Married to Elizabeth Forrest Jan. 2, 1812
Fought in War of 1812; was a Ruling Elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church
born in Sumner Co., TN
Thomas Hamilton
1789 - 1879
Cumberland Presbyterian Elder
RULING ELDER THOMASHAMILTON
McKENZIE, TENN.
THE history of this veteran presents a remarkable case of longevity in the office of Ruling Elder. He was ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church in 1809, and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church immediately on its organization, in 1810. He is now (1877) in his 89th year. Has been a professing Christian 77 years and a Ruling Elder 68 years, 55 of which have been in one congregation. So far as known he is the only man now living who has been and Elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church since the year of its origin. Indeed he is one of a very few, if even there are any others living, who were members of our Church from its origin. We think the reader will be more edified and profited to have the tale of his life in his own language, hence we give it just as transmitted to us over his own name:
Some time since you sent me a blank which you wished me to fill out. I have complied with that request to the best of my ability; and hereby at your suggestion and request I transmit to you a brief statement of some things and events which I have seen and remember. If I had not written what I now communicate several years since, I would not be able at this time of life to state anything correctly, because my memory is almost entirely gone, and I cannot remember with any degree of distinctness anything past. But in order to leave something for my family to refer to when I should be called hence, from which they might gather some information in regard to my past life, I sat down on my eightieth birthday and penned down from memory a few items which I supposed would be of interest to my children and grand-children, but had no thought that their publication would ever be called for. Hence the sketch will be very imperfect, because I am not able in my eighty-ninth year to make any corrections or additions.
I was born April the 10th, 1789, in Sumner County, Tenn. The place in that day as called Hamilton's Station. The Indians at that time were frequently murdering whole families in that part of the State. This fact rendered it absolutely necessary for the citizens, say ten or a dozen families, to unite and build a fort to protect themselves from the depredations of a merciless savage foe. For the above purpose a number of families collected at my father's and built a block house, and made a suitable fort for protection. I was born in the block house, for that was my father's residence; and at my first recollection a few families were still in the fort, but the greater part had left for their respective homes and callings, upon the establishment of peace with the savages.
A few years after the Indian troubles ceased the first fruits of the great revival of 1800 began to show themselves. My father lived near the Ridge meeting house. The Rev. William Hodge, first, and then the Rev. Wm. McGee, were the pastors of that church. In the year 1797, under the ministry of the above-named brethren, with the assistance of Rev. James McGready, and occasional help from others, a considerable awakening took place in that community, and a goodly number professed religion, although loud outcries for mercy and shouts were not common until after that time. At that period of my youth I became serious and began trying to pray in secret, as I was directed by my parents to do. I still continued, in a formal way, to do so until the year 1800, when the greater outpouring of God's holy spirit commenced in Logan County, Ky.
A number of the people from the Ridge congregation went to a camp meeting in what was called Little Muddy River congregation, then under the pastoral care of Rev. James McGready. This meeting was fifteen or twenty miles from my father's residence. Sacramental meeting began on Friday and closed on Monday heretofore, but on this occasion it held day and night, and did not close until Tuesday morning. It was in September, the country was new, the range was good, we carried our provisions with us, and hoppled our horses and they fed upon the pea-vine. The young people of this day must not think of camp meetings as they have seen them. There were no camps, no arbor, not a board on the ground, except a few on the preacher's stand.
At the meeting of which I have spoken, a great number were converted. Many who went there in their sins, returned home rejoicing in hope of a glorious immortality. During the above described meeting I was powerfully convicted. On Sabbath the sacrament was administered, but I knew but little of what was passing on that eventful day. I felt that I was the vilest and most wretched of all sinners. I continued in this condition until some time in the night, when I was enabled, through grace, to make a full surrender of my heart to my blessed Savior, and at that moment light broke in upon my mind, and joy came into my soul. My burden of guilt was removed, and I was perfectly happy, as I then believed, and as I now believe.
Although I was only a boy, and that nearly eighty years ago, yet I do remember it, perhaps with more clearness than any other event of my life, and I am sure it gives me more pleasure than all other recollection of the past. The first thing that seemed to attract my attention was the beautiful appearance of everything around me; the burning tapers attached to the trees, the people, in fact all nature seemed to be teeming with love and beauty. I have forgotten many things, but that night I have never forgotten, neither can I while memory can retain anything whatever. I would say this, that I have this same hope, thanks be to the name of my divine Master, and it is an anchor to my soul. Now in my eighty-ninth year, my hope is no less firm, my faith no less clear, and prospects for the future no less bright and glorious than when I first believed.
On Tuesday we returned home, some filled with the love of God, others serious mourners. When we reached home the interest still continued. Families would retire in the evening for prayer, the Lord met with them and blessed them: others in hearing would come, and frequently the services would last half the night. What I have said will be sufficient to give the reader some faint idea of that great work. I will now remark that the revivals which the reader has seen in these latter days are the same revival, for it has never ceased, though it has not the same power that it once had. God raised up extraordinary men in those days to preach the gospel. They preached with a peculiar unction--the unction of the Holy Ghost--and God blessed them greatly.
I will now speak of other scenes and subjects. In the year 1807, my brother-in-law, Jacob McKee, moved from Sumner County, Tennessee, to one mile and a half from where Columbia now stands. This was in the first settling of the Duck River Country as it was then called. At that time, my father had an idea of moving to that section, and sent me with Mr. McKee to make a crop; this I did and returned home in the fall. My father, however, changed his mind, and moved the next year (1808) to Humphreys County, which was also just beginning to be settled. We moved there in the winter, and in the following spring the Indians commenced depredations on the river; in consequence thereof, the few settlers nearly all left the country. Father moved back to Sumner County, but returned to Humphreys the next year, and remained there a considerable length of time.
On the second day of January, 1812, I was married to Elizabeth Forrest. Our family and others erected a camp-ground on a branch of White Oak Creek, about five miles from where we lived, which was kept up for several years. We afterward built another camp-ground on Big Richland creek. At both those places we had fine revivals. The preachers who attended those meetings were mostly from a distance. In those days ministers did not stop to consider distance, or to consult personal ease and comfort. I will here mention a few of their names, Finis Ewing, the two Barnetts [William and John], two Guthries [James Smith and William H.], Baker, Dillard, the two Morrows, and a few others, whose names are not now remembered. In those great revivals an overwhelming majority of the converts gave evidence in after life that the work wrought upon their hearts was genuine.
