Echoes From The Past
By JUDY MAUPIN
*- Echoes From the Past
(A Column of historical and genealogical anecdotes, stories and family notes.)
Calloway County, Ky.
The Hamlin Family
November 14, 1981
I was asked, not solong ago, how the settlement of Hamlin, on Kentucky Lake, got its name. As far as I can find out, it was named for an early family who settled near there, the Hamlins. In searching for information about this family, I came across a biographical sketch of Richard Hamlin, which is reprinted below.
"Richard F. Hamlin, of Calloway County, was born in Rockingham County, North Carolina, -November 15, 1835, son of Peter S. and Virginia A. (Micheaux) Hamlin, both of whom are yet living (1885).
"The mother is a descendant of Abraham Micheaux, a Huguenut, whose wife, when a child, was shipped out 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 Huguenots, released her from confinement and landed her safely in Holland, where she met and married Abraham Micheaux, who had preceded her as a refugee.
"The father of our subject is a Virginian by birth, removed at an early date to North Carolina, where he was married. In 1839 he came to Calloway County, when our subject was four years old. Richard F. worked on the farm and around his father's mill, azid 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) North Carolina.
"Then, by the financial aid of his aunt he was enabled to attend Chapel Hill University in North Carolina and was graduated in 1859. His career as a student is exemplary the position of
associate editor of
the college paper, president of the
literary society, and always a perfect grade in department.
"During his last year in college he took a course in law in connection with his other studies. After leaving school he went to Todd County, Kentucky, where he was first tutor in a wealthy family at a liberal salary, then took under his instruction the children of several other families in the vicinity.
"During the fore part of the late war, he was Union in sentiment, but Was influenced by relationsj and friends to enter the Confederate Company H, Third Kentucky Infantry, participating in the batUe 01 Shiloh, and the numerous other engagements of the southwest. In said command he stayed until close of the war.
"Returning to Calloway County he worked in his father's mifi and taught school, was then president of a college in Ballard County. for two years. Then he 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 also is a Mason and member of the Knights of Honor."
Roberta Hamlin, daughter of Richard, April .7, 1867-June 29, 1901, married James H. Coleman. They are both buried in the Murray Cemetery, as is Richard, who died May 27, 1895, and his wife Laura, who died September 28,
1886. -
Juliet Hamlin, Feb. 19, 1877-Jan. 11, 1960, married Henry Holton. They both rest in Murray Cemetery. There are many members of the Hamlin family buried at New Concord, including Richard's parents, Peter and Virginia.
