The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
Map coordinates have not been set for this cemetery
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
Gov’t headstone located across the creek from KY rte 172 near Relief in Morgan Co, KY. Affer crossing creek, turn left and follow old road that leads to private cemetery in the woods. Access is by foot only
Author: Lee Johnson
Pvt. Benjamin S. Hamilton
Birthdate: 1761
Birthplace: Sullivan County (Present Hawkins County), Province of North Carolina (Present Tennessee)
Death: Died July 12, 1849 in Moon, Morgan County, Kentucky, United States
Place of Burial: Jackie Hamilton Farm, Relief, Johnson County, Kentucky, United States
Immediate Family: Son of Thomas E. Hamilton, Sr. and Esther Hamilton
Husband of Mary Ann Rankin Hamilton and Susannah “Moonglow” Hamilton, a Cherokee Indian.
Occupation: Served in the Revolutionary War from 1780-1782 as a Spy and a Ranger.,
Book written about Patriot. Unruffled Courage: The Adventures of American Patriot Benjamin Hamilton and a Cherokee Maiden Named Moonglow written by Danny Lee Welch and Sandra Kay Hamilton Welch
The Paintsville Herald - Wednsday, November 29, 1995
"Revolutionary Soldier is Honored"
"The Big Sandy Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution, the Harmon Station Daughters of the American Revolution, both of Paintsville, and the John Graham Chapter of Prestonsburg, along with the Hamilton family of eastern Kentucky, assisted by cousins from a number of States, dedicated a monument to Revolutionary soldier, Benjamin S. Hamilton.
The dedication took place October 22 at Moon in Morgan County.
Orville Hamilton, superintendent of Johnston County Schools, summarized the history of Hamilton, who was born in 1761, in Bedford County, Virginia. He died July 12, 1849, at the Moon residence of his son, David.
During the Revolutionary War he served with Virginia troops as a spy and ranger, enlisting a number of times. He served in Col. Crockett's Regiment, Col. Trigg's Regiment, Capt. Thomas Vincent's Co., in the Battle of King's Mountain, Capt. William Burk's Co. and Col. Christioan's Regiment. He also served one month at Bowman Station under Col. Hutchenson. He was allowed a pension No. S-3111 from his application December 2, 1833, resident of Morgan County. Thomas Hamilton, 76, soldier of the revolution stated that Benjamin served with him and that they were brothers.
After the war, Hamilton moved to Sullivan County, Tennessee. He is listed in the Floyd County Census of 1810, and by 1812 he had built a one-room cabin near Moon, Floyd County set off in Morgan County.
He married Moonglow, a Cherokee Indian, probably in Virginia or North Carolina, who adopted the name of Susannah (Hurst?). She was born in the 1770's and died in 1846 in Moon.
The Hamiltons are buried in the Hamilton Cemetery, Route 172, Morgan County. Both graves marked with hand-carved stones; his with the initials B.H. 1761-1849; her stone is shaped like an Indian flint with a moon insignia carved on the surface. Lineal grandsons, David and John Hamilton, recently restored their 1812 log cabin. The graves have been lost for many years until located in 1993 by lineal grandchildren Finetta Mullins, Mary Smith, Edna Hamilton Hill and Ike Ferguson. Legal work to obtain the monument from the United States government was done by Ray Brackett, assisted by Frances Brackett and Finetta Hamilton Mullins, both lineal granddaughters. Then John, David, Ford, James and Alderson Hamilton, Mary Margarett Jones, Roger Avery and Martha Ison cleared the cemetery. Installationof the stone for Benjamin was done by the Big Sandy Chapter, KYSSAR.
During the dedication, past Kentucky State SAR president and Big Sandy Chapter member, Ray Brackett, of Allen, presided. The invocation was given by Mary Margarett Jones of Arizona; prayer by James Hamilton of Keaton; the Pledge of Allegiance by John Hamilton of Red Bush; the American Creed by Morgan County DAR Regent, Edith Gunnells of West Liberty and the National Anthem was sung by Vicki Pack, Harman Station chaplain, Paintsville.
KSDAR Sixth District Director. Barbara C. Pugh, of Paintsville, dedicated the monument with Finetta Hamilton Mullins accepting the monument. Eldest lineal grandchildren present, Glenda Mullins and Ellis Hamilton, assisted by Benjamin Hamilton IV, age 18 months, unveiled the monument. Angela Francis Brackett of Ulysses and Summer Hill of Louisa, linial granddaughters, placed U.S. flags at the graves of both Benjamin and Susannah.
Lineal grandson, David Hamilton and State Senator, John David Preston of Paintsville placed a wreath. John Graham Chapter Past Regent, Frances Preston Brackett of Allen, spoke briefly and gave benediction."
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