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Charles Hanks (abt. 1767 - abt. 1828)

Charles Hanks
Born about in Richmond, Virginia Colonymap
Ancestors ancestors
Son of and
Brother of , , , , , , and
Husband of — married 1 Feb 1798 in St. Martin, Louisianamap
Descendants descendants
Father of , , , , , , , , , , , , and
Died about at about age 61 in St. Landry, Louisiana, United Statesmap
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Charles Hanks lived in Louisiana.
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Biography

Charles Hanks is related to US President Abraham Lincoln. Here is the trail.

Charles Hanks, patriarch of the Louisiana Hanks families, was born c.1767 [1] in Richmond County, Virginia, to Joseph Hanks and Ann "Nannie" Lee of Virginia.[2] Charles was fifth of their eight children and the fourth son, the younger brother of Lucy Hanks -- 'Lucey,' as she signed it-- whose grandson would become President. Charles Hanks was great uncle to Abraham Lincoln.

Siblings:
  1. Thomas Hanks (1759)
  2. Joshua Hanks (c.1762)
  3. William Hanks (c.1764)
  4. Lucey Hanks (c.1766)
  5. Elizabeth Hanks (1771)
  6. Mary Hanks (c.1773)
  7. Nancy Hanks (c.1780)
  8. Joseph Hanks, Jr. (c.1785)

Westward Ho

In 1750 Daniel Boone had led a party of explorers and frontiersmen through the Cumberland Gap, a low, narrow pass through the Appalachian Mountains near the borders of Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, clearing the way for pioneers, and starting the "Westward Expansion" of the United States. One of Charles' maternal uncles, John Lee, had gone west and bought land in Kentucky, and three more, Mark, William, and Peter Lee, would make the move as well. Charles' oldest brother, Thomas, had gone northwest in 1780 to serve in the Continental army, and had remained in Hampshire County, Virginia (now Mineral County, West Virginia).[3] After five generations in North Farnham Parish, in 1782 or '83 Joseph Hanks and Ann Lee gathered their family, pulled up stakes and left their ancestral home for the new frontier.

Evidence suggests Joseph went back and forth between Richmond and Hampshire Counties,[4] and the entire family may have stopped over awhile in Hampshire, to await four important events:

  1. the final disposition of the estate of the widow Catherine Hanks (Charles' paternal grandmother);
  2. the (successful) outcome of his father's lawsuit against his former employer for a year's wages;[5]
  3. the birth of Nancy Hanks, future mother of a president, to Lucey, Charles' unwed teenage sister[6][7]
  4. the birth of Joseph Jr., the youngest member of the Hanks family.

Hanks Family in Kentucky

The family ultimately settled in Kentucky and cleared land for a farm around 1785. Charles is shown to be living there in 1788 with his father and brother William (implicitly with the entire family) by the Nelson County, Kentucky Court List of Tithables,[1] his first-time inclusion on the list suggesting he'd turned 21 that year. The only other documentation of his association there is his inclusion in his father's will in 1793.[8][9][10]

Exactly when Charles left his family in Kentucky for good is not known, but early on he most likely joined his adventurous uncles Mark and Peter Lee, who, like many Kentucky farmers, loaded their surplus crops onto flatboats and floated them downstream to markets in Natchez and beyond. The Lee brothers liked Natchez enough to eventually stay there awhile, but ultimately settled in southwest Louisiana to raise their families. Through them Charles is most likely to have found his way to St. Martinville, Louisiana in about 1791. Aside from the "Nelson County, Kentucky Court List of Titheables for 1788," the only documented certainty of Charles' whereabouts found so far is the information given ten years after that, upon his 1798 marriage in Louisiana.[11]

Charles evidently spent enough time in Kentucky that three of his youngest sons would say, more than a hundred years after his birth, that their father was from Kentucky.[12][13][14]

There is more recorded evidence that his family lived in Kentucky. His sister Lucey, mother of Nancy Hanks Lincoln, married Henry Sparrow in Mercer, Kentucky in 1791.[15] His brother William married Elizabeth Hall in Nelson, Kentucky, in 1793.[16] His niece, Nancy Hanks, married Thomas Lincoln in Washington, Kentucky in 1806.[17] And his father, Joseph Hanks, died there in 1793.[10]

Hanks Family in Louisiana

Charles, most likely in search of his own land and his own future, and with one or both of his maternal uncles, Mark and Peter Lee, ventured across the western U.S. border into the vast territory of Spanish-ruled "Luisiana"-- and traveled southwest, downriver, ultimately to join a small settlement in St. Martinville, in what is now the state of Louisiana.

