Individual Details
Riley Green Hampton
(JANUARY 14, 1841 - JANUARY 16, 1928)
Events
| Birth | JANUARY 14, 1841 | Carroll County, Arkansas |  |  | |
| Census | SEPTEMBER 18, 1850 | Prairie Township, Carroll County, Arkansas | | | |
| Miscellaneous | 1857 | Arrival in Texas - Cow House Creek near Pidcoke, Texas, Pidcoke, Coryell County, Texas | | | |
| Miscellaneous | From 1860 to 1865 | Frontier Ranger and Civil War Service - Coryell County, Texas | | | |
| Census | JULY 21, 1860 | Cow House Beat, Henson Creek P.O., Coryell County, Texas | | | |
| Miscellaneous | ABT, 1862 | Brand Registration - Pidcoke, Coryell County, Texas | | | |
| Marriage | MAY 29, 1866 | Coryell County, Texas - Julia Ann Williamson | | | |
| Miscellaneous | 1869 | Cattle Drive - Coryell County, Texas | | | |
| Census | AUGUST 10, 1870 | Belton Post Office, Bell County, Texas | | | |
| Miscellaneous | From 1875 to 1880 | Construction of Hampton Home, - Slater, Coryell County, Texas | | | |
| Occupation | From 1875 to 1900 | Cattle Broker - Slater, Coryell County, Texas | | | |
| Miscellaneous | ABT, 1875 | Christmas Toys in Haystack - Slater, Coryell County, Texas | | | |
| Census | JUNE 10, 1880 | Coryell County, Texas | | | |
| Miscellaneous | 1900 | Camp Meetings - Pidcoke, Coryell County, Texas | | | |
| Census | JUNE 21, 1900 | Coryell County, Texas | | | |
| Census | APRIL 29, 1910 | Gatesville, Coryell County, Texas | | | |
| Census | JANUARY 26, 1920 | 1920 U.S. Federal Census, Gatesville, Coryell County, TX | | | |
| Census | JANUARY 26, 1920 | Gatesville, Coryell County, Texas | | | |
| Death | JANUARY 16, 1928 | Gatesville, Coryell County, Texas | | | |
| Burial | JANUARY 18, 1928 | City Cemetery, Gatesville, Coryell County, Texas | | | |
| Miscellaneous | Aft JANUARY 18, 1928 | Find A Grave Memorial - City Cemetery, Gatesville, Coryell County, Texas | | | |
| Probate | JUNE 7, 1929 | Gatesville, Coryell County, Texas | | | |
| Miscellaneous | AUGUST 6, 2016 | Texas Ranger Memorial Cross Dedication - City Cemetery, Gatesville, Coryell County, Texas | | |
Families
| Spouse | Julia Ann Williamson (1848 - 1921) |
| Child | Franklin C. Hampton (1867 - 1946) |
| Child | Luella "Ella" Hampton (1868 - 1890) |
| Child | Mary Exah Hampton (1870 - 1955) |
| Child | Martha Ann "Mattie" Hampton (1872 - 1916) |
| Child | Ora Bell Hampton (1875 - 1963) |
| Child | Ada E. Hampton (1876 - 1888) |
| Child | Michael Wade Hampton (1879 - 1929) |
| Child | John Henry Hampton (1881 - 1936) |
| Child | Julia Teresa "Maude" Hampton (1882 - 1976) |
| Child | Infant Hampton (1887 - 1887) |
| Child | Jessie Lee Hampton (1890 - 1987) |
| Father | Green Wade Hampton (1793 - 1878) |
| Mother | Frances (Frankie) Baker (1814 - 1845) |
| Sibling | Michael Wade Hampton (1839 - 1925) |
| Sibling | Frances Marzella Hampton (1843 - 1887) |
Notes
Birth
His birth date is given as 1-14-1840 on his death certificate and his tombstone. His son-in-law Ed Melbern was the informant on the death certificate and his uncertainty of the year of birth is indicated on the certificate when he wrote the word about after the 1840 date. The Melberns (Jessie Lee Hampton and Ed Melbern) were responsible for the burial arrangements and continued the use of the 1840 date on R. G. Hampton's tombstone.Riley Green Hampton's birth date is shown as 1-14-1841 in his own handwriting in the Hampton/Williamson Family Bible.
