HAMILTON
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Rachel
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(1655 - 1719)
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(1630 - 1698)
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James
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Ninian Beall
Hamilton, Jr. - Page 3 |
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Born: 14 Mar 1835 Died: 05 Feb
1869 |
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These letters were
written by the children of Ninian Beall Hamilton, Jr. (b. 1835)
and Rebecca Lovina Cannady Hamilton from 1880 to 1896. |
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Remarks: This letter was written to Lillie
Belle Martin, daughter of Candace Shuford Hamilton Martin,
by George Harding Hamilton, oldest son of Ninian B. Hamilton, jr.
(was called Hardie by his parents)
He died Oct. 6. 1882 at the age of 24. MS |
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Letter #
39 |
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Letter Dated: April 19, 1880 |
From: George Harding Hamilton (son of Ninian Jr.
& Lovina) (age 22) |
Living In: Mt. Vernon, Missouri |
To: Lillie Belle Martin (Cousin & Daughter of Candace
Hamilton Martin) (age 21)
& Ninian B. Hamilton, Sr. (b. 1789 - age 91) |
Living In: Pekin P. O., Washington Co., Indiana |
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Mt.
Vernon, Mo |
April 19, 1880 |
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Dearest Cousin:
I have just received your welcome letter with two
others and what good news they contained, our long lost brother
(the only brother he
had was: Melvin Leroy Hamilton b. 12/11/1861 - d. 4/30/1935. RHR)
has
wrote to us. I received a letter from him and one from Edie
(probably his
sister, Edith Lucina Hamilton b. 8/7/1866 - d. 6/6/1931. RHR)
with yours. Three most welcome letters. Had just received one
from Gracie (his
other sister, Hattie Grace Hamilton, b. 11/30/1864 - d.
12/14/1885. RHR)
yesterday.
Yours, Bennie's and Edie's were sent to
(Sound or Round)
Grove
and I get my mail at the above address. Bennie
(Melvin Leroy Hamilton's
nickname. RHR)
is in
Lincoln, Nebraska, has been there since last May. He went there
from Ohio, where he was working near Defiance. Lillie,
I am
almost happy I will get to see him this fall if everything works
out right. I have been sick for two weeks past, but did not quit
work until last Monday. Came very near having pneumonia fever,
am very weak but will go to work Monday. Well Cold old Wells,
JoJo Wells - I waited very impatiently for your answer. Lillie I
think I can sympathize with you in your trouble and anything you
may tell me will be read with the interest that is natural to
any one who is interested in a near relative. Lillie,
I love my
cousin and have that deep interest.
May 2nd - I will now attempt to finish your letter - or
mine to you. I have been delayed from finishing my letter by the
press of work. Last Sunday I had to build fence the Saturdays
storm had blown down. I had not forgotten Lish
(Elisha B. Hamilton)
as perhaps
he has found out by this time.
I have a very severe cough and have had for a number of
weeks. I hope Grandpa is well.
To Grandpa - Well Grandpa I haven't been in the habit
of writing very much to you, but will try and let you all know
where I am at, at different times. I have some very good news to
tell you.
I received a letter a short time ago from Bennie
(Melvin Leroy Hamilton).
He is in Lincoln, Nebraska - he has been since the last of May
in that city. He went from Ohio to where he is now, one year
ago.
He went to Ohio from Illinois where I was, he was near
Defiance (Ohio).
I am doing very well - I get the best wages of any hand in the
country - I get two dollars more on the month more than anybody
I have heard of, and Grandpa I have got the Boss corn rows -
they are a quarter of a mile long and as straight as a line, a
forty acre field as straight as a line both ways.
I expect to get with Bennie this fall and then we will
stay together all the time - we will in the course of time go to
California where we can be with the girls. I hope to get to see
you all before we go. I hope you are well. Good-bye. |
Yours - |
Geo. H. Hamilton |
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Letter #
40 |
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Letter Dated: May 30, 1880 |
From: (Hattie) Grace Hamilton (daughter of
Ninian Jr. & Lovina) (age 15) |
Living In: Burwood, California |
To: Ninian B. Hamilton, Sr. (b. 1789 - age 91)
(Grandfather) |
Living In: Pekin P. O., Washington Co., Indiana |
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(1879 or
1880, maybe earlier; MS)
(Now that we know Grace's birth date, from the text of the
letter,
we can pretty well assume that this letter was written in 1880;
RHR.) |
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Burwood, California |
May
30, 1880 |
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My dear Grandpa:
I have just received a letter from Hardy
(George Harding Hamilton.
