Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1859-1896 (Creation)
Extent
0.45 cubic feet
Name of creator
Biographical history
Richard Warner Hammett (1829-1910), Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and Methodist Episcopal Church minister, was born on March 4, 1829, in Marion County, Mississippi, to James H. and Sarah Henrietta Head Hammett. Hammett married Mary Elizabeth Dobson (1842-1925), which produced seven children.
Hammett began his clergy career in Arkansas, Methodist Episcopal Church. South. There is little information on his Southern Methodist career, except for his appointments to Fort Smith (circa 1852) and the current Central United Methodist Church, Fayetteville (1860-1967). In the 1866 MECS General Minutes records he withdrew from the denomination. Hammett later joined the 1868 Missouri and Arkansas Annual Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church as an elder on trial and sent to the Fort Smith church. From 1869 to 1873, he served as a presiding elder (today’s District Superintendent) for both the Fort Smith District (1869-1872) and Batesville District (1873-1874). After serving as a presiding elder, the conference appointed him to the Fort Smith church (1875-1877). Hammett became the Conference Secretary from 1876 to 1878 while serving local churches. Subsequent appointments include Forth Smith (1875-1877, 1881), Fayetteville (1878-1880), Cedarville (1882), and Buren and Ozark (1884).
The records suggest that physical problems began to take their toll as he aged. In 1883, the conference granted him Supernumerary status. Hammett retained his clergy credentials but did not serve as an appointed pastor to local churches. However, he could preach if physically able. Hammett became superannuated (retired) in 1885. The following year he withdrew from the Methodist Episcopal Church.
During Hammett’s active ministry, those who knew him considered Hammett a notable preacher. He published an 1896 drama entitled In the Wilderness or A Romance of Christianity in Forty Scenes published by Thrash-Lice Printing Company.
On October 27, 1910, Hammett died in Fort Smith, Sebastian, Arkansas. Burial took place at the Oak Cemetery.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
The majority of the papers are in two bound volumes of handwritten sermons from 1859 to1867 preaches at the Fayetteville MECS church. Next is a bound book containing his 1896 published drama, In the Wilderness or A Romance of Christianity. In the same folder, the researcher will discover a fragment of the same script possibly published in 1870. A single letter dated January 30, 18(7?) requesting a new appointment for the Ozark church. Finally, Hammett appears in a copy of an 1896 State of Washington civil libel suit decision.
System of arrangement
Original order.
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
There are no restrictions regarding this collection.
Physical access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Detailed use restrictions relating to our collections can be requested from the office of the archivist at the General Commission on Archives and History. Photocopying is handled by the staff and may be limited in certain instances. Before using any material for publication from this collection a formal request for permission to publish is expected and required.
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
2007-021: Betty Clements Claremont School of Theology, Claremont, California March 25, 2007 Material given to Claremont School of Theology by Mrs. Nannette Bhaumik in March of 2007.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related descriptions
Notes element
General note
The purpose of this finding aid is to help you understand the nature of this collection and to assist you in the retrieval of material from this collection. The following pages contain a brief biographical history of the person, or persons, who created or collected these papers, followed by a general description of the collection in the scope and content note. If more detailed information is warranted then series descriptions also appear. The container listing appears last and is the listing of material in each box, or container, of this collection. To request material you need to turn to the container listing section. It is essentially a listing of file folders, or artifact items, in the collection. Each folder, or item, has a call number associated with it. Each folder also lists the inclusive dates of the material in the folder. On the material request form list both the call number and the folder, or item, title. Use a different line for each folder, or item, requested. When your request sheet is complete, or full, bring it to the archivist and the material will be retrieved.
General note
When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, Richard Warner Hammett Papers, United Methodist Church Archives - GCAH, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the item's call number as that is not a stable descriptor.
Specialized notes
Alternative identifier(s)
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Sources used
Archivist's note
Material is given to Claremont School of Theology by Mrs. Nannette Bhaumik in March of 2007.
Archivist's note
Prepared by Mark C. Shenise, Associate Archivist
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Subject)
- Methodist Episcopal Church (Subject)