Census
The 1850 U.S. Federal Census for Carroll Co., AR, Prairie Township, page 146B, taken on 9-18-1850 shows Riley Hampton, age 9, living in the household of his grandfather, John Baker. John Baker is married to his third wife, Nancy Bolin Baker. The household includes Riley's siblings, Michael, age 11, and Marzella, age 7 as well as 4 of John Baker's children. The Hampton children were all born in AR.At this time the Hampton children's father, Green Wade Hampton, is living in Barry Co. MO with his third wife, Mariam Bryant Hampton.
Miscellaneous
He came to Texas with his brother Michael Wade, his uncle, Jackson Baker, and probably his sister Frances Marzella. There is a family story that the brothers saved enough money after they came to Texas to send for their sister however it is most likely that they all came with their uncle. The Hampton children lived with their aunt, Willie Baker Perryman, whose husband was Washington Lafayette Perryman. The Perryman home was on the CowHouse Creek near the present town of Pidcoke and not far from the area where the Stephen Williamson family settled. The Coryell Co. Tax Roll first shows W.L. Perryman in 1856 owning no land, a few livestock, and a value of $406.Miscellaneous
The 1860 Coryell Co., TX U.S. Federal Census shows that he was a Ranger. Several Minute Men or militia companies were formed during the early 1860's to protect the Coryell Co. citizens from Indian attacks. There is documentation of one of these companies in which R.G. Hampton is a member in the Texas State Library Archives. This indicates he was in the company which served from 4-2-1860 to 2-5-1861 under Capt. L.S. Ross. From "Vignette's of Coryell County" he then joined the Confederate Army and was mustered in at Keen's ranch on 3-5-1861. He served under Captains F.M. Collier, J.J. Callan, and Colonel J.M. Norris. He furnished his own horse and gun. Ancestry.com's Civil war records (from National Archieve Records) indicate he served in McCord's Frontier Regiment Texas Cavalry, Co. I., Private.From the Texas State Library and Archives ( TX Adjutant General Service Records, 1836-1935) website at www2.tsl.state.tx.us/trail/servicesearch.jsp., R G Hampton, of Coryell Co., TX, gave power of attorney on 9-3-1861 to EW Kinnan of Bell Co., TX to collect back pay form his service in the Mounted Volunteers commanded by L S Ross from 4-2-1860 to 9-7-1860. This document contains his signature.
Census
THe 1860 U.S. Federal Census for Coryell Co., TX, Cow House Beat, Henson Creek Post Office, page 286A shows Riley Hampton living in the household of his brother Michael and Michael's wife, Mary Ann Williamson Hampton. His age is 18 and his occupation is shown as Ranger. His sister, Frances, age 17 is also living in the Michael Hampton household. The next listed household is that of John Williamson which included 10 year old, Julia Ann Williamson.Miscellaneous
R.G. Hampton's cattle brand is registered in the First Brand Book of Coryell Co. His brand was "RIL". In 1862 he is listed on the Coryell Co. Tax Rolls as owning 20 cattle. He was living with his brother, Michael Wade at this time.Marriage
The marriage of Riley G. Hampton and Miss Julia Williamson is recorded in the Coryell Co., TX Marriage Book B, page 48. The date is 5-29-1866. The Hampton Family Bible shows the wedding date as 4-27-1866 and that the ceremony was performed by Rev. Isaac Scroggins. In another section of the Bible the date is 5-27-1866 and the ceremony took place at her father's home.Miscellaneous
The following account was cited in "Coryell County Scrapbook" as coming from J.M. Franks's book " Seventy Years in Texas".In 1869 a cattle drive from Coryell Co., Tx to Natchez, MS was conducted by several Coryell Co. residents including Rile G. Hampton and 9 other men. The cattle belonged to Rev. R.B. Wells and John Barr. The route they took was across the Brazos river at Marlin, TX ,where they lost 12 cattle, then across the Nueces river using a ferry boat, and across the Mississippi river also using a ferry boat which carried 25-30 head of cattle per trip and took an entire day to get all cattle across. After this crossing Rile Hampton and 2 others "held the cattle under the bluff at Old Nachez". The next day the herd was moved 12 miles up river to the plantation of Albert Tyler, uncle of George Tyler. Two men, John Barr and Bob Wells remained there to sell the cattle and the other men including Rile Hampton returned to Coryell Co., TX by first going to New Orleans, LA by boat and then to Galveston, TX by boat. There they took the Houston & Texas Central train to Hearne, Tx. where they rode back to Coryell Co. on some wagons which were going to Gatesville,TX.
