Civil War Veteran

The following information was submitted by chapter member, Regina Wilson Kenney at 3657 Wilshire Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45208 or email at Reginaw648@aol.com

John Tidball Hamilton was born 17 March 1836 in Knoxville, Knox Twp., Jefferson County, Ohio. His father was James Hamilton (1799 – 1849) who was the son of William and Maria Barbara Hamilton. John’s mother was Esther Hunter (1800 – 1857), sister of James Hunter, who was the first child born in Steubenville. Esther was the daughter of Samuel and Mary “Polly” Larimore Hunter. Her siblings were Mary Hunter Hamilton, Ann Almyra Hamilton, Samuel Hunter Hamilton, Nancy Snodgrass Hamilton, Hadassa Mariah Hamilton and James Shelley Hamilton. James Shelley Hamilton (1840 – 1864) died at the Battle of Peach Tree Creek and is buried in the Chattanooga National Cemetery. He served as a private in the 70th Ohio Infantry.

John T. Hamilton was married 14 October 1859 in Eldersville, Washington County, PA to Elisabeth Phillips. His Civil War service records lists him as a private in Co. H 195th, Ohio Infantry Regular Army. He is also listed as a private in Co A 157th Ohio Infantry, Ohio National Guard. The sources for this information was taken from the 1890 Special Census of Civil War Veterans (Steubenville) and also the Declaration for Widow’s Pension and tombstone inscription.

John T. Hamilton was the caretaker at Hollow Rock Campground on Yellow Creek, where he died on April 11, 1910 at age 74 yr. He is buried at the Steubenville Union Cemetery, Lot 51, Section MP.

John T. Hamilton
Photo courtesy of Regina Kenney

Children of John T. and Elisabeth Anna Phillips Hamilton:

1. Thomas Patterson – born 30 Aug 1860
2. Katherine Eleanor – born 29 Apr 1863
3. John Carlisle – born 19 Jul 1862
4. Rosannah Margaret – born 22 Apr 1896
5. Charles Silas – born 27 Apr 1871
6. Robbie K. – born 1874

The Herald Star newspaper – (no date provided) Happy Event – At the Hollow Rock Camp Grounds Thursday – Golden Wedding of Mr. And Mrs. John Hamilton, a Former Steubenville Couple – A happy wedding anniversary was celebrated at the old Hollow Rock Camp grounds…Guests to the number of 75 or 80 were quietly summoned from Steubenville, Toronto, East Liverpool, Wellsville, New Castle and the country round about… bringing with them well filled baskets, and hearts full of sympathy, kindness and good cheer for this grand old couple. John and his wife, whose maiden name was Miss Lizzie Phillips, were married at Eldersville, Pa. where at that time, they resided with their parents. Rev. Robinson of the Methodist Protestant church performed the ceremony on October 14, 1859…raising a family of six children, two having passed into the great beyond…Six years ago Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton moved to Hollow Rock, where they resided the entire year and look after the grounds…where they enjoy many of the conveniences of the city folk, the telephone being one, and by this means they can keep in touch with friends…Mrs. Myers, who resides with the couple, had secretly decorated the large boarding hall in autumn leaves throughout and it was very beautiful…when seventy- five guests bowed their heads and God’s blessing was pronounced by John Harrison, of East Liverpool…guests assembled where several short speeches were heard and the couple were presented with several pieces of gold.

Their children are John, Charles, and Thomas Hamilton, of New Castle, and Mrs. Kathryn Rougher, of Steubenville.

Elisabeth Anna Phillips Hamilton
Photo courtesy of Regina Kenney