Claiming Robert Hampton ~ a DNA victory

This is worth briefly returning to blogging. I am elated! 

Rachel Hampton Mulkey, my 4th great-grandmother has been a focus of my research efforts from my earliest days as a family historian. Given that I've been at this a while, she and I are nearing 50 years of rampant curiosity on my part and maddening discretion/mystery/stubborn refusal on her part to share her parentage. 

I've written about this before. More than once. I gave up believing the Andrew Hampton story decades ago when not a shred of any believable evidence linking her to ANY Andrew Hampton could be found. What could be found were a myriad of clues connecting her to the family of a Robert Hampton who died in 1796 in Washington County, Tennessee. 

Robert's will named his wife, Mary, five sons and no daughters. There is however, evidence  that Elizabeth Hampton Edwards (abt 1787-1840), the wife of Abel Edwards, and Sarah Hampton Bayless (abt. 1786), the wife of Samuel Bayless may have been his daughters. Abel Edwards and Hampton's sons attended a crying sale together and a marriage record exists for Sarah Hampton and Samuel Bayless. Hardly conclusive, but this is the frontier. Conclusive documentation is scant. There are also no records suggesting any other Hampton family lived in the area at the time Rachel, Elizabeth and Sarah Hampton were born. 

Rachel Hampton Mulkey lived near Jesse Hampton, a son of Robert Hampton. Rachel and Isaac Mulkey named one of their own sons Robert Hampton Mulkey. Their children served as witnesses on documents relating to the family of Robert Hampton, another son of Robert. They were members of the same church. 

A few years ago, after spending days pouring through the last boxes of documents from the era at the Archives of Appalachia and finding nothing naming Isaac or Rachel Mulkey and Robert Hampton I declared my reasonably exhaustive search complete. While I can build a convincing case, there were enough holes that I did not feel I could declare Rachel's parentage solved to my own satisfaction. 

Ancestry tree showing DNA matches to family of Robert Hampton. Rachel, as my direct line, is shown with green arrows. 

Enter DNA. I was thrilled when my maternal aunt (Rachel's 3rd great-granddaughter) matched a descendant of Elizabeth Hampton Edwards. And thrilled again when she or I matched three different Robert Hampton, Jr. descendants. And yet... The match to Elizabeth did not prove their parentage, only their kinship. One of the matches to Robert Jr. also shared other lines, so I could not be certain all of them supported the Hampton kinship. This week I found a match to a descendant of Robert's son John Hampton. That makes matches to three different documented children of Robert Hampton. The aggregate data persuaded me. I am waving the victory flag. 

Now who were Robert Hampton's parents? Who was his wife, Mary? 

Goldene Fillers Burgner, Washington County, Tennessee Wills 1777-1872 (Southern Historical Press, 1983, Easley, SC), p. 6. 

Washington County Inventories of Estates, Vol. OO, 1779-1821(WPA records), p. 113-122. Samuel Culbertson's Estate May Sessions 1799

  

Geneabloggers Rock!

My first take on a completely delightful weekend in Fort Wayne with other Geneabloggers - I need to do this at least a couple times a year! What seemed self-indulgent turns out to have been a terrific boost. I've enjoyed the conferences I've attended, but the focus there is on learning. And they are e x h a u s t i n g.

This time spent on my own research, surrounded by equally passionate (and entertaining) friends, allowed me to see my work with fresh eyes and kicked my energy level up a notch. I'm a poor bet for the goals, encouragement and accountability Geneabuddies provide for one another (it should be clear to those that attended that my attention span is non-existent), but the laughter, conversations and company of  these folks was fabulous!

The first results -

I realized on the drive home that as much as I want my Rachel Hampton to be the daughter of the Robert Hampton who left a 1796 will, and land, and records, that those same records all but prove she isn't. I still believe she's related (she did name a son Robert Hampton Mulkey, after all), but I need to let go of Robert as her father and move on! Hat tip to Laura at The Last Leaf On This Branch. Just thinking of handing off the research to her to review made it depressingly clear. I did find a new Hampton - Alfred - mentioned with Robert's family in several road orders.

