STEPHEN HAMLIN, IMMIGRANT, AND DESCENDANTS
Compiled by Mary Poor Hoffer
1987
DEDICATION
This genealogy is dedicated to Mary Eunice Snyder Stoll, deceased, who, with the aid of Charles Hughes Hamlin, assembled much of the early history of Stephen Hamlin and descendants; and to David Ault, also deceased, who had contacted many families for Hamlin information.
PREFACE
In 1953, I became interested in the Hamlin Family when my mother asked me to look up her cousin, Frank Hamlin, in Alliance, Ohio. I could not locate Frank, but talked to another Hamlin who suggested that if I was interested in the Hamlin family genealogy I should see David Ault. I jotted down the address, but did not try to contact Dave until after I had retired from teaching in 1970. In 1968, my second cousin and lifelong friend, Mary Eunice Snyder Stoll, of Farmington, Michigan, too, became interested in the Hamlin history. She contacted Charles Hughes Hamlin, a certified genealogist, of Richmond, Virginia, for early Hamlin history which was available, only, in the Virginia State Library. Mary, Dave and I carried on a threeway correspondence for several years until Dave died from a heart attack in 1976. After his death Mary Stoll began working on her Snyder family which was published before she died in 1981. I published a Hoffer genealogy, two Rarick genealogies and a Poor genealogy and then returned to the Hamlin history the spring of 1985. Some of the material in this book was copied from Dave Ault's files in 1974, when Mary Eunice Stoll and I attended a reunion of the descendants of seven of the families who moved in 1807 from Virginia to Ohio. The reunion was held at the Lexington Grange Pavilion near Alliance, Ohio.
Although I have attempted to bring the Etna Green and Bourbon, Indiana, Hamlin families up to the present time, most of the research ends in 1973 or before. I am certain that a member of Dave Ault's family will publish all his material sometime in the future. However, rather than have my copious notes destroyed after I have left this world, I am organizing the data I have in my possession to compile this incomplete Hamlin Family history.
Much of my research was done in the court houses in Stark County, Ohio, Marshall and Kosciusko Counties, Indiana; in Ft. Wayne Public Library, Warsaw Public Library and the Kosciusko County Genealogical Library in Indiana; the Denver Public Library, and the National Archives, in Colorado; and in the Latter Day Saints Library at Northglenn, Colorado, and Salt Lake City, Utah.
There are discrepancies in dates in this genealogy. Official records of births, deaths and marriages are not always correct. Census records are often inaccurate, while tombstones inscriptions and Bible records sometimes are wrong. Often the Bible birth date does not agree with the age at death given on the gravestone. Surnames (and sometimes given names) are spelled several different ways in the same legal document. Even after proof reading, typing errors do occur. I have attempted to be as error free as possible.
I wish to thank everyone who has helped me acquire information on the William P. and Benjamin Hamlin families. Also, special thanks should go to Karl Hamlin, Ada, Michigan, and Margaret Heussmann, Wiggins, Colorado.
Mary Hoffer
Revised, Dec., 198710738 Huron St. #409 B
Northglenn, CO 80234
KEY
ABBREVIATIONS
The old standard abbreviations are used for months and states.
b.bornFt.FortMt.MountSt.Saint
ca.circa (about)JoeJosephN.NorthS.South
Co.CountyKos.Kosciuskono.numberTwp.Township
d.diedL.A.Los Angelesp.pageVol.Volume
E.EastLex.Lexingtonpp.pagesW.West
m.married
DATES
Birth dates found after the names of offspring follow the modified army style. Example: 21 Mar., 1973, reads, the 21st of March, 1973.
FOOTNOTE NUMBER
The superscript number indicates that documentation or further information is found at the bottom of the article or on the same page as the superscript number.
GENEALOGY NUMBER
The number preceding the name of a child is the genealogy number. To learn more about this child locate that number either on the same page or later in the book. If the number cannot be located, that indicates that no other information was available to the compiler. Adopted children do not have genealogy numbers.
