Thomas Hammond was born 24 September 1807 in Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey to David Hammond and Mary Garrison. He was baptized in the Reformed Dutch Church of Totowa on 18 October 1807. In documents his name was variously spelled as Hemmon, Hammon, Hamon and Hammond. The Totowa Church Records are in such poor shape prior to 1807 that it is difficult to know how many siblings Thomas had. There are several other possible Hammonds in the area at the time.
He and Martha “Patty” Ackerman were married 11 April 1830 at Paramus by Rev. Eltinge of the Reformed Dutch Church. She was of a long line of Ackermans descending from the immigrant David Ackerman of 1662. Martha was “of Godwinville” at the time of the marriage.
After his marriage he purchased land with Martin Terhune from John A. Ackerman and his wife Bridget (not a close relative of Patty) in January of 1833, and then later in the year in August he purchased land from Patty’s brother, Garret D. Ackerman and his wife, Eliza. He did some farming on this land and may have started on his main career of carpentry here.
Thomas’ father died in the cholera epidemic that hit Paterson in 1832. His widowed mother remained living in Paterson until her death in 1858.
Thomas and Patty had their first child, Rachel Ann, 11 March 1831. She was baptized at the Paramus Dutch Reformed Church 10 April 1831. Their second child, the first son, was named after Thomas and Patty’s fathers. David Henry was born 22 July 1833 and baptized 1 September 1833 at the Paramus Dutch Reformed Church. Their third child, Mary Elizabeth was born 5 August 1835 and baptized 1 November 1835 at the Paramus Dutch Reformed Church. Another son, Garrit M. was born 15 December 1837 and baptized 4 February 1838 at Paramus. He was followed by Martha Ester, born 22 February 1840 and baptized 7 June 1840 at Paramus. One more daughter was born to the couple, Catherine was born in February 1847, but an exact date has not yet been discovered. She was not baptized at Paramus probably because the family had moved to Manchester, Bergen County by that time.
Thomas and Patty sold some of their land in 1836, and by the 1850 census were listed in Manchester, Bergen County, Thomas being listed as a carpenter. By 1855 the family had moved to Paterson and were living at 23 Hamburg Avenue. Shortly thereafter they moved to 29 N. Main, presumably to be nearer to Thomas’ widowed mother, Mary, who lived at 16 N. Main. In 1860 they are living in East Paterson and Thomas is listed as a farmer and two of their children, Garrit and Kate are still living with them. Presumably they kept some on their land.
By 1870 Thomas and Patty are living with their daughter, Martha Coover, who is now a widow with a son to take care of. Thomas is again listed as a carpenter. By 1880 the now elderly Thomas and Patty are living with Martha Larue, a widow, at 185 Hamburgh Ave. and Thomas is still listed as a carpenter at age 72. In the years after this the couple seems to have moved around a lot, 103 Main in 1881, 8 Bank in 1882, 13 Division in 1886 and finally 230 Summer in 1887. This last was the address they would remain at until their deaths. Martha “Patty” died 9 November 1887 and was buried in Sandy Hill Cemetery. Thomas died 2 December 1892 and was buried at Laurel Grove. Martha was removed from Sandy Hill when it closed and was then interred at Laurel Grove as well.
@2015 Nancy Ratay

1840 New Jersey, Bergen County, Franklin Twp.,
Thomas Hammond 1 male under 5, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 30-40, 2 females under 5, 1 female 5-10, 1 female 30-40

1850 New Jersey, Passaic County, Manchester, p. 390, film M432-461
dwelling 236, family 343
Thomas Hammond, age 42, male, carpenter, born New Jersey
Martha --------------, age 43, female, born New Jersey
Rachel A.------------, age 19, female, born New Jersey
David H.-------------, age 17, male, cotton mill hand, born New Jersey
Mary E. -------------, age 15, born New Jersey
Martha H.-----------, age 11, female, attended school, born New Jersey
Catherine------------, age 4, female, born New Jersey

1860 New Jersey Passaic County, E. Ward Paterson p. 106 or 402, film M653-706
dwelling 673, family 842
Thomas Hammond, age 53, male, farmer, personal $500, born New Jersey
Martha --------------, age 53, female, born New Jersey
Martha --------------, age 20, female, born New Jersey
Garret ---------------, age 23, male, born New Jersey
Catherine------------, age 14, female, born New Jersey

1870 New Jersey, Passaic County, 3rd Ward Paterson p. 92 or 391, Roll M593-885
Coover, M. H., age 29, female, keeps house, $3000, born New Jersey
---------, Jacob S., age 1, male, born New Jersey
Hammond, Thomas, age 62, male, carpenter,born New Jersey
-------------, Martha, age 63, female, born New Jersey

1880 New Jersey, Passaic County, Paterson, page 19B, film T9-0795 (with Martha Larue)
dwelling 249, family 373
Hammond, Thomas, age 72, male, white, married, carpenter, born New Jersey, parents born New Jersey
Hammond, Martha, age 73, female, white, wife, married, housekeeper, born New Jersey, parents born New Jersey

