The 2010 U.S. Census recorded 11,184 black Americans with Hammond as their last name. That represented 16% of the total of 69,515 entries.
This article tracks their numbers in the census since the Civil War. We also look at historic African American people named Hammond.
We end with a review of early records of black military service in the United States.
After The Civil War
The 1870 census was the first survey after the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation. In 1850 and 1860, only free African Americans were recorded in the census. The many enslaved were omitted.
From 1870 onward, all black Americans were included.
1,475 people named Hammond were recorded in the 1870 census as black and 259 as mixed.
There was a total of 16,184 people with the name.
Hammond In The 1900 And 1940 Census
The mixed category was dropped from the census in 1900, so we just need to look at the black numbers this time.
The 1900 census recorded 2,788 people with the last name Hammond as black within a total of 24,911 that year.
By the way, the mixed category returned in the 1910 and 1920 censuses. It was dropped again in 1930, but replaced with extra categories for colored and non-white in a way that seems confusing now.
This changed again in 1940 and we can simply focus on one black category.
The 1940 census recorded 4,284 people named Hammond as black within a total of 38,867.
Historic Black Figures With The Hammond Surname
Here is a notable African American in history with Hammond as their last name.
Sebastian Hammond
- Born: Late 1790s
- From: Frederick County, Maryland
Sebastian Hammond was born enslaved at the turn of the 19th century. He became renowned as a gravestone carver, and was able to purchase his freedom in 1839.
At the time, he was married with several children. Over then next twenty years, he amassed enough funds to purchase the freedom of his wife and eleven children.
Known as Boss Hammond, his distinctive lettering was at the height of stone calligraphy.
Hammond In Black Military Records
Military records are a rich resource of information for family history research. Here are examples of the Hammond surname from military service.
Buffalo Soldiers
Five regiments for black soldiers were formed during the Civil War. They were known as the Buffalo Soldiers.
Their records are part of the national archive of military monthly returns. The information includes the year and place of birth, where they enlisted, their occupation, and their height.
One of the earliest military entries for Hammond was in March 1873. Alexander Hammond was a Private in the U.S. Ninth Cavalry. He was stationed in March 1873 at Fort McKavett, Texas.
Another entry was in February 1913. Frank Hammond was a Private in the U.S. Tenth Cavalry.
If you are researching military ancestors, there is a free index of these records on Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
You have to create an account on either website, but you do not need to pay for the Buffalo Soldiers archive.
Black Civil War Sailors
The National Parks Service has a free archive of African American sailors during the Civil War.
The information includes their age, height, rank, occupation, and where and when they enlisted. It also includes every ship that they served on.
You can search the database on the National Parks website.
Benjamin Hammond
One of the earliest entries for Hammond was for Benjamin Hammond from Annapolis, Maryland. He enlisted in September 1861 at New York when he was aged 21.
The record shows that Benjamin was assigned on to the ship Sabine.
His occupation before enlisting was as a Cook. His naval rank was Landsman.
“Landsman” was the lowest rank at the time and was given to recruits with little sea experience.
Solomon Hammond
One of the later entries was for a sailor who enlisted at New Orleans in January 1864. Solomon was aged 22 and was from Georgetown, District of Columbia.
He was assigned to the ship Stockdale on April 1865.
His occupation before enlisting was as a Laborer. His naval rank was Landsman.
“Landsman” was the lowest rank at the time and was given to recruits with little sea experience.