Introduction
Do you have records that you originally used for one purpose, only to discover they contain much more information than you first realized?
That was the case when I revisited the pension file of my 2nd great grandfather, Richmond F. Hammond. While I initially focused on his Civil War service, a closer look revealed something just as valuable—clear genealogical information about his wives, children, and extended family.
A Pension File Rich in Family Details
Civil War pension files are well known for documenting a veteran’s service and health. However, they can also contain key genealogical details, especially when a veteran applied for benefits or when a widow or dependent needed to prove a relationship.
In Richmond’s case, the file helps reconstruct his family across several decades and multiple locations—from Illinois to Kansas and eventually to California.
Marriage to Sarah Ellen Ralston
The pension file confirms that Richmond married Sarah Ellen Ralston on 1 January 1867 in Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois.
Sarah was the daughter of James Barr Ralston and Nancy Jane McCormick, providing an important connection to the Ralston and McCormick families.
This marriage took place shortly after Richmond’s Civil War service, marking the beginning of his post-war family life.
Children of Richmond and Sarah (Ralston) Hammond
The pension file and supporting documentation identify the children of Richmond and Sarah:
- William R. R. Hammond, born 1 January 1864
- Homer L. Hammond, born 25 July 1865
- Judson F. E. Hammond, born 15 April 1866
- Estella Mabel Hammond, born 6 February 1868, Illinois; married William P. Root; died 1949
- Forrest Clinton Hammond, born 28 November 1868; died 1905 in Dodge City, Kansas
- Nellie Elida Hammond, born 23 November 1871; married Homer L. Bleecker; died 1956
- Josie Winifred Hammond, born 9 February 1874; married Judson Foster Crawford; died 1954
- Glenn M. Hammond, born 4 September 1877; died 11 February 1878
- Clyde Nelson Hammond, born 11 June 1879, Iowa; married Minnie L. Connell; died 1960
These records not only identify the children but also connect them to later marriages and locations, helping track the family into the next generation.
A Second Marriage: Mary McClure
After Sarah’s death in 1892, Richmond married Mary McClure on 7 November 1897 in Dodge City, Kansas.
Mary was born 9 October 1857 and died 14 March 1901 in Dodge City, where she was buried in Maple Grove Cemetery.
This second marriage represents Richmond’s continued life in Kansas during the late 19th century.
A Daughter from the Second Marriage
Richmond and Mary McClure had one child:
- Hattie Louisa Hammond, born March 1899 in Kansas
- Married Ralph E. Pate in 1917
- Died 26 September 1994 in California
Hattie’s life reflects the continued westward movement of the family into California.
A Third Marriage
The pension file also documents Richmond’s third marriage to Mary A. Grim on 29 October 1906 in Kinsley, Kansas.
This later marriage is important for understanding his household in the early 20th century and helps explain later census records.
Final Years
The pension file confirms that Richmond spent his later years in California, where he died on 8 April 1928 and was buried in Los Angeles National Cemetery.
This final detail ties together the family’s migration from Ohio to Illinois, Kansas, and ultimately California.
Conclusion
What began as a search for military service details turned into something much more meaningful. Richmond Hammond’s pension file doesn’t just document his Civil War experience—it helps reconstruct his entire family.
From marriages and children to migrations across multiple states, the file provides a framework for understanding his life and the lives of those around him.
It’s a good reminder that sometimes the most valuable genealogical information is found in records we thought we had already fully explored.
My husband’s Rev. War ancestor, Moses Woosley, had a pension, but the real information came from a lawsuit his heirs filed. It named all the children and, for those who had predeceased Moses but had children, it named all his grandchildren AND where they had all moved. It was fabulous.