he life and times of James Martin Hamrick, Part 2

Last week I began a series of articles on the autobiography of James Martin Hamrick, a relative of our managing editor, Dave Hamrick, which will continue for the next few weeks.

James (1838-1907) was a farmer who lived in rural Georgia (Meriwether, Troup and Carroll counties) during its early days. His story reflects the way of life, morals, values and interests of our Georgia forefathers and is fascinating in its simplicity. James talks about his relatives, friends and members of the community. You might even find one of your ancestors mentioned. This week's story takes us through the pre-Civil War years and into the war itself. Our thanks to Dave and his father, John Hamrick, for sharing with us this wonderful picture of early life in the South.

James writes:

"Chapter IV

"In 1852 we had a good crop year, also 1853, and I was getting up a good-size chap. I worked hard on the farm and attended school after the crops were laid by and spent many pleasant nights in the woods with 2 black boys, as I had no brothers, bird thrashing and hunting all kinds of game. Eighteen fifty-four was a dry year, and crops were very sorry.

"That year my beard began to sprout, and I began to think that I was a man and commenced to look at the girls though I was the most bashful boy that ever lived I was afraid they would bite a fellow. The first girl that I ever went with was that spring one beautiful Sunday in May. We walked about one mile, and I never tried as hard in my life to think of something to say, and just before we reached our journey's end I said to her: "This is a fine day, the sun shines so bright," and after I reached home, I thought of thousands of things I was sorry that I could not think of while with her.

"Eighteen fifty-five was a fine crop year, and Father made about 1,200 bushels of corn and 30 stacks of fodder, plenty wheat and killed about 25 hogs and sold surplus at good prices. We raised very little cotton.

"Eighteen fifty-six was a good crop year but very cold having frost each month in the year except July and August, I have seen men cut wheat in June with their coats on. That year my 2 oldest sisters were married. In 1857 I, though a boy of nineteen years, fell in love with a nice girl (in those days we did not say ladies) and asked if I could come to see her. She said, 'Yes, sir!' and put a ring on my finger I thought I would faint and never slept any that night.

"I courted her the first of that year or tried to as I was afraid. In June I called on her one Sunday during the day as I thought the family could see something in my eyes. They went out in the garden and horse lot. I went to the door and looked out to see if any one was in sight and then went back and sat down by her, turned my head, shut my eyes and said, 'Miss Mary, I love you! Will you have me?' She said, 'Yes, sir!' Right then I could not tell whether I was dying, sinking or swimming. When I came to myself, I said, 'I will bring you some snuff and candy next Sunday.'

"We were married the 4th Sunday in July by Josiah Tyson, J.P. She was a good woman, and today I hope she is with the redeemed. She was the youngest daughter of Nathaniel and Seala Smith.

"My next brings me up to the war.

"Chapter V

"In 1858 I built me a little log house and started out in life. Father gave me a good horse, bridle, and saddle; and we fixed up for housekeeping the best way we could, only having one bedstead. I cut down a sapling and got one post (or leg) and bored holes in it and the wall and soon had another bed fixed up and curtains put round it (as we had curtains in those days). With two common chairs and a bench, our domocile (sic) was complete, I made 4 bales of cotton and plenty corn that year and never hired any help, making about the same the next year all on rented land. By this time and living close, I had saved up a little money, and in 1860 I bought 50 acres of land, and we moved to it. I went to clearing and worked hard and was contented; but how often in life are we disappointed.

"On the 26th of February, death claimed my companion and left me sad with one child that in course of life became the wife of Col. A.J. Camp of Dallas. That year I boarded with my sister, Mrs. H. A. Smith. She and her husband were very kind to me. I made a fine crop that year and sold my land early in 1861. I rented a farm and commenced to look out for another companion and was successful in meeting a nice lady, Miss Mary Brasher, near Carrollton. We soon became engaged and was to marry in May, but War Between the States caused a postponement. I sold my crop and volunteered in Capt. A.T. Burk's Co., 7th Georgia Regiment, and went to Virginia as a recruit and met the command at Winchester on the 18th day of July. The next day we struck tents and went on a forced march to Manassas Battle. That night we got to Shenandoah River and halted there. I got the best rest and sleep for a short time on a rock fence that I ever had. We then undressed and waded the river.

"With thousands of others the next day, Friday, we got to Piedmont River and did some cooking and went bathing in the river. That night we got on a freight car, went to Manassas and camped. Next morning, Sunday the 21st, the command was drawn in line for battle."

Next week: Chapter VI, through the war, back to Carroll County, and into politics and business.

If you missed the first part of this story, you can read it on our Web site at www.thecitizennews.com. From the home page, scroll down to the "Finding Your Folks" link on the right. You'll find all past columns archived there.

We want to hear your ancestors' stories too. Send them to The Citizen, Drawer 1719, Fayetteville, GA 30214; e-mail jkilgore@thecitizennews.com or jodiek 444@aol.com. Until next week, happy hunting!