The genealogy number also gives a clue to what generation this child belongs, as follows:
GenerationGenealogy Number
1st1
2nd210
3rd1120
4th2150
5th51100
6th101200
7th201500
8th5011000
9th10015000
10th500110000
11th1000120000
12th2000130000
13th3000150000
14th5000170000
GENERATION NUMBER
The underlined superscript following the name of a direct descendant is the generation number. Example: 2518 EVA BLANCHE HAMLIN9(Moses8,Tom7,Wm.P.6,Wm.5, Stephen4,Charles3,Stephen2,Stephen1). Blanche is the ninth generation in this study, the daughter of Moses, the granddaughter of Thomas, etc.
OFFSPRING NUMBER
A small Roman numeral preceding the name of a child listed under the parents is called an offspring number. If birth dates are given, the numerals indicate the place among the siblings. If no birth date is given, the small Roman numeral only indicates that the child is one of the total number of children born to the couple.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prefaceiii
Keyiv
Chapter I Origin of the Surname Hamlin1
Chapter II Stephen Hamlin, Immigrant2
Chapter III Stephen Hamlin, Jr.4
Stephen Hamlin, Junior's Sons
Chapter IV Captain John Hamlin and Descendants5
Chapter V Charles Hamlin and Family10
Charles Hamlin's Son, Stephen
Chapter VI Stephen and Sarah Hamlin Family12
Chapter VII The Move19
Eldest Son of Stephen and Sarah Hamlin
Chapter VIII William and Elizabeth Hamlin Family20
Two of William and Elizabeth Hamlin's Sons
Chapter IX William P. Hamlin and Family26
Chapter X Benjamin Hamlin and Family55
Other Children of Stephen and Sarah Hamlin
Chapter XI Susannah, Nanne and Molly Hamlin and Families122
Chapter XII Charles and Martha Hamlin Family124
Chapter XIII John Hamlin and Family144
Chapter XIV Who were these Hamlins?147
Appendix151
The Rookings Family152
The Poythress Family154
The Wood Family156
Bibliography158
Index160
STEPHEN HAMLIN AND DESCENDANTS
CHAPTER I
ORIGIN OF THE SURNAME HAMLIN
The origin of the surname of Hamlin appears to have begun in the lower Saxony area of Germany around the town of Hamelin which was located at the confluence of the river Hamel with the river Wesser.1 The name Hamlin is a compound of the Saxon word, Hame, which can be translated as "home" and lyn or lin, which pertains to water, a torrent, waterfall or a pool.2
From Germany many residents of Hamelin emigrated to France, England and, perhaps, Norway well over two or more centuries before the legend of the exodus in 1284 led by the Pied Piper of Hamelin.3 The name of Hamelin De Balon appeared in the Roll in the church of Dives, Normandy, and the name Hameline in the Roll of Battel Abbey, which commemorates the followers of William the Conqueror and the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The Domes Day Book of England recorded Hamelins in Devonshire and Cornwall in 1086. 4
Some of the spellings of the Hamlin name found in documents are: Hamblen, Hamblin, Hamblyn, Hameline, Hamelinn, Hamelyn, Hamlen, Hamline, Hamlyn and Hemblen.
Although some English emigrants by the name of Hamlin settled in New England, this compilation follows the history of the Virginia Hamlins and their migration west. The Virginia Hamblyn, Hameline, Hamelyn and Hamlin families lived, at first, in that portion of Charles City County which in 1702 became the County of Prince George.
Some members of the family then moved to Surry, Amelia and other counties on the southside of the James River.
______
1The Hamlin FamilyA Genealogy of Capt., Giles Hamlin of MiddletonConn., 16541900, Hon.H. Franklin Andrews, 1900
2Excerpt from a letter written by H. F. Andrews, Sept. 21, 1897, Exira, Iowa, taken from papers on Hamlins that belonged to Caroline Hamlin Speigel, No. 411.
