Do you ever wonder about the family history behind the names that make up the Hemphill families attending our family reunions? We'll need just a short history lesson.
You've probably seen this iconic photograph many times, but do you know the history behind it?
John Hosea Hemphill (Jan. 25, 1802 - March 23, 1884) grew up in the Silver Creek area of Burke County, NC. He married Lydia Louisa Simmons Hemphill (March 31, 1814 - Dec. 23, 1900). They later moved to the Montford Cove area of Rutherford County, NC.
At the time John and Louisa relocated to the Cove, they had three sons: Israel Leander, nearly 10, Thomas Patton, age 8, and John Posey, just under a year old. Additionally, they had two daughters, Sarah age 6, and Margaret age 3. Over the next nine years, they welcomed four more daughters, Eliza, Sophia, Mary Jane, and Martha, further enriching the Hemphill heritage.
John Hosea & Lydia Louisa Simmons Hemphill
THOMAS PATTON HEMPHILL (1838-1881)
Patton, as he was known, married Mary Ann Flack in 1857. They began their married life in the Montford Cove area, not far from his parents. As a farmer, Patton owned over 200 acres and served in the Civil War, contributing to the rich family history of the Hemphill heritage.
Patton and Mary Ann were the proud parents of eleven children. Many descendants of these eleven children, along with other Hemphills, gather at our family reunions today, celebrating our shared lineage.
Their children include:
- Ellie Alvira Hemphill Crawford (11 children)
- Mary Louisa Hemphill Miller (4 children)
- Theodosia Priscilla Hemphill (died at 2 years old)
- Leander Duffey Hemphill (9 children)
- John Posey Hemphill (3 children)
- Andrew Roswell Hemphill (6 children)
- Thomas Millard Hemphill (9 children)
- George Hosea Hemphill (7 children-first wife; 6 children-second wife)
- Joseph Mills Hemphill (7 children)
- Charles Stein Hemphill (6 children)
- William Young Hemphill (2 children)
Every year since 1952, on the fourth Sunday in July, the Hemphill family has honored these family members at our reunions, counting all the descendants present. From the initial eleven siblings, 70 children were born, and we look forward to this legacy of our Hemphill heritage continuing for many generations.