by Karen Yvonne Hamilton, 2024

Gene was born on October 9, 1883, in Monroe, Florida, to Richard HAMILTON (1840-1944) and Mary Appolonia WEEKS (1859-1917). He was born on the family boat, as were most children in those days, near Chokoloskee Island. Gene was called King Gene by most and Papa by the family. 

In 1903, Gene married Rebecca Elizabeth JOHNSON, the daughter of Gilbert ‘Gibb’ JOHNSON and Emiline HOLLAND. 

Gene and Rebecca lived on and around Turkey Key where they had nine children between 1904 and 1922.

In 1910, the family lived on Wood Key in the Ten Thousand Islands (Everglades). 

1910 United States Federal Census

In 1920, the family lived in Flamingo. 

1920 United States Federal Census

In 1930, they lived at Poinciana Point in the Everglades. Also living in their household as boarders at that time were Alfred JOHNSON and John JORDAN. Living nearby were Nellie’s grandfather, Robert (Richard) HAMILTON, Walter HAMILTON & family, Henry SHORT, George STILLWELL, William BETHEL & family, and Joseph JOHNSON.

1930 United States Federal Census

The family is also listed on the 1930 Key West census as living at 1415 ___ St. Key West, FL. (unable to read street name)

1930 United States Federal Census

King Gene was respected and feared by the inhabitants of the Islands. A deputy on Wood Key and personal friend of the Seminoles, he was said to possess a large tomahawk that he used on anyone who ventured into his territory. He was the favored guide for visitors and reporters, including Teddy Roosevelt. 

Charlie Tigertale, Walter Hamilton, Gene Hamilton

Paul Gomes, son of Rosalee Hamilton and Salvador Gomes recalls, “I remember he was a very strong man. I remember that up Wood Key there’s a place called ‘The Farm’ where they used to grow all their produce and stuff. And I remember as a kid going up there, every year you’d have to go up and cut it out ‘cause you couldn’t get up this creek, cut it out to go up there. But Papa had everything in the world growing up there: figs, oranges, grapefruit, anything you could think of. It was an old Indian mound is what it was. He loved women, but so did the whole Hamilton crowd. He wasn’t loud. All the people back in them days was pretty quiet. They didn’t talk unless you talked to them.” 

Salvador Gomes, Gene Hamilton, William “Buddy” Hamilton

Today, the National Park Service has renamed ‘The Farm’. You’ll find it on the maps now as ‘Hamilton’s Mound.’

far right Gene Hamilton and wife, Gladys
Gene Hamilton on the Irene, built on Lostmans River

DEATH

Gene died on December 25, 1966, in Naples, Florida, at the age of 83, and was buried in Fort Myers, Florida.

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SOURCES

1910 US Federal Census; 1920 US Federal Census; 1930 US Federal Census; Florida, County Marriage Records, 1823-1982; The Key West Citizen (Key West, Florida); U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947; Oral histories of Ernest E. Hamilton, Sr and Paul Gomes.

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