CANNON COUNTY, TN - BIOGRAPHIES - R.A. Dennis Manuscripts, Part 7 --------------¤¤¤¤¤¤-------------- Alfred's first wife, Eliza, died April 5, 1858 and Nancy E. Hale became the second wife of A. L. Hancock about 1859. Their children were as follows: Alice, Rebecca Frances, John Morgan, Americus, Robert Lee, and Sylvester M. Alfred's second wife, Nancy, died October 24, 1871 and Martha Vandygriff became his third wife on April 4, 1872. She was born March 4, 1854. Two sons and three daughters were born to A. L. and Martha J. Hancock as follows: Aletha, Audie Ethel, William, Minnie and Marshall. He had nine children by his first wife, six by his second wife, and five by his third wife. Total of twenty children of whom only one, William, is living in 1940. William first son of his third wife, is living in Warren County. On October 5, 1897 at the ripe age of 86 years, Alfred died and his remains were laid to rest in the cemetery which he had previously given to Sycamore Baptist Church. A. L. Hancock, of whom I am speaking, was a singular turned old gentleman. If he became miffed at one of his own children he never did speak to that one again during his life time. He was a dead-set man in favor of free whiskey without any taxes or revenue to be paid in anyway. He possessed many good natured ways and used them freely for the comfort and ease of his friends. If A. L. Hancock had advocated the better things of life and devoted his life and influence to a more civil duty, the community would have achieved greater and better morals. But after all he was a great man held in high esteem by his surviving friends. CHILDREN OF A. L. HANCOCK Richard Monroe Hancock was born July 23, 1838. He married Cynthia Hancock February 7, 1857. The names of their eight children are: Anna, Eliza, John Turney, Richard Thomas, Nancy, James Bedford, Sarah Frannie, Hollie, and Alfred Monroe Hancock. Eliza married Joe Dodd. She was born January 19, 1858. John Turney Hancock was born October 28, 1859. He married Ida Hale in 1885 and died January 9, 1895. Richard Thomas Hancock was born March 22, 1861. He married Nancy Bratten September 18, 1889. Nancy E., fourth child of R. M. and C. E. Hancock, was born September 7, 1862 and died August 15, 1863. James Bedford Hancock was born April 13, 1866 and died September 22, 1873. Sarah Fannie Hancock was born July 25, 1867. She married H. L. W. Dodd September 15, 1889 and died March 11, 1894. Mollie was born July 21, 1869 and died in October 1875. Alfred Monroe Hancock, Jr. was born February 6, 1870. He married Paralee Blair. They are both dead. Arzilla Hancock married Monroe Allen in 1858 and died in 1877. Christopher Eleana Hancock was born September 13, 1841 and died June 4, 1864. Mary Caroline Hancock was born May 19, 1843. She married John King in 1861. They died soon after they married. Margaret Lucetta Hancock was born November 3, 1844. She married James Monroe Hollandsworth in 1863 and died about 1865. Page 45 Adaly Hancock married Richard Grizzle in 1861. Richard was accidentally killed in a new ground at a log rolling by a hand spike hitting him on the head. Alfred Ewel Hancock was born August 18, 1851. He married Susan Adams in 1881. They are dead (A. E. died February 18, 1918, Susan born March 18, 1853 Per Kiger) Eliza Alaminta Hancock was born Mary 17, 1851. She married Pett Turney in 1868. They are dead. George Hancock was born August 28, 1857. He married Mollie Melton on January 16, 1881. He died April 14, 1904 and Mollie died in 1895. Alice Hancock was born April 10, 1860. She married George Turney November 24, 1874. She died in May 1899. Rebecca Frances was born January 5, 1862. She married Galen Morris in 1875. They are both dead long ago. John Morgan Hancock was born December 25, 1863 and died unmarried on August 5, 1893. America Hancock married Joe Vandygriff. She was born Mary 13, 1866 and she and Joe are both dead. Two of A. L. Hancock's children: Robert Lee and Sylvester, died in infancy. Aletha, oldest daughter of A. L. and M. J. Hancock, was born June 4, 1873. She married Jim Grizzle in October 1887. William Hancock was born January 11, 1876. He married Hallie Milligan in 1896. They are living in Warren County. William is the only one of A. L. Hancock's