Obituary: Rev. H. B. Hamilton, 1860 - Smith County, TX Contributed by Vicki Betts July 25, 2002 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************************** TEXAS CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE, January 12, 1860, p. 2, c. 6 Rev. H. B. Hamilton. “Another one of our noble men fallen!” Rev. Hugh B. Hamilton, was born in Rutherford county, Tenn., Nov. 18, 1818; was converted in his 16th year, at Centre Camp-ground, Ala., and joined the M. E. Church. He never doubted his conversion, though, while in a campaign in Florida he backslid, and was not fully restored till 1843. He removed to Arkansas—was licensed to exhort—was impressed with the duty to preach; but quenched his convictions and again backslid, a circumstance he bitterly bewailed to the day of his death. He was licensed to preach in 1844, and entered the Itinerant ministry in Arkansas Conference. In 1846 he was married to Miss Roberts, and soon after removed to Texas where he remained local for three years. In 1849, he was readmitted in the Itinerancy in the East Texas Conference and appointed to Panola Circuit; in 1850 he was appointed to Jasper Circuit, in 1852-3 he traveled the Tyler Circuit, in 1854 the Henderson Circuit. In January 1854, his amiable wife died. In February 1855 he was married to Mrs. C. Brinley of Smith county. In 1855 he traveled the Linden Circuit, in 1856 the Jacksonville Circuit, in 1857-8 he was Tract Agent for the East Texas Conference, in 1859 he was Presiding Elder of the Clarksville District. He had finished his year’s work with the exception of two quarterly meetings, when he was taken down with typhoid fever, under which he lingered for five weeks, and on the 5th inst., expired in great peace at Paris. In all the relations of life, Bro. Hamilton acquitted himself with honor and credit. As a husband and father he was kind and affectionate. As a social companion no man was his superior. As a preacher he was not above mediocrity; but was always impressive—a good pastor, a judicious disciplinarian. As Tract Agent and Presiding Elder, he acquitted himself with much credit. In the death of Bro. Hamilton the Church has sustained a sad loss. He was devoted to the Church. During his late illness, although under the influence of opiates the principal par of the time, yet in his rational moments, he was renewing his resolutions for more holy living in the future, and devising plans for the action of the church. Thus while he was meditating upon plans of future usefulness, and his brethren of the Conference closing the business of the session, ere he received his appointment which he was hourly expecting, he was transferred to the church triumphant. His place as Presiding Elder will be hard to supply. But the workmen die, and still the work goes on. At our late session we were enabled to report that not one of our members had fallen during the year. Alas! one was not. Who will be next! May we also be ready with armor bright—the battle fought, the victory won. The Lord graciously protect and sustain our dear sister Hamilton and her three little children. Will the Church pray for them and see to their temporal wants? Tyler, December 28, 1859. J. W. Fields. P.S. Will the kind friends of Bro. and Sister H., forward to her at Paris by mail any amount at their convenience; as she is now thrown out upon limited resources for the present;year. I mention this upon my own authority. J. W. F.