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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.