RHR)
giving me
your address and I thought I would write you a few lines. We are
all well at present. We expect Uncle Shuck
(Daniel Shuck. RHR)
home from
the East tomorrow evening.
I like California - it is a splendid country - my
health has been better since I have been here than it ever was
before. I will be sixteen years old the last day of November,
tall and slim - I still have the same yellow hair, while Edith's
(Edith Lucina
Hamilton)
is quite
dark. Edie will write some to you.
I can just remember when Mother
(Lovina Cannady Hamilton),
Edith, Hardie
(George Harding Hamilton),
Bennie
(Melvin Leroy Hamilton)
and I were
there just after my Father dear
(Ninian B. Hamilton, jr.)
died. It seems oh so many long long years
since they died leaving us children alone in this cold world. We
were of course fed, clothed, schooled, but there was something
lacking, and I have learned by sad experience what that is, a
child wants someone to love, and someone to love them, like a
mother - something I have never had since mine died.
Well dear grandpa I will close for this time. You are
now very old - perhaps we will never see each other again. I
hope you can answer my letter. I suppose you know that we don't
know anything about Bennie. |
Write soon - |
Grace Hamilton |
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Remarks: The above letter did not have the
year on it in which it was written, but in it she states that
they do not know where Bennie (Melvin Leroy Hamilton. RHR) is at
that time, and by reading the preceding letter from George
Harding Hamilton we learn that in April 1880 he had just heard
from Bennie, so it can be assumed that this letter was written
before 1880. It was written to Ninian B. Hamilton, Sr., her
grandfather. MS |
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Letter #
41 |
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Letter Dated: May 5th, 1883/84 |
From: Edith Lucina Hamilton (daughter of Ninian
Jr. & Lovina) (age 16) |
Living In: Woodbridge, California (San Joaquin County) |
To: Ninian Stephan Martin (Cousin; Son of Candace
Hamilton Martin) (age 21) |
Living In: Pekin P. O., Washington Co., Indiana |
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Woodbridge, California
(San Joaquin County) |
May 5th,
(around 1883 or 1884) |
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Dear Cousin:
In your letter to me you wanted to know if I was alive,
I guess that you surely think that I am dead or very nearly so
at least since I never answered your letter. I am alive and
well. I wrote you a long letter since I received yours, but I
put it in a drawer and forgot it and never sent it.
This is a terrible day out here - it is raining and the
wind is blowing tremendously. This country becomes more like the
Eastern States every year. It thunders, lightenings, sometimes
snows and hails.
You wanted me to tell you of the good times I am
having. I have had a very good time staying at home this week
and sewing, etc. There was a Musical Convention at Stockton this
week and as most of the students wanted to go we had vacation. I
do have good times though. On Christmas I spent several days
with Bennie (Melvin Leroy
Hamilton. RHR) and Grace
(Hattie Grace Hamilton. RHR).
They live about
forty-two miles south of us. Bennie is the kindest of brothers;
he gave me for a Christmas present - a beautiful dress; and
Grace is forever giving me something nice.
Grace's baby is so pretty - he has light curls, coal
black eyes, and very fair complexion. Her husband is very kind
to her. He likes me too Grace says!
Well now I will describe myself - my homely little
self. I am indeed ugly and I know you would think so too if you
could see me. I have blue eyes, tolerably fair skin, plenty of
freckels and am below the medium height; as for hair I will send
you a lock of it and you can form you own opinion about it.
My! How it rains or rather how it pours! The poor
little chickens - how I pity them. I'm glad that I am not a
chicken. Nin (Ninian
Stephan Martin)
do you
remember me? I remember when I was at your home and your
father's house was being built. I remember that there were
several children and that I squalled a great deal. But as to the
children I do not know how many nor which is which, and which is
the other; but now I want you all to write to me soon and give
an account of yourselves. I guess my cousins think I am a
terrible cousin but I promise not to be so wicked hereafter and
write oftener and better, but this old pen will scarcely write
at all. Girls and boys all write and write soon.
