The Hanks Family of England and America

by Barbara A. Baber,

Monroe, OH - 1998 

In her book , Nancy Hanks, The Story of Abraham Lincoln's Mother, 1899, Caroline Hanks Hitchcock wrote, "All the branches of the Hanks family throughout England and America seem to have come from the beautiful old town of Malmesbury in Wiltshire."

Focal point of the medieval town is  the  Malmesbury Abbey. It was founded in 676

by the first Abbot, Aldhelm. In 939 King Athelstan died and was buried in the Abbey. 1350 to 1450 was a period of restoration and alteration to the Abbey. In 1500 the spiral fell. In 1662 the west tower fell. 1900-1928 the Abbey was restored and reopened.

From "Malmesbury, 1100 years a Borough, " 1980, June Badeni writes:

"There are a number of things which make Malmesbury unique among England's ancient towns; the remnant of the great Benedictine Abbey in whose precincts lie buried a saint and a king, both graves unmarked; it's claim to be the oldest Borough in England; and finally, the distinction of possessing what must surely be the most exclusive 'club' in the land."

According to the "The Malmesbury town Guide" issued by the Malmesbury town Council, "The Old Corporation" dates back to 916 A.D. when Edward the Elder incorporated it as a Borough to be maintained by an Alderman and twelve Capital Burgesses with a High Steward as Overlord.

In 937, King Athelstan (grandson of Alfred the Great) had to fight against one of the sporadic invasions of Danes which occurred at intervals throughout his reign. A battle took place somewhere near Malmesbury - the exact location is not know and the Danes were defeated. (The Battle of Brunaburg)

In 939, as a sign of his gratitude to the men of Malmesbury for the help that they had given him in his battle, Athelstan bestowed upon them, "the Burgesses of Malmesbury and their successors", the land "lying near my little town of Norton" which is now called Malmesbury Common (Malmesbury Hundred). The rights of the Commoners to their share of this land has passed from father to son (or son-in-law) right down to the present day. No "outsiders" have ever been able to break into this community, except for a brief spell in the 17th century when a few young men were admitted without hereditary rights provided that they were apprentices living in the town. The Commoners of today are, therefore, almost without exception, are direct descendants of the men who fought with Athelstan against the Danes. Among these men were twoHanks brothers. The names of the two brothers are not known.

The name of Hanks is well known in the little town of Malmesbury. Many have been commoners, Capital Burgesses, artists and musicians. People there know that their town is the ancestral home of Nancy Hanks Lincoln mother of Abraham Lincoln.

JOHN HANKS - 1470 - ENGLAND

John Hanks born 1470 Buckland, Gloucester Co., England is the first Hanks of record in England.

Source: Chart by D. J. Hanks and Chas Owen of Salt Lake City, UT. Oct. 1948. Book by Caroline Hanks Hitchcock, "Nancy Hanks, The Story of Abraham Lincoln's Mother", 1899. IGI

GEORGE HANKS - 1504 - ENGLAND

In about 1550, George Hanks with his brother, Thomas and sister Ann moved from the ancient town of Malmesbury to Stow-on-the-Wold. The Hanks were a clannish race, and for centuries is said many of them never left their native home. It is recorded that one of the Hanks family was at one time shot by the other members of the family because he had ventured to leave his native home, and they feared he would "mix the breed". It was considered an absolute crime to sleep out of town.Source Caroline Hanks Hitchcock Book.

THOMAS HANKS - 1536 - ENGLAND

According to an article by Susan Cotton Tufts, "Benjamin Hanks of Pembroke and Easton, Mass, and some of his Descendants", which appeared in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register in 1932, this is the Thomas Hanks who moved from Malmesbury with his brother George and sister Ann settled in Stow-on-the Wold., Gloucester County about 1550. There he married and had three children.

JOHN HANKS - AMERICA - This John Hanks is the first Hanks of record in America. Early Colonial Virginia records (August 1637) state that he was granted 200 acres of land in the county of James City for his own transport and the transportation of three oher persons, Jon Rqwlings, James Moore and Jon Hodson. Unfortunately, that is all we find about this John Hanks.

THOMAS HANKS - 1600 - ENGLAND

This Thomas Hanks, son of Thomas Hanks (1536) is believed to have been a soldier under Oliver Cromwell. He disappeared from England around 1643. He was supposedly capture by Charles I and transported to America. A Thomas Hancks entered and patent 100 acres of land in Gloucester Co., Va. in 1653.

