Grand Old Lady Celebrates 99th Birthday
submitted by Joe Hammonds

(from the Milan Exchange, Thursday, August 8, 1929)

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    Mrs. Susan Hammonds of the Chapel Hill Community, has the honor of being probably the oldest citizen in Gibson County.  She celebrated her 99th last Friday, August 2, 1929. Relatives and friends helped in making the day a most enjoyable one.  Many came from a distance to pay their respects and bring gifts.  A delicious, old fashioned dinner was served by her daughter, Mrs. J.Z. Bogle, with whom she makes her home.

    The afternoon was spent in listening to the age-wise words of this little white-haired woman.  The listeners were able to piece together a sketch of her life, which is as unusual and interesting as it is true.  Stories of pre-war days and of the years of civil strife between the North and South are among the more enjoyable ones that she tells.

    Mrs. Hammonds was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry McCaslin.  She was born in Madison County, August 2, 1830.  Her parents moved to Gibson County when she was only a child.  She was married to Mr. Jack Hammonds in 1845.  To this union was born five children, only two of whom are still living.  They are:  Mrs. J.Z. Bogle, with whom she lives, and Mrs. Zora Hunt, of Denton County, Texas.   A daughter, Mrs. John Bogle, of Medina, and two sons, Mr. Willie Hammonds of Jackson, and Mr. Jim Hammonds of the Chapel Hill community, preceded their mother in death.

    There are thirteen living grandchildren.  They are:  Mesdames Homer Bobbitt and Lula Maynard, and Mr. Herman Bogle, all of the home community, children of Mrs. J.Z. Bogle; Mrs. Lester Bobbitt, of Chapel Hill, and Mr. Oscar Hammonds of this city, children of Mr. Jim Hammonds, deceased; Messrs. Ernest, Arrie and Carrie Hunt of Texas, children of Mrs. Zora Hunt.  There are thirty great-grandchildren.

    Mrs. Hammonds united with The Missionary Baptist Church during the first years of her married life.  She says she has been a christian and church member for 75 years.  Her love for God and faith in His Son have enabled her to bear gthe burdens of many years, which have often been filled with sorrow and loneliness.  Her husband has been dead since 1895 and she has lived to see the death of three of her five children.

    Despite these sorrows, she has maintained a cheerful disposition and happy outlook on life, to which her intimate friends attribute her longevity.  She enjoys excellent health for her age, and is able to go anywhere about the house and yard of her home unaided.  Her hearing and sight are remarkable, especially the latter.  Her spare time is spent knitting and piecing quilts.  She has every chance to round out a century of living, and, in all probability, several more years.

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