, to Samuel and Elizabeth (Hamilton) Ham; he died in April 1837, at the age of fifty (see history of M. K. Ham); she was a daughter of John and Elizabeth Hamilton, and died at the age of fifty, in 1852; she was the mother of five children, viz: Leann, wife of Thomas M. Mathews, residing in Orange County, Ind.; John H., William W., Jacob A., married, died and left a wife and three children (two sons and a daughter) in Orange County, Ind.; and Samuel W., also deceased; John H., the third child and subject of this sketch, began his career in life as a farmer, and followed the same until a few years since, when he engaged in the real estate business.  He was married in Carlisle, Nov. 9, 1848, to Elizabeth McCune, both in Nicholas county, July 15, 1830, to John and Elizabeth (Mathers) McCune, natives of Nicholas County; he born in 1796, she in 1806, to Thomas Mathers, born in 1759, and Elizabeth, his wife, born in 1768; John McCune, a son of John, born in 1762.  Mr. Ham, by this marriage had three children, viz: R. Edgar, born Nov. 17, 1849; Oscar, born Sept. 6, 1852, and Elizabeth, died in infancy.  Mr. and Mrs. Ham are members of the Church at Carlisle, of which he served as Deacon several years; he is neutral in politics.  His youngest son, Oscar, was married Oct. 28, 1879, to Miss Luella Kimbrough (born to Joshua and Mary (Bowen) Kimbrough) May 14, 1857 (see history of Mrs. M. C. Bell).  After marriage he engaged in business with his brother-in-law, Mr. H. C. Kimbrough, at the hotel and continued his stock interests and trading.  They are the owners of the famous trotting horse, "Pegasus."  In business, they are enterprising, energetic, and are highly esteemed by the people of the county.

Ham Hamilton Mathews McCune Kimbrough Bowen Bell = Orange-IN

REF:  History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Counties, Kentucky, ed. by William Henry Perrin,  O. L. Baskin & Co., Chicago, 1882.  p. 749. [Nicholas County]  [Carlisle City and Precinct]

 http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/nicholas/ham.jh.txt

JOHN HAMILTON

When John Hamilton Morgan (1842-1894) began his journal in 1876 he wrote,

"I enter here by genealogy:

My father and grandfather were named Garrard Morgan

My grandmother Morgan’s maiden name was Sarah Sanderson

On my mother’s side my great grandfather was John Hamilton; his wife Elizabeth

Grandfather was James Hamilton, his wife Margaret Hamilton

My mother’s name is Eliza Ann Hamilton

Garrard Jr. had a sister Mary Morgan who married Marshall Hamilton, himself father of Woodson Hamilton"

One thing I’m now certain of, John Hamilton Morgan’s great grandfather, John Hamilton died in Nicholas County, Kentucky in 1828. County deeds, sale bills, and his will attest to that and the names of his heirs—and nine children.

They are:

Elizabeth Hamilton widow, relict

1. Samuel Hamm and wife Elizabeth Hamilton (late Elizabeth Hamilton) 

2. Jason Hamilton

3. James Hamilton

4. John Hamilton

5. Samuel P. Hamilton

6. Ann Hamilton

7. James Bosley and Polly his wife (late Polly Hamilton)

8. John Jamison and Margaret his wife (late Margaret Hamilton)

9. William 

Each of their parcels of land are identified with acreage on the attached map.

Ref: February 12, 1882 John Hamilton Estate Sale Bill: FHL film #252,377
p. 443-4

The last ten years I've gathered and been gifted information about this family which has become much clearer. 

John and Elizabeth Hamilton's son John remained in Nicholas County, Kentucky. 

John Hamilton, son to John & Elizabeth died Brushyfork December 29, 1852, age 61 [born 1791], farmer.

Ref: Nicholas County Kentucky, death records: 976.9417, V2ing

http://ancestralties.blogspot.com/2010/07/john-hamilton-carlisle-nicholas-county.html

http://ancestralties.blogspot.com/2010/08/john-hamilton-of-carlisle-kentucky-part.html

http://ancestralties.blogspot.com/2010/08/john-hamilton-of-carlisle-nicholas_13.html

David W. Hamilton -- a man of strict integrity!

Capt. David W. Hamilton is one of my great great grandmother Eliza Ann Hamilton Morgan's younger brothers. Here I posted some of great grandfather John Hamilton Morgan's journal entries about his Uncle David's 1892 visit to Washington D. C.  for a G. A. R. gathering

Sketch of His Life and Services held in Memory of Him.