WILLIAM HANKS - ca 1650 (Son of Thomas Hanks born before 1650)

About half way from Lancaster Courthouse to Warsaw, off the improved highway of the ancient roadway, of North Farnham, VA, there is the Church of North Farnham Parish. The present church house that replaced an old one is relatively new, having been erected as late as 1737, and long after the parish was created. This was the Church of England, the place of worship of the early Hanks.

It is of interest that William Hanks I purchased land from "Paul Woodbridge of Farnham in the County of Rappk, Sept. 2 1691". William paid in hand, "four thousand pounds of ....Tobb. for one hundred acres of land....on the branch of the Moraties Creek." (Deed Book 9, p. 225 Rappahannock Co., Essex Co. C.H.) William died late in the year, probably January of 1704/05 and his son William II came intocourt "7th day of February" and upon his petition as shown in the old record, "Order for administration is granted to him on all end singular the estate of his deceased father." By law of primogeniture, William inherited all the land. Probate records indicate that there were two other sons named Luke and John.

WILLIAM HANKS II - Feb. 14, 1679 in Richmond Co., Virginia

Died May, 1733, married Hester C. Mills dau. of John and Hester White Mills. He was a farmer and a carpenter. He left instructions in his will for the oldest son to teach his brothers the carpenter trade.

Will Apr. 24, 1732; Probated June 7, 1732

William Hanks II very well wanted all his debts paid. In his will be wrote" "I like wise give to my son William Hancks all my working tools...he teaching any of his brothers that has a mind to the trade of a carpenter or wheelright, and that he shall stay with his mother (and work to help pay my debts)...I give to my loving wife Hester Hancks...etc. (only a horse which I owe a pair of cartwheels and a small chest for which I desire my son William to pay and take horse)....William Hancks."

The wife Hester C. Mills was the daughter of John and Hester White Mills. Hester White was the daughter of the widower Richard White. Richard White was William Hanks II mother, Sarah's second hubsnd. The Whites were New Englanders; quite a migration had come from there to Virginia on the coastwise sailing vessels. It is of interest to notice that there was also a connection of the Hanks and White families of New England.

LUKE HANKS I - 1685 - VIRGINIA

Son of William. Luke Hanks was a trustworthy man. When barely past his majority in the autumn of 1704, the Sheriff of Richmond County, Virginia, impressed and deputized him to help guard Indians, who were delivered to the Sheriff of Essex County, south across the Rappahannock River.

Luke was not a regular attendant of church. In June 1717 it was "Ordered that the Sheriff summon to next court Luke Hanks, John Hanks and thirteen others to answer presentment of the Grand Jury...for not going to church one month past."

VIRGINIA COLONIAL ABSTRACTS

Vol. 16 Richmond Co. 1692-1701 Deed Book 1 - Gen. Pub. Co. - Page 12 & 13

Errors excepted this 7th day of Novem'r 1704 per me

Charles Barber, Sherr R.C.

P. 31-a

An account of men imprest to guard the Indians when I delivered them to the Sheriff of Essex.

To Christopher Petty, John Simmons, Robert Palmer,

Luke Hanks, John Dalton 2 days one night

To Mr. Woodridge one day one night

To do for one day more

An account of men imprest to Guard the Indians to the session

to 6 men the first day

to 12 men the second day

per Charles Barber, Sherr. R.C.

LUKE HANKS II - ca 1715 - Richmond Co. Va.

Son of Luke I. Married Nancy, kinswoman, possible dau. or niece of Thos. and Elizabeth Dale, of Prince William Co., Va. Nancy, or Ann Hanks was evidentally much younger than Luke II as their first child Elizabeth was born ca. 1766.

Luke was rewarded for taking up a runaway servant man (negro) in Rich. Co. 1736. In Fauquier Co., Luke was sued for debt and admitted it 1773. Wife, Nancy joined Broad Run Church in 1778 and Luke joined in 1779. He inherited land from Thomas Dale, 1779; moved to Prince William Co., Va. by 1782, taxed again 1783 and was not taxed there in 1784. Sold his remainder interest in the Dale real estate, 1784 and migrated to Pendleton Dist. S.C. Died 1789 and by will left everything to his wife Ann.

