The Dampier family members were prominent business leaders in the city of Inverness, which was then called Tompkinsville. Francis Dampier, Sr., a pioneer of Inverness, ran a general store. He was related by marriage to the Tompkinsville namesake, Alf Tompkins. Francis Dampier's brother, Earl, ran a grocery store before the Depression. Earl G. Dampier was the co-owner of the Evergreen Hotel located on Main Street across from the Bank of Inverness. F.M. Dampier was the Postmaster, had a sawmill and was a partner in a general merchandise store.