Context is essential. My husband's family settled in Wyoming early in the 20th century. I've heard some stories and seen a few family photographs, but never visited the area or dug into the research. Two hours reviewing the Fremont County books available at the Allen County Public Library let me know just how much I don't know! I need to learn about the legal and commercial relations between the white and Shoshone residents, about the schools on the Wind River Reservation, and fire off some questions asap to his aunt.

For all my complaints about Legacy Family Tree (and they were non-stop) I lost count of how many times I referred to it for a date or name. I concede. It is useful. Those who endured my whining are free to wave this in my face.

I had one "aha" research moment of finding the burial spot for a "lost" great-great grandmother and learned of four previously unknown children. I am not sure why they are buried apart from the other family, but given the 30+ years between her death and her husband's, it's possible they moved or that his second wife determined his burial site.

And finally, I detoured to visit Waveland Cemetery outside Hillsboro, IL on my way home. This is something I should have done years ago. It's only 80 miles from my front door. I found another Jones to research (this is good news) when I realized the only other Joneses in the cemetery were laying next to my husband's ggg grandfather Joseph Jones. Joshua Jones is entirely new to me, but a quick check of census records yields some interesting hints. He is 5 or 6 years younger than Joseph, born in IL (Joseph was born in TN) and lists both parents as born in VA on the 1880 census - as does Joseph. Fun, fun, fun!

All this before I even look at the images and pages I copied. Thanks to Tina Lyons and Terri O'Connell for organizing the Midwest Geneabloggers gathering. Can't wait for the next one!

Robert Hampton Deed, 1807 - Amanuensis Monday

Thanks to John at Transylvanian Dutch who originated the Amanuensis Monday meme, providing a framework (and nudge) for transcribing family records, news clippings and other treasures.

This deed, copied from the Washington County (TN) Registrar of Deeds Office, involves Robert Hampton, a son of another Robert Hampton. The elder Hampton purchased 200 acres of land in 1786. His will, dated 29 March 1796, named five sons and his wife Mary. The younger Robert sold what appears to be his share of the land in this deed. That he was selling 1/4 of the original land suggests one of the brothers may have died before marrying, his share reverting to the surviving brothers. The deed also helps to narrow the younger Robert's birth date. His father appeared on the 1790 tax list with 200 acres and one white poll tax indicating all the sons were under 16 in 1790 and that Robert was of age on 20 Sept 1807 when he executed this deed. Robert was the third named son in the will so his birth most likely occurred between 1778 and 1786. 

The younger Robert's family was closely associated with my 4th great-grandmother Rachel Hampton Mulkey's family.

Deed
Robert Hampton
To
Jesse Witt
This Indenture made The Twentyeth day of September Eight Teen hundred and Seven Between Robert Hamton of the one part and Jesse Witt of the other part bouth of the County of Washington and State of Tennessee Witness that the said Robart Hamton is aforesaid for and on consideration of the sum of three Hundred Dollars to ____ in hand paid the receipt of Which is hereby acknowledged hath bargained and sold and by these present doth Bargain and sell unto the said Jess Witt his heirs and assigns a certain parcel of land situate and Lying In the Hars Shew and County afforesaid taken out of the original Deed of Robart Hamton deciesed as followeth begining on the bank of the River at a Lynn thence south forty degrees west forty poles to a hicory and Sourwood on a ridge thence South forty poles to a stake In the River thence Down __d River to the Begining corner for complement fifty acres more or less to have and to hold said Jesse Witt his heirs and assigns for Ever all and singular the profits and Every thing apertaining to the said primises hereby granted in fee simple and __ the sd Robart Hamton as aforesaid hath full power & lawful and absolute athority to grant and convey the same to said Jesse Witt and that the said primises Now and are forever hereafter Shall be free and clear of all Incumbrances whatever and to bind ___ myself my heirs executors administrators to warent and defend for Ever all Claims arising against the afforesaid primises to Jesse Witt his heirs and assigns forever In Witness Whereof I the sd Robart Hamton have here unto set my hand and seal
the day and year above written
In the Present of Witness                        his
__terlined and Sined                   Robert X Hampton  {Seal}
Nathan Shipley                                        mark
John Parkison X
Wm X  Nelson X

Spelling and punctuation, or the lack thereof, have been maintained though line breaks have been changed. The deed refers to the land being in the Hars Shew or Horseshoe. The Nolichucky River makes almost a full circle north of Erwin at what is today known as Bumpas Cove, but was once known as the Horseshoe.