Ann Hanks died prior to Feb. 2, 1838. A reference in the Probate record of her estate that she had brother or half-brother of the surname Harris.

ABRAHAM HANKS - ca 1743 - VIRGINIA

Son of Luke I, was a blacksmith and a gunsmith and possibly served in the Revolutionary War. He was an orphan and a bound boy, and was discharged from his former master, William Glascock, Jr. by Act of Court, Richmond Co., Va. on June 6, 1763, and the churchwardens of North Farnham Parish were ordered to bind him to Turner Hanks, no cause for action was given.

He was past 12 years old and not yet twenty-one in 1763 or he would not have been bound. Mr. Glascock, Jr. was referred to as Master in the court records, thus indicating that Abraham was an apprentice and not a minor ward.

Abraham Hanks accompanied William Calk to Boonesborough, Ky (then Va.)in 1775. He help clear the land for the fort and survey the town. His name is inscribed in a monument which stands in front of the present replica of the old fort in Madison Co., Ky. The monument was placed there by the Boonesborough Historical Society in honor of those who helped clear and survey the land and build the fort.

FIELDING HANKS - 1783 - VIRGINIA/KENTUCKY

(sometimes referred to as Fielden)

Source: The Wolfe County News - 12-1-1989

Historical Sketches by Joe Nickell

Fielding Hanks, son of Abraham, and presumed uncle of Abraham Lincoln was one of Morgan County's founding magistrates. Tradition says that plentiful game lured him from Montgomery County to the eastern hills. The legend is supported by the only known photograph of him shown posing with his trusty caplock rifle.

A brother to Lincoln's mother, Nancy, Fielding Hanks was born in Virginia about 1783. He later settled in the part of Old Morgan Co. that was to become Campton, now Wolfe Co., building a cabin there in 1818.

Fielding was among the dozen men who met to organize the new county of Morgan in 1823. As authorized by an act of the General Assembly, these magistrates met at Edmund Well's tavern in the sparse Wells Mill settlement - present day West Liberty. (Wells Inn and water mill stood where the historic Old Mill Park is today) However, at the close of this first court session, presumably feeling himself better suited to more basic pioneer pursuits, Fielding gave up the commission he had received from Governor Adair. He continued to reside in Morgan Co. until Wolfe County was created in 1860, one of his sons being instrumental in the formation.

Fielding and his wife Lydia both died in 1861. They are buried in the old cemetery behind the present Church of God in Campton. Fielding's name is cast in bronze on the Founders monument in Morgan's courthouse square.

In 1787, John Harper received a Military Certificate for his service in an expedition against the Wabash Indians, as also did his son-in-law, Fielding Hanks, the son of Abraham and Sarah Harper Hanks. John Harper and Fielding Hanks were also in the War of 1812. Fielding's wife Lydia Harper was part Choctaw Indian and daughter of John and Mary Ann Harper. 

Sources: Adin Baber, "Nancy Hanks, The Destined Mother of a President", Charles Hamilton and Lloyd Ostendorf, "Lincoln in Photographs and Joe Nickell, "Morgan County, the Earliest Years."

CUTHBERT MILLION HANKS - 1814 - KENTUCKY

Son of Fielding. Organized movement to create Wolfe Co. Was Sheriff and Representative. Nicknamed "Cud." Quite a businessman. Cuthbert and wife buried at old cemetery behind Church of God in Campton, Ky.

The most outstanding child of Fielding Hanks in a civic way. He lived a long and useful life. His daughter, Dora Lee Hanks stated that her father Cuthbert Million was only four years old when his father, Fielding constructed the first house, a log one in Campton. The year was 1818.

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS HANKS - September 14, 1845, died March 23, 1915. Married Clarinda Jane Tyler.

THOMAS BOONE HANKS - 1854 - KENTUCKY - He married Mahalia Tyler.

Son of Cuthbert Million - had the reputation of being a "Dandy". He could be seen riding around Campton in his black buggy and white horse.

WILLIAM HENRY HANKS - 1878 - KENTUCKY/OHIO

Son of Thomas Boone. Born in Wolfe Co., Ky to Thomas Boone and Mahalia Hanks. Nicknamed "Willie" he married Zerilda Jane Miller ca 1898. They lived at Vortex, about two or three miles from Campton until they moved to Middletown, Butler Co., Ohio around 1929.

