2018 - Veterans Day!

My gratitude for our service men and women could never be adequately expressed. In 2011 I gathered together all VETERANS I'd posted about here.

May we NEVER forget!

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

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.”

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.                                          

The children of James P. and Margaret "Peggy" Turner Hamilton.

James P. Hamilton
1790 - Born
1810 - Married Margaret Turner in Nicholas County, Kentucky
1837 - Moved to Decatur, Indiana
1844 - Died in Decatur, Indiana

At his death in 1844, James P. Hamilton, left as his heirs; the widow Margaret, Jesse T. Hamilton, Garrard and Eliza Morgan-late Eliza Hamilton, George W. and wife Sarah Jane Hopkins, and John T., Sarah M., James A., *David W., *Francis P. and *Garrard M. Hamilton. * minors.


Jesse T Hamilton: An interesting biography of Jesse T. Hamilton is found on-line here. It explains when and why Jesse ultimately left Kentucky and moved to Decatur County, Indiana.

Eliza Ann Hamilton Morgan: see earlier posts in the index to the right.

Sarah Hamilton Hopkins: 1860 Census, Adams Township, Decatur, Indiana
Sarah Hopkins, 41, (no other information) born KY
Living with Blahs & Arie Stogdell (born KY)

John T. Hamilton: 1860, Census, Greensburg, Decatur, Indiana
John T. Hamilton, 40, farmer, born KY
Martha, 34, housewife, born KY

The Agricultural Society of Decatur County sponsored county fairs. "The greatest county fair was held in 1858, when R. R. Cobb [mentioned in this post] served as president, J. O. Adams as secretary of the society and John T. Hamilton as marshal of the grounds. Current accounts of the fair say that whisky was secretly sold on the grounds in spite of the marshal's efforts. Exceptionally good horse races were held."

"John T. Hamilton had a shop where he carded wool, flax, linen and linsey. He also has a saddlery and harness shop."

David W. Hamilton: is mentioned here and here in John Morgan’s journal. An 1892 account of D. W. Hamilton, and his picture, is found here.

During the Civil War he served in the Indiana Seventh Regiment, Company E; Captain David W. Hamilton.

Garrard Morgan Hamilton: 1860 Census, Washington Township, Decatur, Indiana
Morgan Hamilton (no age or other information)
Living with David & Hannah Lovett family

From New Family Search: by Mary Linton Morgan of Salt Lake City, Utah; birth date also shown as 1835; From Mr. L. D. Branden, Editor of the Greensburg Daily News, Morgan Hamilton was a lieutenant in the Seventh Indiana Regiment in the US Civil War.

Sarah M., James A., Francis P., nothing further yet.

References: Mary Ann Linton Morgan documents CD-ROM no. 2328 pt. 1, 2 publication: Mesa, Arizona: J.L. Tanner, 2004.

Ancestral lines of the Donihan, Franzee, and Hamilton families, by Frances Frazee Hamilton (b. 1866, main author) FHL US/CAN Film [1321182 Item 7]

Your clan heritage: Clan Hamilton, by Donna Jean (Hamilton) Cochrane, published by D.M. Cochrane, 1999. FHL 929.273 H18. Title also known as, Hamilton: early Kentucky settlers, Bracken County (1797), John Hamilton Sr., about 1745-1810, John Hamilton, Jr., 1765-1849, John O. Hamilton, 1794-1883, Bracken Co. (1803-1818) Gallatin County (1818-1884): early Kansas settlers, Alexander Hamilton, Coffee County and Woodson County, 1832-1912, Alexander Oscar Hamilton, Woodson County (1870-1914), Gray County (1914-1937).
Online 1915 History of Decatur County by Harding found here.
I was referred to the picture of the Hamilton Coat of Arms by Mary Ann Linton Morgan's Hamilton research notes.

John Morgan attends the G. A. R., Grand Army of the Republic, Parade in Washington DC, September 20, 1892.

This picture of D. W. Hamilton is from the John Hamilton Morgan picture collection at the Marriott Library, Special Collection, University of Utah. He is John Morgan's uncle. From John Hamilton Morgan's journal, also in the Marriott Library collection:

1892
[Salt Lake City]
September 1
Met at Bennett’s office on the political situation. Afterwards at the President’s office. Met the First Council at 12 m. and arranged a circular letter to the Seventies. Held a short session. During the day it was decided that Willey L. Brown and myself should go east at once and try to arrange our political affairs. Went to the lake with the children. Met [probably Charles W.] Bennett, [Willey L.] Brown, and [unknown] Smith and arranged details of trip East.

Note: On September 15 John Morgan arrived in Washington DC. His journal entries might be script for “Who was Who” to see and lobby in Washington DC at that time. He stayed there and worked for “Utah and the West” through October 7, 1892.

September 18
In company with brother S. F. [probably Spencer] Clawson, walked out through the city. In my room most of the p.m. In the evening attended Baptist Church and heard a lot of stuff.
September 19At the Rigg’s house met uncle Dave Hamilton, here attending G. A. R. [Grand Army of the Republic] Reunion. He came up and had dinner with me. Met a number of old acquaintances.
September 20Watched the G. A. R. parade, 80,000 veteran soldiers in line starting at 9:30 a.m. It took until after 6 p.m. for them to pass a given point. It was a grand display and one doubtless that will never be witnessed again. The day was a very fine one and with bands of music and soldierly tread, 80,000 veterans marched up Penn. Avenue where very many of them marched twenty-seven years ago. The most pitiable sight was to see so many of the old fellows under liquor in the evening. A magnificent display of fireworks during the evening.
September 21
Rained nearly all day and very disagreeable. With uncle most of the day. He left for home in the p.m. President Harrison with his sick wife came to the city this morning. Met General Minty on the street, Talked Utah matters with General Alger. Called on the Attorney General and got a list of applicants for the U. S. Marshal office.

This Spring I noticed a new G. A. R. marker

in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

This is a picture of the reverse side,

and names the donors.

It's near Main Street in the same block as
John Morgan's gravestone,
which is to the right and further east in this picture.

Charles W. Bennett is named Lawyer; Republican politician, who came to Salt Lake City in 1871, in John Henry Smith's online diaries.

Spencer Clawson is identified as Merchant, Politician, Capitalist, in Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah.