I am continueing my report about the Hamilton Family. To start with, let me credit the source of the "Hamilton Papers". Marilyn Schuelzky apparently wrote a report to John F. Hamilton Jr. There is an address for him, if anyone wants that. The papers include information from letters written by Aunt Ruth Hamilton Carlin, granddaughter of Major William Hamilton. The papers also indicate that Ike Mitchell sent them. And I got them via Betty Moutray. In the process, some compiling has been done, and notes of correction written in the information. I guess that some of this information comes through a Clay Hamilton of the Hamilton Society, to Marilyn Schuelzky. Some of the records are said to be in possession of Miss Emma Beard of Lewisburg, WV, 1957, copied by Wilma Beard Harper, Elkins WV. Marilyn says both Ladies are probably deceased by now. Listed is info about Major William Hamilton : b. 1744 d. 1825 He married Isabella Clemmons/Clements 1773. Isabella was b. 1756 d. 1846 Capt. Jacob C. Hamilton was the youngest son of Major William and Isabella Hamilton. He married Delilah Jarrett. Jacob was b. 1796. She was b. 1804. They were married in 1825, I believe that would be in Greenbrier Co. VA. The letter says that Delilah died from "dropsy", when the children were little, and a slave named Viney had charge of the home, untill all the children were grown and the girls were married. Jacob Hamilton, [Marilyn Schuelzky's grandfather], lived to be 81 years old, and was not really at all sick, during his life. He died of a carbuncle on the back of his neck. Marilyn says that he was a fine looking man who she remembers as having snow white hair and long white whiskers. He did not give the children much attention, she says, but he would bring them treats of apples and chestnuts and allow them to sit on his lap and plait his whiskers. He had never used a razor, and his whiskers were soft and silky. Their children: James William was b. 1825 d. 1851 m. in 1850. I do not see the name of his wife, but we are told that "she was beautiful, but not his social equal." [Marilyn's words] After "Jim" died, she made her home with "his father's family, until she strayed from the straight and narrow way. Then she went west and married very well." There is a name here, Martha Headrick Hamilton. That could be the wife's name. Marilyn goes on to say that "Jim" went to California during the goldrush, crossing the plains in a covered wagon. He influenced his father, Jacob Hamilton to sell the home place to Andrew Johnston. Marilyn continues saying that Jacob moved into a large house that stood by the corner of Blue Sulphur lawn, but across the road. [I would love to know more about Andrew Johns[t]on, since the Johnson family also relates to the Jarretts and Vincents and Hinchman family. Could Jacob have sold the property to "family"? ] When "Jim" returned from the West, he married, but lived only a short time after his marriage. Marilyn says that "Jim" was moved into a bedroom with his mother, Delilah Jarrett Hamilton. She was also seriously ill. He died about two weeks before his mother. Marilyn says "Jim" was wild and reckless; but when he knew death was near, he called one of his slaves, Caperton Hamilton to come and pray for him. "Jim" became converted and shouted that he was "a grand snatched from the burning" and told his mother that she would soon be with him. Marilyn says her papa [not sure who this was at this time], told them stories about "Uncle Jim" Hamilton and Dr. Hunter, going up Snake Run, to get a man's body to dissect. [Was this Sally's husband?] They had no way to carry it, so tied it to Dr. Hunter, on horseback. Uncle Jim played a trick and told the Dr. that the constable was after them. He almost ruined the horse, trying to get away. Dr. Hunter was a physician at Blue sulpher, when he was a young man. There is also a story here, about Uncle Jim and how wild he was. One night he was "tipsy" and passed by the old haunted Muddy Creek Church. He decided to call the ghosts out, that if there were any, they should show themselves. When a figure appeared in the window, dressed in white, the horse was frightened, and ran about a mile before Uncle Jim could stop him. Marilyn continues with information about Jim, to say that Emma Beard, evidently contributed the death date and may have been mistaken about the death date, or else his wife, Martha was pregnant when Jim died. Evidently there was a child born, who is reported to have been Jim's and his wife's child. This child would have been the grandfather of John Hamilton, who Marilyn sent this information to. Marilyn indicates the possibility that this child was born when Martha "strayed from the straight and narrow". She says that the part about Jim's wife "going West" seems to fit with your gr-grandmother who died in Iowa. Marilyn suggests that he write to Mrs. Harper, who used to be a member of the Greenbrier Historical Soc. Lewisburg WV. Another thought would be a will or intestate records for James W. Hamilton at the time of his death. There also should be cemetery records in Muddy Creek or some other cemetery in Greenbrier Co. A good question is "Where did Martha marry James W. Hamilton? Will let this be cut short at this time. Will continue with another message. Happy to hear additions or corrections, and hope this is clear to you, as to who is saying what. There seem to be so many people's information in this report, so that it is difficult to figure out who is talking sometimes. Words in parentheses are generally my comments. Happy hunting. Joyce in CA http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/3231 http://users.rootsweb.com/~carvgs/rgs.htm Researching Bruns, Ellis, Shiner, Kellogg, Varnholt, O'Neill, Sick, in PA on my side. Researching Vincent, Cooper, Hammersley, Renick, Livesay, McClung, Jarrett, Legg etc. in VA,WV,KY, CA,Oregon on my husband's side