The Horseshoe

Sources

• Loraine Rae, Washington County, Tennessee Deeds 1775-1800 (Greenville, SC: Southern  Historical Press, Inc. 1991), p. 70, citing Washington County Deed Book 3:37-38. 
• Goldene Fillers Burgner, Washington County, Tennessee Wills 1777-1872 (Southern Historical Press, 1983, Easley, SC), p. 6. 
• Javan Micheal DeLoach, "Washington County 1790 List of Taxables Washington County, TN," database, USGenWeb Archives (http://files.usgwarchives.org : accessed 29 Aug 2011), entry for Robert Hampton.
• Washington, TN, Deed Books, 10: 66, Robert Hampton to Jesse Witt, 20 Sept 1807; Registrar of Deeds, Jonesborough.  

In search of Rachel's Hamptons, Part 2 - Surname Saturday

Descendants of Rachel HAMPTON

Many generations of family records have named my 4th great-grandmother as Rachel Hampton. I have never been able to firmly tie her to a specific Hampton family. Part 1 of this series covered family legend about her parentage and my concerns with those legends.

Rachel's and her husband Isaac had at least eleven children. Records of the Buffalo Ridge Church suggest there may also have been a pair of twin girls, Manervy and Matildy who died in June 1839.

Birth dates for Philip and Robert Hampton have been handed down in their families. In the 1930s reference was made to a Bible record for Philip's family in a DAR application. Examining early Mulkey DAR applications is one of my to-dos for this spring. Birth dates for the other children are estimated based on census records and family tradition of birth order. All the male children are named in either their father's will or Jesse's will, written in 1848. Sarah, Lucinda and Rachel appear with their parents in the 1850 census. Elizabeth and Nancy's households are enumerated next to their parents in the 1850 census.

As to Rachel's grandchildren, there were very likely other children born who died in childhood and do not appear here. Philip's family includes an infant death, supporting the possibility the information came from a family or Bible Record. The other families are based on census records and some correspondence with researchers.

Should anyone have have further information or questions about any of Rachel's family PLEASE contact me through the email or Facebook links in the right column.

First Generation

First Generation

1.  Rachel HAMPTON was born about 1795 in Tennessee and died after 1880.

Rachel married Isaac MULKEY, son of Jonathan MULKEY and Sarah, between 1808 and 1809 in Washington, Tennesee, USA. Isaac was born on 17 May 1788 in Tennessee and died in 1855 in Washington County, TN at age 67.

Children from this marriage were:

  +          M     i.     Philip MULKEY was born on 14 Jan 1810 in Washington County, TN, died before 1 Oct 1883 in St. Clair, Hawkins , TN, and was buried in St. Clair, Hawkins , TN.

  +          F     ii.     Mary "Polly" MULKEY was born in 1811 in Washington County, TN and died before 1845, probably in Barren County, Kentucky.

  +          M     iii.     Jesse MULKEY was born in 1812 in Washington County, TN and died in 1848 at age 36.

  +          F     iv.     Elizabeth MULKEY was born about 1817 in Washington County, TN and died after 1880 in Washington County, TN.

  +          F     v.     Nancy MULKEY was born in 1818 in Washington County, TN.

  +          F     vi.     Sarah MULKEY was born about 1818 in Washington County, TN and died before Jul 1865 in Tennessee.

               F     vii.     Lucinda MULKEY was born in 1823 in Washington County, TN.

  +          M     viii.     Robert Hampton MULKEY was born on 5 Nov 1824 in Washington County, TN and died on 20 Aug 1889 in  Kentucky at age 64.

              M     ix.     Howard MULKEY was born in 1827 in Washington County, TN and died after 1848.

  +          M     x.     Hiram D. MULKEY was born in 1829 in Washington County, TN and died on 1 Apr 1872 in Washington County, TN at age 43.

              F     xi.     Rachel MULKEY was born in 1833 in Washington County, TN.

Second Generation

Second Generation (Children)

2.  Philip MULKEY was born on 14 Jan 1810 in Washington County, TN, died before 1 Oct 1883 in St. Clair, Hawkins , TN, and was buried in St. Clair, Hawkins , TN.