Census
The 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Bell Co., TX, Belton P.O., page 13 taken on 8-10-1870 shows the R.G. Hampton family as R.G., age 29, farmer, born in AR, real estate value $1000 and personal property value $500; Julia, age 22, born in TX; Franklin, age 3, born in TX; and Ella (Luella), age 2, born in TX. THe John Williamson household is listed just prior to the R.G. Hampton household. This community was known as Three Forks.Miscellaneous
In 1875 R.G. Hampton sold his Bell Co., TX property and bought 437 1/2 acres in Coryell Co., TX near Slater/King communities. During the next few years he built a two story house which is still standing (2004). The house and surrounding 337 1/2 acres inherited and bought by his daughter, Jessie Lee Hampton Melbern, was accepted into the Family Land Heritage Program at the State Fair in 1975 and still remains in that family. This program honors families who have had property in their family for at least 100 years.R.G. Hampton brought lumber and lime from Waco by ox drawn wagon ( round trip 1 week) to construct the house. Trees from the ranch were also used and the lime and sand was mixed with water hauled in barrels from the Cow House creek at King. The house is usually described as a rock house but it is actually log and mortar which was scribed to resemble stones. The house was completed about 1880. The family lived in a frame house during constuction of the family residence.
Later water tanks were dug using horse drawn scoops and eventually a well was dug. The property was surrounded by rock fences.
By 1887, R.G. Hampton paid taxes on 1335 acres and by 1900 he paid taxes on 1815 acres.
Occupation
R.G. Hampton bought cattle from local ranchers and drove them with his own to the railroad station in Gatesville for shipping to out of state markets. He accompanied the cattle, riding in the same railroad car with them. This allowed him to ride free and keep an eye on the cattle.Miscellaneous
On Christmas eve R.G. Hampton bought supplies in Gatesville to fill his (at this time) 5 children's Christmas stockings. Stockings were usually filled with apples, oranges, stick candy, gum, small toys, and Roman Candles at this time although it is unkown exactly what R.G. had bought. When he arrived back at his home he decided to hide the treats in the haystack. That night after getting the children to bed, he went to get the things he had bought for their stockings. The wind had begun to blow and he had a difficult time finding where he had left his treats. Thinking he knew which side to start from he began digging with a pitchfork but obviously he started on the wrong side because he dug until five o'clock Christmas morning before he located his stocking stuffers. Probably the children never knew how hard he had worked to give them a nice Christmas.Census
The 1880 U.S. Federal Census for Coryell Co., TX, Enumeration District 24, page 434D shows the household of Riley G. Hampton, age 38, farmer; wife, Julia A., age 31; children: Frank C., age 13; Lulah (Luella), age 11; Mary E., age 9; Martha A., age 7; Ora B., age 5; Ader (Ada), age 3; and Mickrel (Michael), age 1. At this time the family was living in the Slater area.Miscellaneous
Camp meetings were religious get togethers usually for members of the Methodist faith in Coryell Co., TX. The meetings usually lasted 7-10 days, starting on a Friday night. They offered a relief from the solitary lives that most country people lived and on opportunity to renew faith and provide inspiration. The people brought food from home and slept in tents or their covered wagons. The revival services were held under brush arbors or later in open tabernacles with straw spread on the ground. The Hampton family occasionally attended these meetings along with their extended Williamson families.Census
THe 1900 U.S. Federal Census for Coryell Co., TX, JP Precinct 3, page 90A shows the R.G Hampton household as R.G., age 68, born Jan., 1842, married 34 years; Julia, wife, age 61, born Sept., 1848; children listed - sons M.W. and J.H., daughters Maud, Jessie, and Ora Hampton Bennett. Granddaughter, L.H. (Leta) Bennett is also in the household.JP Precinct 3 includes the Slater area.
Note 1: 8 of their 11 children are living at this time.
Note 2: R.G.H.'s age should be 59 and born in 1841 and Julia's age should be 51.
Census
The 1910 U.S. Federal Census for Coryell Co., TX, city of Gatesville, JP Precinct 1, page 56B, taken on 4-28 and 4-29-1910 shows R.G. Hampton, age 69; Julia Ann, his wife, age 61; and daughter Jessie Lee, age 19. R.G. and Julia Ann had been married 43 years and 8 of their 11 children were living. Their home was located on what is now S. 14th Street in Gatesville.Census
The 1920 Coryell Co., TX Census for Precinct 1, Enumeration District 54, Page 25A shows :R G Hampton, age 78, born in AR, father born in AR, mother born in SC; Julia, wife, age 71, born in TX,both parents born in TX.
