Phillip Hamman Sr. was born about 1750-1753. He was of German ancestry, but the exact location of his birth is unknown.
Phillip Hamman married Christina Cook (c. 1763 – January 28, 1842), the daughter of “Captain” Valentine Cook (c. 1731 – April 23, 1798) and Susannah Baughman Cook (August 24, 1732 – 1807), on March 3, 1780 at Cook’s Fort (near present Cook’s Mill) in what was then Greenbrier County, Virginia (now Monroe County, West Virginia). Christina was born in York County, Pennsylvania. The couple had thirteen children:
- John (August 19, 1781 – December 1, 1854)
- Infant son (October 10, 1782 – October 17, 1782)
- Nancy (born November 19, 1783, date of death unknown)
- Polly (Born 8/1/1785 died October 1872) (sometimes referred to a “Mary Polly”)
- James (August 26, 1787 – 1857)
- Elizabeth (November 23, 1790 – November 18, 1879)
- Sarah (born December 23, 1792, date of death unknown)
- Celia (April 13, 1794 – March 1823)
- William Cook (June 26, 1796 – October 12, 1870)
- Jesse Franklin (January 31, 1799 – September 7, 1871), twin of Elijah.
- Elijah (January 31, 1799 – May 1860), twin of Jesse.
- Phillip, Jr. (August 28, 1801 – June 21, 1871)
- Valentine C. (August 15, 1802 – c. 1861)
Phillip Hamman was an American frontier hero and is referred to as the “Savior of Greenbrier County.” In 1778 Indians under direction of Chief Cornstalk, were on their way to attack Ft Donnally near Lewisburg WV. Phillip Hamman and John Pryor volunteered to travel from the Ohio River to warn the settlers of the impending attack. Even though the Indians had several days’ head start, the two were able to get ahead of the Indians and warn the inhabitants of the fort. The actions of Hamman and Pryor saved countless lives.
Phillip Hamman later moved with his family to Madison Co. Kentucky, then Montgomery Co Kentucky. When Alabama was opened to settlers, Phillip and Christina moved to Jackson Co. Alabama.
Phillip Hamman died on August 3, 1832 near Fackler, Alabama. Hamman was buried first on his plantation near Fackler, and later was reburied at the Valley Head Cemetery in DeKalb County, Alabama on March 2, 1972, along with his wife, Christina Cook Hamman.
A U.S. government marker was issued for Hamman noting that he served in the “12th Virginia Regiment” in the Revolutionary War. An identical marker was purchased for Christina Hamman noting that she was born in York County, Pennsylvania. in 1763 and died in Valley Head, Alabama, January 28, 1842.