Philip married Ann DUNCAN a daughter of James and Sarah Duncan on 2 Jun 1831 in Washington County, TN. Ann was born on 23 Oct 1809 in Washington County, TN and died on 12 Dec 1849 in Washington County, TN at age 40.

Children from this marriage were:

  +          M     i.     Isaac Martin MULKEY was born in 1834 in Washington County, TN, died on 10 Sep 1885 at age 51, and was buried in Girard Cemetery, Girard, Macoupin, Illinois.

  +          M     ii.     James Duncan MULKEY was born in Aug 1836 in Washington County, TN and died in 1909 in Johnson City, Washington County, TN at age 73.

  +          F     iii.     Rachel MULKEY was born on 15 Sep 1839 in Washington County, TN, died on 22 Apr 1906 in Johnson City, Washington County, TN at age 66, and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Johnson City, TN.

  +          M     iv.     John Robert MULKEY was born in 1842 in Washington County, TN and died about 1843 in Washington County, TN about age 1.

  +          F     v.     Anna Eliza MULKEY was born in 1844 in Washington County, TN and died in 1879 in Johnson City, Washington County, TN at age 35.

  +          F     vi.     Elizabeth MULKEY was born in 1846 in Washington County, TN.

  +          F     vii.     Sarah MULKEY was born in 1832 in Washington County, TN and died after 1880 in Tennessee.

Philip next married Matilda SMITH in 1852. Matilda died in 1862.

Philip next married Mary Jane HOPPER on 10 Aug 1865 in Washington County, TN.

The child from this marriage was:

  +          F     i.     Mary J MULKEY was born in 1867 in Hawkins County, TN.

3.  Mary "Polly" MULKEY was born in 1811 in Washington County, TN and died before 1845, perhaps  in Barren County, Kentucky.

Mary married Mark W HALE. Mark was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Hale. He was born about 1810 in Tennessee and died in Kentucky.

Known children from this marriage were:

  +          M     i.     Albert HALE was born about 1829 in Washington County, TN.

  +          M     ii.     Nelson HALE was born about 1832 in Washington County, TN.

  +          M     iii.     James H HALE was born about 1833 in Washington County, TN.

  +          M     iv.     Isaac M HALE was born about 1835 in Washington County, TN.

4.  Jesse MULKEY was born in 1812 in Washington County, TN and died in 1848 at age 36.

Jesse married a daughter of Isaac Riggs.

His child was:

  +          F     i.     Sarah Elizabeth MULKEY was born in Washington County, TN.

5.  Elizabeth MULKEY was born about 1817 in Washington County, TN and died after 1880.

Elizabeth married John William PURCELL on 25 Mar 1836 in Washington County, TN. John was born about 1814 in Tennessee, United States and died after 1880.

Children from this marriage were:

  +          F     i.     Rachel E PURCELL was born on 23 Apr 1837 in Jonesboro, Washington, Tennessee.

  +          F     ii.     Eliza I PURCELL was born in 1840 in Jonesboro, Washington, Tennessee.

  +          F     iii.     Hannah M PURCELL was born in 1842 in Washington County, TN.

  +          F     iv.     Sarah E PURCELL was born in 1844 in Washington County, TN.

  +          M     v.     Hiram H PURCELL was born in 1846 in Washington County, TN.

  +          M     vi.     Issac Mulkey PURCELL was born on 25 Oct 1847 in Jonesboro, Washington, Tennessee.

  +          M     vii.     Joseph William PURCELL was born on 18 Mar 1851 in Washington County, TN.

  +          M     viii.     Jesse M PURCELL was born in Jun 1854 in Washington County, TN.

6.  Nancy MULKEY was born in 1818 in Washington County, TN.

Nancy married Isaac BAILS a son of David and Rachel Bales or Beals on 20 Oct 1836 in Washington County, TN.

Children from this marriage were:

  +          F     i.     Rachel Ann BALES was born in 1839 in Washington County, TN.  

  +          F     ii.     Mary E BALES was born in 1841 in Washington County, TN.  

  +          F     iii.     Lucinda BALES was born in 1842 in Washington County, TN.

  +          F     iv.     Sarah E BALES was born in 1844 in Washington County, TN.