Well Ninian I have no sweet fellow so therefore I can't
write about him. I am glad your girl is so sweet. Tell her to
write to me, will you? I hope she will make you a good wife. Be
true to her and treat her kindly. This letter is to all of you
with much love, |
I am
affectionately - |
Eda Hamilton |
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P.S. Can any of you
give any information concerning uncle D. W. Hamilton
(David Wilfong Hamilton)?
The last two letters I wrote him he never answered. Please send
me his full address if you have it. |
Eda |
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Letter #
42 |
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Letter Dated: November 1, 1887 |
From: Melvin Leroy Hamilton (son of Ninian Jr. &
Lovina) (age 26) |
Living In: Fresno City, California |
To: Homer Martin (Cousin; Son of Candace Hamilton
Martin) (age 16) |
Living In: Pekin P. O., Washington Co., Indiana |
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Fresno City, California |
November 1, 1887 |
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Mr. Martin, Homer
Martin: |
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Dear Cousin:
Your most welcome letter was received in due time, was
glad to get a letter from you. To tell the truth I had almost
forgotten you and Martin, Clyde. You was such little chaps when
I was there.
You must be a great big boy now. I only weight 143 lbs.
- I am what you might call a light weight.
Well, I suppose you would like to know what I am doing.
At present I am working at the carpenter trade - the firm's name
is George W. Mead & Co. - fruit and raisin packers. They have a
large packing establishment here in Fresno. I expect I will work
for them all this winter. I am getting $2.00 per day. I have to
pay $4.00 per week for board, so you can see I don't make much.
Next spring I will get $3.00 per day if I stay with the company
I am working for now. I have got me a horse and buggy and I go
riding nearly every Sunday. I have got a nice girl and I expect
I will get married this winter.
I am getting about old enough now - will be 27 years
old the 11th of December. This is a good country out here. There
is land out here that is worth $1,000.00 per acre - there is
some that is only worth $20.00 per acre.
There is a great many vineyards around here. There is
several large winerys near Fresno - they make all way from one
to four hundred thousand gallons of wine to the winery.
Well cousin it is getting late and I will have to
close. Give my kindest regards to all the folks and to you
Father and Mother.
Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain ever your cousin
- |
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M. B. Hamilton |
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According to Skelly History of Hamilton's he
was named Melvin Leroy Hamilton at birth, and was called Mellie
in earlier letters. He had his name legally changed to Ninian
Bennet Hamilton and was called Bennie. He did marry Emma
Victoria Koster on May 23, 1888. RHR |
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Letter #
43 |
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Letter Dated: January 21, 1895 |
From: Edith Lucina Hamilton (daughterof Ninian
Jr. & Lovina) (age 28) |
Living In: Fresno City, California |
To: Candace Hamilton Martin (Aunt - age 53) |
Living In: Pekin P. O., Washington Co., Indiana |
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Fresno, California |
January 21, 1895 |
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My dear Aunt and
Cousin:
It is a shame that your letters have been so long left
unanswered, and every time I receive a letter from either of you
I think I will answer it immediately, and then something hinders
me, and so it goes from day to day. This afternoon, however, I
am not busy, so I will again take up the thread of our
correspondence.
First of all, I wish to thank you Aunt Candace, for the
letter you sent me, which Papa
(Ninian B. Hamilton, jr.
RHR)
wrote so many years
ago. I have but one of Momma's
(Lovina Cannady. RHR)
letters and the letter you sent me is the only whole one I have
of Papa's.
When I was at Uncle Wills
(David Wilfong Hamilton.
RHR)
in Kansas, I found
some scraps of letters Papa had written to Uncle Will and which
was in a pile of rubbish dumped out to be destroyed. I sometimes
wonder whether Uncle Will could have cared much for Papa; but
then, after all, I believe he did and would have cared more for
me if he had had a different wife
(Achsa Ann Martin. RHR).