In 1812 war was declared between Great Britain and the United States. Hostilities commenced in the North, and soon after in the South, with the Indians. About the latter part of 1814, the British succeeded in reaching the South. Accordingly troops were raised in Tennessee, in addition to those already in the South engaging the Indians. General Carroll was ordered to raise a brigade and proceed immediately to New Orleans. On the 11th of November, 1814, I left my little family, a wife and one child, and repaired to Nashville, where I was mustered into service. The regiment to which I belonged marched to Clarksville for the purpose of procuring boats, not steamboats, but flat-bottoms.
We landed on the 19th or 20th of December, a few miles above New Orleans. On the 23d, in the evening, we marched to the city, and while we were drawing ammunition and moulding balls, the first battle was fought, six or seven miles below the city. I was detailed as one of a guard of twenty to guard three carts loaded with ammunition. All this occurred in the night. We met quite a number of prisoners and wounded. We found our army in line of battle, the right wing resting on the river, and the left in the swamp. At this point we remained till dawn of day. Gen. Jackson then fell back a mile or so, and there began to fortify. As soon as we reached the river a keel-boat was discovered and hailed. It proved to be the one that was loaded with and carrying our ammunition up the river, and called lustily for help to ascend against the current, whereupon John Conly and myself were ordered to get aboard the craft, which we did, and when she landed at her destination, I gathered my rifle and knapsack to go in search of my company, but the officer in charge said that I must not leave until relieved in a regular way, so I remained on board four weeks. Our landing was a short distance above the breastworks, and directly in range of the enemy's balls, which made it necessary for us to move up the river around a bend, to a place of greater security.
The first battle was fought the night of the 23d of December, 1814. On the 28th, about ten o'clock, the enemy attacked our breastwork, but was repulsed and driven back. On Sabbath morning, January the 1st, 1815, they made a second attack, and were again repulsed. The next Sabbath morning, January 8th, at day-break, they made their last effort, on both sides of the river, but were repulsed and driven back with great loss. On January the 19th, the enemy broke up camp and fell back to their shipping in the lake, after which we had peace. Our heaviest loss was from disease. Our company had but one killed, and that by accident, yet we lost one-fifth of our men. Some time in March we left for home, crossed the lake and then footed it home.
In 1820 I moved to what is now known as Henderson County, in the neighborhood of where Pleasant Exchange is now situated. I remained there until 1822. In January, I moved to this, (Carroll) County, and to my present homestead. In 1823, we built three camps at Shiloh. At the first meeting, ten found the Savior. A few years since, camp-meetings were discontinued. But there has been a protracted, or camp-meeting, held at Shiloh, every year but one, since 1823.
In the years of 1841 and 1842, we enjoyed the most extensive and powerful revivals that have blessed this county. In 1841, at the camp-meeting, there were 180 conversions. In 1842 there were 140 professions of religion. I have been permitted to attend all those meetings but one or two. I knew at the conclusion of each meeting how many had professed conversion, and I regret exceedingly that I did not keep a record, but like many other good things, it was not done. It is, however, my candid opinion, that not less than two thousand persons have professed to obtain a hope of eternal salvation on that consecrated spot of ground. Many of this vast number are now, doubtless, among the shining robed immortals, while many others are on their way to glory. Some have fallen away, but this number is comparatively small.
I will now speak of my ancestors. My grandfather Thomas Hamilton and my grandmother Hamilton were born in Ireland. My grandmother's maiden name was Jane McCracken. They lived for many years with my father. They were married in Ireland, and had been blessed with one or two children before coming to America, who, I think, died in the old country. They had three sons and three daughters, the most of whom lived to be very old, one living to be over one hundred years of age. My grandfather Gwin came from Ireland, but I never saw him, and don't remember his given name. My grandmother Gwin was born on the ocean, but I do not now remember the name of the country whence her parents hailed. She lived and died at father's. Her given name was Elizabeth. They had four sons and four daughters; most of them lived to be old. My wife's mother was Margaret Guthrie. She and my father and mother lie buried in the Shiloh graveyard, where I wish to be laid by the side of my dear departed Elizabeth. My wife's father is buried in Humphreys County, Tennessee.
I would speak modestly about what I have done. While I have always given something, and perhaps liberally, yet I ought to have given more. I have always had enough to eat and wear, and now I am old yet am I not forsaken, neither have my children begged bread. Now I am 88 years old, and I want to say this, no one will lost anything who gives liberally to God's causer, because He loves a cheerful giver, and the liberal soul shall be made fat. I am serving as an elder in the Shiloh congregation, though not actively.
I have been associated in christian labor, more or less, with the following ministers and elders: Ministers--Samuel King, Finis Ewing, Richard Beard, D.D., Reuben Burrow, D.D., Robert Baker, John and William Barnet, John and James McKee, Abner Thomas, C. J. Bradley, Cullen Cribbs, William A. Province, H. Bobbitt, S. G. Burney, D.D., W. W. Hendrix, W. G. Leonard, and for more than thirty years with A. E. Cooper, who is now, and has been for over thirty years, the able and efficient pastor of Shiloh church. The following elders have been my associates in labor--James Dinwiddie, Sen., and James Dinwiddie, Jun., Luke Thomas, E. Thomas, George Ridley, William Bell, Porter Baker, Andrew Dinwiddie, Thomas Baker, Isaac Sparks, Masten Randle, William Carson, Baker Dinwiddie, George H. Prince and William Dinwiddie.
When my mother professed religion under the ministry of Mr. McGready, in North Carolina, she shouted aloud and continued to be a religious shouter as long as she lived. What renders this fact noticeable, is from this consideration, that it was exceedingly uncommon to hear anything of the kind at that period.
I have seven children, thirty-one grand-children and thirty great-grand-children, all living. Nearly all my family, children, grand-children and great-grand-children, that are of proper age, are consistent members of the church.
