Joseph James Hamilton (1833 - 1862)

Born 7 Mar 1833 in Russel, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Wheatley) Hamilton — married 30 Sep 1850 in Russell, Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died 2 Dec 1862 at age 29 in Wise, Virginia, United States

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Biography

James Hamilton was an abolitionist who was murdered on December 2, 1862 in Wise county, Virginia.

James Hamilton was living on the Rocky Fork farm during the Civil War in a large two story log house with an ell kitchen of one story at the back. During the war the Home Guard, commonly called "Bushwhackers" by the citizenry became a problem throughout Southwest Virginia counties, stealing, murdering and committing dastardly crimes. These Home Guards were supposed to defend the citizenry, but were taken over by draft dodgers, deserters and plain outlaws to the extent that some counties had to use drastic measures to curb them. James Hamilton was killed by this element and for the story I quote it as related by the late Elbert Bond who as a boy lived with his father on Rocky Fork. Samuel Salvers and his son, Tyree Salvers were Confederate soldiers (at this time they had been discharged from the army). They raided James Hamilton's place on Rocky Fork and stole his horses. James Hamilton, Granville Carter, and some others followed them, overtaking them at Prince's Flats (now Norton, VA) where trouble started. Tree Salvers is said to have shot James Hamilton and Granville Carter wounded Samuel Salvers. Moses and Rebecca Adams lived at Prince's Flats and James Hamilton was carried into their house and laid out that night (December 2, 1862). Rebecca Adams said where the blood dripped from his wound on her floor she could never scrub off the stain." Older members of the family informed Emory Hamilton that the place where James Hamilton was killed was about where the overhead bridge crosses the railroad to the Norton High School. James was the first of the children of Schuyler Hamilton to die, except two infants at birth.

An article concerning this incident was sent to the newspaper THE BRISTOL ADVOCATE by some unknown correspondent, and in turn was picked up and published by theLYNCHBURG VIRGINIAN of December 20, 1862, the latter which is herewith quoted: "Midnight Assassins - On Thursday of week before last, says the BRISTOL ADVOCATE, five Abolition marauders attempted to assassinate Major Samuel Salyer, at his home in Wise County, Virginia, whither he had retired from command to spend a few days with his family. Fortunately, his son, Lieutenant I. I. Salyer, of the 50th Regiment of Virginia, was at his father's that night on some military errand. These two had five to fight. The house was first assailed by two of the ruffians, and the Salyers, not knowing there was such odds against them, went into the yard,when three more appeared. Upon being asked who they were, and what they wanted, some of them cocked and presented their guns, when Lieutenant Salyer fired and killed one, James Hamilton. A fellow by the name of Carter then fired upon Major Salyer; the ball taking slight effect upon his side. Carter then struck him with his gun, inflicting a severe wound upon his head. Lieutenant Salyer then struck Carter with his gun, which repulsed him, and fled with his three comrades, leaving Hamilton, who seems to have been their leader, dead, and Major Salyer, severely but not dangerously wounded."

Sources

• The information of his murder was from the book BETWEEN BROTHERS by Lillian Gobble & Rhonda Roberson

• United States Census, 1860; https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GBSN-4S7?cc=1473181&wc=7QK5-TWN%3A1589436503%2C1589437025%2C1589422206