[February 28, 1896]

The funeral services of Capt. David W. Hamilton were held in the First M.E. [Methodist Episcopal] church Friday afternoon conducted by his old friend, Rev. James B. Lathrop, assisted by the pastor, Rev., J. W. Duncan. The deceased was raised here, and his life’s record is such that it will be a continual inspiration to those who knew him to lead a higher and better life.

In 1863 he had charge of Camp Morton where several thousand Rebel prisoners were confined, and upon leaving that position he turned over to his successor $14,000 belonging to prisoners and intrusted to his care by their relatives and friends.

If he had not been a man of strict integrity he might have kept this fund. This is an instance that shows his fine sense of honor and reveals his true character. He was a member of the First M.E. church, “Pap” Thomas Post, No. 5. G. A. R., and Greensburg Lodge, No. 36, F & A. M--The G. A. R. and Masonic fraternities held ritualistic services in the church and at the grave. Both orders were well represented, showing their high esteem of a comrade and brother. The following sketch appeared in the Indianapolis Journal which we reproduce for the benefit of our readers:

Capt. David W. Hamilton died at noon yesterday at St. Vincent’s Hospital, after an illness of several years. Captain Hamilton was born in Kentucky, February 1, 1828 but early in life the family emigrated to this State, settling in Decatur county, where the boy grew to manhood. At Greensburg, with his elder brother, John T. Hamilton, he learned the trade of a saddler and harness maker. From early youth he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was very popular there in the days of 1850 to 1861. In politics he was a Whig of unwavering fidelity, and become a Republican of unyielding conviction, supporting John C. Fremont with all the zeal of his ardent nature.

When Sumter fell in 1861 Captain Hamilton was one of the first men to place his name [illegible] Morgan’s roll. His company [illegible] organization, April 22, 1861, Company B of the Seventh Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. As first sergeant he served in that company in the three months’ service. In the movement from Webster on Phillippi, Va., on June 2, 1861, with Lient Rickets, of his company, he was detalled to lead the advance guard of the direct column, and, probably the only time during the long war, two men carried a lantern at the front, as the night was so dark and rainy and the mud so deep that the commanding officer deemed it necessary to find the road. These two officers carried the light within two or three miles of the objective point when it became so fine a target the outpost pickets of the enemy that it brought the column to a halt. Upon the reorganization of the Seventh Regiment for the three years’ service, he was elected as first lieutenant of Company E, and on the promotion of Capt. Ira Grover, became its captain.

Contracting diseases that made it impossible for him to march, he was transferred to the invalid corps, and was soon after appointed to the command of Camp Morton in 1863, where he had charge of the rebel prisoners therein. He gave complete satisfaction to the government as a pains-taking commander. When the term of his enlistment expired he was mustered out of the service, and in a few months, believing his disabilities would permit it, he again entered the service and was commissioned a captain in the Fifty-first Indiana. Before leaving the service he was commissioned a major of that regiment, but was not mustered with that rank before he retired finally from the service. He was a member of Encampment No. 80, of the Union Veteran Legion of Indianapolis; a command of “Pap” Thomas Post, G. A. R. [Grand Army of the Republic] of Greensburg, and a Mason of the lodge at the same place. His remains were taken to his old home at Greensburg last night. Captain Hamilton lived a bachelor’s life until a few years ago, when he married an estimable woman, who lived but a few months.

References: Greensburg, Decatur, Indiana Library new papers obituary collection.                                          

A groom named Jack W. Morgan!

Garrard Warren Morgan

This picture of Garrard Morgan's youngest son, Garrard Morgan IV, has always intrigued me because of his serious lamb-chop-side-burns. The rest of the hair on his head is trimmed so neatly. He isn't a 4th generation Garrard Morgan as my mother thought because Warren is his middle name. Following some further searching I've found him listed as Jap W. Morgan, Jack W. Morgan, Girard Morgan, and George Morgan.  There may yet be other versions.

In an 1863 letter John Morgan wrote home to his mother during his Civil War service (letter posted here on The Ancestor Files), John mentions each of his brothers and his sister.

"I get letters frequently from Will. Reced one from Lu[ella] last evning also one from Morg [Perhaps Morg Hamilton buried in South Park Cemetery in Greensburg, Indiana]. Kiss Jap for me. [His dog?] I would give a thousand dollars to see. Is Lon [Leonidas] studying any now. Tell him to improve his time above everything else. Let novels and such trash alone. Let him have something solid and something that will give him information to read. Knowledge is more than gold and silver. Poor Jimmie. I am sorry his jaw troubles him yet. He is a good boy and has the go aheaditiveness about him to make a man of himself one that will make his mark."