[Source: Crisman, E. B. Biographical Sketches of Living Old Men, of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in Six Volumes. Vol. I. St. Louis, Mo.: Perrin and Smith, Steam Book and Job Printers, 1877, pages 93-106]
Fought in War of 1812; was a Ruling Elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church
born in Sumner Co., TN
Thomas Hamilton
1789 - 1879
Cumberland Presbyterian Elder
RULING ELDER THOMASHAMILTON
McKENZIE, TENN.
THE history of this veteran presents a remarkable case of longevity in the office of Ruling Elder. He was ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church in 1809, and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church immediately on its organization, in 1810. He is now (1877) in his 89th year. Has been a professing Christian 77 years and a Ruling Elder 68 years, 55 of which have been in one congregation. So far as known he is the only man now living who has been and Elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church since the year of its origin. Indeed he is one of a very few, if even there are any others living, who were members of our Church from its origin. We think the reader will be more edified and profited to have the tale of his life in his own language, hence we give it just as transmitted to us over his own name:
Some time since you sent me a blank which you wished me to fill out. I have complied with that request to the best of my ability; and hereby at your suggestion and request I transmit to you a brief statement of some things and events which I have seen and remember. If I had not written what I now communicate several years since, I would not be able at this time of life to state anything correctly, because my memory is almost entirely gone, and I cannot remember with any degree of distinctness anything past. But in order to leave something for my family to refer to when I should be called hence, from which they might gather some information in regard to my past life, I sat down on my eightieth birthday and penned down from memory a few items which I supposed would be of interest to my children and grand-children, but had no thought that their publication would ever be called for. Hence the sketch will be very imperfect, because I am not able in my eighty-ninth year to make any corrections or additions.
I was born April the 10th, 1789, in Sumner County, Tenn. The place in that day as called Hamilton's Station. The Indians at that time were frequently murdering whole families in that part of the State. This fact rendered it absolutely necessary for the citizens, say ten or a dozen families, to unite and build a fort to protect themselves from the depredations of a merciless savage foe. For the above purpose a number of families collected at my father's and built a block house, and made a suitable fort for protection. I was born in the block house, for that was my father's residence; and at my first recollection a few families were still in the fort, but the greater part had left for their respective homes and callings, upon the establishment of peace with the savages.
A few years after the Indian troubles ceased the first fruits of the great revival of 1800 began to show themselves. My father lived near the Ridge meeting house. The Rev. William Hodge, first, and then the Rev. Wm. McGee, were the pastors of that church. In the year 1797, under the ministry of the above-named brethren, with the assistance of Rev. James McGready, and occasional help from others, a considerable awakening took place in that community, and a goodly number professed religion, although loud outcries for mercy and shouts were not common until after that time. At that period of my youth I became serious and began trying to pray in secret, as I was directed by my parents to do. I still continued, in a formal way, to do so until the year 1800, when the greater outpouring of God's holy spirit commenced in Logan County, Ky.
A number of the people from the Ridge congregation went to a camp meeting in what was called Little Muddy River congregation, then under the pastoral care of Rev. James McGready. This meeting was fifteen or twenty miles from my father's residence. Sacramental meeting began on Friday and closed on Monday heretofore, but on this occasion it held day and night, and did not close until Tuesday morning. It was in September, the country was new, the range was good, we carried our provisions with us, and hoppled our horses and they fed upon the pea-vine. The young people of this day must not think of camp meetings as they have seen them. There were no camps, no arbor, not a board on the ground, except a few on the preacher's stand.
At the meeting of which I have spoken, a great number were converted. Many who went there in their sins, returned home rejoicing in hope of a glorious immortality. During the above described meeting I was powerfully convicted. On Sabbath the sacrament was administered, but I knew but little of what was passing on that eventful day. I felt that I was the vilest and most wretched of all sinners. I continued in this condition until some time in the night, when I was enabled, through grace, to make a full surrender of my heart to my blessed Savior, and at that moment light broke in upon my mind, and joy came into my soul. My burden of guilt was removed, and I was perfectly happy, as I then believed, and as I now believe.
Although I was only a boy, and that nearly eighty years ago, yet I do remember it, perhaps with more clearness than any other event of my life, and I am sure it gives me more pleasure than all other recollection of the past. The first thing that seemed to attract my attention was the beautiful appearance of everything around me; the burning tapers attached to the trees, the people, in fact all nature seemed to be teeming with love and beauty. I have forgotten many things, but that night I have never forgotten, neither can I while memory can retain anything whatever. I would say this, that I have this same hope, thanks be to the name of my divine Master, and it is an anchor to my soul. Now in my eighty-ninth year, my hope is no less firm, my faith no less clear, and prospects for the future no less bright and glorious than when I first believed.
On Tuesday we returned home, some filled with the love of God, others serious mourners. When we reached home the interest still continued. Families would retire in the evening for prayer, the Lord met with them and blessed them: others in hearing would come, and frequently the services would last half the night. What I have said will be sufficient to give the reader some faint idea of that great work. I will now remark that the revivals which the reader has seen in these latter days are the same revival, for it has never ceased, though it has not the same power that it once had. God raised up extraordinary men in those days to preach the gospel. They preached with a peculiar unction--the unction of the Holy Ghost--and God blessed them greatly.
I will now speak of other scenes and subjects. In the year 1807, my brother-in-law, Jacob McKee, moved from Sumner County, Tennessee, to one mile and a half from where Columbia now stands. This was in the first settling of the Duck River Country as it was then called. At that time, my father had an idea of moving to that section, and sent me with Mr. McKee to make a crop; this I did and returned home in the fall. My father, however, changed his mind, and moved the next year (1808) to Humphreys County, which was also just beginning to be settled. We moved there in the winter, and in the following spring the Indians commenced depredations on the river; in consequence thereof, the few settlers nearly all left the country. Father moved back to Sumner County, but returned to Humphreys the next year, and remained there a considerable length of time.
On the second day of January, 1812, I was married to Elizabeth Forrest. Our family and others erected a camp-ground on a branch of White Oak Creek, about five miles from where we lived, which was kept up for several years. We afterward built another camp-ground on Big Richland creek. At both those places we had fine revivals. The preachers who attended those meetings were mostly from a distance. In those days ministers did not stop to consider distance, or to consult personal ease and comfort. I will here mention a few of their names, Finis Ewing, the two Barnetts [William and John], two Guthries [James Smith and William H.], Baker, Dillard, the two Morrows, and a few others, whose names are not now remembered. In those great revivals an overwhelming majority of the converts gave evidence in after life that the work wrought upon their hearts was genuine.
