Rev. Hamilton, a Presbyterian minister, was the founder of the first church in Chickasha.  He was a minister in Washington and New York before coming to Chickasha in 1892.  Little is known of his early life except that he was from London, England and was educated in England, Vienna and Rome.  He was very knowledgeable in the classics and was a student of Greek, Latin, French and German languages.  He had mentioned to friends of viewing the body of Charles Dickens, lying in state in Westminster Abbey.  Rev. Hamilton was also a lawyer and served as an assistant DA, a U.S. Commissioner, and special county judge.  Frances (Manby) Hamilton was born in Scotland in 1848 and married Rev. Hamilton in 1884.  She was fluent in French and German and was a great lover of music, often performing in concerts until she became an invalid and confined to her home.  Her fascinating ancestry is a part of English history.  Upon her death in 1919, she left an English shilling from Queen Elizabeth's reign as a pocket piece for her husband.  The shilling had been in her family for 500 years.  Copyright © 2003-2004 E-mail: caac@chickashaarts.org Chickasha Area Arts Council Last Updated: May 19, 2004