The life and times of James Martin Hamrick, conclusion

This is the final installment of the autobiography of James Martin Hamrick, (1838-1907) a farmer who lived in rural Georgia (Meriwether, Troup and Carroll counties) during its early days.

This week, James tragically loses another wife, remarries (again) and mentions several Carroll County friends. Our thanks to Dave Hamrick and his father, John Hamrick, for sharing with us this fascinating story.

"Chapter X

"In commencing this article, comes the saddest part of my life. In 1897 my wife that had attended me through prosperity and adversity for 34 years became afflicted. For 18 months she was attended by Dr. L Roberds and Dr. Powell, and everything was done for her relief possible. She bore her affliction with Christian fortitude.

"In February, before she died in September, she had the family called in and bade us farewell, saying she could see a bright world where she would soon be at rest with thousands of saints dressed in white robes. She gave directions as to her watch and other jewelry to her three daughters, her pocketbook and some other presents to me, and said that she would know my father and mother who had gone before; but her parents who died when she was quite young she did not think she would know.

"In a few weeks, she began to improve, and I called her attention to the conversation. With a smile on her face, she said that she saw the bright world before her. Then she had a long conversation with me and selected the text she wanted her funeral preached from by Bro. W.W. Roop, and for her six eldest sons to act as pallbearers, and to place her body in a lot at our cemetery, all of which was carried out.

"Friends, let me say that that was the most trying scene of my life and to my children that so faithfully attended her especially my daughter Leila, who waited on her day and night, without tire or complaint. Others who brought her nourishment, I'll never forget, Mesdames Pritchett, Malone, Velvin, Ayers, and my sister, Mrs. W.B. Candler being with her when she died. May the God of Heaven bless you all (my youngest daughter was nearly deaf at the time and could not wait on her mother).

"After all that could be done, on the 5th of Sept., 1898, her spirit took its flight to that Celestial City. Thus a good wife and mother is no more. We lived a happy life together for 34 years, and I find by past experience that the longer a man and wife lives together the more they become attached to each other. No pen can describe the feelings that I had in my cripple condition and old age to be left alone with my two little boys and two faithful daughters. We commenced to keep house the best we could with sad hearts. I rented my farm out for the next year to George Luther, as fine a man as ever marked the earth, and I never will forget his noble wife for kindness to my daughters she was almost a mother to them.

"I almost gave up as I had been bereaved so often of good companions and thought I would remain single the rest of my life; but knowing my children would soon leave me, in about six months I began to look around for another companion; but when a man gets old, he can't get around like a boy.

"Chapter XI

"In 1899, after remaining single 14 months, I met a nice lady, Miss Nannie Barnes, in Chambers Co., Ala.: and we were married 13th of October by Rev. E.C. Smith on Friday, and that is an unlucky day. I advise friends not to marry or go to see a lady on Friday as luck has been against me ever since. Nearly everything I undertake I fail to prosper. I must hasten to close with this chapter as I have worried the public long enough, but let me bring up a few things that have been left out as there is a difference of opinion about the frost in 1849. Some say April; others, May. Friends, it was April as the month came in on Sunday. The 15th was the 3rd Sunday; and Mrs. M.A. McWhorter, who is still living, was baptized at Macedonia Church that day, and snow fell in the afternoon. Some think that because wheat was heading, it was May, but you must remember that seasons were earlier then than now. Then we would sow wheat in October, plant corn in February, cotton in March, and cut wheat in May.

"In closing this article, my mind runs back to my boyhood days at Sand Hill; and very few of the old landmark are now living; and they are A.J. Aderhold, S.C. Dickson, C.J. Barton, J.A. Blair, J.M. Hyde, J.T. Reddingfield, and T. M. Kelley, men of my age that bore the sufferings of war through shot and shell. Our ranks have been thinned out, and today they rest beyond the river.

"I often think that God has been merciful to me by sparing my almost unprofitable life as I can see so many that have been called. Yet, He knoweth best, and we should be submissive. I know that according to nature, I must soon meet my God and give account for my stewardship here, and I desire that my body be placed in a neat coffin and buried on my lot in Villa Rica cemetery by the side of the mother of my children.

"In closing this chapter, a tear steals down my cheek to think of the neglected opportunities. Still I give God the praise for all blessings, and I hope by chance this may fall into the hands of my friends and companions, children, and grandchildren and that they may gather some good from it.

"The remainder of my life I expect to spend here and hope to live it peacefully and quietly out as there is hope for a tree cut to the ground sprouting out. I know that I have been scattering in my remarks; yet, I was to hasten on, and now I want to read the life of someone else as a few more years at best I must bid you all farewell to enter that Celestial City where there will be no cripples, no pain or sorrow. May God bless you all.

"Finis"

Transcribed by Jill O'Neal Ching

What a wonderful picture of Georgia history that was! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. According to Carroll County records, James Martin Hamrick died July 1, 1907 and is buried in Villa Rica City Cemetery. Many other Hamricks rest there also. The cemetery records are online on the Carroll County Genweb page.

If you missed the first parts of this story, you can read them online 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