I’ve always had difficulty hearing people use the word “Jap”.  When I first read it used by great grandfather John Morgan in his Civil War letter home to his mother, I was admittedly less concerned with its use than imagining him wanting his mother to kiss his dog.

"JAP W. MORGAN, station agent and telegraph operator. C. & A. R. R.,  [Chicago and Alton Railway ][1] P.O. Stanford: son of Gerard Morgan, who was born in Nicholas Co., Ky., May 16, 1806 and married Eliza A. Hamilton Jan. 1, 1832. She was born in the same county July 15, 1810. They moved to Decatur Co., Ind., in 1834, and to Coles Co., Ill. April 11, 1857, and to McLean County in 1875. They have six children, viz., William H., John W., Louellie, Leonidas, James, A. and Jap. W., the subject of this sketch; he was born in Decatur Co., Ind., May 5, 1854. In September 1872, went West on a visiting and prospecting tour to California and most of the Territories. Returning to Mattoon Ill., in October 1874, he then made a tour through the Southern States, Texas, and Indian Territory, returning to Bloomington May 5, 1875. He soon commenced studying telegraphy in the employ of the C. & A. R. R. Co. April 18, 1878 he married Miss Emma R. Meagher daughter of Capt., J. C. Meagher, of Cambridge, Ohio. She was born in Kimbolton, Guernsey. Co., Ohio, Aug. 3, 1860 and came to Stanford in June 1872." [2]

Emma R. Meagher's marriage record is available from McLean County Illinois vital records where it is listed alphabetically: MEAGHER, EMMA R married 18 Apr 1878 in MC LEAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS, U. S. A. a groom named JACK W MORGAN.  7,411,742 

"Jap's" Older brother Elder John Morgan traveled to and through Mc Lean County, Illinois in 1875 as a missionary, teaching family and friends in Illinois and on into Indiana the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Joseph Standing and John Morgan specifically taught his father and brother James as mentioned here and here. [3] Perhaps Garrard "Jap" Warren Morgan was introduced to his brother's new understanding of the Gospel during this time.

Thanks to descendant Eliza's work Garrard's FamilyTree page has been updated. You can see there that "Jap" later returned to the lands and territories he explored as a young man, living in Texas and Oklahoma. He was buried in Missouri following his 1920 passing when his wife Fannie was left a widow. 

---

[1] http://www.r2parks.net/alton.html

[2]   --The History of McLean County, Illinois: Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men, by W. Le Baron, Jr., 1879, McClean County, Ill., - 1078 pages.
[3] John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah.

Sarah Luella Morgan found!

The lovely elusive Sarah Luella Morgan has finally surfaced. Thanks to internet access of so many records and my increased familiarity with the Garrard Morgan family. 

Recently cousin Karen shared copies of two letters Mary Linton Morgan sent to people in Indiana and Illinois during her search for family information of her deceased husband, John Hamilton Morgan. Her 1925 letter to the Greensburg Indiana newspaper illustrates how far we've come. Morgan's eighty-two year old cousin Woodson Morgan of Peoria, Illinois' response to Mary's 1931 questions led me to Luellie Edison's gravestone in Larimore, Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Sarah Luella Morgan Edison

James Morgan information was posted  here and here.
Leonidos Morgan information was posted here and here.
John Morgan descendant Eliza has located and nicely sourced Garrard Morgan family information in FamilySearch. It's now evident that Garrard Morgan the younger is also known as Jap.

It was cousin Woodson's knowledge and efforts penned below that finally sent me to look in Ancestry.com.

He wrote: I also know little of Garrard Morgan 5 sons - 1 daughter, Wm, John, Leonidas, James, Jap is Girrard - Louilla. Whether any living I do not know -

I found the two following newspaper articles at Ancestry.com once I realized Sarah Louella had married an Edison. Those facts have always been penciled in on one of my mother's pedigree worksheets, however, Edison had been crossed out and changed to Addison. 

Whatever the truth or error of these 1885 newspaper stories, Luella did move to North Dakota with Mr. Marsalius Edison. A quick look for a marriage record in the Bloomington, Illinois area has proved fruitless thus far.

Find-a-grave pictures Luellie Edison's gravestone in Larimore, Grand Forks, North Dakota. Her husband's is there also.