Robert ("Bob") Hammond
1858 - 1923
Robert Hammond was a founding trustee of Rust Chapel, the first African American Methodist church established by African Americans in Oxford, and served as head janitor of Emory College for 42 years. He was born to Charles, a day laborer, and Melissa, a laundress. On February 6, 1883, Robert married Amanda Moore of Covington, a school teacher in segregated black public schools.
Hammond was held in high regard by the students, faculty, and community members during the extraordinary tumultuous times following the Civil War and Reconstruction. This is evidenced by the headstone placed at his grave in the Oxford Historical Cemetery, which was purchased by students of Emory College, and engraved with the inscription, “Faithful – Efficient, A Token of Respect from Emory Men.” His memory continued to live on in the minds and hearts of scholars at Emory College. In 1966, the Class of 1913 dedicated a tree and a bronze plaque in front of Few Hall to honor “the memory of Bob Hammond and Billy Mitchell, who together contributed 95 years of faithful and efficient service to Old Emory.”
The respect and affection was returned and was touchingly demonstrated by Hammond’s wife after his death. When Emory College moved to Atlanta, the Oxford school became known as Emory Academy. Later, the board of trustees launched a campaign to raise $100,000 for expenses related to elevating Emory Academy to a junior college. Amanda Hammond contributed an unsolicited donation of $100 in her husband’s memory.
Bob Hammond, a distinguished, well-loved member of the Oxford community, through his fine character and generous nature, left an enduring legacy of inter-racial respect and appreciation at Emory College and throughout the entire community.
Hammond was held in high regard by the students, faculty, and community members during the extraordinary tumultuous times following the Civil War and Reconstruction. This is evidenced by the headstone placed at his grave in the Oxford Historical Cemetery, which was purchased by students of Emory College, and engraved with the inscription, “Faithful – Efficient, A Token of Respect from Emory Men.” His memory continued to live on in the minds and hearts of scholars at Emory College. In 1966, the Class of 1913 dedicated a tree and a bronze plaque in front of Few Hall to honor “the memory of Bob Hammond and Billy Mitchell, who together contributed 95 years of faithful and efficient service to Old Emory.”
The respect and affection was returned and was touchingly demonstrated by Hammond’s wife after his death. When Emory College moved to Atlanta, the Oxford school became known as Emory Academy. Later, the board of trustees launched a campaign to raise $100,000 for expenses related to elevating Emory Academy to a junior college. Amanda Hammond contributed an unsolicited donation of $100 in her husband’s memory.
Bob Hammond, a distinguished, well-loved member of the Oxford community, through his fine character and generous nature, left an enduring legacy of inter-racial respect and appreciation at Emory College and throughout the entire community.