William Hancock Sr. (abt. 1645 - 1687)

Born about 1645 in Lower Norfolk, Colony of Virginia

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 17 May 1687 at about age 42 in Lower Norfolk, Colony of Virginia

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Raymond Nichols [send private message] and Brian Ward [send private message]

Biography

Born abt 1648, Lower Norfolk Co, Virginia Colony.

Married Elizabeth Cockroft (Her brother, William Cockroft, who died in 1686, mentioned his brother-in-law, William Hancock, in his will.)

The will of William Hancock, dated 14 April, 1687, proved 17 May, 1687, in the Eastern Branch of Elizabeth River of Lower Norfork County, names his heirs:
1. "Simon Hancocke, 'my elder son'
2. William Hancocke, my son 'on South side of the above creek, being where ye chapel now stands'.
3. Son, Samuel, land bounded by William Cockruft, Edward Moseley and Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Lawson.
4. Son, John, remainder of land.
5. Daughters, Mary and Frances Hancocke,
'Loving mother, Sarah Piggott' his stock of hogs and wool from the sheep, to be the Executrix.
Kinsman, William Moseley, to live on his land until he becomes of age.
Inventory of the estate was to be made by loving friends, Mr. Arthur Moseley, Bartholomew Williamson, John Carraway, Edward Moseley."
Signed in William Handcock's hand and his Seal.
Witnesses: Anthony Lawson, John Carraway, Bartholomew Williamson, Edward Moseley.
"On the last day of April, 1687, the underwritten met and laid out the lands of Simon, William, Samuel and John Hancock according to the will of William Hancock, deceased... Ath. Moseley, Bartho.
Williamson, Edw. Moseley." ^[1]

His brother, Simon's widow, Sarah Piggott, names William's children in her will of 1689.
"George Hancock, son of William, not of age,
Simon Hancock, son of William, Samuel Hancock,
son of William, Edward Hancock, son of William,
Granddaughter, Frances Hancock,
my two sons, Robert Hancocke and Simon Hancocke."^[2]
[her son William had died 2 years earlier]

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I found a William Handcocke who came to Virginia, Lower Norfolk, Linhaven Parish, in 03/18/1662. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kl3NQvvVBWeUVhlhXTIJa325b_I1i1rJMjbep1CkvtQ/edit#gid=0

Could this be the same family: Find A Grave: Memorial #67563963

Sources

1. ↑ Lower Norfolk County Deed Book 5, part 1, page 134 in Virginia Archives
2. ↑ "Abstracts of Norfolk County Wills", by McIntosh, page 126

• http://ucan.us/genealogydata/g004.html#I259
• http://www.kykinfolk.com/henry/hancock.htm

Changes to birth date based on : Childs, J.Rives, 1925, "Hancock Family Corrections", Virginia Magazine of History and Biography 33(2):212-215. Removed death place of Georgia, USA. Did not exist in 1687.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Gene Chesser
Thanks to Raymond Nichols
Thank you to Anita Stickler
Other contributors: Mary Jo Freeman