# Representative women of New England/Julia Hamilton

​JULIA HAMILTON, now, in 1904, serving in her fifth vear as President of Woman's Relief Corps, No. 82, of Athol, is a native of the Isle of Wight. The daughter of Jacob and Mary Wilkins, she was born at Knighton, near Osborne House, August 25, 1845. To escape the shadow of financial misfortune, her parents, in her early childhood, came to America, and settled in Westminster, Vi., where she attended the public schools and academy. At the age of thirteen she became a member of the family of the Rev. Andrew B. Foster, with whom she lived until her marriage, the Foster home being successively in Westminster, 't., and Bernardston and Orange, Mass. Possessing naturally a considerable talent for music, it was the great desire of ,Julia Wilkins to become an accomplished singer, but her opportunities for instruction were limited. Such as she had were well improved. For many years her voice was in constant demand for service in the church and on social occasions. Both at Westminster and Bernardston, Miss Wilkins was active in work for soldiers of the Civil War, the incidents and impressions of which furnished much inspiration for later years. Mr. Foster becoming pastor of a church in Orange in 1865, Miss Wilkins at once entered the church and social circles there, winning, as in all her previous life, a host of friends. In Orange she assisted in the welcoming home of the war veterans of the town. On October 22, 1867, she was married l>y the Rev. Mr. Foster, at the Congregational parsonage in Orange, to Andrew J. Hamilton, then a resident of Hinsdale, N.H. After a short residence in Hinsdale, Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton, ​ in the spring of 1869, chose Athol, Mass., as their field for the work of hfe. Hero they have since matle their home, its thatches in- separably interwoven with local history aiul traditions. For some time after the removal to Athol, Mrs. Hamilton was an invalid, her case a hopeless one, it was thought; but a strong constitution and never wav(>ring covu'- age at length prevailed, and she again entered society after practically a ten years' exile. She was soon in demand in the service of song and in a variety of social activities. Her voice, through occasional service, b(Tame fa- miliar in nearly all the churches of Athol. Mrs. Hamilton and her husband are members of the Congregational church, she having joined the church of that faitli in A'estminster, 't., and remaining true, though holding her de- nominational preference subordinate to a broad recognition of the Christ spirit luider whatever name appearing.
Mrs. Hamilton, in the privacy of her home, often recalls the numerous occasions on which she has sung in houses of mourning in Westminster, Bernardston, Orange, and Athol, feeling that such was perhaps her most helpful service of song.
In 1888, becoming interested in the principles and aims of the Woman's Relief Corps, she joined Hubbard V. Smith Corps, No. 82, of Athol, and at once entered actively into its work, making it a subject of careful study, but declining rapid preferment, when suggested. In 1890 Mrs. Hamilton was assistant guard, in 1891 Senior A'ice-President, in 1892 corps Secretary, and in 1893, 1894, and 1895 corps President, bringing to her duties the qualification of a thorough knowledge of the work, both as to its spirit, ritual, and methods of exemplication. Her natural executive ability, thus put to test, contributed to three years of successful work. The flag salute, introduced in the public schools during that time with flags presented by the corps, has continued a permanent feature in the schools. At Mrs. Hamilton's suggestion, made on oc- casion of her installation as Presitlent in 1895, and aided her by efforts, Corps No. 82 erected to the "Unknown Dead" in Silver Lake Ceme- tery a beautiful granite monument, which was dedicated at the memorial service. May 30, 1895. The administration of Mrs. Hamilton was characterized by the loyal and enthusi- astic support of the corps and on her part by a desire to rentier impartial recognition and justice to all. After retiring from the presidency she continued with unabated zeal to second the efforts of her successors and in every way to sustain the work of the corps. Mrs. Hamilton was Department Aide, 1894- 1897; Department Instructor and Installing officer in 1898; member of the Dejiart- ment Executive Board in 1899; and in 1900 serving on the Auditing Committee. During her three consecutive years in the Depart- ment Council she was present at every meet- ing, thus gaining broader and deeper views of the merit and magnitude of the W. R. C. work and an appreciation of the noble women under whose guidance it has prospered. This experience she deems abundant compensa- tion for all that she has been able to put into a work that has conmianded a larger share of her time and efforts than all other public or organization work. In 1894 Mrs. Hamilton was a delegate to the National W. R. C. Con- vention in Louisville, Ky., and visited the National W. R. C. Home in Madison, Ohio. In 1902 she was a National Aide and Department Special Aide. During the emergency work for the soldiers of the war with Spain, Mrs. Hamilton was chairman of the Executive Committee of Corps No. 82, and rendereil active service. She has also maintained a lively interest in the Sons of 'eterans work, especially in the welfare of the local General W. T. Sherman Camp, which she regards as the lineal heir to the spirit and traditions of Parker and Hubbard V. Smith Posts of the G. A. R. of Athol.