------------------------------------deceased

Land Transcription for Thomas Hamon
24 August 1833

Garret D. Ackerman and Eliza Ackerman, his wife
Thomas Hamon

This indenture made this twenty fourth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three Between Garret D. Ackerman and Eliza his wife of the township of Franklin in the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey of the first part and Thomas Hamon of the Township of Franklin in the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey of the second part. Witnesseth that the said parties of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of Eighty dollars lawful money of the United States of America to them in hand well and truly paid by the said party of the second part at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged and the said parties of the first part therewith fully satisfied content and paid have give granted bargained sold aliened enfeoffed conveyed and confirmed and by these presents do give grant bargain sell alien enfeoff, convey and confirm to the said party of the second part and to his heirs and assigns forever.

All that tract or parcel of land and premises hereinafter particularly described situate lying and being in the township of Saddle River in the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey. Beginning at a stake and stones in the south east corner of the lot and North east corner of the lands of the said Garret D. Ackerman and in the line of the lands of the heirs of John Van Horn deceased and from thence running (first) north fourteen degrees and fifteen minutes west three chains and fifty two links to a stake. Thence (second) south seventy five degrees west nine chains and forty seven links to a stake, Thence (third) South fourteen degrees and fifteen minutes east three chains and forty two links to a stake then (fourth) north seventy five degrees east nine chains and forty seven links to the place of Beginning containing three acres and thirty three hundredths of an acre strict measure Bounded east by lands of the heirs of John Van Horn deceased north by lands of Peter D. Ackerman west by lands of James Van Derbeek and south by lands of the said Garret D. Ackerman

Together with all and singular profits, priviledges and advantages with the appurtenances to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining, also all the estate right, title, interest, property claim, and demand whatsoever of the said parties of the first part of in and to same and of in and to every part and parcel thereof To have and to hold all and singular the above described tract or lot of land and premises with the appurtenances unto the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns to the only proper use, benefit, and behoof of the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns forever and the said Garret D. Ackerman doth for himself, his heirs, executors and administrators covenant and grant to and with the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns that they, the said Garret D. Ackerman and Eliza his wife, are the true lawful and right owners of all and singular the above described land and premises and of every part and parcel thereof with the appurtenances thereunto belonging and that the said land and premises or any part thereof at the time of sealing and delivery of these present are not encumbered by any mortgages, judgment or limitation or by any encumberance whatsoever by which the title of the said party of the second part hereby made or intended to be made, for the above described land and premises can or may be changed charged altered or defeated in any way what ever and also that the said parties of the first part now have good right, full power and lawful authority to grant, bargain, sell and convey the said land and premises in manner aforesaid also that they will warrant secure and forever defend the said land and premises unto the said Thomas Hammon, his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims and demands of all and every person and person freely and clearly freed and discharged of and from all manner of encumbrances whatsoever.

In witness whereof the said Garret D. Ackerman and Eliza Ackerman have hereunto set our hand and seals this day and year first above written
signed sealed and delivered in presence of Garret Van Dien and Maria Ackerman
(signatures)

Paterson Daily Press, 3 December 1892, viewed online at Google Newspapers (http://news.google.com/newspapers#P)
DEATHS
Hammond – In this city, on Friday, Dec. 2d, 1892, Thomas Hammond, aged 85 years.

The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Monday, Dec. 5th at 2 o’clock p.m. from the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. W. U. Wygant, No. 230 Summer street. Interment at Laurel Grove.

Paterson Daily Press, 21 April 1880, p. 3, viewed online at Google Newspapers (http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=aUOtug7Ojf8C)
GOLDEN WEDDING.
A notable event occurred a few nights since at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hammond, 185 Hamburgh avenue, no other than the anniversary celebration of the wedding of the pair, who have spent a half-century most happily together and witnessed a fine family grow up about them. Mr. Hammond is aged 73 years and Mrs. Martha Hammond 73 years and nine months. There was a full attendance of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and numerous tokens of affection were bestowed, including a well filled purse of golden pieces. One of the daughters of the pair is the wife of Mr. W. U. Wygant. Mr. Hammond is an esteemed member and class leader in the Prospect street M.E. church.
——————
Although only secondary and derivative information, this article upholds the assertion held by me that Martha Ackerman, wife of Thomas Hammond did not die in 1846 as sources of the David Ackerman Descendants 1664 had indicated. The ages listed for the pair coincide with both of them being born in 1807. Thomas Hammond and Martha Ackerman were married 11 April 1830 at Paramus. This marriage would have celebrated its 50th in April 1880 as the article indicates.

As a side note, the studio portraits I have of Thomas and Martha are from this time period. It could be that the children paid to have their portraits done for the anniversary or the photographer offered them a “special” due to their golden anniversary.