Hamilton Bradford Doherty and Nancy Evelyn Gilmore

Hamilton Bradford Doherty was born May 3, 1833, in Clay County, Missouri. Hamilton's early years were spent in Clay County. In about 1840, when he was about seven years old, his family emigrated to the area north of Clay and Clinton Counties, Missouri, that would soon become DeKalb County. Hamilton grew up on his father's farm, northeast of the area of present day Stewartsville, Missouri.

It is said that during the Civil War, John Doherty, as a "State Rights" man, was forced to leave the state. It is not known if Phebe, and the children joined John during his "exile." Hamilton either remained in, or had returned to DeKalb County by 1863. On March 10, 1863, Hamilton married Nancy Evelyn Gilmore, his first cousin once removed. Nancy Evelyn was the daughter of Benjamin Bradford Gilmore and the late Louray Holmes. Hamilton and Nancy had at least five children. Hamilton was the County Surveyor, and surveyed much of Stewartsville after the Civil War.

Between the 1870 and 1880, Hamilton, Nancy, and their children moved to a home on the northwest edge of Stewartsville, although they still owned land east of town In 1882, and again in 1884, the business district of Stewartsville suffered severe losses from major fires. Goodspeed's tells us that the plats and instruments kept in the office of the county surveyor, H. B. Doherty, were destroyed.

On July 1, 1886, Hamilton and Nancy's son, Robert, married Lillie Sydebotham of Cameron, Missouri. Shortly after their marriage, the Doherty families joined the land rush to Kansas. I would guess that they left Missouri in the early spring of 1887. Hamilton's granddaughter and Robert's daughter, Ethel (Doherty) Lyon wrote, "About that time Kansas was offering land and he (Robert) & my grandfather decided to go. At that time covered wagons were used in moving so they went to Kansas to the town of Terrier (Traer) not far from McCook, Neb. and my Grandfathers land had a house on it but my father and mother's claim had a sod-house on it."

Ethel tells us that the families enjoyed a nice summer on the Kansas plains. Robert and Lillie were expecting their first child, and were excited and looking forward to the birth. On October 6, 1887, a daughter Ethel Lee Phebe, was born. The families' joy soon turned to sadness, when tragically, six days after the birth of her little daughter, Lillie died.

On December 20, 1887, Hamilton purchased land in Finley Township, Decatur County, Kansas.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting:

Certificate No. 5397

Whereas, Hamilton B. Doherty of Decatur County Kansas has deposited in the General Land Office of the United States a Certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Oberlin Kansas whereby it appears the FULL PAYMENT has been made by the said Hamilton B. Doherty according to the provisions of the Act of Congress of the 24th of April, 1820, entitled "An Act making further provision for the sale of the Public Lands," and the acts supplemetntal thereto, for the south west Quarter of Section Six in Township one south of Range thirty west of the Sixth Principal Meridian in Kansas, Containing one hundred and forty three acres and sixty four hundredths of an acre . . . (page 538 in Patent Book F)

Receipt Book A, page 402, tells us that Hamilton paid $1.25 per acre, or a total of one hundred seventy-nine dollars and 55 cents for his land. Hamilton's land was about ten miles west and nine miles north of Oberlin, the County Seat.

Soon the family decided to return to Missouri. They packed up their belongings, and made the long journey back to Stewartsville. After returning from Kansas, Hamilton continued as the County Surveyor, and with his work as a civil engineer. The 1977 History of Clinton County, Missouri, mentions a plat of Hemple, dated April 18, 1889, recorded in the Recorder's office of Clinton County, on April 22, 1889. The surveyor was Hamilton B. Doherty of Stewartsville.

Robert left Ethel with Hamilton and Nancy, and moved to Palmyra,Missouri; Ethel was raised by her grandparents, and Robert visited infrequently. In 1892, Hamilton was fifty-nine years of age, Nancy forty-six. Their family was almost raised, and now they had a five-year-old to rear and nurture. I am sure they welcomed Ethel into their hearts and lives with open arms, but still it was quite a responsibility for them. Their home was a frame house on the corner of St. Joseph Avenue one block north of the present Stewartsville Public School. In 1900, Hamilton, Nancy, Lucy, and Ethel moved to Osborn.

Hamilton Bradford Doherty died on February 28, 1913, at the age of seventy-nine years, nine months and six days. He was buried at the Old School Presbyterian Cemetery in Stewartsville, Missouri. Nancy remained in her home in Osborn.

Nancy Evelyn (Gilmore) Doherty died at her daughter, Love's home at 6:00 in the morning, on Tuesday, June 28, 1832. She was buried beside Hamilton, her husband of fifty years.

Descendants of Hamilton Bradford Doherty

• 1 Hamilton Bradford Doherty b: May 03, 1833 d: February 28, 1913

  . +Nancy Evelyn Gilmore b: April 08, 1846 d: June 28, 1932

  • • 2 Robert Lee Doherty b: May 16, 1863 d: July 10, 1953

      .... +Elizabeth Belle (Lillie) Sydebotham b: June 10, 1866 d: October 12, 1887

      2 Lucy L Doherty b: March 06, 1867 d: December 09, 1909

      2 Mary Jane Doherty b: September 24, 1869 d: September 27, 1869

      2 Mary Wilson Doherty b: May 09, 1871 d: February 06, 1971

      .... +Joseph E. Everett b: 1867 d: 1935

      2 Love Ella Doherty b: November 06, 1875 d: September 19, 1953

      .... +Matthew Gerard Everett b: December 30, 1874 d: January 03, 1952