John Hankins (abt. 1794 - 1833)

Born about 1794 in Cumberland, Kentucky, USA

Ancestors

Husband of Melinda (Hinds) Hankins — married 9 Mar 1817 in Knox, Tennessee, United States

Descendants

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Biography

John Hankins married Melinda Hinds 9 Mar 1817 in Knox Co., Tennessee. ^{[1] [2]}

A Short Biographical Sketch of Eli Skaggs Hankins & Family

Eli Skaggs Hankins was born on Jan. 30, 1823 on the Cumberland River in Kentucky.His father, John Hankins and mother, Melinda Hinds hankins, were early settlers in that country.His father and mother both died when he was only about 10 years old, leaving him and a younger sister.He was taken by his grandfather Hinds to care for and his sister by other relatives who remained in Kentucky.He lost sight of his sister after coming to Texas in 1837, and up to his death still had no record of her.His grandfather had another orphan boy left to his care, Clemmons Hinds, who was an uncle to Eli S. Hankins; however both boys were nearly the same age.The two boys remained with their guardian until the year 1837 when they immigrated to Texas with their Uncles Shelton, James, and Guerron Hinds and their families, first settling in Brazoria County.James and Guerron later moved to Caldwell County and took up “Head Rights” to land.The boys Eli S. Hankins and Clemmons Hinds went with them, but soon left home and joined the Ranger Service, (Texas Rangers) thereby assisting in the protection of settlers from Indian and Mexican raiding parties.When the Mexican War came on they joined General Taylor’s Army to invade Mexico.After the close of the Mexican War they both returned to Texas to make their home.

Elizabeth Caroline Day was born in Charleston District, South Carolina, Oct. 9, 1830, and immigrated to Texas with her parents, Johnson & Sarah Day, from Tennessee in the year 1835.They first settled in Angelina County; however in the same year they moved to Seguin Guadalupe County, where they were living when the Alamo fell in March 1836.The family left Seguin on Mar. 8, 1836, and reached Gonzales on mar. 13th, retreating from there ahead of General Houston’s Army.They returned to Gonzales after the battle of San Jacinto April 21, 1836.Soon afterwards her father died, leaving her mother a widow with seven children.The names of the children were: James Milford Day, who married Martha Nichols; Medissa, who married Captain James Callahan; Mahala, who married Henry B. King; Polly, who married John Nichols; Hepsbeth, who married Solomon Brill; Elizabeth C., who married Eli Skaggs Hankins; and Meeky, who married Gus Pharr.From these seven marriages large families of children were born and reared to useful men and women, who are now scattered over Texas and other states.

Eli Skaggs Hankins and Elizabeth Caroline Day were married Dec. 31, 1846, first settling on Plum Creek, 10 miles south of Lockhart, Caldwell County, Texas, where they lived until Feb. 1851, when they sold out and moved to the western line of the county on the San Marcus River, at what was afterwards known as Prairie Lea, Texas, 12 miles from Lockhart.They bought a tract of land from Capt. James Callahan, who was at that time living there.They continued to live at this homestead until their death.Eli S. Hankins died Nov. 2, 1887, at the age of 65 years.Elizabeth C. Hankins died March 2, 1911, at the age of 80 years.

From this union eight children were born, four sons and four daughters.Two daughters and one son died in infancy.The other two daughters and three sons married and reared large families.Their names were: Arminda Ann, John Milford, Sarah Melinda, Eli Clemmons, Mary Ellen, Emma Elizabeth, William Guerron and William Martin.Sarah M, Emma Elizabeth, and William Guerron died young.Arminda A. married Edmund Bellinger; John M. married Glendora C. Glass; Eli C. married Ida Perry; Mary E. married Sam E. Eeds; William Martin married Flora Harris.Today only three sons are living, John M., Eli C. and William M., all of San Antonio, Texas.Father, Mother, Grandmother Day, the four sister and one brother lie buried in the old cemetery at Prarie Lea, Texas.A modest granite monument erected by the children and grandchildren designates their last resting place on earth.

The Hankins Old Homestead was sold in 1912 after having been their constant home for 62 years.The original hewed log house, built in 1851, is in good repair and now occupied by the present owner.

Eli S. Hankins when a youth was in the Plum Creek fight with the Indians on their return from Lindville on the coast.He was attached to Capt. Ed Burleson’s company.Likewise in the Salado fight with the Mexicans, being attached to Capt. Jack Hay’s company who was his Captain most of the time he was in the Ranger Service.

In conclusion, will say that all our people were too well known in early Texas History for me to add anything in this short sketch.Captain James Callahan, Milford Day, the Nichols brothers, Solomon Brill, Henry King, Gus Pharr, Joe and Clemmons Hinds, and many other families, friends, and relatives, were always ready to defend and protect the early settlers from Indian and Mexican Raids.

Of my parents, I will say that they lived a life honored and respected by all who knew them.I have always met with good friends among the “Old Texas Pioneers”, through the lasting friendship they had for them.

SIGNED: JOHN MILFORD HANKINS, SR.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
JANUARY 15, 1915

Texasgen

The following is from http://www.texasgen.org/. Click on 'Narratives' and then on 'Cornelius Smith'.

In 1837 the HINDS were living on Bailey's Prairie near to or with the SMITH family. Levi Jr. was about 70 years old. His wife Susan is not mentioned and may have died in Kentucky before he came to Texas. Probably arriving with Levi Jr. were sons Levi S. age 26, Clem age 16, and daughter, Lorinda age 15. His grandson Eli Scaggs HANKINS and granddaughter Ruth Ann HANKINS came with him. Eli and Ruth were raised by their grandparents because their parents, John and Malinda Hinds HANKINS, died young.

Eli Scaggs HANKINS married Elizabeth C. DAY December 20, 1846 in Guadalupe County, Texas. He fought in "The Battle of Plum Creek" and the Civil War. His sister Ruth Ann married John N. WARD March 22, 1843 in Brazoria County.

Sources

1. ↑ Knox County, Tennessee Marriage Records 1792-1900 compiled by Roscoe Carlisle d'Armand & Virginia Carlisle d'Armand
2. ↑ "Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XZ43-287 : 9 March 2021), John Hankins and Melinda Hinds, 09 Mar 1817; citing Knox, Tennessee, United States, Marriage, p. 27, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville and county clerk offices from various counties; FHL microfilm 1,020,951.

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