THE HAMMOND~BATTS FAMILY

“BACK TO THE ROOTS. . . .”

The following two excerpts are from “Never Say Impossible”, the story of the late Billy Hammond, of Waco, Texas, written by Mrs. Emma K. Shirley, and published by The Texian Press.

©1971

            When the slaves were freed in 1865, Doctor Hammond found he had purchased enough land so that he could give each former slave family up to one hundred and sixty acres, wooded enough for them to build log cabins for their homes. This he did, and many of their descendants live on what was the Hammond land today. They took the name Hammond when they were freed.

            Doctor Hammond believed firmly in the value of slaves to the Southern planter. He was nominated as a delegate to the Secession Convention in 1861, and as late at 1864, still believed slavery would persist. In that year, he paid two thousand dollars for Bill Batts, an intelligent and hard working black man. Bill remained loyal, along with many others, until the war ended. Many of Batts’ descendants still live on the land Doctor Hammond gave Bill Batts when the slaves were freed.

William (Bill) Batts was married to Sarah Hammond, the younger sister of Milton Hammond.

Milton Hammond was later married to William Batts’ sister, Martha Batts. Hence, the many double cousin descendants.

The two families were given some land by Dr. Hammond, but they later purchased a few acres at a time until they owned over 500 acres. The little community was and still is known as Hammond, Texas. Until this day some of the land is occupied by members of the family.