Listed next on the same page is the Ed and Jessie Melbern family. Jessie is the daughter of R G and Julia Ann Hampton.
Census
The 1920 U.S. Federal Census for Coryell Co., TX, city of Gatesville, Precinct 1, page 114A, taken on 1-26-1920 shows the R.G. Hampton household of R.G., age 78 and Julia, age 71. Listed after them is the household of their daughter, Jessie, who is living with her husband Ed Melbern. These houses are located catercorner to each other on opposite sides of what is now S. 14th Street in Gatesville.Death
The transcribed death records of Coryell Co., TX show death certificate #7, filed 1-18-1928 for Riley G. Hampton. Died in Gatesville, TX on 1-16-1928 due to senility. Buried in Gatesville on 1-18-1928. Parents names; Green Hampton and Frances Baker.His official Texas death Certificate shows his name as R. G. Hampton, widowed, born in AK on 1-14-1840, parent's names unknown, death on 1-16-1928 due to senility, informant was E. F. Melbern, his son-in-law.
Burial
Buried with beside his wife, Julia Ann Williamson Hampton. His marker shows this inscription: Riley G. Hampton, 1840 d. 1928, Father.Miscellaneous
His Find A Grave Memorial is # 27507551.Probate
The probation of R.G. Hampton's will consisted of distributing his liquid assets (approximately $2500) to his heirs. His children had inherited his real estate properties under his joint will with his wife, Julia Ann Williamson Hampton. Their will was probated on 12-12-1923 after her death on 6-25-1921. R.G. Hampton reserved the right of control over the property inherited by his children until the time of his death.Probate number is 1555 in the Coryell Co., TX courthouse records.
On 6-11-1928, in Probate case #1345, Frank Hampton contested the results of the probate of the will at the time of Julia Ann Williamson Hampton's death. His challenge was denied and he was ordered to pay court costs.
Miscellaneous
Riley Green Hampton was honored for his service in the Texas Rangers by a Texas Ranger Memorial Cross Dedication on 8-6-2016, in the City Cemetery, Gatesville, Texas, at his grave site.The program was sponsored by the Former Texas Ranger Association and The Sons of the Republic of Texas and was presented in recognition of Joe Riley Davidson's membership in the Former Texas Ranger Association under his ancestor Riley Green Hampton's service in the Texas Rangers, 1860-1861.
The program included a history of Riley Green Hampton's life presented by direct descendants Joe Riley Davidson, William Edward Melbern, James Thomas Yows, and Sherry Lea Lawrence; flag pledges by Riley Green Hampton descendants Emma Marie Fowell and Colin Thomas Fowell; cross unveiling by Martha Ann Powell Yows (oldest surviving Riley Green Hampton descendant); Former Texas Ranger Association history and the Ranger Prayer by Capt. Carl Weathers; and the singing of "Amazing Grace", led by Riley Green Hampton descendant Laura Davidson Fowell.
Invocation and Benediction were conducted by Joe Riley Davidson, KSI, Chaplain & Past President of SRT San Jacinto Chapter.
After the program there was a rifle volley and cannon salute by members of the SRT, dressed in period attire.
Endnotes
1. Evelyn Johnson Lawrence, Family History, Recipient: Sherry Lawrence, Author Address: Gatesville, TX, Recipient Address: Gatesville, TX (2002), Family History Compiled by Evelyn Lawrence from personal communications, family bibles,etc..
2. Jim Boyd, Song with a Tenor LeadThe Story of Joseph William Boyd and Mary Cerena Hampton with Ancestors and Descendants (Jim Boyd, 110 12th Avenue, Indialantic, FL 32903, 2002).
3. Hampton Family Bible, The New Pictorial Royal Quarto Bible, Family Info: John Williamson and R. G. Hampton Families, Present Owner: Robert L. Melbern, Location: Gatesville, TX (N. D. Thompson & Co., New YorK and St. Louis, MO, circa 1882).
4. Texas Deaths, 1890-1976, Record Type: State of Texas, FamilySearch Website, www.familysearch.org..
5. 1850 U.S. Federal Census, Record Type: microfilm image, Ancestry.com Website, www.ancestry.com..
6. Evelyn Johnson Lawrence, Family History, Recipient: Sherry Lawrence, Author Address: Gatesville, TX, Recipient Address: Gatesville, TX (2002).
