Sclater, Hamilton S., b.1844
Biographical Note
Hamilton S. Sclater was born in Fluvanna County Virginia in 1844, the son of Robert, a farmer, and Janetta (possibly Jennetta) Sclater. Census indexes for 1850 and 1860 record the family name as Selater. The 1850 census shows a family of eight brothers and sisters: William H., age 18; James R., age 16; Mary A.[?], age 14; Richard J., age 12; Morton T.[?], age 8; Hamilton S., age 6; George T., age 4; and Louisa E., age one month. The ages of the parents, Robert and Janetta are shown as 42 and 39, respectively. By 1860, the only children listed are Morton, Hamilton, George, and Louisa. The 1870 census shows Morton and Hamilton living with their parents in the Cunningham Township of Fluvanna County The occupation of each is noted as "works on James," while Robert continues to be listed as a farmer, and Janetta's occupation is "keeping house." Cunningham Township lies in the southwestern corner of Fluvanna County and is bordered by the James River on the south.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Hamilton S. Sclater Letters
The collection contains three American Civil War letters, all written by Hamilton S. Sclater, Company D, 25th Virginia Battalion, to his mother. Letter of 13 August 1862, written from a camp near Gordonsville (Orange County Virginia), describes the aftermath of the Battle of Cedar Mountain. Other letters, dated 6 April 1864 and 4 July 1864 respectively, were written from Camp Chaffin's Farm, an area of fortifications south of Richmond.