Hamlett, James David 1842-1920

HAMLETT, HAMLET, GILES, GILE, BURGIN

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 5/29/2020 at 12:59:38

James David Hamlett, the fourth child of David and Margaret Hamlett was born in Nelson county, Virginia, June 16, 1842 and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Lester Burgin, in Edgewood, February 17, 1920 at the age of 77 years, 8 months and 1 day.

About forty seven years ago he came to Iowa, and settled at Wood. In 1888 he moved to Hay Springs, Sheridan county, Nebraska, where he lived for ten years and then moved to Unionville, Putnam county, Missouri. Ten years later in 1908 he moved back to Wood, Iowa and this has been his home since, except that since the death of his wife which occurred in 1910 [sic] he has made with his children going around and spending time with them as he desired.

He was married on December 7, 1865 to Miss Mary D. Gile in Lovington, Nelson county, Virginia. To them were born eight children, three of whom preceded him to the other world. They were James Seaton, who was eleven years old at the time of his death; William David who lived in Nebraska, and Mark of Wood, Iowa.

Those who live to mourn for him are: Freeling Huston and Thomas of Strawberry Point; John Henry of Wood; Joseph Caleb of Creston, Neb., and Mrs. Nettie Burgin of Edgewood. He is survived by nineteen grandchildren and one brother, Elias of Oklahoma and a large circle of friends and neighbors and friends are sorrowing because of his passing away.

When he was but a young man of nineteen years the Civil war broke and, in common with a great many young men of his native state, he enlisted in a Virginia regiment of Confederate Infantry, serving under General Robert E. Lee till the close of the war. He was fortunate enough to escape injury but was taken prisoner by the Federal Army near the close of the war and spent sometime in a Federal prison.

After he came to Iowa, under the preaching of Elder Bixby, he was converted and united with the Free Will Baptist Church and such was hs faith to the end. He never united with any other church.

In December last he made a trip to Oklahoma to visit his brother, remaining about six weeks and since that time a trouble of long standing became active and was the imediate cause of his death.

Mr. Hamlett was a good neighbor, always ready in his active years to help those about him as opportunity came to do so. In the family circle, Grandpa, as he was familiarly called, was loved by all and hwile none would wish back to all life of suffering he is missed very much and the bereaved ones have the sympathy of all.

The funeral services were held in the Methodist Church in Edgewood, Iowa, on February 20th, conducted by the pastor, the Rev. C.S. Bretnall. Music was rendered by a quartet, consisting of Messrs. C.L. True, C.J. Rulon, Don Rhines and Fred Smith, Miss Kirk playing the accompaniment.

The body was laid away in the Edgewood cemetery.

~The Edgewood Journal, Thursday, February 26, 1920

Notes:
-Mary Giles Hamlett died in October 1909, not 1910.
-The Confederate Graves Registry gives burial in Hamlett family cemetery, Elk twp., Clayton county. Confirmation of the correct burial site would be appreciated.