In 1812 war was declared between Great Britain and the United States. Hostilities commenced in the North, and soon after in the South, with the Indians. About the latter part of 1814, the British succeeded in reaching the South. Accordingly troops were raised in Tennessee, in addition to those already in the South engaging the Indians. General Carroll was ordered to raise a brigade and proceed immediately to New Orleans. On the 11th of November, 1814, I left my little family, a wife and one child, and repaired to Nashville, where I was mustered into service. The regiment to which I belonged marched to Clarksville for the purpose of procuring boats, not steamboats, but flat-bottoms.
We landed on the 19th or 20th of December, a few miles above New Orleans. On the 23d, in the evening, we marched to the city, and while we were drawing ammunition and moulding balls, the first battle was fought, six or seven miles below the city. I was detailed as one of a guard of twenty to guard three carts loaded with ammunition. All this occurred in the night. We met quite a number of prisoners and wounded. We found our army in line of battle, the right wing resting on the river, and the left in the swamp. At this point we remained till dawn of day. Gen. Jackson then fell back a mile or so, and there began to fortify. As soon as we reached the river a keel-boat was discovered and hailed. It proved to be the one that was loaded with and carrying our ammunition up the river, and called lustily for help to ascend against the current, whereupon John Conly and myself were ordered to get aboard the craft, which we did, and when she landed at her destination, I gathered my rifle and knapsack to go in search of my company, but the officer in charge said that I must not leave until relieved in a regular way, so I remained on board four weeks. Our landing was a short distance above the breastworks, and directly in range of the enemy's balls, which made it necessary for us to move up the river around a bend, to a place of greater security.
The first battle was fought the night of the 23d of December, 1814. On the 28th, about ten o'clock, the enemy attacked our breastwork, but was repulsed and driven back. On Sabbath morning, January the 1st, 1815, they made a second attack, and were again repulsed. The next Sabbath morning, January 8th, at day-break, they made their last effort, on both sides of the river, but were repulsed and driven back with great loss. On January the 19th, the enemy broke up camp and fell back to their shipping in the lake, after which we had peace. Our heaviest loss was from disease. Our company had but one killed, and that by accident, yet we lost one-fifth of our men. Some time in March we left for home, crossed the lake and then footed it home.
In 1820 I moved to what is now known as Henderson County, in the neighborhood of where Pleasant Exchange is now situated. I remained there until 1822. In January, I moved to this, (Carroll) County, and to my present homestead. In 1823, we built three camps at Shiloh. At the first meeting, ten found the Savior. A few years since, camp-meetings were discontinued. But there has been a protracted, or camp-meeting, held at Shiloh, every year but one, since 1823.
In the years of 1841 and 1842, we enjoyed the most extensive and powerful revivals that have blessed this county. In 1841, at the camp-meeting, there were 180 conversions. In 1842 there were 140 professions of religion. I have been permitted to attend all those meetings but one or two. I knew at the conclusion of each meeting how many had professed conversion, and I regret exceedingly that I did not keep a record, but like many other good things, it was not done. It is, however, my candid opinion, that not less than two thousand persons have professed to obtain a hope of eternal salvation on that consecrated spot of ground. Many of this vast number are now, doubtless, among the shining robed immortals, while many others are on their way to glory. Some have fallen away, but this number is comparatively small.
I will now speak of my ancestors. My grandfather Thomas Hamilton and my grandmother Hamilton were born in Ireland. My grandmother's maiden name was Jane McCracken. They lived for many years with my father. They were married in Ireland, and had been blessed with one or two children before coming to America, who, I think, died in the old country. They had three sons and three daughters, the most of whom lived to be very old, one living to be over one hundred years of age. My grandfather Gwin came from Ireland, but I never saw him, and don't remember his given name. My grandmother Gwin was born on the ocean, but I do not now remember the name of the country whence her parents hailed. She lived and died at father's. Her given name was Elizabeth. They had four sons and four daughters; most of them lived to be old. My wife's mother was Margaret Guthrie. She and my father and mother lie buried in the Shiloh graveyard, where I wish to be laid by the side of my dear departed Elizabeth. My wife's father is buried in Humphreys County, Tennessee.
I would speak modestly about what I have done. While I have always given something, and perhaps liberally, yet I ought to have given more. I have always had enough to eat and wear, and now I am old yet am I not forsaken, neither have my children begged bread. Now I am 88 years old, and I want to say this, no one will lost anything who gives liberally to God's causer, because He loves a cheerful giver, and the liberal soul shall be made fat. I am serving as an elder in the Shiloh congregation, though not actively.
I have been associated in christian labor, more or less, with the following ministers and elders: Ministers--Samuel King, Finis Ewing, Richard Beard, D.D., Reuben Burrow, D.D., Robert Baker, John and William Barnet, John and James McKee, Abner Thomas, C. J. Bradley, Cullen Cribbs, William A. Province, H. Bobbitt, S. G. Burney, D.D., W. W. Hendrix, W. G. Leonard, and for more than thirty years with A. E. Cooper, who is now, and has been for over thirty years, the able and efficient pastor of Shiloh church. The following elders have been my associates in labor--James Dinwiddie, Sen., and James Dinwiddie, Jun., Luke Thomas, E. Thomas, George Ridley, William Bell, Porter Baker, Andrew Dinwiddie, Thomas Baker, Isaac Sparks, Masten Randle, William Carson, Baker Dinwiddie, George H. Prince and William Dinwiddie.
When my mother professed religion under the ministry of Mr. McGready, in North Carolina, she shouted aloud and continued to be a religious shouter as long as she lived. What renders this fact noticeable, is from this consideration, that it was exceedingly uncommon to hear anything of the kind at that period.
I have seven children, thirty-one grand-children and thirty great-grand-children, all living. Nearly all my family, children, grand-children and great-grand-children, that are of proper age, are consistent members of the church.