  +          F     v.     Nancy E BALES was born in 1846 in Washington County, TN.

  +          M     vi.     Isaac Martin BALES was born in in Washington County, TN.

  +          F     vii.     Matilda BALES was born in 1854 in Tennessee.

  +          F     viii.     Amanda J BALES was born in 1857 in Tennessee.

  +          M     ix.     William N BALES was born in 1858 in Tennessee.

7.  Sarah MULKEY was born about 1818 in Washington County, TN and died before Jul 1865 in Tennessee, United States.

Sarah married William DEPEW a son of Isaac Depew on 21 Jul 1853 in Washington County, TN.

Children from this marriage were:

  +          M     i.     Isaac J DEPEW was born about 1855 in Tennessee.

  +          M     ii.     James M DEPEW was born in 1859 in Tennessee.

9.  Robert Hampton MULKEY was born on 5 Nov 1824 in Washington County, TN and died on 20 Aug 1889 in Kentucky at age 64.

Robert married Elizabeth CARUTHERS a daughter of Samuel and Sarah Caruthers on 29 Dec 1845 in Jonesborough, Washington County, TN. Elizabeth was born about 1827 in Tennessee and died after 1880 in Kentucky.

Known children from this marriage were:

  +          F     i.     Mary Elizabeth MULKEY was born in Jan 1847 in Washington County, TN.

  +          F     ii.     Martha A MULKEY was born about 1848 in Washington County, TN.

  +          M     iii.     Montgomery MULKEY was born about 1855 in Tennessee.

  +          F     iv.     Sarah Jane MULKEY was born about 1861 in Tennessee.

11.  Hiram D. MULKEY was born in 1829 in Washington County, TN and died on 1 Apr 1872 in Washington County, TN at age 43.

Hiram married Amanda FERGUSON a daughter of John and Jane Ferguson on 16 Feb 1854 in Washington County, TN. Amanda was born in 1829 in Tennessee and died in 1875 in Washington County, TN at age 46.

Children from this marriage were:

  +          M     i.     James B MULKEY was born in 1856 in Washington County, TN.

  +          F     ii.     Sarah F MULKEY was born about 1858 in Washington County, TN.

  +          F     iii.     Margaret MULKEY was born in 1861 in Washington County, TN.

  +          F     iv.     Cornelia V MULKEY was born in 1868 in Washington County, TN.

In search of Rachel's Hamptons - Surname Saturday

My fourth great-grandmother Rachel was the wife of Isaac Mulkey. I've always been told her last name was Hampton. I hope it is, because that's the only thing I have to go on!

Rachel was born about 1794 in what became Tennessee. She married Isaac Mulkey, a son of Rev. Jonathan Mulkey, about 1809. No marriage record has been found, though there are Washington County records from that time period. They had at least ten children. Isaac Mulkey died in 1855. Rachel lived until after the 1880 census when she was enumerated living with her daughter Rachel and son-in-law Joseph Campbell.

Issac and/or Rachel were enumerated in each Washington County census from 1830 through 1880. Rachel appears to have been in ill health the last years of her life. She is listed as an invalid in 1870. She could not write, but may have been able to read. The 1880 census listed her mother’s birthplace as Virginia, but left her father’s birthplace blank.

Rachel’s parentage is unproven. Indeed, as I mentioned before, her name is unproven. Family tradition names the wife of Isaac Mulkey as Rachel Hampton, daughter of Andrew who is the son of James Hampton of Stokes County. This information was written down by Ella Mulkey Range in her self-pubished, undated pamphlet The Life of Reverend Philip Mulkey, His Ancestors and Descendants, 1650 – 1950. It is more than a little suspect.

Range cites "Hampton and Mulkey D.A.R. records" to support her statements regarding Rachel’s ancestry. She names Andrew Hampton who died in White County, TN as Rachel’s father and names his children – Jonathan, Susannah, Andrew, John, Elizabeth, Nancy, Benjamin, Alice, Rachel, Mary, Adam, Mitchell and Catherine. She states he gave his daughters slaves upon their marriages (Range, p. 11).

Range, born in 1879 in Kansas, was a great-granddaughter of Isaac and Rachel Mulkey and may have met Rachel before she died. If so, it was as an extremely young child and very late in Rachel's life. What family sourced information she had about Rachel most likely came from her father James Duncan Mulkey, born 1836, who lived in Washington County near his grandparents until the Civil War.

