The Early Hammond Family

The Hammond Family started in the South. Before 1772, the Hammonds mainly resided in South Carolina and Georgia, eventually ending up in Alabama. The Hammond Family finally stayed in Oakey Streak, Covington, Alabama. Matthew Wilburn Hammonds was born on April 14, 1849, in Oakey Streak, Alabama. He was the son of William Daniel Hammonds and Mary Pruett. Around 1871, in Oakey Streak, Alabama, Matthew Hammonds married Mary Haseltine Spears. Mary Haseltine Spears was born in Coffee County, Alabama, on February 3, 1853. She was the daughter of Bryant Spears and Anna Cowart. Matthew and Mary had 14 children: Laura, Ida, Callie, William Bryant, Annie, Benjamin, John David, Katie Valula, Bethanie Emmaline, Cona Lee, Clara, Martha Jane, Samuel Porter, and Queen. 

Laura Hammond was born in Florida, USA, on August 2, 1872. She is the first child of Matthew and Mary. In February 1898, Laura Hammond married Benjamin Robert Messer in Geneva County, Alabama. They had no children together. Benjamin Robert Messer was born in Coffee County, Alabama, on March 3, 1873. Laura Hammond died in Geneva County, Alabama, on November 18, 1912. She was buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Geneva, Geneva County, Alabama. Benjamin Robert Messer ended up remarrying in January 1914 to Daisy Collie Smith. They had eight children together. Benjamin Robert Messer died in Covington, Alabama, on December 15, 1950.  He was buried in New Prospect Church Cemetery in Geneva, Alabama. 

Ida Ruhane Hammond was born on April 14, 1874, in Geneva, Geneva County, Alabama. On February 25, 1900, in Geneva, Alabama, Ida Hammond married Robert Edward Blalock. Robert Edward Blalock was born in Alabama, USA, on December 5, 1874. Unfortunately, their marriage didn't last long. A month after the birth of their son, Robert Blalock, Ida passed away. She died on February 11, 1901, in Geneva County, Alabama. She was buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Geneva, Alabama, alongside her husband. Robert Blalock did end up remarrying twice after his wife’s death. He married Margaret A. Crews in Geneva, Alabama, on December 2, 1903. They had one child together: Marney Ruth Blalock. After her death on January 4, 1921, Robert spent two years with just his children. Until December 23, 1923, in Montgomery, Alabama, Robert Edward Blalock married Callie Hammond, his late wife’s younger sister. They had no children together, but they lived a long life together. Robert Edward Blalock died in Montgomery, Alabama, on April 22, 1950. He was buried alongside his late wife, Ida, in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. 

Callie Casire Hammond was born on February 28, 1876, in Geneva County, Alabama. On September 19, 1900, in Geneva County, Alabama, Callie Hammond married Alveda Cote. Alveda Cote was born on July 7, 1869, in St. Stanislas, Canada. They lived together for 16 years until his death. Alveda Cote died in Geneva County, Alabama, on July 3, 1916. He was buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Geneva, Alabama. Callie did end up getting married again. It wasn't until December 23, 1923, in Montgomery, Alabama, that Callie married her late sister Ida’s widowed husband, Robert Edward Blalock. Callie Hammond passed away on September 11, 1963, in Montgomery, Alabama. She was buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, alongside her first husband, Alveda Cote. 

William Bryant Hammond was born on March 3, 1877, in Marl, Geneva County, Alabama. On June 8, 1909, in Holmes County, Florida, William Hammond married Anna Eugenia Green. Anna Green was born in Dade, Florida, on April 9, 1882. They had three children together: A baby boy, Sarah Lucretia, and Mary Hasletine Hammond. William moved to Tallahassee, Florida, in 1929. His wife, Anna Green, sadly died on February 22, 1933, in Tallahassee, Florida. She was buried in Euchee Valley Cemetery in Eucheeanna, Walton County, Florida. William Bryant Hammond did end up getting married again. He married Nellie Morgan in Leon County, Florida, on March 17, 1939.  He was with her up until his death. William Bryant Hammond passed away on May 16, 1947, in Tallahassee, Florida. He was buried alongside his second wife, Nellie, in Oakland Cemetery in Tallahassee, Florida. 

Annie Hammond was the fifth child of Matthew and Mary Hammond. She was born on June 24, 1878, in Alabama, USA. Sadly, she only lived for three years. She died on August 14, 1881, in Geneva, Alabama. 

Benjamin Hammond was born in February 1880 in Geneva, Alabama. However, he unfortunately died the same day he was born from croup, a respiratory illness. 

John David Hammond was born on August 12, 1881, in Marl, Geneva, Alabama. On October 10, 1907, in Geneva, Alabama, John Hammond married Anna Snider. Anna Snyder, the daughter of David and Carrie Snyder, was born on September 4, 1881, in Troy, Pike County, Alabama. John and Anna had four children: Zetella, Olivia, Juanita, and William David Hammond. John David Hammond died in Montgomery, Alabama, on December 14, 1961. His wife, Anna, died 20 years later on November 27, 1981, in Montgomery, Alabama. John and Anna were buried in the Hammond Family Plot in Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery County, Alabama. 

