Hamer Family Pictures

These are four of the oldest photos I have of my Hamer ancestors.  Most were taken in Pennsylvania, with the exception of Allen Hamer's Civil War tintype.

This is a tintype of Allen Hamer, dating from mid 1864 to 1866 as indicated by the red tax stamp on the back, depicting George Washington.  Such tax stamps were mandatory during the Civil War, and a .05-cent stamp indicates the photograph cost around $1.00.  It could have been taken at Benton Barracks, MO because Allen was stationed there during the war and there were photography studios set up at the camp for soldier’s to pose for their pictures before heading to war. Allen was originally from Pennsylvania, but moved to Missouri after 1842.  He served in the Union army, first in the infantry and later in the cavalry.  He was discharged in New Orleans in 1865.

This photograph was given to us by my grandmother, the great granddaughter of Allen Hamer. Handwritten on the back of this photo it reads, “Henry Hamor.” Printed on the back it reads: S. R. Fisher Photographer No. 7 ˝ E. Gay Street West Chester, PA I researched the name of the photographer on the Internet, and according to Pennsylvania resources, this photographer was only in business at this location from 1861 to 1863.

This is a photograph of Allen's wife Margaret Bennet Hamer.  She had it taken at the studio of Chandler and Sheetz while on a trip back to Philadelphia in the 1890s.  She died in Missouri in 1896 according to Federal Pension records.

This photograph was handed down by my grandmother as well.  All we know about it is that it was taken in Philadelphia, PA at the photography studio of J. R. Laughlin on Market St.  The name on the back is handwritten, “Little Mamie Friday.” My grandmother was given this photo from her father, who believed it is of a cousin of ours, but has no idea if she is from the Hamer side or the Bennet side.