Henry Hamill: The Brother Who Became a St. Louis Policeman

The Donaghmoyne Network

Jan 8

Written By Mary Morales

The James Hamill & Anne Gartlan Line • Episode 6

Henry Hamill

The Brother Who Became a St. Louis Policeman

1868 – 1908 | Dian, Donaghmoyne → St. Louis, Missouri | DNA Validated

At fifteen years old, Henry Hamill left County Monaghan and crossed the Atlantic alone. He built a new life in St. Louis—becoming a policeman, marrying an Irish immigrant, and raising three daughters. His death at thirty-nine came suddenly, but his legacy endures through descendants whose DNA connects them to cousins in Montana more than a century later.

Part I: Birth in Dian

July 12, 1868, County Monaghan

Henry Hamill was born on July 12, 1868, in the townland of Dian, Donaghmoyne parish, County Monaghan. The civil birth registration—entry number 136—records his father as "James Hamill, Dian" and his mother as "Anne Hamill formerly Gartlan." His father's occupation was listed as Farmer.

The informant on the birth registration was James Hamill himself, who made his mark (×) rather than signing his name. This is notable because some other family records suggest James could write—the variation may reflect different circumstances or levels of literacy at different times in his life.

Henry was born into a growing family. His older siblings likely included Patrick (c. 1862) and Anna (1864), while younger siblings Bridget (1872) and James (1873) were yet to come. The family farm in Dian provided the foundation for their lives in rural County Monaghan.

Civil Birth Registration — July 12, 1868

Entry: #136

Child: Henry, Male

Father: James Hamill, Dian

Mother: Anne Hamill formerly Gartlan

Father's Occupation: Farmer

Informant: "James Hamill, his mark [×], Father, Dian"

Registered: August Eighth 1868

District: Donaghmoyne, Union of Carrickmacross, County Monaghan

Part II: Crossing the Atlantic

1883 — A Fifteen-Year-Old's Journey

According to the 1900 U.S. Census, Henry Hamill immigrated to America in 1883, when he was approximately fifteen years old. This early emigration—possibly alone, possibly with relatives or neighbors from Donaghmoyne—placed him among the millions of Irish who sought new lives in America during the late nineteenth century.

By 1883, the Great Famine was decades in the past, but economic pressures continued to drive emigration from rural Ireland. Land subdivision, limited opportunities, and the pull of relatives already established in America combined to send young people like Henry across the ocean.

Henry settled in St. Louis, Missouri—the same destination his brother Patrick would choose, or perhaps had already chosen. The Mississippi River city was a major hub for Irish immigrants, with established Catholic parishes, employment opportunities, and a growing Irish-American community.

Two Brothers in Missouri

Both Henry and his brother Patrick J. Hamill settled in the St. Louis area. Whether they emigrated together or separately, the brothers maintained a connection to each other and to their Irish roots. Henry's 1908 obituary would note his burial at Mount Carmel Cemetery—a Catholic cemetery serving the Irish community of East St. Louis.

Part III: Life in St. Louis

Marriage, Family, and the Police Force

On July 12, 1894—his twenty-sixth birthday—Henry Hamill married Mary McElligot. The marriage license was published in the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, listing Henry's residence as 718 North Twentieth Street and Mary's as 4021 Fairfax Avenue. Mary, like Henry, was an Irish immigrant, and their marriage united two families from the old country.

The couple would have three daughters: Marie (born July 1896), Nellie (born July 23, 1899), and Margaret (born 1902). All three were born in Missouri, the first generation of their family born on American soil.

Marriage License — July 12, 1894

Published in: St. Louis Globe-Democrat

Groom: Henry Hamill, 718 North Twentieth

Bride: Mary McElligot, 4021 Fairfax Avenue

Date: July 12, 1894 (Henry's 26th birthday)

By 1899, Henry had joined the St. Louis Police Department. Gould's Directory for that year lists "Hamill Henry, police, r. 1038A Papin"—placing him among the city's law enforcement officers. The police force offered steady employment and a respectable position in the community, particularly for Irish-American men who had established themselves in their adopted city.

The 1900 Census provides a detailed snapshot of Henry's family at the turn of the century. Living in St. Louis, Henry (listed as Henry L. Hamill, age 31) headed a household that included his wife Mary (29), daughters Marie (4) and Nellie (infant), and Nellie McElligott (20), likely Mary's sister. Henry's occupation was recorded as "Dairy Stableman"—suggesting he may have left police work or held multiple jobs.

1900 U.S. Census — St. Louis, Missouri

Henry L. Hamill: Head, age 31, born March 1869, Ireland

Immigration: 1883 (age ~15)

Naturalization: 16 years in U.S.

Mary M. Hamill: Wife, age 29, born June 1870, Ireland, married 6 years

Children born: 2 | Children living: 2

Marie Hamill: Daughter, age 4, born July 1896, Missouri

Nellie Hamill: Daughter, infant, born July 1899, Missouri

Nellie McElligott: Sister-in-law, age 20, born June 1879, Ireland

The 1901 St. Louis Directory continued to list Henry among the city's residents. The family was establishing itself in the Irish-American community of St. Louis, with connections to both the church (St. Mary's Parish in East St. Louis) and the broader network of Monaghan emigrants.

Part IV: A Life Cut Short

January 2, 1908 — East St. Louis

On Thursday, January 2, 1908, Henry Hamill died suddenly at 8 o'clock in the morning. He was only thirty-nine years old. The cause of his sudden death is not recorded in the obituary, but the abruptness of his passing left his wife Mary a widow with three young daughters—Marie (11), Nellie (8), and Margaret (5).

