Reuben Hammett (68th USCT)

Reuben (Reubin) Hammett was born around 1817 in Albemarle County, Virginia. He married Grace Hammett on May 12, 1856, and they had five children together: Rachel, born March 4, 1857; Francis, born July 8, 1858; Jasper, born July 8, 1859; George, born May 15, 1861; and William, born April 3, 1863. Hammett and Grace were both owned by Francis Marion Hammett of Missouri in 1860. Prior to the war, he lived in Randolph County, Missouri, and worked as a farmer. 

On March 9, 1864, at the age of 47, Hammett enlisted as a private in the Union army in Macon, Missouri. His enlistment record describes him as 5 feet, 8 inches tall, with black hair, black eyes and a dark complexion. Despite his attempt to enlist into Company E of the 68th USCT Infantry Regiment, the army rejected him for exceeding the age limit. Unfortunately, while he was traveling to muster in, Hammett contracted measles. On March 27, he died at Benton Barracks in St. Louis due to complications resulting from the inflammation of the lungs as a result of his measles.

Despite his lack of service, his widow Grace was able to receive a pension. In 1876, she began receiving $8 a month, plus $2 a month for each of her five minor children backdated to her husband's death in 1864. She continued to live in Macon until her death on February 11, 1890.

Documents:

Testimony of James Coleman on behalf of Reuben Hammett

2095
DATABASE CONTENT
Name:Hammett, Reuben
Alternative names:
  • Hammett, Reubin (alternative name)
Roles:
  • Soldier
Gender:M
Race:Black
Regiment/Ship:
RegimentCompany
68th Regiment Infantry U.S. Colored Troops E
Branch of service:Army
Enlistment/Muster:
TypeDatePlaceAccepted/RejectedAgeStatusReason
Enlistment1864-03-09Macon, MOrejected47Slave
Muster Out1864-03-27Post Hospital, Benton Barracks St. Louis, MODeath
Residence at enlistment:Randolph County, MO
Rank In:Private
Rank Out:Private
Highest rank achieved:Private
Pensions:
Person 1Person 2NumberRelation Type
Hammett, Reubennoneapplication-invalid
Hammett, Reubennoneapplication-minor
Hammett, Reubennoneapplication-parent
Hammett, ReubenHammett, Grace160199.0application-widow
Hammett, ReubenHammett, Grace174436.0certificate-widow
Birth date:1817
Birth date certainty:About
Birth place:Albemarle County, VA
Death date:1864-03-27
Death place:Post Hospital, Benton Barracks St. Louis, MO
Causes of death:disease: inflammation of the lungs
Occupations:Farmer
Relationships:
Person 1Relation TypePerson 2
Hammett, Francis Marionowner ofHammett, Reuben
Hammett, Gracewife ofHammett, Reuben
Hammett, Reubenparent ofHammett, Rachel
Hammett, Reubenparent ofHammett, Francis
Hammett, Reubenparent ofHammett, Jasper
Hammett, Reubenparent ofHammett, George
Hammett, Reubenparent ofHammett, William Henry
SOURCES

Compiled Service Records for Reuben Hammett, RG94, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Washington, D.C.; Pension Records for Reuben Hammett, RG15, NARA, Washington, D.C.; Death Certificate for Grace Hammett, accessed through Ancestry.com.