children that is living. Audie Ether Hancock was born December 29, 1878. She married Bill Dodd in July 1895 and died November 29, 1903. Minnie Hancock was born July 5, 1881 and married Hall Owen in March 1899. Minnie is dead. Marshall Hancock, youngest son of A. L. Hancock, was born February 15, 1894. He married Lissie Tassey October 29, 1903. Marshall is dead. He was the youngest child of A. L. Hancock. CHRISTOPHER COOPER HANCOCK OF TENNESSEE Christopher Cooper Hancock was born in Cannon County, Tennessee September 15, 1815. He was the second and the youngest son of Richard, grandson of Benjamin, and great grandson of John Hancock of Patrick County, Virginia. C. C. Hancock was married to Rebecca Dollahide December 18, 1839. She was born June 5, 1823. Coopers father gave him a good home one mile down the creek from Richard's home. It is known to us as the G. B. Summar farm which is now owned by Grady Smithson. When his father, Richard Hancock, died Cooper became heir to the old home place and died there the 15th day of September 1877. Rebecca Hancock died May 24, 1904. She was 82 years of age lacking a few days. She was a member of the Sycamore Baptist Church. She outlived her five daughters and three of her sons. CHILDREN OF COOPER AND REBECCA HANCOCK Twelve children were born to Cooper and Rebecca Hancock as follows: Mary Paralee was born in Cannon county, Tennessee December 6, 1840. She married John R. Turner February 23, 1858. She died December 15, 1879 and he died February 20, 1898. She was born November 2, 1829. Page 46 Louisa E. died when only about 4 years old. Richard Thomas Hancock was born November 27, 1844. He married Elizabeth F. Francis September 9, 1869. She was born January 12, 1844. Alaminta Jane Hancock was born May 31, 1849. She was married to Thomas Jewell September 23, 1869. She died March 24, 1904. William Christopher Hancock was born February 17, 1853. He married Fannie Law. They are dead. Benjamin Cooper Hancock was born January 18, 1856. He married Cassie Odom, daughter C. B. Odom about 1879. They are dead. A. J. Hancock was born July 14, 1858. He married Alena Gossett of Liberty, Tennessee on January 18, 1888. His wife died during the year during the year 1896 and on September 11, 1898 Mary Rich became the second wife of A. J. Hancock. He died May 11, 1904. A. B. Hancock, nicknamed Hardy, was born May 3, 1861. He is dead but I do not know the date of his death. James Quincy Hancock was born November 25, 1863. He married Mattie Johnson of Mississippi. I think Quincy is dead. Kittie Hancock was born March 18, 1868. She was a consistent member of the Baptist Church. She was quite handsome and polished in her manners. She died August 14, 1898. Her remains were laid to rest in the cemetery near the Sycamore Baptist Church. No funeral procession has ever equaled hers at Sycamore. ALAMINTA HANCOCK AND FOUNTAIN OWEN Alaminta Hancock was the only daughter of Richard Hancock and Mary Adams Hancock. She was born about 1813. She married Fountain Owen and their home was above Gassaway upon Clear Fork Creek. James Grizzle owns the home place at the present time. Fountain Owen was in possession of several acres of fine land, probable two thousand acres or more. They had several children {at least 10} but I do not know all of them. I just know what I have been told by my folks and others, also. Alfred was one of the sons of Fountain and Alaminta Owen. He married Lucinda Fuson. They had two sons and one daughter, Fate, the oldest son marred Babe Goyrd. They moved to Gibson County, in West Tennessee. A man struck Fate on the head with a cotton hoe and he died in a day or so from the effects of the blow. Josiah Owen, the second son of Alfred and Lucinda Owen, married Nola Campbell. Their children were as follows: Maggie, Will, Gertrude, Ocie, Alva, Oscar, Nelma, Alfred and Lona Owen. Josiah is dead. Nancy Owen was the only daughter of Alfred and Lucinda Owen. She married a Mr. Thompson of Gibson County and I think he is dead. Kansie is living yet, I believe. Fate Owen, son of Fountain and Alaminta Owen married and reared a family of several children. I do not know who his wife was. Fate moved to Warren county and died there, somewhere near Daylight, Tennessee. I have recently been