3The legend is that Hamelin was infested with rats in 1284 and that a piper appeared and offered to rid the town of the rats for a set fee. He did so but the town authorities refused to pay him. On St. John's Day he reappeared and piped the children out of town. The legend is the source of Robert Browning's poem, The Pied Piper of Hamelin.
4Andrews, H. F., The Hamlin Family...Middletown, Conn., 1900, p. 8; History of the Hamlin Family with Genealogies of Early Settlers of the Name in America 16391894, 1894, pp. 18, 2122. Andrews failed to document much of his data. However, he did compile a study of the origin of the earliest Hamlins in England which appears authentic and is documented somewhat. When David Ault wrote to Mr. Andrews's daughter in the 1950's for more information about the Hamlin data, David was told that she had burned all of the notes her father had made for his books.
CHAPTER II
STEPHEN HAMLIN, IMMIGRANT
1 STEPHEN HAMLIN1 was born in England and emigrated to Virginia circa 1637.1 He patented land at Middle Plantation in 1637.2 The following excerpts from Virginia Patent Books indicate how Stephen acquired much of his huge land holdings.
On 25 Feb., 1638, a patent was issued to Stephen Hamblyn for 250 acres in Charles River County on Queen's Creek adjoining Richard Popely and from the lands of the said Popely east upon a marsh towards the Pallisadoes. The said land due to the said Hamblyn for his "personal adventure" and for the transportation of John Dixon, Oliver Jueke, Elizabeth Marmore and one negro.
On 17 November, 1642, Stephen Hamblyn was granted 400 acres in the county of York at the head of Queen's Creek, west side of Mill Swamp, adjoining land of Captain Popeley, and due to the said Hamblyn for the transportation of Richard Oliver, Benjamin Pillard, Ambrose Bowly, Jon Harrison, Tho Buller, Tho Hynde, Sarah Bennett and Robert Tarbrooke.3
On 26 October, 1650, Mr. Stephen Hamelin was granted 1250 acres in Charles City County, Lyeing at the head of Weyonoke bounded S upon the heads of Wionoke, E upon Matshcoes Creek and the land of Mr. Cantrell, W towards Old Man's Creek and Queen's Creek N. Due said Hamblin for transportation of 25 persons: Jon Ray, Henry Rice, Anth Chandler, Wm. Pylor, Wm. Choldnedge, Richard Arundell, Tho Mason, George Haynes, Samll Parry, Thos Powell, Peter Mason, Wm. Hurt, Tho Howell, Samll Goodwin, Thomas Harris, Robert Taylor, Tho ap Richard, Jonas Alpott, John Woodson, Edward Buckingham, Robert Fryth, Gab Robinson, Clement Whidow, Robert Crouch, Edward Thruston. 4 Another reference stated: On the 26th of October, 1650, Stephen Hamlin was issued in Charles City County, Virginia, a patent on 1250 Acres, "lying on the north side of the FlowerDe Hundred Creekebounded north on the land purchased by Mr. Pace, South upon the Flower De Hundred Creek."1
______
1According to material in the Virginia Historical Association, Richmond, Va., three Hamlin brothers landed at Barnstable, Mass., in 1635. Charles settled in Boston; William went to what was then Mexico; and Stephen patented land in Virginia in 1637. It is not known whether the material cited above is correct or not. Much of the early printed history of the Stephen Hamlin family was not documented. In the late 1900's, more and more legal documents of early America have been rescued from the dusty storage areas and have been made available to the public. Thus, many traditions have been discredited, while some others have been proven correct.
2Wm. and Mary College Quarterly, Series I, Vol 11, p. 59, Note A.
3Wm. and Mary College Quarterly, Series I, Vol 24, p. 289.
