Hammond in Historic Context
We know a lot about the early years of Hammond AND the development of the Northshore region. Our task now is to be more inclusive in our understanding of history.
Hammond in Historic Context
"This region, formerly the western-most section of Spanish West Florida, was annexed by the United States in 1810. Two years later the United States fought against Britain in the "Second War for American Independence," which we studied as the War of 1812. Eight years later Peter Hammond arrived in New Orleans, making his way to Wadesboro and thence to Ponchatoula.
Over time he earned enough money to acquire some of the vast stands of timber that characterized much of this area at that time.
It is interesting to note that others crossed the lakes (Maurepas and Pontchartrain) during and after the War of 1812. Madisonville on the Tchefuncte River developed in 1811. The Town of Covington (originally named Wharton) began in 1813. Not far from this spot, Peter Hammond built a log house and out-buildings - near Ponchatoula Creek. The massive oaks of the neighborhood indicated that this was high ground.
In each of these Northshore settlements, blacks and whites labored together to establish themselves in these pine-scented forests. They harvested the timber to make ship masts, tar, pitch, and charcoal for which great demand existed in the markets of New Orleans on the south side of the lakes.
Peter Hammond's settlement marked the frontier of his time. When a favored enslaved young man died of yellow-fever, Peter Hammond placed him under the sheltering branches of a magnificent oak. As members of Hammond's family died from then on, they too were placed under the oak. The grave markers tell us who they were. It is fitting that now we also recognize the name of this first person to be interred in the Hammond Family Cemetery."
- C. Howard Nichols, Emeritus Professor of History
(Written November 1, 2017 for the All Saints' Day wreath-laying ceremony at the enslaved person’s grave marker)