[Source: Crisman, E. B. Biographical Sketches of Living Old Men, of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in Six Volumes. Vol. I. St. Louis, Mo.: Perrin and Smith, Steam Book and Job Printers, 1877, pages 93-106]
Married to Elizabeth Forrest Jan. 2, 1812
Fought in War of 1812; was a Ruling Elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church
born in Sumner Co., TN
Thomas Hamilton
1789 - 1879
Cumberland Presbyterian Elder
RULING ELDER THOMASHAMILTON
McKENZIE, TENN.
THE history of this veteran presents a remarkable case of longevity in the office of Ruling Elder. He was ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church in 1809, and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church immediately on its organization, in 1810. He is now (1877) in his 89th year. Has been a professing Christian 77 years and a Ruling Elder 68 years, 55 of which have been in one congregation. So far as known he is the only man now living who has been and Elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church since the year of its origin. Indeed he is one of a very few, if even there are any others living, who were members of our Church from its origin. We think the reader will be more edified and profited to have the tale of his life in his own language, hence we give it just as transmitted to us over his own name:
Some time since you sent me a blank which you wished me to fill out. I have complied with that request to the best of my ability; and hereby at your suggestion and request I transmit to you a brief statement of some things and events which I have seen and remember. If I had not written what I now communicate several years since, I would not be able at this time of life to state anything correctly, because my memory is almost entirely gone, and I cannot remember with any degree of distinctness anything past. But in order to leave something for my family to refer to when I should be called hence, from which they might gather some information in regard to my past life, I sat down on my eightieth birthday and penned down from memory a few items which I supposed would be of interest to my children and grand-children, but had no thought that their publication would ever be called for. Hence the sketch will be very imperfect, because I am not able in my eighty-ninth year to make any corrections or additions.
I was born April the 10th, 1789, in Sumner County, Tenn. The place in that day as called Hamilton's Station. The Indians at that time were frequently murdering whole families in that part of the State. This fact rendered it absolutely necessary for the citizens, say ten or a dozen families, to unite and build a fort to protect themselves from the depredations of a merciless savage foe. For the above purpose a number of families collected at my father's and built a block house, and made a suitable fort for protection. I was born in the block house, for that was my father's residence; and at my first recollection a few families were still in the fort, but the greater part had left for their respective homes and callings, upon the establishment of peace with the savages.
A few years after the Indian troubles ceased the first fruits of the great revival of 1800 began to show themselves. My father lived near the Ridge meeting house. The Rev. William Hodge, first, and then the Rev. Wm. McGee, were the pastors of that church. In the year 1797, under the ministry of the above-named brethren, with the assistance of Rev. James McGready, and occasional help from others, a considerable awakening took place in that community, and a goodly number professed religion, although loud outcries for mercy and shouts were not common until after that time. At that period of my youth I became serious and began trying to pray in secret, as I was directed by my parents to do. I still continued, in a formal way, to do so until the year 1800, when the greater outpouring of God's holy spirit commenced in Logan County, Ky.
A number of the people from the Ridge congregation went to a camp meeting in what was called Little Muddy River congregation, then under the pastoral care of Rev. James McGready. This meeting was fifteen or twenty miles from my father's residence. Sacramental meeting began on Friday and closed on Monday heretofore, but on this occasion it held day and night, and did not close until Tuesday morning. It was in September, the country was new, the range was good, we carried our provisions with us, and hoppled our horses and they fed upon the pea-vine. The young people of this day must not think of camp meetings as they have seen them. There were no camps, no arbor, not a board on the ground, except a few on the preacher's stand.
At the meeting of which I have spoken, a great number were converted. Many who went there in their sins, returned home rejoicing in hope of a glorious immortality. During the above described meeting I was powerfully convicted. On Sabbath the sacrament was administered, but I knew but little of what was passing on that eventful day. I felt that I was the vilest and most wretched of all sinners. I continued in this condition until some time in the night, when I was enabled, through grace, to make a full surrender of my heart to my blessed Savior, and at that moment light broke in upon my mind, and joy came into my soul. My burden of guilt was removed, and I was perfectly happy, as I then believed, and as I now believe.
Although I was only a boy, and that nearly eighty years ago, yet I do remember it, perhaps with more clearness than any other event of my life, and I am sure it gives me more pleasure than all other recollection of the past. The first thing that seemed to attract my attention was the beautiful appearance of everything around me; the burning tapers attached to the trees, the people, in fact all nature seemed to be teeming with love and beauty. I have forgotten many things, but that night I have never forgotten, neither can I while memory can retain anything whatever. I would say this, that I have this same hope, thanks be to the name of my divine Master, and it is an anchor to my soul. Now in my eighty-ninth year, my hope is no less firm, my faith no less clear, and prospects for the future no less bright and glorious than when I first believed.
On Tuesday we returned home, some filled with the love of God, others serious mourners. When we reached home the interest still continued. Families would retire in the evening for prayer, the Lord met with them and blessed them: others in hearing would come, and frequently the services would last half the night. What I have said will be sufficient to give the reader some faint idea of that great work. I will now remark that the revivals which the reader has seen in these latter days are the same revival, for it has never ceased, though it has not the same power that it once had. God raised up extraordinary men in those days to preach the gospel. They preached with a peculiar unction--the unction of the Holy Ghost--and God blessed them greatly.
I will now speak of other scenes and subjects. In the year 1807, my brother-in-law, Jacob McKee, moved from Sumner County, Tennessee, to one mile and a half from where Columbia now stands. This was in the first settling of the Duck River Country as it was then called. At that time, my father had an idea of moving to that section, and sent me with Mr. McKee to make a crop; this I did and returned home in the fall. My father, however, changed his mind, and moved the next year (1808) to Humphreys County, which was also just beginning to be settled. We moved there in the winter, and in the following spring the Indians commenced depredations on the river; in consequence thereof, the few settlers nearly all left the country. Father moved back to Sumner County, but returned to Humphreys the next year, and remained there a considerable length of time.
On the second day of January, 1812, I was married to Elizabeth Forrest. Our family and others erected a camp-ground on a branch of White Oak Creek, about five miles from where we lived, which was kept up for several years. We afterward built another camp-ground on Big Richland creek. At both those places we had fine revivals. The preachers who attended those meetings were mostly from a distance. In those days ministers did not stop to consider distance, or to consult personal ease and comfort. I will here mention a few of their names, Finis Ewing, the two Barnetts [William and John], two Guthries [James Smith and William H.], Baker, Dillard, the two Morrows, and a few others, whose names are not now remembered. In those great revivals an overwhelming majority of the converts gave evidence in after life that the work wrought upon their hearts was genuine.