4Early Virginia Families Along the James River, Their Deep Roots and Tangled Branches, Foley, 1978, Vol. 2, p. 12; Va. Patent Book 2, p. 266,
Wm. and Mary College Quarterly, Series I, Vol. 24, p. 289.
Stephen Hamelyn, 1400 acres, Charles City Co., 29 March 1666: Granted unto Mr. Stephen Hamelyn, dec'd. lately found by inquisition dated 3 Nov., 1665 under the hand and seal Hundred Creekeof Mr. Henry Randolph, by virtue of deputation from Col. Miles Cary, Escheatorand now granted. Provid that the Widdow & Relict of sd Stephen Hamelyn, Dec'd bee noe way prejudiced in her thirds and that shee enjoy the same in as full & ample manner to all intents & purposes as any other widdow of his Maties (Majesties) naturall borne subjects by the lawes of England or this country may or can enjoy the same as if the land had bin escheated.2
The date of the death of Stephen Hamlin, the immigrant, can be determined to be previous to 23rd of August, 1665, for on that date administration of his estate was granted to Agnes Hamlin, his widow.3 Besides being a land owner, Stephen represented Charles City County in the House of Burgesses in 1654 and in 1663.4 Also, Stephen was a Justice of the County Court of Charles City County in 1655.5 Stephen Hamlin was married to: AGNES______. They were the parents of at least three children:
2i.Stephen Hamlin, Jr.
3ii.Charles Hamlin, died before December, 1687; his widow m. Isaac Williams.
4iii.Thomas Hamlin, m. Mary Wynd the widow of Anthony Wynd.
iv.Abraham Hamlin (?), could have been son of Stephen, Jr.6
______
1Wm. and Mary College Quarterly, Series I, Vol. 10, p. 25.
2Cavaliers and Pioneers Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 16231666, Nugent, Vol. 1 , 1974, p. 550. Also Virginia Patent Book 5, p. 487. Early Virginia Families Along the James River, Their Deep Roots and Tangled Branches, Charles City Co. Prince George Co., Va., Foley, 1978, p. 35.
3Southside Virginia Families, James Bennett Boddie, 1955, p.237
4Same as footnote No. 2.
5Wm.and Mary College Quarterly, Vol. 4 (Surry Co., Book 1, p. 273.)
6Whether Abraham was a son of Stephen, Sr., or Stephen, Jr. is not known. In February, 1689, David Sanbourne reported in open court that he had witnessed the will of the late Stephen Hamblin at the house of Thomas Cocke in Henrico, which will was now in the possession of Abraham Hamblin. (Va. Court Records, 168990, p. 7790.) Since Thomas Cocke was the guardian of Charles Hamlin, No. 12, it is likely that Abraham was an older son of Stephen, Jr. No. 2. If he had been Stephen, Jr.'s uncle, wouldn't he have been named guardian rather than Thomas Cocke? The will which would have cleared the relationship has been lost. Many of Virginia's records were destroyed during the War Between the States.
CHAPTER III
STEPHEN HAMLIN, JR.
2 STEPHEN HAMLIN, JR.2(Stephen1) was the son of Stephen and Agnes Hamlin. Stephen repatented his father's 1400 acres in Charles City County, Virginia,1 in 1666. On May 20, 16__, the Council "upon petition of Stephen Hamlyn on behalf of himself and his brothers, orphans of Stephen Hamlyn decd., it was ordered that a qualified surveyor lay out the bounds of that patent of Oct. 26, 1650, and if any surplus be the said Stephen is to have a grant thereof."2
Stephen, Jr. died in Charles City County, Virginia, before December, 1687. He had married:3______ and had at least two sons:4
11i.John Hamlin
12ii.Charles Hamlin
iii.Abraham Hamlin (?)5
In 1707, Charles City County, Virginia, Rent Rolls had listed John Hamlin with 143 1/2 acres, Stephen Hamlin, 80 acres, and Thomas Hamlin with 254 acres.6 John, of course, was John Hamlin, No. 11, but who were the other two?
