Jacob Hamilton (deceased), a planter, was born near Blountville, Tenn., February 2, 1828, the son of John B. and Elizabeth (Hicks) Hamilton, the former born in 1796, where the wife of our subject now lives, and deceased in Blountville in 1863. The Hamilton ancestors were from Ireland. John B. was a successful farmer and trader, and acquired considerable property. He was sheriff several years and in politics a Democrat, while his religious faith was Presbyterian. The mother, born also near Blountville about 1780, died in Sullivan County, about sixty five years of age, a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject, the third of nine children (but three living), left home at twenty-two and came to the farm where he lived so long and which he rented until 1864 and soon bought. He was then a merchant at Bristol, Tenn., until 1866, then for two years a hotel keeper in Blountville, when he returned to the farm. This consists of 1,200 acres on the Holston river and Bays Mountain. He was very successful, but his generous nature led him to suffer as a surety, a great deal. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in Col. Samuel Powell’s Confederate Infantry, and was at Shiloh, Chickamauga and other actions, serving until March, 1864, when he returned home on account of ill health. Our subject entered the war as a lieutenant, but afterward became captain. He represented Hawkins County in the Lower House of the Legislature in 1856-57. He was the first Master of the lodge at Fall Branch and at Church Hill in the Masonic lodges. He was moderator at the Holston Baptist association several years in succession. He was in many respects a remarkable man, and in every respect one of the most worthy and generally esteemed Christian gentlemen of his day. Ida D., his daughter, died, when but twelve years of age, in 1865. Olivia M., their eldest daughter, married A. C. Smith. He was a member of the Baptist Church from his eighteenth year, and was long a Mason. In politics he was a Democrat. He was educated at Blountville. March 12, 1850, he married Margaret E. Maxwell, who was born in Mecklenburg County, N.C., September 28, 1825, the daughter of J. J. and Margaret (Wallace) Maxwell who where of Scotch-Irish origin. She is an educated lady, and a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and the postoffice of Margaret, established in 1882, and of which she became postmistress, was named in her honor. She has also proved herself an able farm superintendent since her husband’s death.

Transcribed by Betty Mize from Goodspeed’s History of Tennessee, 1886.