"HAMILL—Entered into rest, suddenly, on Thursday, Jan. 2, 1908, at 8 o'clock a.m., Henry Hamill, beloved husband of Mary Hamill (nee McKelligot) and father of Marie, Nellie and Margaret Hamill."

— St. Louis Newspaper Obituary, January 1908

The funeral was held on Saturday, January 4, 1908, from the family residence at 430 A Street in East St. Louis. The service took place at St. Mary's Church, followed by burial at Mount Carmel Cemetery. The choice of Mount Carmel—a Catholic cemetery—reflected the family's Irish Catholic heritage, a connection maintained across the ocean and through the generations.

Obituary — January 1908

Deceased: Henry Hamill

Date of Death: Thursday, January 2, 1908, 8:00 a.m.

Manner: "Suddenly"

Age: 39 years

Wife: Mary Hamill (née McKelligot)

Children: Marie, Nellie, and Margaret Hamill

Residence: 430 A Street, East St. Louis

Funeral: Saturday, January 4, 1908, 9:00 a.m.

Church: St. Mary's Church

Burial: Mount Carmel Cemetery

Two Mount Carmel Cemeteries

Henry was buried at Mount Carmel Cemetery in East St. Louis, Illinois. Decades later, his brother James would be buried at a different Mount Carmel Cemetery—in Anaconda, Montana. The shared cemetery name reflects the widespread Irish Catholic diaspora and the common practice of naming Catholic cemeteries after Mount Carmel, the biblical mountain associated with the prophet Elijah.

Part V: DNA Validation

Connecting St. Louis to Montana

The documentary evidence establishes Henry Hamill as the son of James Hamill and Anne Gartlan of Dian—the same parents named in records for his siblings Patrick, Anna, Bridget, James, and John. DNA testing confirms these relationships across the generations.

Descendants of Henry's daughter Margaret share DNA matches with descendants of James Hamill (1873–1951) of Montana. These genetic connections prove what the documents suggest: Henry was indeed the brother of the man who crossed the continent to work in Montana's copper country.

When James Hamill died in Montana in 1951, his obituary mentioned cousins in Missouri—likely referring to the descendants of both Henry and Patrick, the two brothers who had settled in the St. Louis area decades before James arrived in America.

Henry's Immediate Family

Wife: Mary McElligot

c. 1870 – ?

Born in Ireland. Married Henry on July 12, 1894 (his 26th birthday). Widowed at approximately age 37. Also spelled McKelligot in records.

Daughter: Marie Hamill

July 1896 – ?

First child. Born in Missouri. Age 11 when father died.

Daughter: Nellie Hamill

July 23, 1899 – ?

Second child. Born in St. Louis, Missouri. Listed in Missouri birth index. Age 8 when father died.

Daughter: Margaret Hamill

1902 – ?

Third child. Born in Missouri. Age 5 when father died. Descendants have DNA matches to James Hamill of Montana.

DNA Match

Part VI: Document Verification

The Evidence Chain

Summary of Evidence

Identity confirmed by:

• 1868 Civil Birth Registration: Father James Hamill, Mother Anne Hamill formerly Gartlan, Dian

• 1894 Marriage License: Henry Hamill to Mary McElligot, St. Louis

• 1899 St. Louis Directory: "Hamill Henry, police, r. 1038A Papin"

• 1899 Birth Registration: Daughter Nellie Hamill, July 23, 1899

• 1900 U.S. Census: Henry L. Hamill, age 31, Ireland, immigrated 1883

• 1901 St. Louis Directory: Henry Hamill listed

• 1902 Birth Registration: Daughter Margaret Hamill

• 1908 Obituary: "Henry Hamill, beloved husband of Mary Hamill (nee McKelligot)"

• DNA matches between descendants of Margaret Hamill and James Hamill of Montana

This comprehensive evidence chain confirms Henry Hamill as the son of James Hamill and Anne Gartlan of Dian—and brother of Patrick J. Hamill (Missouri), Anna Hamill Keenan (Ireland), Bridget Hamill Kirley (Ireland), James Hamill (Montana), and John Hamill (Ireland).

Timeline

From Dian to St. Louis — The Brother Who Became a Policeman

1868

July 12: Born at Dian, Donaghmoyne, County Monaghan, Ireland. Son of James Hamill and Anne Gartlan.

1883

Emigrates to America at age 15. Settles in St. Louis, Missouri.

c. 1885–1890

Father James Hamill dies in Ireland (noted as deceased in sister Anna's 1890 marriage record).

1894

July 12: Marries Mary McElligot in St. Louis on his 26th birthday. Henry resides at 718 North Twentieth Street.

1896

July: Daughter Marie born in Missouri.

1899

Listed in Gould's St. Louis Directory as "Hamill Henry, police, r. 1038A Papin." Joins the police force.

1899

July 23: Daughter Nellie born in St. Louis.

1900

June: U.S. Census: Henry L. Hamill (31), wife Mary (29), daughters Marie (4) and Nellie (infant). St. Louis, Missouri.

1901

Listed in Gould's St. Louis Directory.

1902

Daughter Margaret born in Missouri.

1908

January 2: Dies suddenly at 8:00 a.m. at age 39. Residence: 430 A Street, East St. Louis. Buried at Mount Carmel Cemetery after funeral Mass at St. Mary's Church.

Document Gallery

PRIMARY SOURCES: The documents below represent the original records used to reconstruct the life of Henry Hamill — from his 1868 birth in Dian through his death in East St. Louis in 1908. Click any image to enlarge.