told by Lee Owen, son of Bob Owen and grandson of Fate Owen, that Fate's first wife was a Miss Odom. Fate and his first wife had two sons, Bob and Babe. Fate's first wife died and he married another Odom lady. Page 47 Fountain and Alaminta Owen had four daughters and there may have been some that I have never heard of. [Josiah C. Owen born 1834 was a son of Fountain and Alaminta Owen.] Puss Owen married Archamac Markum. They had no children. Their home was cross the creek opposite A. J. Smithson's residence. A. J. Smithson owns the farm now. Eliza Owen married James Odom, called "Gentlemen Jim". They had children but I do not know how many. Albert Odom is one to their boys. Caroline Owen married H. A. Overall. They brought up a large family, two sons and five daughters. Alletha married James Keaton of Cottage Home. Babe Overall married P. C. Adams. They had the following children: Claude, Prentiss, Frank, and Myrtle. Myrtle, the only grown daughter, married Marshall Groom. Alice Overall married A. J. Smithson. They had three children, the first one dying in infancy. A son, Willie Horace Smithson, died as a young man somewhere in his twenties. The only daughter, Carmine Smithson, married Robert Stone. They live in Woodbury. Alice is dead. A. J. Smithson still resides at his home on Clear Fork above Gassaway. A. J. Smithson owns nearly three thousand acres of good land. Nola Overall, a daughter of H. A. and Caroline Owen Overall, married Jim B. Adams. They had two daughters, Gracie and Una. Gracie died very young. Una married Will Robinson of near Round Top. They are now living at Chattanooga. ?ady is the only son of J. B. Adams and his second wife, Lockie Hays. Ernest Overall, the youngest daughter, married Jeff McKnight. They had one son that I knew-Delta. He is living I think down in Maury County. All of H. A. and Caroline O. Overall's children are dead. Lee Overall, the oldest son of H. A. and Caroline Owen Overall, was born in 1864. Lee was a fine useful man. He married Ada Spurlock, the youngest daughter of J. C. Spurlock. Lee was a merchant for years. He was elected to the office of trustee of DeKalb county two terms. He moved to Kentucky to engage in the asphalt business and died there some few years ago. Herschel Overall, the youngest son and the youngest of all the children, married Jennie Powell of Forks-of-the-Pike. They settled below Dowelltown on the Stokes farm, I think. Herschel and Jennie are both dead. Nancy Owen, a daughter of Fountain Owen and Alaminta Hancock Owen, married John Marcum. John and Nancy had four girls and one boy. Johnny Marcum, Jr. died in his 15th year. The daughters were as follows: Anthem, married Robert McGee; Helen married L. Evans; Dillard Warren Killed L. Evans years ago.?lia married (Black) Bill Grizzle. They raised a large family. Bill and Delia live in Stringtown on Sycamore Creek. Frances MarcumÕs husband was a Redmond. John Marcum died soon after the Civil War. Nancy Owen Marcum became the wife of Monroe King. Monroe and Nancy had three children. Monroe King and Nancy, his wife, the widow Marcum, and daughter of Fountain Owen and Alaminta Hancock Owen, had three children: Edna King married John George, they live on Blair Branch. Idella King married Joe Melton. Joe is dead. Idella, Joe's widow, lives on Wilmouth Creek. Fountain King, the only son of Monroe and Nancy (Marcum) King Page 48 married Jennie Vandygriff. They live in Nashville at present. I have recently heard that Fountain King is near unto death. I have not heard anything more of him. The Owen children are dead long ago. LEWIS HANCOCK In 1809 two sons of Benjamin Hancock, whose names were Richard and Lewis emigrated to Tennessee and settled on adjoining farms on Sycamore Creek. Lewis Hancock was born October 25, 1787. He married Frances Adams about 1811. They reared a family of children: two daughters and three sons are all I can trace. Lewis Ross Hancock was born in 1829 and removed to Limestone County, Texas in 1851, and spent his life in that county. He married but had no children. He died about 1890. Bluford Jordan Hancock was born in 1831 and removed to Limestone county, Texas in 1851, and spent his life there, dying about 1900. He married but had no children. Hannah Hancock married William Adamson, son of Simon Adamson. The other daughter married Mr. Thomason. Richard Alexander Hancock was, I think, the oldest son, born January 17, 1827. He was tall and strongly built. Fair complexion, blue eyed, and by way of misfortune, neuralgia had busted, or put out, one of his eyes. He was of a kind, affectionate disposition and very pleasant to be in company with. He was discreet in his talk and spurned all ill mannered talk. He was a strong believer in good schools and churches and freely gave of his means to support such. