My friends - Today, we are returning to our series of Jackson Purchase Vignettes. Our subject for this posting is from Calloway County - Richard F. Hamlin. As is now customary, there will be no data post tomorrow or on the weekend, but if time permits, I will drop by with a file offering of some sort during this period, so stop in and check if you are in the neighborhood. -B ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Jackson Purchase Vignettes # 19 - Calloway County - Richard F. Hamlin "Richard F. Hamlin of Calloway County was born in Rockingham Co., NC, November 15, 1835, a son of Peter S[tainback] and Virginia A[nn] (Michaux) Hamlin, both of whom are yet living. The mother is a descendant of Abraham Michaux, a Huguenot, whose wife, when a child, was shipped our of France as merchandise, in a hogshead, during the period of persecution of the Protestants in that country. The captain of the vessel, being friendly to the Hugenots, released her from confinement and landed her safely in Holland, where she met and married Abraham Michaux, who had preceded her as a refugee. The father of our subject is a Virginia by birth, removed at an early date to North Carolina, where he was married. In 1839, he came to Calloway County, Ky., when our subject was four years old. Richard F. worked on the farm and around his father's mill, and attended subscription schools until nineteen years of age, when, upon the proceeds of a small legacy derived from his grandfather, he attended school at Rockingham Court House(or Wentworth), N.C. Then, by the financial aid of his aunt, was enabled to attend Chapel Hill University in North Carolina and graduated in 1859. His career as a student is exemplary, holding the position of class orator, associate editor of the college paper, president of the literary society, and always a perfect grade in deportment. During his last year in college, he took a course of law in connection with his other studies. After leaving school he went to Todd County,Ky., where he was first tutor to a wealthy family at a liberal salary, then took under his instruction the children of several other families of the vicinity. During the fore part of the late War, he was Union in sentiment, but he was influenced by relations and friends to enter the Confederate service. He joined Company H, Third Kentucky Infantry, participating in the battle of Shiloh, and the numerous other engagements of the Southwest. In said command he staid until close of the War. Returning to Calloway County, he worked in his father's mill and taught school, was then president of a college in Ballard County two years. Then came to Murray, having previously invested in a stock of groceries, and continued in the same line nine months. He afterward taught school, and in 1882 was elected county clerk. Mr. Hamlin was married June 28, 1868 to Miss Laura Boggs. The union has given four children: Roberta, Virginia, Juliet K., and Richard F. Mr. and Mrs. Hamlin are members of the Christian Church. He is also a Mason and member of the Knights of Honor." -History of Kentucky Illustrated, Edition 1 Battle/Perrin/Kniffen Chicago:Battery Publishing Co, 1885