This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Hamilton, Sams, Yates, Dean Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/xFh.2ACEB/2449.1.1 Message Board Post: Excerpt from book Electra Texas. chapter on Clarence Hamilton Family The family of Clarence Henry Hamilton first came to Texas from Arkansas in 1903. Farris Whitten Hamilton and his wife Mary Catherine Sams Hamilton bought 217 acres at Beaver Creek at $8.00 and acre from people named Stone. Farris and Catherine had 13 children: Maggie, Lester, Ozelle, twins Tinnie and Minnie, Virgil, Maude, Frank, Eloys, twins Clyde and Clarence, Odie and Lilly. Clarence was born on December 21, 1908 at Beaver Creek. He attended Beaver Creek School as did other children, and went on to Electra High School. Original homeplace had a 2 story house on it. The house burned down in 1919. and was rebuilt into a 3 bedroom house with large hall and porch. The family attended Marvin Chapel Methodist Church on the banks of Beaver Creek. Marvin Chapel was named for Marvin Hamilton, son of Jim Tom Hamilton (uncle Jim Tom), brother to Farris Whitten Hamilton. Marvin was a preacher and J.T. furnished the land for the chapel. Farris died March 5, 1918 leaving Mary Catherine, his wife, who was in ill health, and the children to carry on. In the late 1920's the family moved to Sudan, Texas and the home place was rented out for three years for the sum of $90.00. When the family moved back to Beaver Creek, Clarence worked the farm with the help of brother Frank. Mary Catherine died in 1935. Clarence was still serving in the national guard at this time, as a Sergeant, and did not get out until 1938. Around January 1, 1937 Clarence won a Plymouth automobile when he had the lucky ticket. These tickets were given out by local merchants for each dollar spent. (I was told he had spent so much at the local drugstore buying medicine for Mary Catherine that he had a bunch of chances on the Auto) Here's some info I found: Farris Whitten Hamilton - Born June 12, 1862 Died March 5, 1918 Mary Catherine Sams Hamilton Born June 11, 1873 Died 1935 Mary Catherine Sams --Father- James Knox Polk Sams B- abt 1843 North Carolina D- abt 1899 Doddridge Ark. (Miller Co) -- Mother Sarah Melissa Yates B- Nov 6 1843 Calenbell GA D- Nov 5 1915 Miller Co AK Mary Catherine had a son from previous marriage(married 1888) named Pleasant A McDonald who died March 4 1942 no info on previous husband. She married Farris Whitten Hamilton in 1889 There are still Dean's in this area that are related to the Hamiltons of Beaver Creek. Bill Dean is a doctor, and he also owns a ranch near Beaver Creek. He is my dad's cousin.