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and a Democrat. He was magistrate of the 10th dist. and was state representative of Cannon county. He was the neighborhood advisor and arbitrator when the occasion required it of him. The latch string of his door hung on the outside and within his breast the pulsation of a true heart throbbed for the interest and future welfare of humanity. Richard Alexander Hancock married Anna Jeff Sneed, the daughter of the venerable John Sneed of Kennedy Creek. Two sons and four daughters were the only children. Delta, the older son, was born Jan. 1859 and died May 1880. Sad indeed. About the 26th day of May 1880 I went to Mr. C. B. Summars shop with my father. A storm came and heavy rain came up. When it ceased, or near that time, Quent Hancock came down the creek riding a mule in a fast run. He stopped at the shop and informed us that Delta had been accidentally shot by Morgan Bullard. I went with father & Horace Knight up there. We found him in a very critical condition. Jerry Collins was there also. The house was soon full of people. Dr. Everett was called. He said death would be the result. DELTA Remedies and the tender care of loving friends were of no available for cure. He was wounded on Friday near 11 o'clock and died on Sunday evening 44 min. after 11 o'clock. I was helping fan him when he died. France Ellege & George Hancock was fanning him when father and I arrived. We relieved them for they were wearied. I looked upon that noble, rotund form that had so many times dangled my upon his knee. I looked upon that idol of a kind indulgent father and broken hearted mother as he swayed to and fro under the sting of deathly pangs. At last the fatal minute came. A gasp for a twitch, a breath, of the nerve, and Delta was no more. Page 49 Richard Alexander Hancocks oldest daughter was Etna Hancock. She married Jake Young. I think they raised four sons, I am not positive. Ada died single, and so did Myrtle. Hallie is yet living. Her home is upon Kennedy Creek. She married the late Tom Bryan, one son, Carl, and one daughter, Gertrude, graced their home. Gertrude married Hayden Hale. WALTER HANCOCK I now come to the intellectual, venerable son of Richard Alexander Hancock. By way of fondness his parents named him Walter. I have often thought that the prayers of his sainted mother and the sacred songs she sand so often around the hearth stone of her home was a sure stepping stone to his achievements. Walter's environments have always been comfortable and pleasant. He was born on Sycamore Creek in the tenth civil dist. of Cannon Co. Jan 21, 1869 on a Thursday. In 1873 we met each other and have been fast friends since. We went to our first school, taught by Miss Elvira Gassaway, in a rude log cabin near the Jerry Mullinax residence. We sat upon the same split log backless bench. We ran foot race across the play ground. We plucked peaches and apples off the same trees. We enjoyed the same grape vine swing. We cooled and refreshed ourselves in the big pond up in the hollow back of the blue grass lot. When sent to the hill for stove wood we cried. When dinner was ready, we smiled. Ah, God knows the bountiful feasts we enjoyed at our mothers tables. We are old gray headed men now. We are making our last stand upon the battle field of this earthly life. We hope to cross the river where the ford is exceedingly shallow, clear as a crystal. Where its pebble bed sparkles under a radiant hue of the sunshine of Gods love and feel the spray of that celestial stream fanned against our enfeebled spirits by the tips of angel's wings sent as an escort to conduct us safely over into Heavens bright world. Walter Hancock is living