In 1812 war was declared between Great Britain and the United States. Hostilities commenced in the North, and soon after in the South, with the Indians. About the latter part of 1814, the British succeeded in reaching the South. Accordingly troops were raised in Tennessee, in addition to those already in the South engaging the Indians. General Carroll was ordered to raise a brigade and proceed immediately to New Orleans. On the 11th of November, 1814, I left my little family, a wife and one child, and repaired to Nashville, where I was mustered into service. The regiment to which I belonged marched to Clarksville for the purpose of procuring boats, not steamboats, but flat-bottoms.
We landed on the 19th or 20th of December, a few miles above New Orleans. On the 23d, in the evening, we marched to the city, and while we were drawing ammunition and moulding balls, the first battle was fought, six or seven miles below the city. I was detailed as one of a guard of twenty to guard three carts loaded with ammunition. All this occurred in the night. We met quite a number of prisoners and wounded. We found our army in line of battle, the right wing resting on the river, and the left in the swamp. At this point we remained till dawn of day. Gen. Jackson then fell back a mile or so, and there began to fortify. As soon as we reached the river a keel-boat was discovered and hailed. It proved to be the one that was loaded with and carrying our ammunition up the river, and called lustily for help to ascend against the current, whereupon John Conly and myself were ordered to get aboard the craft, which we did, and when she landed at her destination, I gathered my rifle and knapsack to go in search of my company, but the officer in charge said that I must not leave until relieved in a regular way, so I remained on board four weeks. Our landing was a short distance above the breastworks, and directly in range of the enemy's balls, which made it necessary for us to move up the river around a bend, to a place of greater security.
The first battle was fought the night of the 23d of December, 1814. On the 28th, about ten o'clock, the enemy attacked our breastwork, but was repulsed and driven back. On Sabbath morning, January the 1st, 1815, they made a second attack, and were again repulsed. The next Sabbath morning, January 8th, at day-break, they made their last effort, on both sides of the river, but were repulsed and driven back with great loss. On January the 19th, the enemy broke up camp and fell back to their shipping in the lake, after which we had peace. Our heaviest loss was from disease. Our company had but one killed, and that by accident, yet we lost one-fifth of our men. Some time in March we left for home, crossed the lake and then footed it home.
In 1820 I moved to what is now known as Henderson County, in the neighborhood of where Pleasant Exchange is now situated. I remained there until 1822. In January, I moved to this, (Carroll) County, and to my present homestead. In 1823, we built three camps at Shiloh. At the first meeting, ten found the Savior. A few years since, camp-meetings were discontinued. But there has been a protracted, or camp-meeting, held at Shiloh, every year but one, since 1823.
In the years of 1841 and 1842, we enjoyed the most extensive and powerful revivals that have blessed this county. In 1841, at the camp-meeting, there were 180 conversions. In 1842 there were 140 professions of religion. I have been permitted to attend all those meetings but one or two. I knew at the conclusion of each meeting how many had professed conversion, and I regret exceedingly that I did not keep a record, but like many other good things, it was not done. It is, however, my candid opinion, that not less than two thousand persons have professed to obtain a hope of eternal salvation on that consecrated spot of ground. Many of this vast number are now, doubtless, among the shining robed immortals, while many others are on their way to glory. Some have fallen away, but this number is comparatively small.
I will now speak of my ancestors. My grandfather Thomas Hamilton and my grandmother Hamilton were born in Ireland. My grandmother's maiden name was Jane McCracken. They lived for many years with my father. They were married in Ireland, and had been blessed with one or two children before coming to America, who, I think, died in the old country. They had three sons and three daughters, the most of whom lived to be very old, one living to be over one hundred years of age. My grandfather Gwin came from Ireland, but I never saw him, and don't remember his given name. My grandmother Gwin was born on the ocean, but I do not now remember the name of the country whence her parents hailed. She lived and died at father's. Her given name was Elizabeth. They had four sons and four daughters; most of them lived to be old. My wife's mother was Margaret Guthrie. She and my father and mother lie buried in the Shiloh graveyard, where I wish to be laid by the side of my dear departed Elizabeth. My wife's father is buried in Humphreys County, Tennessee.
I would speak modestly about what I have done. While I have always given something, and perhaps liberally, yet I ought to have given more. I have always had enough to eat and wear, and now I am old yet am I not forsaken, neither have my children begged bread. Now I am 88 years old, and I want to say this, no one will lost anything who gives liberally to God's causer, because He loves a cheerful giver, and the liberal soul shall be made fat. I am serving as an elder in the Shiloh congregation, though not actively.
I have been associated in christian labor, more or less, with the following ministers and elders: Ministers--Samuel King, Finis Ewing, Richard Beard, D.D., Reuben Burrow, D.D., Robert Baker, John and William Barnet, John and James McKee, Abner Thomas, C. J. Bradley, Cullen Cribbs, William A. Province, H. Bobbitt, S. G. Burney, D.D., W. W. Hendrix, W. G. Leonard, and for more than thirty years with A. E. Cooper, who is now, and has been for over thirty years, the able and efficient pastor of Shiloh church. The following elders have been my associates in labor--James Dinwiddie, Sen., and James Dinwiddie, Jun., Luke Thomas, E. Thomas, George Ridley, William Bell, Porter Baker, Andrew Dinwiddie, Thomas Baker, Isaac Sparks, Masten Randle, William Carson, Baker Dinwiddie, George H. Prince and William Dinwiddie.
When my mother professed religion under the ministry of Mr. McGready, in North Carolina, she shouted aloud and continued to be a religious shouter as long as she lived. What renders this fact noticeable, is from this consideration, that it was exceedingly uncommon to hear anything of the kind at that period.
I have seven children, thirty-one grand-children and thirty great-grand-children, all living. Nearly all my family, children, grand-children and great-grand-children, that are of proper age, are consistent members of the church.