______
1Virginia Patent Book 5, p. 487.
2Southside Virginia Families, James Bennett Boddie, 1955, p. 237.
3Wm. & Mary College Quarterly, Series I, Vol. 24, pp. 288289.
4They Went Thataway, C. H. Hamlin, 1965, Vol. II, Chart I., p. 111. Although the maiden surname of Stephen, Jr.'s wife is not known, it could have been Stringer. According to Order Book (17131718), p. 20, Charles Hamlin was named next of kin to Wm. Stringer, deceased. Stephen's wife could not have been Mary Elan as claimed by some family members, because the Stephen of this chapter had died before Mary Elan was married to a Stephen Hamlin in Henrico Parish, Virginia, in the year of 1693.5 See footnote 6, Chapter II, p.3.
6Va. Hist. Mag., Vol. 31, pp. 315316.
CHAPTER IV
CAPTAIN JOHN HAMLIN AND DESCENDANTS
11 JOHN HAMLIN3(Stephen2,Stephen1) was the son of Stephen Hamlin, Jr. and his wife, whose maiden surname probably was Stringer.1. John became a captain in the Charles City County Militia in which he served in 1680. Captain Hamlin was the Burgess for Prince George County, Virginia, in 1710, 1712 and 1714.2 Captain Hamlin died before 1720.3 He had married: ELIZABETH TAYLOR, the daughter of Richard Taylor and Sarah Barker.4 Captain John Hamlin and his wife Elizabeth were the parents of:
21i.Peter Hamlin26vi. Eliz. Hamlin, m. Thomas Ravenscroft.
22ii.Richard Hamlin27vii. Lucy Hamlin, m. William Epes.
23iii.William Hamlin, b. 169528viii. Hannah Hamlin, m. Thomas Cocke.
24iv.John Hamlin
25v.Sarah Hamlin, m. (1) Micajah Lowe; (2) Rev. John Cargill.
In the period 17101720 the Hamlins of Virginia were close friends and neighbors of the following families: Byrd, Harrison, Eppes, Kennon, Hardyman, Cocke and Edwards.5 A map of the James River plantations based on researches of Colonial Williamsburg, Inc. is included on pages 6263 in an article The Harrisons of Berkeley Hundred by Clifford Dowdey, published in the American Heritage, Volume VIII, No.3, April, 1957. The map shows the homes of the Harrisons (Berkeley Hundred) and the Byrds (Westover) with the Captain John Hamlin's home (Maycocks) across the river. In the book The Great American Gentleman, William Byrd of Westover in Virginia; His Secret Diary for the Years 17091712, edited by Louis B. Wright and Marion Tinling, 1963, there are references to Captain John Hamlin, Mrs. Hamlin and their sons, Dick and Peter. Captain Hamlin was mentioned twice: "On the 25th February, 1710, Mr. Harrison, his wife, and Mrs. Stith came and soon after them Robin Munford and Captain Hamlin who all dined with us."6 Again, 11 October, 1711, "came Captain Hamlin (and others). I persuaded them to stay and dine before we went to the martial court"7 Mrs. Hamlin was mentioned more often. On April 17, 1709, Byrd wrote, "I went to church, where were abundance of people among whom was Mrs. Hamlin, a very handsome woman".8 (The church was Westover Church.) Byrd wrote on September 5, 1709, "My wife was much out of order and had frequent returns of her pains....I sent for Mrs. Hamlin and my cousin Harrison about 9 o'clock."Byrd wrote on Sept. 6, 1709, "about 1 o'clock this morning my wife
______
1The compiler has no proof that Stringer was the maiden name of Stephen's wife. All above information came from Mary E. Stoll.
2They Went Thataway, Charles Hughes Hamlin, 1965, Vol. 2, p. 111.
3Southside Virginia Families, James Bennett Boddie, 1955, p. 238.