7. Compiler: Nancy Warren Hampton, Hampton Family History (Nancy Warren Hampton, 2713 Windsor Bivd., Oklahoma City, OK 73127).
8. Coryell Co., TX Tax Rolls, 1855-1910, Name Of Person: Various persons, Location: Gatesville Public Library, Film: Rolls 1-3 (1855-1910).
9. 1860 U.S. Federal Census Report, Record Type: microfilm image, Ancestry.com Website, www.ancestry.com..
10. Clyde and Mabel Bailey, Vignettes of Coryell County (Gatesville Printing Company, Gatesville, TX, 1976).
11. Frances T. Ingmire, Texas Rangers- Frontier Battalion Minute Men, Commanding Officers, 1847-1900, Vol. III, H-K, Volume: Vol. III H-K (Ingmire Publications, St. Louis, MO 63136, 1982).
12. 1860 U.S. Federal Census Report, Record Type: microfilm image, Ancestry.com Website, www.ancestry.com..
13. Coryell Co., TX Tax Rolls, 1855-1910, Name Of Person: Various persons, Location: Gatesville Public Library, Film: Rolls 1-3 (1855-1910).
14. Compiler: Coryell County, Texas, First Brand Book of Coryell County (Coryell Co., TX, Gatesville, TX, 1854).
15. Evelyn Johnson Lawrence, Family History, Recipient: Sherry Lawrence, Author Address: Gatesville, TX, Recipient Address: Gatesville, TX (2002).
16. Marriage Certificate, Record Type: Marriage Certificate.
17. Compiler: Nancy Warren Hampton, Hampton Family History (Nancy Warren Hampton, 2713 Windsor Bivd., Oklahoma City, OK 73127).
18. Mildred Watkins Mears, Coryell County Scrapbook (Coryell County Museum Foundation, Inc., Gatesville, TX, 1963; Revised 1985).
19. 1870 U.S. Federal Census, Record Type: microfilm image, Ancestry.com Website, www.ancestry.com..
20. Compiler: Coryell Co. Genealogical Society, Coryell County, Texas Families 1854-1985 (Taylor Publishing Co., Dallas, TX, 1986).
21. Coryell Co., TX Tax Rolls, 1855-1910, Name Of Person: Various persons, Location: Gatesville Public Library, Film: Rolls 1-3 (1855-1910).
22. Compiler: Coryell Co. Genealogical Society, Coryell County, Texas Families 1854-1985 (Taylor Publishing Co., Dallas, TX, 1986).
23. Mildred Watkins Mears, Coryell County Scrapbook (Coryell County Museum Foundation, Inc., Gatesville, TX, 1963; Revised 1985).
24. 1880 U.S. Federal Census, Record Type: microfilm image, Ancestry.com Website, www.ancestry.com..
25. Mildred Watkins Mears, Coryell County Scrapbook (Coryell County Museum Foundation, Inc., Gatesville, TX, 1963; Revised 1985).
26. 1900 U.S. Federal Census, Record Type: microfilm image, Ancestry.com Website, www.ancestry.com..
27. 1910 U.S. Federal Census, Record Type: microfilm image, Ancestry.com Website, www.ancestry.com..
28. 1920 U.S. Federal Census, Record Type: microfilm image, Ancestry.com Website, www.ancestry.com..
29. 1920 U.S. Federal Census, Record Type: microfilm image, Ancestry.com Website, www.ancestry.com..
30. Texas Deaths, 1890-1976, Record Type: State of Texas, FamilySearch Website, www.familysearch.org..
31. Evelyn Johnson Lawrence, Family History, Recipient: Sherry Lawrence, Author Address: Gatesville, TX, Recipient Address: Gatesville, TX (2002).
32. Cemetery Marker, Record Type: Personal Observation, Reader: Sherry Lawrence (2000), Buried in the City Cemetery at Gatesville, TX beside his wife, Julia Ann..
33. Texas Deaths, 1890-1976, Record Type: State of Texas, FamilySearch Website, www.familysearch.org..
34. Cemetery Marker, Record Type: Personal Observation, Reader: Sherry Lawrence (2000).
35. Find A Grave Web Site, Url: www.findagrave.com.
36. R.G. and J.A. Hampton Will, Testator: R.G. and J.A. Hampton.
37. "Cross Dedication Held Saturday," Article with Photographs, Gatesville Messenger & Star Forum, 10 August 2016, Page 1 and 12. Riley Green Hampton History and Texas Ranger Service.