Marriage

Long before the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the huge tract of land called "La Louisiane" by the original French colonizers was ceded to Spain for a time. "Luisiana" was ruled by Spanish law and French custom in 1798 when, by the priest of St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church at Poste des Attakapas, (now St. Martinville) Louisiana, Charles Hanks and Christine Hargrave were married.[18]

Family

France quietly reacquired title of Louisiana from Spain in 1800, the year Charles registered his cattle brand in St. Martinville,[19] and sold it to the U.S. in 1803. Thereafter, until it became a state in 1812, present-day Louisiana was the Territory of Orleans, which was how it was designated on the 1810 U.S. Census. In 1810 Charles and Christine were counted there-- in 'Orleans'-- with three sons and two daughters under age 10, and one son age 10-16.[20]

From 1810 to 1820, still in St. Martinville, Charles and Christine had three more sons and another daughter.[21] There would be three more children born after 1820 and before Charles' death c.1828.

Children of Charles and Christine:

  1. Joseph Hanks (1799)[22]
  2. Sarah Celeste Hanks Weed (1801)[23]
  3. Jean Hanks (1803)[24]
  4. Charles Hanks, Jr. (1805)[25]
  5. Thomas Hanks (1807)[26]
  6. Anne Hanks Quibedeaux (1809)[27]
  7. Benjamin Hanks (1811)[28]
  8. Melanie Hanks Fox (1814)[29]
  9. Joseph Alfred (1816)[30]
  10. Hilaire "Eli" Hanks (1818)[31]
  11. Nathaniel Hanks (1819)[32]
  12. Johnson Hanks (1822)[33]
  13. Raphael "Ralph" Hanks (1826)[34]
  14. Meliciare "Melisse" Hanks Duhon (1827)[35]

War of 1812

Charles was a forty-five year old family man in 1812, and 48 in 1815, the date of the Battle of New Orleans; it is entirely unlikely that he would have joined the marines in New Orleans in 1811 (vs. the militia in Attakapas in 1815), as did an unrelated Charles Haines with a brother named David.[36]

Death

Charles Hanks died in Louisiana c.1828, the exact date of death unknown.[37]

