Benjamin Hancock (1820 - 1896)

Born 16 Mar 1820 in Hobart Town, Tasmania, Australia

Husband of Sarah (Best) Hancock — married 2 Jan 1845 in Castle Hill, New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 23 Feb 1896 at age 75 in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

"OBITUARY" The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888 - 1950) 29 February 1896: 8. THE CUMBERLAND ARGUS AND FRUITGROWERS ADVOCATE, Parramatta, NSW Saturday 29 February 1896 Page 8 ^[1]
Mr. Benjamin Hancock.
By the death on Sunday last of Mr. Benjamin Hancock, of Grose-street, Parramatta, another of the town's identities, with whom the memories of old Parramatta are linked, has passed away.
Mr. Hancock had been complaining of ill-health since last Christmas time, but, although feeling very poorly, he was not obliged to take to his bed till a week previous to his death, which occured at 2 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, through senile decay.
Two of his sons, a daughter, and his widow were present at the closing scene, which was tranquil in character. On the 16th of next month, Mr. Hancock would have reached the ripe old age of 76 years.
He was a native of Tasmania, having been born at what was then known as "Hobart Town," on March 16, 1820.
At the age of 23, he came over to New South Wales, and settled down in Parramatta, in which place his home has been ever since.
Upwards of half a century ago he met and married Miss Sarah Best (now his widow), daughter of Mr. Thomas Best, of Dural. The issue was nine children, all grown-up, and three of whom have preceded their father to the grave.
The children's names are : —Mary, who died some six years ago, and whose remains now lie in the Presbyterian Cemetery alongside of her father's; Samuel, who is married and at present living in Parramatta ; Matilda, (Mrs. Cray, of Brisbane) ; Emelline, (Mrs. Hawksley, formerly of Granville, whose sad demise, leaving a husband and five children, took place about four years ago ; Maud, (Mrs. Charles Hawksley) now of Early-street, Parramatta ; William, married, and living at Granville ; Florrie, (Mrs. Geo. Coates of Parramatta) ; Ruth, who departed this life some years ago; and Edith, who is living with her widowed mother. There are twenty-four grandchildren.
Mr. Hancock was for some years in business as boot-maker in Parramatta, and subsequently engaged in other avocations, notably that of taxidermist and bird fancier. Durng his career he had visited various gold fields, having been present at the Turon, Snowy River, and Lambing Flat "rushes." He failed, however, to strike it very rich, and his gold-mining experiences did not "pan out" very handsomely.
For forty years he had lived where he died, and had been a member of All Saints' Church. Many years ago he was a prominent member of the Fountain of Friend- ship Lodge, M.U. Oddfellows, and had the pleasure of proposing one of its oldest members, Mr. Richard Harper, J.P. He had, we understand, been "through the chairs" — or, otherwise, had qualified as a Past Grand of the Order.
The funeral moved from his late residence on Monday afternoon, and the cortege was a large one, there being about a dozen vehicles containing some of his many friends, followed by about thirty gentlemen walking. News of his death had not reached many of his best acquaintances.
The remains were conveyed to the Presbyterian cemetery, Western Road, where the Rev. John Done, incumbent of All Saints', Paramatta, read the burial service. Messrs. Metcalfe and Wilkinson conducted the funeral.

Research

Birth: Mar 6 1818 - Hobart, Tas, Australia
Death: Feb 23 1896 - Parramatta, NSW, Australia
Wife: Sarah Hancock (born Best)
Children:
Mary E HANCOCK, Samuel Hancock, Matilda Louise HANCOCK, Emeline HANCOCK, Ruth HANCOCK, Alice Caroline Maude HANCOCK, George Thomas HANCOCK, Edith A HANCOCK

Is this birth in Tasmania for Benjamin Hancock? Linc-Tasmanian Names Index
Name: Handcock, Benjamin; Record Type: Births; Gender: Male
Father: Handcock, Benjamin; Mother: Handcock, Elizabeth
Date of birth: 06 Mar 1818; Registered: Hobart; Registration year: 1818
Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:1078228 Resource RGD32/1/1/ no 594

Sources

1. ↑ THE CUMBERLAND ARGUS AND FRUITGROWERS ADVOCATE, Parramatta, NSW Saturday 29 February 1896 Page 8

• MarriageNSW BDM Index 250/1845 V1845250 30B HANCOCK BENJAMIN (marriage) BEST SARAH (CX) (CX=Church of England Castle Hill; Dooral/Dural)
• DeathNSW BDM Index 3570/1896 HANCOCK BENJAMIN (parents) UNKNOWN & UNKNOWN (PARRAMATTA)
• Death Notice 4. "Family Notices" The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888 - 1950) 29 February 1896: HANCOCK. — February 23, at his residence, Grose-street, Parramatta, Benjamin Hancock, aged 76 years.