I don't know how you stand on this subject, but I'll give you my
views on the matter. Perhaps you are not personally acquainted
with his wife. Well, I am but I am not proud of it. She is a
smart woman, I'll admit, but I never liked her. She and Cora
(Cora Catherine
Hamilton. RHR)
could be just as nice
as could be - whenever they wanted to work you for some favor.
It always provoked me so much to see how Uncle Will would let
his wife "wind" him around her finger, as the saying is, and
while Uncle Will is a good man I don't believe he would have
been the poor dyspeptic and glum sort of a man he is, if he had
had a different wife. Take Uncle Will Bert
(Donald Wilbert Hamilton.
RHR) and
Daisy (Daisy
Henrietta Hamilton. RHR)
and yes,
I will say Louie
(Louise Hamilton. RHR)
too, - I like them of the children, Daisy especially. But Cora,
I just could not and would not tolerate - and I shall not begin
to tell you here how she treated me while I was there. Uncle
Will wrote me a very nice letter about two years ago, but I
never liked the way he treated Cousin Elsie
(probably Mary Elsie
Martin, daughter of Delilah "Dovey" Ann Hamilton. RHR)
when she left there, to go to Wichita. I am glad that Elsie
arose above it and showed them she could live without them. I
often wonder how they live.
Uncle Will is not able to do hard work and I presume
his wife makes the greater part of the living.
Uncle Will wrote that Daisy and Bert were teaching. How
Bert ever managed to get a school is beyond my comprehension.
Daisy, though younger, was far ahead of him in all studies for
Bert, though smart enough, was simply too lazy to do anything at
all. But I guess they got where it was either work or starve and
as he probably thought the latter too much trouble, went to
work. There is one thing however that can be done in Kansas that
can't be done in California, and that is fifteen or sixteen year
old children possessing the first rudiments of a common school
education, can manage to get a school in Kansas, but not so in
California. The rules and laws are very strict in this state,
and they should be in every state.
How are things in Indiana? From all accounts through
the papers they must be as hard if not harder than here in
California. Some here claim that it is a little better than it
was, but, I don't see much if any change. I still hold my
position and am now far into the fourth year in this office.
Auntie and Uncle Shuck are living at their home in
Woodbridge near Stockton in this state. I paid them a 3 weeks
visit this summer after having visited the mid-Winter fair at
San Francisco. My cousin Hattie Mobley (whom Auntie Shuck
raised) is very low with consumption, and I daily expect to hear
of her death. She will leave nine children, six girls and three
boys, the youngest being now eight months old and the oldest
will be 18 years, February 4th. The third child, Blanche, is now
in Indianapolis, Indiana, having gone east with her Father's
mother (who lives in Columbus, Indiana) and went to visit her
Mamma's sister Mrs. Sallie Forbes at 177 Christian Avenue,
Indianapolis, and they would not give Blanche up. She went east
to stay a year, but may be called home sooner on account of her
Mamma's illness. I wish you could see Blanche. She is a dear and
lovable child 15 years old.
How far are you from Indianapolis? I live in hopes of
visiting all my relation in Indiana and other states some day,
but just now it looks very unpromising. I have quite a burden on
my shoulders now as I look out to quite an extent for Meryl
Dotson, Grace's little girl, who is now 10 years old. Her Father
has had difficulty in keeping up for the past 2 years and he has
to pay Meryl's board, besides provide for her and her brother,
Claude, and he has a hard time doing it. I have about clothed
Meryl the past year, making as well as buying her clothing, and
now Auntie and Uncle Shuck who are both old and have poor health
are not in the best of circumstances, and I have to help them
out too. I only hope that my health, which has been good the
past year, will permit me to keep it up as long as necessary.
Ben (Melvin Leroy
Hamilton who changed his name to Ninian Bennett Hamilton. RHR)
is up in
the mountains and for lack of something better to do is working
on a ranch in the hills plowing.
It has been over two years since I saw him. He, like my
brother-in-law, has had a struggle to keep things going for a
couple of yeas. But then Ben always was unfortunate. He has had
so much sickness in his family and then there were months and
months that he could not work on account of a broken arm. It is
too bad that Ben was never educated. He could have done almost
anything and is so quick in matters of calculation. he is a
splendid carpenter, as it is, but he gets so few opportunities
to show his skill even in that one thing.
