Suggested edit: The initials for the author of his obituary are E. L. Fesmire, as I have a copy of the typed obituary. James Hamilton is my GGG Grandfather.
Contributor: linda lodes (47111141) • [email protected]

Obituary - written by B.L. Fesmire or E.L. Fesmire (hard to read initials)

Of James and Sarah Hamilton, James Hamilton was born in Derrygall County, Ireland, in 1829 and came to America in 1847. Mr. Hamilton was of true irish type, possessing those wits and humors which made him a special favorite among our people. The writer has known Uncle Jimmie for several years and found in him a close friend who we could always find to be true. Uncle Jimmie did not belong to any branch of any of our churches but was of the Roman Catholic faith, believing their doctrine as it was taught him in early childhood. He was always ready to assist the sick and sympathize with those who were unfortunate or suffering in any way.

Uncle Jimmie was not afflicted but a few days but was seized with a fearful congestion. A few hours before the final summons he called upon his son and friends to sing some good song, then relapsed into a state of unconsciousness and passed quietly into the unknown. We believe , trusting his case with God.

Just eleven days later his wife, Sarah Hamilton, passed away. Mrs. Hamilton was born October 28, 1836, and died October 30, 1906, aged 70 years and 2 days. She had been an invalid for a number of years, necessitating the care of her children. Therefore she and Uncle Jimmie had to quit housekeeping. They moved to the home of their son, Thomas, where they remained until death. Mrs. Hamilton joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in early girlhood. Some few years ago she joined the primitive Baptish Church and lived that humble, submissive life which characterized her as a true christian. Uncle Jimmie and Aunt Sarah were happily married in October 1854. and to this union was born 19 children, eleven boys and eight girls, eight boys and six girls still surviving.

Kind words and admonition to those who survive cannot take the place of Father and Mother, for this world will never seem to them the same as it did when they were with us, but Father and Mother are not dead they are now in that land where death cannot enter, waiting, watching and beckoning for children and loved ones to come home. We can say to the bereaved ones to weep not but obey him who doeth all things well.

Uncle Jimmie and his beloved companion were laid to rest in Antioch Cemetery, Rev's Sasson and Insco officiating at the Service.

At the beginning of the twelfth century the Angol invasion of Ireland took place. They made every effort to destroy the Irish system of learning and way of life. By the middle of the thirteenth century, nearly two thirds of Ireland was controlled by England. In the fifteenth century England lost hope of gaining control of France so she began to concentrate on Ireland. Subsequently Queen Mary followed by Elizabeth, followed by James I pursued the conquest of Ireland. This continued with Charles I, James II, and William of Orange. The Williamite wars represented the final phase in the completion of the military conquest of Ireland and the following century saw the completion of the economic subjugation of the Catholics. In the end they were left with only one seventh of the land, and that the poorest and most remote from centers of wealth and power. When the potato crop failed in the 1800's a prohibition of export of wheat from Ireland by the English who now owned the property would have insured enough food to prevent famine. However, Irish lives were not as sacred to England as profit so thousands of Irish disposed from their land died of hunger, thousands more emigrated to the United States and other countries. The great famine would never be forgotton. For the victims and their families and descendants there could never be peace while England had any control over their destiny.

Thus the great famine found James Hamilton without country, family, or church. He came to the United States in 1847 from Derrygall, Ireland at the age of 17. Being of Catholic faith he did not attend church (there were no Catholic Churches in this area). Married Serena Butler, fathered 19 children. Made a living peddling until he homesteaded in District 1 - Henderson County, Tennessee.

Another note from Helen J. Hamilton of Chicago Illinois

He immigrated to New York to join his sister Mary, who had immigrated the year before. She taught him two words of English, bought him a peddlers pack and sent him on his way. He walked and pack peddled from New York to West Tennessee. He jumped from stone to stone to cross the Tennessee River at Mussell Schoals and continued on to Milan in Gibson County, Tennessee where he met and fell in love with Serena Parthina Butler. He married her and owned a farm where the old Milan High School was located. This was lost in Civil War times. He fought in the Civil War holding the rank of Private in the 6th Calvery. He was #5381 in the pension book from Henderson County, Tennessee. He fathered 19 children, 14 of them surviving to adulthood. There were three sets of twins in the off-spring. Five of them died in infancy. He had a brother Pat who once visited him in Tennessee but returned to Donnegall, Ireland

Aged 78 when he died.