There are a myriad of problems with her statements.

• The Andrew Hampton will naming the children she listed was written and recorded in Rutherford County, NC in 1805 (see Caroline Heath Davis’s Rutherford County, North Carolina, Abstracts of Wills, 1779-1822). 
• That Andrew’s daughter Rachel was born about 1777 and married Samuel Thomas in Rutherford County in 1794. 
• There is no evidence to date that Isaac Mulkey ever owned slaves. 

According to Karl Hampton, who has spent years researching two different Andrew Hamptons (termed Granville and Anson/Rutherford Andrews for the NC counties where they were recorded), two Andrews did live in White County, TN. One was the son of the Andrew dying in Rutherford County, NC in 1805 and the other was his grandson. But I have never seen an iota of evidence linking either of them to Rachel, the wife of Isaac Mulkey.

Assuming Hampton is Rachel’s surname, who are her Hamptons? Was her father named Andrew? I shall be examining potential Hampton families in the following weeks, but next will come an outline of Rachel’s children.

Amanuensis Monday: Robert Hampton, Bond Guarantor, 18 April 1822

Thanks to John at Transylvanian Dutch for providing a framework (and nudge) for transcribing family records, news clippings and other treasures.

This bond is one of several documents supporting a close relationship of this Hampton family with the Bayles/Bayless family. I am very interested in this Hampton family and its possible relationship to Rachel Hampton (abt 1794-bef 1880), wife of Isaac Mulkey.

William Bayles, Thomas Finch and Robert Hampton; bond for appeal; William Bayles vs. David Deaderick; April 18, 1822.

Know all men by these present that __

William Boyls  Thomas Finch & Robert Hampton

are ___ and firmly bound unto David Deaderick

in the just and full sum of one thousand Dollars

well and truly to be paid unto the s^d David Deaderick

void on condition that the s^d William Bayles shall

present this appeal with effect. this day obtained from

the county court of Washington to the next circuit

court to be held for the county  of Washington

at the court house in Jonesbor^o on the Second

Monday in September next or in ca__ of failure

____ pay and satisfy all costs & charges which

may accru by wrongfully carrying a__ the same

Witness and hands & seals this 18^th day of

April 1822

                                                W^m Bayles – (seal)

                                                Thos Finch  (seal)

                                                          his

         Rob^t Hamton (seal)

                 mark

Source: Washington County Court Records 1780-1965, Subgroup G, Misc. Judicial Documents, 1777-1928, Box 1, Folder 8, Item 25. Archives of Appalachia, East Tennessee University, Johnson City, TN.

Making census of the Hamptons 1850 Washington County, TN

Hampton Census Analysis Part II

In 1850 there were 12 Hampton heads of household in Washington County. Additionally, 6 Hamptons are recorded as members of other households.
Family # Name Head of household Born Occupation Value of RE Place of Birth

858 And Hampton x 1832 farmer NC
889 R Jesse Hampton x 1790 farmer TN
890 R Wm Hampton 1828 trainer TN
890 R Robt Hampton 1827 trainer TN
1000 John Hampton x 1797 farmer NC
1167 R Wade Hampton x 1818 farmer 1140 TN
1264 Wm Hampton x 1786 Hammermaker (?) NC
1270 Thos Hampton x 1820 Hammermaker (?) NC
1282 Russa Hampton x 1811 TN
1345 John Hampton x 1825 train 300 NC
1407 David Hampton x 1825 farmer NC
1431 W Wm Hampton x 1826 shoemaker SC
1676 R Nancy Hampton 1788 TN
2100 Jeremiah Hampton x 1811 farmer TN
2111 R Hiram Hampton x 1811 farmer 1300 TN

The Robert family includes his son Jesse (#889), Jesse’s sons William and Robert (#890), Robert’s daughter-in-law Nancy (#1676, widow of Robert, Jr. who died before 1850) and her sons Wade (#1167) and Hiram (#2111). These relationships are established by estate and property transactions following the death of the younger Robert.