at Woodbury, Tennessee. He married Claudia Brown, oldest daughter of Chris Brown. They have no children. He is a lawyer and real estate dealer. This closes the writing of the Hancocks for the present time. We will write of Charles soon. Louis Hancock's farm was once the finest and best hill farm in Cannon County. Smooth, not steep, long, broad hillsides. Some level and fine grass lots. The best water one ever drank. The timber growth was walnut, popular, red lindon, chestnut, hemlock, and wild cherry. This is the valuable selling timer. All other kinds of trees grow on the farm, also. The best orchard on the creek was on this farm. Grady Smithson owns the most of the farm now. A Mr. Ford, a son-in-law of Charles Hancock, once owned the farm Jerry Mullinax lived and died on. Mr. Mullinax owned the farm for years. His wife was Amanda Rich. Four girls and four boys were born to them. Ocie Mullinax married Jim Spurlock. Alta and Brown Mullinax died single. Julia Mullinax married Hall Owen. Charlie Mullinax married a daughter of Jonathan Melton. Leavy Mullinax married Lula Reed. Selmer Mullinax married Minnie Dodd the first time. Wilburn Mullinax married a daughter of Ike Turney. SAMP SELLERS Samp Sellers owned the next home above the Mullinax place. His wife was Nancy, a daughter of Spy Anderson. Three sons and three daughters were born to them. James Sellers married Ada Groom. Nathan Sellers married Callie Groom. John Sellers died. Molly Sellers married France Elledge. Page 50 Lou and Mag Sellers died single. Helen was a foster child. She married H. G. Hale. One of the Hancocks once owned the Sellers farm, also a Mr. Perkins once owned it. The farm is now owned by Joe Bryson and Andy Vickers. King Bull Adams got hold of the farm some way. He transferred the farm to Allen Vandygriff. Elisha Vandygriff, the blind fiddler, was born at this place, and the scarlet fever put out his eyes at the age of two years. The tombstone shows by dates on it that King Bull Adams' 16 year old wife died at this home. She was a Miss Fuson before her marriage. I think she was Capt. Bill Adams' mother. King Bull Adams married the second time and Nancy, the wife of Abe Adams, and a son were born to this union. I don't know whether his name was Greenbury or not. Greenbury was Robert Adams' father and Dr. Adams is a son of Robert Adams. Captain Bill and Greenbury Adams lived near Statesville upon Smith Fork Creek in Wilson County. The ravages of time, the ruthless hand of ignorance, have devastated and destroyed nearly all trace of the family cemetery on Sellers' place. I have heard it said that King Bull Adams and the wife (Mary Adams daughter of Jacob of Virginia-per KIGER) of Richard Hancock were half brother and sister. Of course I am not positive about this. I never did hear my mother say. CHARLES HANCOCK, as has been said, was a brother to Richard and Lewis Hancock. Charles located over on Hurricane Creek and his farm joined those of Richard and Lewis. Charles Hancock was born in Patrick county, Virginia May 28, 1798. Charles married Nancy Ramsey in 1820. Nancy Ramsey was born in North Carolina May 18, 1801. Charles Hancock died January 3, 1875. Patsy was born in 1822 and died in her twentieth year. Mary L. Hancock was born on December 12, 1824 and married Prestly Duggin in 1844. Mr. Duggin was born on May 9, 1824 and died August 23, 1867. Mary L. died October 4, 1898. Benjamin A. Hancock was born February 22, 1827. Died September 9, 1892. He married Nancy Elizabeth Kennedy, who was born February 6, 1833 and died May 3, 1897. Sarah Jane Hancock was born July 27, 1830 and married Tom Ford December 28, 1850. He was born Mar. 30, 1825 and died July 23, 1863. Sarah died August 23, 1854. Eliza Caroline Hancock was born on August 30, 1832 and married Monroe Ramsey , January 18, 1860. They had two daughters, Alice and Elnora. Monroe Ramsey died during the War between the State in prison. Eliza Caroline married John R. Armstrong and he died April 4, 1899. His companion followed January 7, 1900. Cynthia E. Hancock was born May 18, 1836 and died October 1?, 1873. ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Pat Spradley patspradley@yahoo.com ___________________________________________________________________