Four Famous Cousins
Abraham Lincoln	Daniel Boone	General George McClellan	Herb Pennock

This web site is devoted to the genealogy of the Hamilton, Pennock and Maul families of Chester County, Pennsylvania. A family of two US presidents, two frontier legends, a famous Union Civil War General, colonial aristocracy, a baseball Hall-of-Fame legend, industrial giants, magnificent farms and manors, colonial farmers, contemporary farmers, professors, teachers, doctors, dentists, hunters, and just plain folks.

Most of the information on these pages is the work of others, especially my cousin, Dr. Virginia Trexler, our family historian. It was her voluminous work that enabled these pages to be developed. Any photographs (they will be returned) or additional information would be greatly appreciated. Please e-mail Richard Hamilton with information: Click here to e-mail.

This page is dedicated to my late cousin, Dr. Virginia Trexler, for all her work on the Hamilton Family History, to my parents, Harry and Kathryn Hamilton and to my late brother, Robert Harry Hamilton. Also my late brother, Ronald Hamilton, who has a great interest in the Hamilton genealogy and who has submitted a great deal of information to this site.

I can remember the day in 1993 when myself and my brothers took our father to Chester County for the last time. We visited all the gravesites of his parents and grandparents and the old family farm. It was a very poignant visit. Just memories now. Even though I was born in Reading, PA, (Berks County) and raised in Fleetwood, PA, (Berks County), I know my roots and love will always remain in Chester County, Pennsylvania, my ancestral home. I will return often.

In Chester County, the past is the present, it is impossible to escape from it: the inhabitants of today are less real than the men and women who have gone; the shadows of the departed still possess the land. Voluntarily or involuntarily the sojourner must hold commune with those old relatives; for the whole air vibrates with a vast purpose and energy which has been and is no more. What a wonderful family, the Hamilton's, Pennock's and Maule's of Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Newest Hamilton?
Reghan Lauren Hamilton   Born Aug 1^st 2005
Parents: Karl (fourth generation) and Hilary Hamilton

Pennock Homestead
Primitive Hall, West Marlborough Twp, PA (Chester County)

Keim Homestead, Windsor Castle, PA (Berks County)
My mother was born and raised in this house in 1911. 
Educated in a one room school about two miles
east of home.

Hamilton Homestead, West Grove, PA (Chester County)
My father was born and raised in this house and on
this farm in 1903. Educated in a one room school about
2 miles from this house.

Our beloved uncles and aunts at a family reunion at
Sunnyside Farm, circa 1960s. First row, (l-r)) Harry Hamilton,
Earl Hamilton and Fred Hamilton. Back row, Ben Hamilton,
Nina Hamilton Herbott, Eva Hamilton Holloway, Idella
Hamilton Shivery. (Missing is Betsy Hamilton Fisher)

Idella Maule
My paternal grandmother
1862-1942

Lydia Pennock
My paternal great-grandmother
1825-1910

Joseph Pennock
Builder of Primitive Hall in 1738
1677-1771

Frank Keim
My maternal grandfather
1892-1953

Pennock Fred Hamilton
My paternal grandfather
1862-1933