Winny/Winey is probably enumerated as Vienna Hampton in the household of Wm Hampton (#1431). Supporting this is the fact that Peleg Rigsby, who married Eliz. Hampton, was enumerated next to Winny Hampton in 1840. In 1850 they are still nearby (#1397). In 1860 this William and his family are enumerated in Claiborne County, TN. Living nearby are Peleg Rigsby and Isaac Tapp, who married another Hampton female. Winey/Winny/Vienna is no longer listed. It should also be noted that William Hampton’s occupation is recorded as shoemaker. Years earlier, in 1794 a James Hampson was bound out to an Alex McKee learn shoemaking. This James may have been related to William Hampson, whose estate was inventoried in 1793.

It is unclear who the hammermaker Hamptons are. Though indexed as Hamilton, I read their names as Hampton. They may be related to the Thomas or William who were listed in 1840, though the Williams are clearly not the same men. There was a Col. Wm. Hampton enumerated in 1830 Wilkes, NC census who was the same age as this William.

It is also unclear who And Hampton (#858) and David Hampton (#1407) are. An Andrew Hampton, age 18 and a tanner appears on the 1850 mortality list.

The Jeremiah Hampton family (#2100) was enumerated in Gilmer County, GA in 1860. This apparently the Jeremiah who married Sela Laws in 1829 in Wilkes County, NC. He may be the Jeremiah enumerated in the 1830 Jefferson County, TN census.

One further relationship becomes clear when comparing the 1850 and 1860 census data. The John Hampton families #1000 and #1345 are living next door to each other in Cocke County in 1860.

What is clear is that many of these Hamptons have links to the Laws family, to Carter and Cocke Counties in TN and to Wilkes County in NC.  What is still not clear is how - or if - the Robert and Winny Hampton families found in 1830 relate to the new families found in 1850.  Sigh...

Making census of the Hamptons 1830-1840

As part of my ongoing effort to sort through the Hamptons of Washington County, TN I have compared census information, marriage and estate records.  The census records were examined online using Ancestry.com.

There are at least two, possibly three, distinct Hampton families recorded in the 1830 Washington County, TN census.  It is unknown what, if any relationship they have to the earlier Hamptons in Cocke County, Hosea and Job or the Hamptons found in Carter County.  Jesse and Robert Hampton were brothers, sons of the Robert Hampton whose will was recorded in 1796.  Winey Hampton was a female head of household with two males under 10, and four females 5-20. Additionally, Isaac Mulkey and Samuel Bayless had Hampton wives whose parentage is unknown.  Mulkey and Bayless were, however, closely associated with the family of Robert Hampton.   

In 1840 Robert appeared again.  His brother was not enumerated, but his son Hiram was listed as a head of household.

Winny Hampton was enumerated with one male, 15-20 and one female, 15-20.  She lost 3 females of marriageable age.  Existing marriage records for Washington County list four Hampton brides during the 1830s.  Elizabeth Hampton Duncan was a daughter of Robert Hampton.  Mary Hampton Cunningham was a daughter of John (another son of the Robert who left a will in 1796) and Anna Bayless Hampton according to information received from one of her descendants.  The other two are possible daughters of Winny Hampton. 

Washington County Hampton brides for 1830s

1832	Hampton, Mary	Cunningham, John
1833	Hampton, Elizabeth	Duncan, John
1833	Hampton, Elizabeth	Rigsby, Peleg
1833	Hampton, M	Tapp, Isaac

William L Hampton was enumerated.  He was 30-40 years old, too young to be another son of 1796 Robert.  It is unclear how or if he is related to the Robert or Winny families. He may, however be the William L Hampton enumerated in Carter County in 1830.  That William (aged 20-30) was listed with households headed by Thomas Hampton, Lucinda Laws, Mary Hampton and Elizabeth Laws.

Anna Hampton was enumerated, age 30-40, with three children.  It is unclear how of if she is related to the Robert or Winny families.  But she is probably the woman enumerated in 1850 as Ann Hutchings, w/ John b. Hampton living there.  Wash Co. Marriages record a Hampton/Hutchins marriage.

Thomas Hampton was enumerated, age 20-30, a single man living in what may have been a school, hotel or boarding house.  It is unclear how or if he is related to the Robert or Winny families.   He is too young to have been the Thomas enumerated next to William L. Hampton (above) in the 1830 Carter County census.