In connection with the Relief Corps work Mrs. Hamilton has officiated many times as an instructor and ins])ector of corps and as installing officer, and has spoken acceptably on many occasions. She representetl by detail the Department President at the dedication of the Soldiers' Monument at Plainfield, Mass., in 1900. In tlie Department convention of 1900 Mrs. Hamilton received a handsome vote for the office of Department Junior ​ Vice-President; and in the convention of 1901, endorsed by Hubbard V. Smith Post, Corps No. 82, and many others, she received a much larger vote. In December, 1901, Mrs. Hamilton was for the fourth time elected President of Corps No. 82, but before the date set for her installation she was stricken with severe illness, which compelled her resignation. While in the hospital, slowly recovering from a successful surgical operation, she was cheered and comforted by official words of sympathy from the Department convention of 1902 and by the visits and offerings of many friends, the remembrance of which she will ever cherish. Having been again elected President of Corps No. 82 in January, 1903, Mrs. Hamilton resumed active corps work, contributing to a successful year and to her re-election and entrance upon her fifth year as President in January, 1904. Mrs. Hamilton was also elected a delegate to the National W. R. C. (Convention of 1903.
She is a member of Banner Lodge, No. 89, Daughters of Rebekah, and has served two terms as Chaplain, but, while fully in sympathy with the order, has given little time to its work because of her devotion to the W. R. C. and to the Woman's Auxiliary of the Athol Young Men's Christian Association. Of that auxiliary she was President four years in succession, while the association was struggling to live, the auxiliary contributing its full share to the success of the struggle. Mrs. Hamilton is also a charter member of the Athol Woman's Club, organized in 1900; and at the first meeting of the club .she read an original paper on "The Relation of the Home to the School," which elicited favorable cotument.
In Athol's first general observance of "Old Home Week," in 1903, Mrs. Hamilton took an active part, serving on important committees and presiding over the W. R. C. float, on which the several States and Territories of the Union were represented by children with flags and decorations. On the organization of the Athol Associated Charities Mrs. Hamilton was chosen vice-president and a member of the committee to draft a constitution and by-laws. At Athol's union Memorial Day service in 1904 Mrs. Hamilton read a poem on Memorial Day, written by Mr. Hamilton. In 1904 Mrs. Hamilton served the W. R. C. as Department Aide, also as a member of the committee on entertainment of the National Convention in Boston and of the committee on finance.
At the Athol service of mourning for the beloved President McKinley she read to an audience of one thousand, in the Academy of Music, Mr. Hamilton's poetic "Tribute to William McKinley," with impressive effect. Notwithstanding all her public work Mrs. Hamilton's home has not been neglected. A model housekeeper and home-maker, she has received from her husband most cheerful support in all her philanthropic work.
Their only child, drew Foster Hamilton, who was graduated from Amherst College in 1901, entered the Law School of Harvard University in 1902.
Mrs. Hamilton is a registered voter on school matters in Athol, though feeling that the slight privilege thus acquired is little more than a farce. She was converted to belief in equal suffrage by her husband, and is a stanch Republican in politics, but not naturally an aggressive suffragist.
Mr. Hamilton was clerk for a merchant who left his business with his employees to serve in the Civil War. He was impressed with the spirit and lessons of the conflict, and his associate membership in Post No. 140, G. A. R., attests his desire to perpetuate its lessons. Mr. Hamilton has been a director of the Athol Young Men's Christian Association from its organization, having also served as president and treasurer. He is a member of the Pocquaig Club; a Past Grand of Tully Lodge, No. 130, I. O. O. F., which he has served many terms as Chaplain; a Past High Priest of Mount Pleasant Encampment, No. 68; member of Canton Athol, P. M., and of Banner Lodge, No. 89, D. of R.; and for thirty years has taken an active interest in local public affairs. He has been a frequent contributor to the local press, and his letters to the Springfield Republican in support of the administrative policies of Presidents McKinley and Roosevelt have elicited much comment and some interesting private correspond​ence. He is also an occasional writer of verse, his "Tribute to William McKinley" having brought to him many letters of appreciation, including acknowledgments from Mrs. McKinley, President Roosevelt, and the Department of State. Mr. Hamilton's motto governing all writings for the public eye is, "To do somebody or some cause some good." In the family life of Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton independence of thought has been sacredly respected, but, happily, there has been harmony and mutual helpfulness.