Now, I have given you quite a family history and I hope
it will suffice for all members of the family. And I would be so
pleased if all would write to me and not feel slighted if I
don't answer for a long time and to each one individually. So
please let each one have this letter to read and I ask that each
take it as intended for himself and herself. So with love to
each and all of you, and hoping soon to receive lots of letters
from that part of the country, I remain, |
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Your
affectionate niece and cousin, |
Edith L. Hamilton |
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Edith L. Hamilton
c/o George E. Church
Attorney-at-law |
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P. S. Aunt Candace, if
you have any more of Papa's letters which you can spare, I would
appreciate so much to get them. |
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Letter #
44 |
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Letter Dated: September 17, 1896 |
From: Edith Lucina Hamilton (daughterof Ninian
Jr. & Lovina) (age 30) |
Living In: Fresno, California |
To: Candace Hamilton Martin (Aunt - age 55) |
Living In: Pekin P. O., Washington Co., Indiana |
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Fresno, California |
September 17, 1896 |
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Dear Aunt Candace:
It has been a long time since the package of letters,
including yours, was received, but I think when I have told you
all that has occurred since then you will pardon me for not
answering your letter sooner and thanking you for the letters.
About the time your letter and package came, a young
lady who had been rooming with me was very sick and my time was
all given to her for a couple of weeks or more. Then about the
time she was able to be up and around again I was taken sick
from waiting on her so long. I had pneumonia and typhoid fever
and am not strong yet, as the sore spot in my left lung bothers
me so much, especially when I take a little cold. I was in bed
20 of the hottest days this summer. I was out of the office
about two months - one month sick and one month spent with my
relatives in Stockton and Sacramento, and with friends in San
Francisco trying to regain my lost health and strength. I am
much improved, but don't expect to be as well as I was before
for a long time as my nervous system seems shattered almost. So
you see I have been busy in some way or another since the
letters came.
How glad I was to get those letters! It seemed almost
like talking with Papa and Mamma. It gave me such and insight to
a part of their lives which I never could have gained in any
other way.
Ben is living with me now. He has not been well at all
as he had a slight sunstroke in the hills before coming down
last July. Otherwise, he is quite well, but pretty idle these
days as it is so hard for one out of employment to get work. We
hope every day he will get a good job so he can remain here and
we be together. You don't know what a comfort it is to me to
have him here. You know I am hardly acquainted with Ben as we
have been together so little in our lives. He is a good
carpenter and we figure on building up a little house of our own
one of these days.
Do you know what has become of Elsie Martin? I have not
heard from her for nearly a year though I have repeatedly
written to her and sent her a little package last Christmas, of
which I never received any acknowledgment and have wondered if
it could be that she never received it. I feel ashamed to write
again, but don't understand why she don't answer some of my
letters.
I have so much to do that I make a poor correspondent
these days and consequently have gotten out of the way of
writing to Aunt Dovey. Her other girls I am not acquainted with,
and they are so busy I feel it is useless to try to get anything
out of them in the way of correspondence, though I would like to
hear from them. I presume you hear from them frequently. Give
them all my love when you write and tell them to jog Elsie's
memory in regard to answering my letters.
Uncle and Auntie Shuck live in Sacramento this year and
I spent about 2 weeks with them this summer. Uncle still
preaches. Auntie has very poor health. It will never be anything
else. She was 71 the 9th inst. I have not your letter before me
now, so don't know whether you asked questions or not. My one
great desire is to be able some day to get enough money to visit
all my eastern relatives and get acquainted with them. Please
tell Della to write as I enjoy her breezy little letters so
much. Write as often as you can. It makes me feel like I have
left a few ties that are of some concern to me. |
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With
love from Ben and myself, I remain your niece - |
Edith L. Hamilton |
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Go to Page 1 -
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Co to Page 2 -
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SOURCES |
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Thanks to Richard Roberts
for the additional information on the Hamilton Family as well as
the Hamilton Letters |
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If you have photos or additional information about the Hamilton
family, please contact me. |
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