Willie was employed at Miami Cabinet Co. in Middletown. He died on May 2, 1959. Wife Zerilda died Dec. 3, 1969. Both are buried in the Miller Cemetery at Campton, Wolfe Co., Ky.

BURL JAMES HANKS - 1899 - KENTUCKY/OHIO

Oldest son of Willie and Zerilda Hanks. First of 12 children born to the couple. Four of the children died at an early age. Burl was born a few days after Thanksgiving, about a month before the turn of the century at Hiram Branch which is two or three miles from Campton, Ky. (A good part of Hiram Branch is now covered by Lake Wolfe)

After attending Campton Grade School and Campton High School, Burl took a two year course at Campton High to earn his teaching certificate. W. R. Sebastian was teacher and principal at the high school at that time. From 1924 to 1928 he taught school at Rocky Branch, Lower Calaboost & Vortex. Some of his students were his younger brothers and sisters.

When Burl was growing up, the family lived in a small community just south of Campton called Vortex. There was a church/school, post office, grist mill, general store and a blacksmith shop. The church/school and post office were practically in their front yard. The house they lived is, the post office and the school still stands. The post office building is probably used for storage, the house is occupied. The church/school has been rebuilt and is now a church only. When Burl was 15, he was arrested in Campton for speeding on his horse. He was arrested by Judge Isaac Miller (his mother's brother).

Burl met his wife Elizabeth in Stillwater at a Camp Meeting. They started housekeeping in Rocky Branch, Ky. In 1920 Burl moved to Middletown, then went back to Ky. In 1928, he moved back to Middletown. He worked at the Polar Bear in the 1920's and started to work at Armco May 7, 1928. He retired Feb. 1, 1962 at the age of 62.

Between 1928 and 1938, Burl and his family lived in Middletown on Baltimore St., Mayfield, Clifton Farms, Rolling Mill Park and Monroe, Ohio. In 1938 the family moved to a farm on Preble County Line Rd. between Germantown and Gratis. He continued to work at Armco, but also farmed and had dairy cattle. Burl served on the Gratis Board of Education from 1950 to 1954. Shortly after he retired, Burl and Elizabeth sold their farm and moved to Gratis near Rt. 122. Elizabeth Madeline Akins Hanks passed away March 8, 1978.

He married his second wife, Elsie Wilson June 12, 1981. Burl passed away December 8, 1993.

FANNIE HANKS WILLIAMS - 1904 - KENTUCKY/OHIO/FLORIDA

Fannie Hanks Williams was the second daughter of William and Zerilda Hanks and was born on Devils Creek, Wolfe Co., Ky. Fanny completed her high school education in the county schools of Wolfe County. Upon graduating and passing the state teaching examination she received her teaching certificate.

At the age of seventeen, she was commissioned her first teaching assignment, Beachnut Grove School, Millers Creek, Ky. It was the first time she had ever ventured beyond the geographic boundaries of her native Wolfe Co. and the first time she was separated from her family. By horseback, she and Grandpa Hanks rode the great distance to Audry, Kentucky, over treacherous mountain trails and terrain to her assigned school. She later told of her fear, anxieties, loneliness, and homesickness. She spoke often of the personal satisfaction of teaching and the love of her work with the children of her school. At Audry, Millers Creek, she met and fell in love with James Olney Williams. They were married in 1921. To her and Olney were born five children.

Fannie and Olney moved their family to Middletown, Ohio in the early nineteen thirties. Times were hard in Kentucky, they found it far more difficult in Middletown. At the depth of the great depression, Fannie found work as a night cook and waitress at a local restaurant on Crawford St. Later she found employment with the Montgomery Ward Store in Middletown. At Ward's she became Fashion Director and went on many out of town buying trips.

Although her life was very busy with her job and children, her first love was putting out and working a garden. The harvest she shared with her fellow workers, family and friends. She became well known and recognized for her help to her customers, particularly those of limited means, on how to stretch their clothing dollars. Remembering she herself had experienced such times, she would personally advise them when markdowns were planned and would lay aside the article of clothing for them.

In 1960 she retired to Florida. Even after retirement, she planted and worked her garden. She continued her love of fashions by creating and sewing for her family and friends on an old fashioned Singer sewing machine. Her retirement absence never diminished her love for Middletown, Middletown was always referred to as home. ------J. Oliver Williams