Katie Valula Hammond was born in Geneva County, Alabama, on July 17, 1883. On January 21, 1902, in Montgomery County, Alabama, Katie Valula Hammond married Franklin B. Tharp. Franklin Tharp, the son of Robert and Louisa Tharp, was born on August 9, 1862, in Macon, Georgia. Franklin and Katie had two sons: Patrick and Ernest Franklin Tharp. Franklin Tharp died on November 6, 1926, in Montgomery, Alabama. Katie Hammond went on to live 40 years without her husband. She passed away on February 23, 1960, in Montgomery, Alabama. They were buried together in Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery County, Alabama. 

Bethanie Emmaline Hammond was born on April 30, 1885, in Marl, Geneva, Alabama. On September 11, 1912, Bethanie married James Henry Buttram in Holmes County, Florida. James Buttram, son of Elijah and Mary Buttram, was born on February 14, 1880, in Holmes County, Florida. James and Bethanie had four children: Mary Jane, James Henry, Louise, and Catherine. James Henry Buttram sadly passed away on May 27, 1957, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Twenty years later, Bethanie died. She passed away on April 10, 1974, in Gainesville, Florida. They were buried in Bonifay Cemetery in Bonifay, Holmes County, Florida.

Cona Lee Hammond was born on June 15, 1887, in Marl, Geneva, Alabama. Cona Lee Hammond married James Edward Spear in Marl, Geneva, Alabama, on January 18, 1905. James Spear, son of William and Sarah Spear, was born on April 7, 1879, in Oakey Streak, Butler County, Alabama. They had five children: Eula Mae, Martin, Alma, Rufus, and Jane. Cona Lee Hammond passed away on January 10, 1957, in Montgomery County, Alabama. Her husband, James, died eleven years later on May 11, 1968, in Dadeville, Alabama. They were buried together in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Geneva, Geneva County, Alabama.

Clara Hammond was born on December 28, 1889, in Marl, Geneva, Alabama. Clara was married twice. She had no children throughout her whole life. Her first husband was Lyell Standard Earles. Lyell Earles was born in West Virginia, USA, on March 11, 1887. Clara and Lyell left Alabama and traveled to Harrison County, Texas. Lyell Earles died on July 1, 1942, in Cherokee, Alabama. He was buried in Algoma Cemetery South and North in Marshall, Harrison County, Texas. She got remarried to Edgar Clarence Allison. Edgar Allison was born on December 19, 1875, in Panola County, Texas. Clara Hammond passed away on August 30, 1953, in Panola County, Texas. Almost a decade later, her husband died on December 7, 1964, in Panola County, Texas. Edgar and Clara were buried together in Macedonia Cemetery in Panola County, Texas.

Martha Jane Hammond was born in Geneva County, Alabama, on June 8, 1889. On December 24, 1925, in Montgomery County, Martha Jane Hammond married Harry Edward Daugherty. Harry Daughtery, the son of Major and Nancy Daughtery, was born on November 15, 1891, in West Virginia, USA. Harry and Jane had no children. Harry Daugherty died in Montgomery County, Alabama, on February 16, 1946. Almost 21 years later, Martha Jane Hammond passed away on June 3, 1967, in Montgomery County, Alabama. Harry and Jane were buried in Oakwood Annex Cemetery in Montgomery County, Alabama.

Samuel Porter Hammond, the last son born to Matthew and Mary Hammond, was born on July 1, 1893, in Geneva County, Alabama. Between 1910 and 1916, Samuel decided to leave Alabama and his family, causing uproar and drama within the family. He decided to try his luck up North. He traveled up North and first ended in Wilmington, Delaware. He lived there for a couple of years and played minor league baseball. Samuel then ended up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On April 13, 1918, at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Samuel Porter Hammond married Winifred Loomis. Their witnesses were John and Emma Kenney. Winifred Veronica Loomis, the daughter of George and Anna Loomis, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 22, 1891. She was baptized on June 7, 1891, in St. Anthony of Padua Parish. Samuel and Winifred had nine children: Mary Haseltine, Samuel Matthew, Winifred Veronica, Jane Elizabeth, Anna, Emma, John “Huck” George, an unborn baby, and Joseph. Winifred Veronica Loomis died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 19, 1940. Her husband, Samuel, lived 23 years without his wife. He died on January 27, 1963, in Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They were both buried in Holy Cross Cemetery. However, Winifred was buried with their two daughters, Anna and Emma, who died as infants, and Samuel was buried with his son, who died during WWII.

Queen Hammond was the last child born to Matthew and Mary Hammond. She was born in Marl, Geneva, Alabama, on August 30, 1896. Queen also went by the name Queenie. On March 23, 1913, in Geneva, Alabama, Queen Hammond married Farus Greeley Windham. Farus Greeley Windham, the son of Samuel and Buena Windham, was born on July 9, 1892, in Hartford, Alabama. Farus and Queen had four children together: Samuel Wilburn, Hilda, Farus Greeley, and Paul Windham. Farus Windham died on September 7, 1960, in Dothan, Houston, Alabama. Twelve years later, Queen Hammond passed away on March 22, 1972, in Dothan, Houston, Alabama. They were buried in Black Community Cemetery in Black, Geneva County, Alabama.

The Hammond Family mostly remained in Geneva, Alabama, or the South, except for Samuel Porter Hammond, who started his family in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This act was unheard of by the Hammond family, resulting in Samuel being left out of the inheritance from the wealth his family had acquired. Matthew Wilburn Hammonds died very early in his children’s lives. He died on June 9, 1901, in Marl, Geneva County, Alabama. Two days later, his wife, Mary Spears, died on June 11, 1901, in Marl, Geneva County, Alabama. They were buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Geneva, Geneva County, Alabama.