As he studied those slips, he recalled the words spoken by the Texas leaders who read them aloud. In time, Hamilton taught himself to read.

Born a Kentucky slave who was ultimately bought and redeemed by Houston, Hamilton lived in Belton and Temple for more than 50 years after the general’s death.

While he served as a longtime custodian at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, professors fed his love of reading by loaning him books for his daily after-lunch reads.

Today, Hamilton’s name is familiar to Temple youth who play at his namesake park, but his descendants said they want his legacy to grow beyond signs. They hope his story will breed a generation of new readers.

Plans for a Jeff Hamilton Reading Club will be unveiled during a community program and picnic at 10 a.m. Saturday at Jeff Hamilton Park, 501 S. 14th St., Temple.

The event marks the 32nd anniversary of the installation of two Belton historical markers honoring Hamilton, the first African-American in Texas honored with multiple markers. It also commemorates the date of his birth, April 16, 1840.

Coordinated by fourth-generation descendants Genevieve Womack Gregg and Larry Womack, both of Temple, the program will feature proclamations honoring Hamilton by the cities of Temple and Belton.

There also will be a time for public remarks, a memorial for deceased members of the Jeff Hamilton Historical Committee and the Ebony Cultural Society, and a tribute to the late H.K. Allen, who supported the Hamilton markers effort, Mrs. Gregg said.

A community picnic will follow with games, entertainment and music from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. Those attending are asked to bring their own picnic baskets, she said.

Among those expected is Madge Thornall Roberts, a fourth-generation descendant of Sam Houston, who is president general of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. College representatives, police officers, firefighters and Army ROTC students also have been invited.

Womack will lead an historical tour of places significant in Hamilton’s history, including marked sites at UMHB and East Belton Cemetery, where he is buried. Other stops will include the Jeff Hamilton Building at Wilson Park, home to the Temple Community Free Clinic, as well as Eighth Street Baptist Church, the site of his funeral.

Hamilton,who died just weeks before his 101st birthday, spent his last year writing a book with Lenoir Hunt, “My Master: The Inside Story of Sam Houston and His Times.”

The Temple Public Library owns two copies of Hamilton’s story, which describes his path from the degrading slave-block to life with Houston’s household.

Houston bought Hamilton for $450 when he saw the 13-year-old boy crying in Huntsville, being sold to pay his owner’s whiskey debt. Though he started out as a playmate for Houston’s sons, Hamilton later served as Houston’s personal assistant, driver and office aide.

Although Houston granted his slaves freedom in 1862, Hamilton stayed with the family and was at Houston’s side when he died. Houston asked his family to ensure that Hamilton had a job after his death.

Mrs. Roberts said her grandmother, Houston’s granddaughter, shared her memories of Hamilton with the family.

“I have her handwritten comments about Jeff and remember comments about how fond the family was of him,” Mrs. Roberts said.

Temple resident Virginia Cockrell Fowler said she also grew up hearing of Hamilton, who was married to her great-grandmother later in life. During a previous marriage, he fathered 11 children.

“He was the only grandfather that my father ever knew,” Mrs. Fowler said.

“He loved to read. I know that from my dad,” she added. “My dad said he loved to read all kind of papers and books and anything he could get his hands on.”

Mrs. Gregg, a retired behavioral specialist and content mastery instructor, said she hopes the proposed reading club will engender the same sentiment among Temple school district youth who struggle with reading. The club, still in its infancy, will pursue grant funds.

“He was so determined to learn how to read,” Mrs. Gregg said. “I want students to look at what he did: He picked things up off the ground he was so determined to read.

“It inspired me. If he could do that during that time in history, then this generation should have it made.”