Sources

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Age in 1788 Charlie Hanks, with Joseph and William, in "Nelson County, Kentucky Court List of Tithables, 1785-1823," Family History Library Catalog #6929. To have been taxed in 1788, he had to have been 21 years old.
  2. ↑ Marriage, age, birth location: Rev. Donald J. Hebert, Southwest Louisiana Records 1740-1900 ("SWLR"), CD #101 (Baton Rouge, LA: Claitor's Publications Division, 2001);
    Charles Hanks - Anglican, 27 yrs. old, living in this parish - of Richemon[sic] County in Virginia, in this parish for 7 years (Joseph HEINCKS & Anne LIES - of Richmond) 1 Feb. 1798 (SM Ch.: Marriage Investigation: Folio D, #19)
  3. ↑ Paul H. Verduin, "The Post-Revolutionary Uprooting of Joseph Hanks and his Family," at URL http://www.geocities.ws/marianapolis99/verduing.htm
  4. ↑ Paul H. Verduin, "The June, 1782 Grand Jury Indictment of ___ Hanks," at URL http://www.geocities.ws/marianapolis99/verduinh.htm
  5. ↑ Paul H. Verduin, "Unfinished Business, the Return to Richmond County," at URL https://www.geocities.ws/marianapolis99/verduini.htm
  6. ↑ Paul H. Verduin, "New Evidence Suggests Lincoln's Mother Born[sic, should be "Conceived"] in Richmond County, Virginia, Giving Credibility to Planter Grandfather Legend," Northern Neck of Virginia Historical Magazine, December 1988, Volume XXXVIII, NO. 1, pp. 4354-4389. Article online at URL http://www.geocities.ws/marianapolis99/verduin.htm
  7. ↑ William E. Barton, "The Hankses," Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society (1908-1984) Vol. 20, No. 4, (Jan., 1928) p. 512
  8. ↑ Charles Hanks, legatee in Last Will and Testament of Joseph Hanks, Deceased, dated 8 Jan 1793 in Nelson County, Kentucky Will Book A, 1786-1807, p. 102, Family History Library Catalog #481453
  9. ↑ "Kentucky Probate Records, 1727-1990," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-20807-41470-77?cc=1875188&wc=37R5-W38:173614801,173678901 : accessed 31 July 2015), Nelson > Will records, 1786-1807, Vol. A > image 66 of 490; county courthouses, Kentucky.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Will proven 14 May 1793, in Nelson County, Kentucky Court Orders 1788-April 1789, FHLC #9641.
  11. ↑ Hebert, [Marriage Investigation regarding the freedom to marry] dated: 1 Feb. 1798
    Charles Hanks - Anglican, 27 yrs. old, living in this parish - of Richemon [sic] County in Virginia, in this parish for 7 years (Joseph HEINCKS & Anne LIES - of Richmond) and Christine HARTGREVE (SM Ch.: Folio D, #19) [Citing St. Martin de Tours Church, St. Martinville, LA, record: Marriage Investigation: Folio D, #19]
  12. ↑ "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MSP2-J81 : accessed 6 April 2016), Johnson Hanks, Ward 5, Acadia, Louisiana, United States; citing sheet 11A, family 174, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,240,556.
  13. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MD6T-HZY : accessed 6 April 2016), Ralph Hanks, 2nd Ward, Lafayette, Louisiana, United States; citing enumeration district ED 22, sheet 409C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0455; FHL microfilm 1,254,455.
  14. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFNN-BPW : accessed 14 April 2016), Eli Hanks, Precinct 4, Harris, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 79, sheet 209C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 1309; FHL microfilm 1,255,309.
  15. ↑ "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/V653-XXG : accessed 18 April 2016), Henry Sparrow and Lucy Hanks, 1791; citing p. 16, Mercer, Kentucky, United States, Madison County Courthouse, Richmond; FHL microfilm 192,267.
  16. ↑ "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/V5ZD-VNZ : accessed 18 April 2016), William Hanks and Elizabeth Hall, 02 Sep 1793; citing Nelson, Kentucky, United States, Madison County Courthouse, Richmond; FHL microfilm 9,666.
  17. ↑ "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/QKJS-83GY : accessed 8 June 2016), Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, 1806.
  18. ↑ Hebert, SWLR CD:
    Charles Hanks - Anglican, 27 yrs. old - of Richemon [sic] County in Virginia, living in this parish for 7 years (Joseph HEINCKS & Anne LIES - of Richmond) m. Christine HARTGREVE - of this parish (Benjamin ARGREAU - of North Carolina & Rebecca GOURTNAY - of Virginia) dated: 1 Feb. 1798 Assistant Witness: Louis CHEMIN - sacristan; Witnesses: William HARTGREVE & Marie LIES - living in this parish. Fr. Michel Bernard BARRIERE (SM Ch.: Marriage Investigation: Folio D, #19)
  19. ↑ Cattle brand reg.: Charles Hank in "Records of Attakapas District, Louisiana, 1739 - 1811," compiled by Mary Elizabeth Sanders (Urbana, IL: University of Illinois, 1962) p. 76. Online at URL https://archive.org/stream/recordsofattakap00sand/recordsofattakap00sand_djvu.txt
