An East Texas song in an East Texas book

Julian H. “Sharp” McNiel and Bernard N. Richards formed the McNiel-Richards Music Company in 1908. They published in 1909 Soul Songs and Sonnets: A superior collection of Songs and Hymns for the Church, Revival, Sunday-school, Prayer Service and Convention. This book includes a song by Methodist preacher Charles L. “Charlie” Hamill, Are You On Your Way. I have not seen it elsewhere.

The note under the song title indicates the melody was sung by Charlie Hamill, memorized by Margaret Ann Cox Day, and later written down & harmonized by Joe R. Day.

“Words and melody as sung by Rev. Charlie Hammel, on the Melrose circuit in Nacogdoches County, in the year 1860. Copied and committed to memory by my mother when a girl, and recalled Jan. 10, 1909.—J. R. D.”

The poetry leans toward the Wesleyan Arminianism of Methodism (as might be expected). Nevertheless, I think the song worth preserving for its historical value. The music (tune) is intriguing as well.

1. Oh! brethren, are you on your way, And truly bound to watch and pray?
Go on thro’ all your trials sore; We’ll meet on that delightful shore.
Hard trials we have to pass thro’, And tiresome they are it is true,
But Jesus says He’ll go before, And land us on that happy shore.

2. Go on dear brethren in the Lord, And put your trust in Jesus’ word,
He says He’ll help you on your way, If you will truly watch and pray.
Oh! Sinners, we’ve a word for you; Your case is awful it is true,
The gospel you have heard in vain, Will surely add unto your pain.

3. We’ve tried to lead you in the way, That leads to everlasting day,
But, if with us you will not go, Your way will lead to endless woe.
The time will come when we no more Will preach the gospel to the poor,
Poor sinners then will weep and cry, And call for mountains as they fly.

The composer/harmonizer of this song was Joseph Randolph Day, who was born and died in Nacogdoches County (1873-1957). His mother was Margaret Ann H. Cox, daughter of John Randolph Cox and Louisa Louvinia Chapman. Her father was a Methodist minister. Cox and Charlie Hamill labored together in the San Augustin District of the East Texas Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South – at least in 1860. Margaret Ann Cox married James Absalom Day in 1872.

It is uncertain whether Charles Hamill might have composed the words and music of Are You On Your Way, or whether he simply sang a previously known song.

Charles L. Hamill was born June 9, 1830 in Tennessee, the son of Charles (approx. 1786-1870) and Jane Hamill (d. 1846). In 1850 Charles (a student) was living with his father, stepmother (Sophia Blakemore Hamill), and two stepsisters, in Desoto County, Mississippi.

Hamill married Mary A. Garwood July 26, 1853 in Carroll County, Tennessee. It appears they had no children. They were in Texas by 1855, when Charles was accepted on trial in the East Texas Methodist Conference. In 1860 Charles and Mary were living with the Dan Atkins family in Nacogdoches County near Melrose. He is listed as a Methodist Episcopal South minister.

 

Charles L. Hamill died February 14, 1865 at age 34. He was buried in the Marshall Cemetery in Marshall, Harrison County, Texas. After his death, Mary married F. A. Schluter in May 1865 in Harrison County.

Known ministerial career

• 1855: p. 377-78. One of several men “admitted in trial” at the East Texas Conference held at Marshall, November 1855. (A History of Early Methodism in Texas)
• 1858: p. 79. “Ques. 6. Who are the deacons of one year? ...Charles L. Hamill...Joseph W. H. Hamill.” (Minutes of the Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South)
• 1858, p. 81. Serving in the Linden Circuit in Marshall District. (Minutes of the Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South)
• 1859, p. 176. “Ques. 9. What travelling preachers are elected and ordained elders? Chas L. Hamill, Joseph W. H. Hamill, William T. Melugin.” (Minutes of the Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South)
• 1859: p. 178. Serving in the Melrose Circuit in the San Augustin District. (Minutes of the Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South)
• 1860: p. 281. Serving in the Melrose Circuit in the San Augustin District. (Minutes of the Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South)
• 1861: p. 353. Serving at Jefferson Station in the Marshall District. (Minutes of the Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South)
• 1864: p. 9. Pastor at Marshall Church. (“Methodists Play Major Role in Early HC,” Marshall News Messenger, Thursday, November 9, 1989, p. 9)
• 1865: p. 484. Pastor at Marshall Church. (A History of Early Methodism in Texas; also The Life and Labors of Rev. E. M. Marvin, p. 190)

Hamill may have possibly served parts of the years 1862-1864 as a chaplain or soldier during the War Between the States.

The Texas Republican, February 17, 1865, p. 2

Bibliography

• A History of Early Methodism in Texas, Macum Phelan, Nashville, TN: Cokesbury Press, 1924
• Marshall News Messenger, Thursday, November 9, 1989
• Minutes of the Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South 1858-1865 (Nashville, TN: Southern Methodist Publishing House)
• The Life and Labors of Rev. E. M. Marvin, D. R. McAnally, St. Louis, MO: Advocate Publishing House, 1878
• The Texas Republican, Vol. 16, No. 23, Friday, February 17, 1865

* A special thanks to Bill T. Whitis of the Harrison County Historical Museum’s research library for help in finding information about Charles Hamill.