J. J. Hamilton Log Cabin
Weatherford, Parker County, Texas
Marker Inscription
By Affidavit in 1855, J.J. Hamilton (1805-1890) settled land in this area and was one of the petitioners in the creation of Parker County. In 1856, he purchased two town lots on the southwest corner of East Church and South Walnut Streets. Also in 1856, Hamilton and his wife Susanna (Little) Hamilton became founding members of the Christian Church where Hamilton eventually became minister. A city census indicated that he built this log cabin on the property by 1858 with two rooms, each with a fireplace, and a dog trot between them. Hamilton continued to officiate at the Christian Church until 1863 when his two sons were killed by Native Americans at Patrick’s Creek. In their grief, the family left Parker County.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
J.J. Hamilton settled in this part of North Texas by affidavit in 1855 and helped petition for the creation of Parker County. By 1858 he had built a two-room log cabin with a dogtrot between fireplaces, and he served as a founding member and later minister of the local Christian Church. The family's story turned tragic in 1863 when his two sons were killed by Native Americans at Patrick's Creek, and in their grief the Hamiltons left the county.
Why it matters
It captures the hard edge of the Texas frontier, where settlers pushing onto contested land built their cabins in the midst of an ongoing and often deadly conflict with Native peoples.
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Related people
- · J.J. Hamilton
- · Susanna Hamilton
Related events
- · Creation of Parker County
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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