[Source: Crisman, E. B. Biographical Sketches of Living Old Men, of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in Six Volumes. Vol. I. St. Louis, Mo.: Perrin and Smith, Steam Book and Job Printers, 1877, pages 93-106]
Fought in War of 1812; was a Ruling Elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church
born in Sumner Co., TN
Thomas Hamilton
1789 - 1879
Cumberland Presbyterian Elder
RULING ELDER THOMASHAMILTON
McKENZIE, TENN.
THE history of this veteran presents a remarkable case of longevity in the office of Ruling Elder. He was ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church in 1809, and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church immediately on its organization, in 1810. He is now (1877) in his 89th year. Has been a professing Christian 77 years and a Ruling Elder 68 years, 55 of which have been in one congregation. So far as known he is the only man now living who has been and Elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church since the year of its origin. Indeed he is one of a very few, if even there are any others living, who were members of our Church from its origin. We think the reader will be more edified and profited to have the tale of his life in his own language, hence we give it just as transmitted to us over his own name:
Some time since you sent me a blank which you wished me to fill out. I have complied with that request to the best of my ability; and hereby at your suggestion and request I transmit to you a brief statement of some things and events which I have seen and remember. If I had not written what I now communicate several years since, I would not be able at this time of life to state anything correctly, because my memory is almost entirely gone, and I cannot remember with any degree of distinctness anything past. But in order to leave something for my family to refer to when I should be called hence, from which they might gather some information in regard to my past life, I sat down on my eightieth birthday and penned down from memory a few items which I supposed would be of interest to my children and grand-children, but had no thought that their publication would ever be called for. Hence the sketch will be very imperfect, because I am not able in my eighty-ninth year to make any corrections or additions.
I was born April the 10th, 1789, in Sumner County, Tenn. The place in that day as called Hamilton's Station. The Indians at that time were frequently murdering whole families in that part of the State. This fact rendered it absolutely necessary for the citizens, say ten or a dozen families, to unite and build a fort to protect themselves from the depredations of a merciless savage foe. For the above purpose a number of families collected at my father's and built a block house, and made a suitable fort for protection. I was born in the block house, for that was my father's residence; and at my first recollection a few families were still in the fort, but the greater part had left for their respective homes and callings, upon the establishment of peace with the savages.
A few years after the Indian troubles ceased the first fruits of the great revival of 1800 began to show themselves. My father lived near the Ridge meeting house. The Rev. William Hodge, first, and then the Rev. Wm. McGee, were the pastors of that church. In the year 1797, under the ministry of the above-named brethren, with the assistance of Rev. James McGready, and occasional help from others, a considerable awakening took place in that community, and a goodly number professed religion, although loud outcries for mercy and shouts were not common until after that time. At that period of my youth I became serious and began trying to pray in secret, as I was directed by my parents to do. I still continued, in a formal way, to do so until the year 1800, when the greater outpouring of God's holy spirit commenced in Logan County, Ky.
A number of the people from the Ridge congregation went to a camp meeting in what was called Little Muddy River congregation, then under the pastoral care of Rev. James McGready. This meeting was fifteen or twenty miles from my father's residence. Sacramental meeting began on Friday and closed on Monday heretofore, but on this occasion it held day and night, and did not close until Tuesday morning. It was in September, the country was new, the range was good, we carried our provisions with us, and hoppled our horses and they fed upon the pea-vine. The young people of this day must not think of camp meetings as they have seen them. There were no camps, no arbor, not a board on the ground, except a few on the preacher's stand.
At the meeting of which I have spoken, a great number were converted. Many who went there in their sins, returned home rejoicing in hope of a glorious immortality. During the above described meeting I was powerfully convicted. On Sabbath the sacrament was administered, but I knew but little of what was passing on that eventful day. I felt that I was the vilest and most wretched of all sinners. I continued in this condition until some time in the night, when I was enabled, through grace, to make a full surrender of my heart to my blessed Savior, and at that moment light broke in upon my mind, and joy came into my soul. My burden of guilt was removed, and I was perfectly happy, as I then believed, and as I now believe.
Although I was only a boy, and that nearly eighty years ago, yet I do remember it, perhaps with more clearness than any other event of my life, and I am sure it gives me more pleasure than all other recollection of the past. The first thing that seemed to attract my attention was the beautiful appearance of everything around me; the burning tapers attached to the trees, the people, in fact all nature seemed to be teeming with love and beauty. I have forgotten many things, but that night I have never forgotten, neither can I while memory can retain anything whatever. I would say this, that I have this same hope, thanks be to the name of my divine Master, and it is an anchor to my soul. Now in my eighty-ninth year, my hope is no less firm, my faith no less clear, and prospects for the future no less bright and glorious than when I first believed.
On Tuesday we returned home, some filled with the love of God, others serious mourners. When we reached home the interest still continued. Families would retire in the evening for prayer, the Lord met with them and blessed them: others in hearing would come, and frequently the services would last half the night. What I have said will be sufficient to give the reader some faint idea of that great work. I will now remark that the revivals which the reader has seen in these latter days are the same revival, for it has never ceased, though it has not the same power that it once had. God raised up extraordinary men in those days to preach the gospel. They preached with a peculiar unction--the unction of the Holy Ghost--and God blessed them greatly.
I will now speak of other scenes and subjects. In the year 1807, my brother-in-law, Jacob McKee, moved from Sumner County, Tennessee, to one mile and a half from where Columbia now stands. This was in the first settling of the Duck River Country as it was then called. At that time, my father had an idea of moving to that section, and sent me with Mr. McKee to make a crop; this I did and returned home in the fall. My father, however, changed his mind, and moved the next year (1808) to Humphreys County, which was also just beginning to be settled. We moved there in the winter, and in the following spring the Indians commenced depredations on the river; in consequence thereof, the few settlers nearly all left the country. Father moved back to Sumner County, but returned to Humphreys the next year, and remained there a considerable length of time.
On the second day of January, 1812, I was married to Elizabeth Forrest. Our family and others erected a camp-ground on a branch of White Oak Creek, about five miles from where we lived, which was kept up for several years. We afterward built another camp-ground on Big Richland creek. At both those places we had fine revivals. The preachers who attended those meetings were mostly from a distance. In those days ministers did not stop to consider distance, or to consult personal ease and comfort. I will here mention a few of their names, Finis Ewing, the two Barnetts [William and John], two Guthries [James Smith and William H.], Baker, Dillard, the two Morrows, and a few others, whose names are not now remembered. In those great revivals an overwhelming majority of the converts gave evidence in after life that the work wrought upon their hearts was genuine.
