Rufus Lafayette Hamilton

Name: Rufus Lafayette Hamilton

Father: Reuben Stewart Hamilton (Feb 10 1817 - Mar 14 1872)

Mother: Frances M. Aday (May 16 1816 - Mar 14 1872)

Individual Facts

Birth: February 24, 1845, near Fort Smith, Crawford County, Arkansas

Death: Apr 20 1924 Dallas, Texas

Burial : Post Oak Cemetery, Somervell County, Texas

Marriages/Children

1. Lucretia A. Babb

Marriage: 1860 Crawford County, AR

Children:

A. J. James Hamilton 1868–1872 "Jimmie"

Charles Horace Hamilton 1870–1956

Lela Louella Hamilton 1875–

Ada

Robert E, Hamilton 1877-1961

Luther Maud Hamilton 1879–1974

Emma May Hamilton 1881–1980

Harry Fred Hamilton 1883–

Bertie Hamilton 1885–1914

Elbert H Hamilton 1888–

Ellie Hamilton 1888–

Jessie Hamilton 1890–1910

Jimmy Hamilton

Lucretia and Rufus Hamilton

Rufus Hamilton was born in Crawford Arkansas to Reuben and Francis Hamilton. The family lived on a farm until 1859, when Reuben Hamilton "went into the Mercantile business at Van Buren, Arkansas."

"I worked in the town a short time but did not like it. I persuaded my Father to let me go on the river. I got a job on the Lady Walton as a cabin boy. We ran from Arkansas Post to Fort Smith. After six months I was promoted to head pantry-man steward to steward. Then the war commenced. I commenced service under General Tom Hindman as courier. There I learned to run, and run I did when Captain Gilstrap would get after me. Gilstrap commanded a company of federal Jayhawkers and gave us considerable trouble. We had to run under whips, and often we would go through the woods in order to evade the federal scouts. We rode to death many a noble horse. When General Hindman retreated to Little Rock, I got leave to come to Texas."

"I went to school two terms at new Denville, Rusk County, Arkansas; then joined the 2nd Cherokee Regiment under General Stanweighty. Adair was my colonel. Bill Shanhom was my Captain. We were at Bogy Depot, Chockataw Nation. We came near freezing and starving that winter. For eight days we drew a small ear of corn each. I was never in a regular battle. We did scout fighting. Sometimes we would gain a victory, and sometimes we had to run for our lives. My early training under Tom Hindman came in in good play. After the war, I returned to Arkansas and married Miss Lucretia Babb, Crawford County. Farmed on the Arkansas River until 1883 and then came to Texas."

Notes:

Link to information on CSA Cherokee fighters - http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Troy/3869/Mounted.html

"Standweighty" refers to Stand Watie. See http://www.chestnuttops.com/cherokee.html

Denville, Rusk, Arkansas is probably Rusk, Texas

In 1850 Rufus Hamilton is listed as the son of Reuben and Francis living in Lafayette, Crawford County Arkansas. In 1870 Rufus is listed living in Richland, Crawford County, Arkansas. He is married to "L. C." and two children are living at home, A. J. and C. H. Both are sons.

By 1900 the family has moved to Texas. Their family is listed in the census for Somervell County, Texas. Living at home are:

Harry J, Son, Oct 1883 - Arkansas

Daughter, Oct 1885 - Texas

Elbert, Son, Mar or May 1888 - Arkansas

Birdie, Daughter, Nov (?) 1888 - Arkansas

Jessie, Daughter, April 1890 - Texas

They lived near Granbury, Texas, and May Hamilton, their daughter, thought of Granbury as her home.

In 1910 R. L. Hamilton is listed living alone in Hood County, city of Granbury. Lucretia passed away in January of 1910.

In 1920, Rufus has remarried to Louise and is still living in Granbury in Hood county. Rufus passes away in 1924 and is buried in Post Oak Cemetery, Glen Rose, Texas.