William Hancock (1749 - 1837)

Born 20 Oct 1749 in Chesterfield County, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Elizabeth (Fisher) Hancock — married 1813 in Adair County, Kentucky

Descendants

Died 22 Feb 1837 at age 87 in Adair County, Kentucky

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Raymond Nichols [send private message], Rebecca Dean [send private message], and Amber Skillern [send private message]

Biography

WILLIAM HANCOCK was born 20 Oct 1749 Chesterfield County, VA.

Virginia Service of William Hancock, R4552 p. 91^[1]
William Hancock made declaration in Adair County, Kentucky 1832 August 10, under Act of June 7, 1832, and was age 83 on this date. States he entered service 1780 under John Trigg, who was commanded by General Muhlenburg, Col. Parker and Maj. Decloman and marched to Dismal Swamp by way of Petersburg and also at Suffolk he got his discharge at Dismal Swamp and returned home. The tour was about 3 months . He resided in Bedford Co., VA at the time he entered service, 4 or 5 weeks after his return from Dismal Swamp. He received orders from Col. Linch of Bedford Co., VA that if he with others would would take Tories and deserters and bring them to trial that he should be clear of any other service. He states that he was engaged in the business of taking Tories and etc. from May 1700 until the surrender of Cornwallis in which was in October 1781 about 16 months. In his tour to Dismal Swamp he was ordered by the officers and willingly engaged in the business. He states he has no documentary evidence by which he is enabled to prove his service.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present and states his name is not on the pension role of agency of any state.

Affadavits of Nathan Gaither and Daniel Trabuc in Adair County, KY state they believe statements made by Wm. Hancock are true.

Wm. Hancock amendment May 9, 1833 that he was born in Chesterfield County, VA 20 Oct 1749. Also mentions Simon Hancock who has given a certificate proving part of his service. He was 2nd Sgt. in Capt. Trigg's company during his 3 month's service to Dismal Swamp. He died 1837 Adair Co., KY. He has 2 children and heirs at law, myself and brother, John P. Hancock. He signed Oliver (X) Hancock in 1887, Greensburg, KY.

1832
S Hancock Certificate^[2]
State of Kentucky }
Adair County } SS (sworn statement)
I do certify that William Hancock with others were engaged in the State of Virginia in taking Tories & deserters. I recollect of them bringing some of them to my Fathers and keeping them here in confinement for some time given under my hand this 4th day of August 1832. I was about 9 years old. [above written in a different hand than the shaky signature below]
Simon Hancock
This is to certify that the within named Simon Hancock who has my hand this 4th day of August 1832

this day personally appeard before me the within in name, Simon Hancock, and made oath that the statement made in the will {? Not legible] is true. I also certify that the said Simon Hancock is a man that is intitled to credit.
Given under my hand this day of 6th May 1833
David Suddarth JP (Justice of the Peace)

Greensburg, Ky
April 8-1887
Dear Sir:
My father, William Hancock, was a soldier in the revolutionary war and died in Adair Co, Ky. In the year 1837. Before his death he made application for a pension but it was never allowed, he having died before it came to a final hearing-- He has two children & daughter in- law now living, myself & my brother John P. Hancock of Columbia, Adair Co, Ky.
Will you please inform me if we as his children are entitled to his pension or any money on his account, and, if so, what steps will be necessary to obtain the same. Please direct in care of W. H. Milby at Greensburg, Ky.
Yours respectfully
Oliver H. Hancock

Hon. John C. Black
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Disallowed

This establishes that Simon Hancock was a son of William Hancock, that he was born about 1771 and died after 6 May 1833 in Adair Co., KY. It also seems to indicate that his widow Catherine was still living in 1887.
William was born about 1749. He passed away in 1837.

Sources

1. ↑ Hancock Family collection by unknown historian: "VA Pension Abstracts of the War of the Revolution, 1812 and Indian War". p. 27
2. ↑ Online Fold3 pension application files these handwritten letters

• William Hancock - Web Family Cards.

• Childs, J. Rives, 1925, Hancock Family of Lower Norfolk, Henrico, and Bedford Counties. The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography 32(2): 212-215.

• Dorman, John Frederick. 2004. Chapter "Thomas Harris", in Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia, 1607-1624/5: Families G-P. Genealogical Press, pp. 264-298.

• Fold3 pension files for William Hancock

• family information