In 1812 war was declared between Great Britain and the United States. Hostilities commenced in the North, and soon after in the South, with the Indians. About the latter part of 1814, the British succeeded in reaching the South. Accordingly troops were raised in Tennessee, in addition to those already in the South engaging the Indians. General Carroll was ordered to raise a brigade and proceed immediately to New Orleans. On the 11th of November, 1814, I left my little family, a wife and one child, and repaired to Nashville, where I was mustered into service. The regiment to which I belonged marched to Clarksville for the purpose of procuring boats, not steamboats, but flat-bottoms.
We landed on the 19th or 20th of December, a few miles above New Orleans. On the 23d, in the evening, we marched to the city, and while we were drawing ammunition and moulding balls, the first battle was fought, six or seven miles below the city. I was detailed as one of a guard of twenty to guard three carts loaded with ammunition. All this occurred in the night. We met quite a number of prisoners and wounded. We found our army in line of battle, the right wing resting on the river, and the left in the swamp. At this point we remained till dawn of day. Gen. Jackson then fell back a mile or so, and there began to fortify. As soon as we reached the river a keel-boat was discovered and hailed. It proved to be the one that was loaded with and carrying our ammunition up the river, and called lustily for help to ascend against the current, whereupon John Conly and myself were ordered to get aboard the craft, which we did, and when she landed at her destination, I gathered my rifle and knapsack to go in search of my company, but the officer in charge said that I must not leave until relieved in a regular way, so I remained on board four weeks. Our landing was a short distance above the breastworks, and directly in range of the enemy's balls, which made it necessary for us to move up the river around a bend, to a place of greater security.
The first battle was fought the night of the 23d of December, 1814. On the 28th, about ten o'clock, the enemy attacked our breastwork, but was repulsed and driven back. On Sabbath morning, January the 1st, 1815, they made a second attack, and were again repulsed. The next Sabbath morning, January 8th, at day-break, they made their last effort, on both sides of the river, but were repulsed and driven back with great loss. On January the 19th, the enemy broke up camp and fell back to their shipping in the lake, after which we had peace. Our heaviest loss was from disease. Our company had but one killed, and that by accident, yet we lost one-fifth of our men. Some time in March we left for home, crossed the lake and then footed it home.
In 1820 I moved to what is now known as Henderson County, in the neighborhood of where Pleasant Exchange is now situated. I remained there until 1822. In January, I moved to this, (Carroll) County, and to my present homestead. In 1823, we built three camps at Shiloh. At the first meeting, ten found the Savior. A few years since, camp-meetings were discontinued. But there has been a protracted, or camp-meeting, held at Shiloh, every year but one, since 1823.
In the years of 1841 and 1842, we enjoyed the most extensive and powerful revivals that have blessed this county. In 1841, at the camp-meeting, there were 180 conversions. In 1842 there were 140 professions of religion. I have been permitted to attend all those meetings but one or two. I knew at the conclusion of each meeting how many had professed conversion, and I regret exceedingly that I did not keep a record, but like many other good things, it was not done. It is, however, my candid opinion, that not less than two thousand persons have professed to obtain a hope of eternal salvation on that consecrated spot of ground. Many of this vast number are now, doubtless, among the shining robed immortals, while many others are on their way to glory. Some have fallen away, but this number is comparatively small.
I will now speak of my ancestors. My grandfather Thomas Hamilton and my grandmother Hamilton were born in Ireland. My grandmother's maiden name was Jane McCracken. They lived for many years with my father. They were married in Ireland, and had been blessed with one or two children before coming to America, who, I think, died in the old country. They had three sons and three daughters, the most of whom lived to be very old, one living to be over one hundred years of age. My grandfather Gwin came from Ireland, but I never saw him, and don't remember his given name. My grandmother Gwin was born on the ocean, but I do not now remember the name of the country whence her parents hailed. She lived and died at father's. Her given name was Elizabeth. They had four sons and four daughters; most of them lived to be old. My wife's mother was Margaret Guthrie. She and my father and mother lie buried in the Shiloh graveyard, where I wish to be laid by the side of my dear departed Elizabeth. My wife's father is buried in Humphreys County, Tennessee.
I would speak modestly about what I have done. While I have always given something, and perhaps liberally, yet I ought to have given more. I have always had enough to eat and wear, and now I am old yet am I not forsaken, neither have my children begged bread. Now I am 88 years old, and I want to say this, no one will lost anything who gives liberally to God's causer, because He loves a cheerful giver, and the liberal soul shall be made fat. I am serving as an elder in the Shiloh congregation, though not actively.
I have been associated in christian labor, more or less, with the following ministers and elders: Ministers--Samuel King, Finis Ewing, Richard Beard, D.D., Reuben Burrow, D.D., Robert Baker, John and William Barnet, John and James McKee, Abner Thomas, C. J. Bradley, Cullen Cribbs, William A. Province, H. Bobbitt, S. G. Burney, D.D., W. W. Hendrix, W. G. Leonard, and for more than thirty years with A. E. Cooper, who is now, and has been for over thirty years, the able and efficient pastor of Shiloh church. The following elders have been my associates in labor--James Dinwiddie, Sen., and James Dinwiddie, Jun., Luke Thomas, E. Thomas, George Ridley, William Bell, Porter Baker, Andrew Dinwiddie, Thomas Baker, Isaac Sparks, Masten Randle, William Carson, Baker Dinwiddie, George H. Prince and William Dinwiddie.
When my mother professed religion under the ministry of Mr. McGready, in North Carolina, she shouted aloud and continued to be a religious shouter as long as she lived. What renders this fact noticeable, is from this consideration, that it was exceedingly uncommon to hear anything of the kind at that period.
I have seven children, thirty-one grand-children and thirty great-grand-children, all living. Nearly all my family, children, grand-children and great-grand-children, that are of proper age, are consistent members of the church.
[Source: Crisman, E. B. Biographical Sketches of Living Old Men, of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in Six Volumes. Vol. I. St. Louis, Mo.: Perrin and Smith, Steam Book and Job Printers, 1877, pages 93-106]
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