  20. ↑ "United States Census, 1810," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XH2C-4GK : accessed 14 April 2016), Charles Hanks, 1810.
  21. ↑ "United States Census, 1820," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHLW-PZC : accessed 6 April 2016), Chs Hanks, 1820.
  22. ↑ Hebert, SWLR CD:
    HANKS, Joseph (Charles - of Kentucky & Christine HARGRAVE - of this parish) b. 12 April 1799, bt. 7 May 1800 (SM Ch.: v.5, #246)
  23. ↑ Hebert, SWLR CD:
    HANKS, Celeste (Charles - of Mariland & Christine HARGRAVE - of this parish) b. 27 Feb. 1801(SM Ch.: Folio E, p.72)
  24. ↑ Hebert, SWLR CD:
    HANKS, Jean (Charles HANCS - from Maryland & Christine HARGRAVE - from here) b. 15 Feb. 1803 (SM Ch.: v.6-A, p.28)
  25. ↑ Hebert, SWLR CD:
    HANKS, Charles, fils (Charles - of Mariland & Christine HARGRAVE - of this parish) b. 3 July 1805 (SM Ch.: Folio E, p.73)
  26. ↑ Hebert, SWLR CD:
    HANKS, Thomas (Charles - of Mariland & Christine HARGRAVE - of this parish) b. 25 Feb. 1807 (SM Ch.: Folio E, p.73)
  27. ↑ Hebert, SWLR CD:
    HANKS, Anne (Charles HANES - of Bayou Vermillion & Christine HARTGRAVE) b. 15 March 1809 (SM Ch.: v.6, #1036)
  28. ↑ Hebert, SWLR CD:
    HANKS, Benjamin (Charles HENX - of lower Bayou Vermillion & Christine HARTGRAVE) b. 4 April 1811, bt. 27 March 1812 Pats: Joseph HENX & Anne LEE; Mats: Benjamin HARTGRAVE & Rebecca VOLNEY; Spons: Antoine DRONET & Marie DUBOIS, wife of Donat PRIMO. Fr. Gabriel ISABEY (SM Ch.: v.6, #1302)
  29. ↑ Hebert, SWLR CD:
    HANKS, Melanie (Charles HANES - inhabitant at Vermillion & Christine HARTGRAVE) b. 11 April 1814 (SM Ch.: v.7, #396)
  30. ↑ Hebert, SWLR CD:
    HANKS, Joseph Alford (Charles HANES - inhabitant at Vermillion & Christine HARTGRAVE) b. 3 March 1816 (SM Ch.: v.7, #397)
  31. ↑ Hebert, SWLR CD:
    HANKS, Hilaire (Charles HANES- inhabitant at Vermillion & Christine HARTGRAVE) b. 7 March 1818 (SM Ch.: v.7, #398)
  32. ↑ Hebert, SWLR CD:
    HANKS, Lataniel [possibly Nathaniel] (Charles HANS & Christine HARGRAVE) bt. 8 Nov. 1830 at age 12 yrs. (Laf. Ch.: v.3, p.278, #402)
  33. ↑ Hebert, SWLR CD:
    HANKS, Jean dit Janson (Charles & Cristine HARGRAVE) bt. 2 June 1834 at age 11 yrs. (Laf. Ch.: v.4, p.86, #284)
  34. ↑ Hebert, SWLR CD:
    HANKS, Ralf [Ralph] (Charles & Christine ARGROVE [HARGRAVE]) bt. 2 June 1834 at age 7 yrs. (Laf. Ch.: v.4, p.88, #288)
  35. ↑ Hebert, SWLR CD:
    HANKS, Meliciare (Charles & Christine HARGRAVE) bt. 17 May 1834 at age 7 yrs.(Laf. Ch.: v.4, p.80, #264)
  36. ↑ Not Charles Hanks: "United States Muster Rolls of the Marine Corps, 1798-1937", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ8K-PGXG : 13 March 2018), Charles Haines, 1811.
  37. ↑ The 1820 and 1830 U.S. Censuses place Charles' death after 1820 (when he was last counted) and before 1830 (when "Widow Charles Hanks, Female," was first counted). It was previously thought that this ten-year time-frame was further narrowed to after 1820 and before August 12, 1824, based on his son Benjamin's marriage record, found in Hebert's SWLR, which lists Charles as deceased:
    "HANES, Benjamin (dec. Charles & Christine HARGRAVE)
    m. 12 Aug. 1824 Rachel ABSHIRE (Laf. Ct.Hse.: Mar.#175)
    However, this 1824 date can only be a transcription error. Benjamin Hanks' SWLR birth record shows he was born in 1811, which would make him age 13 in 1824. Bride Rachel Abshire's SWLR baptism record shows she was 11 years old in 1824:
    ABSHIRE, Rachel (Jean & Marguerite CAMARAT)
    bt. 16 June 1834 at age 20 1/2 years (Laf. Ch.: v.4, p.91)
    Her baptism at age 20 1/2 years in June of 1834 not only means she was born in late 1813, it implies she was preparing for her upcoming Catholic wedding on August 12, 1834. The record of their wedding only confirms that Charles was dead by the time they married-- 1834, not 1824. But two other baptisms -- also possibly associated with Benjamin's 1834 marriage-- do narrow that ten year time-frame in which we know Charles died: Charles' son Ralph's and daughter Meliciare's baptismal records are in consecutive months of 1834: hers is May 17, his is June 2; both say "at age 7 yrs." Assuming these records are correct (as yet there is no reason not to), and assuming Meliciare just turned 7 and Ralph was about to turn 8, 1826 and 1827 are their birth years. Therefore Charles' death year is no earlier than 1826, and no later than 1830, the date of the census (hence, c.1828).




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Rejected matches › Charles D. Hanks › Charles Steadman Hanks (1856-1908) › Charles Hanks › Charles Hanks (1798-1863)

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