Source: History of The Pan-Handle History of Hancock County Submitted to the USGenWeb Project by: Jwaite@weir.net June 21, 1998 This file may be freely copied, but may not be used for commercial gain. EARLY SETTLERS An effort has been made to obtain, as accurately as possible, a list of the first settlers in what is now Hancock County. The early heroes herewith appended are given from tradition by a few of the older people yet living in the different districts of the county, and it is thought by them to be nearly correct in most every given date: John Eaton settled on King's creek in the year 1792. John Cameron settled the north fork of King's creek in 1794. A Mr. Butler settled near King's creek in 1790. Oliver Brown settled in the Cove in the year 1790, and was driven out by Indians. John Harden settled on Harden's run in about 1797. John Wiley settled in 1795. James Campbell settled on King's creek, three miles from its mouth in 1797. Alexander Morrow settled in what is now known as Butler district in 1798. Robert Campbell settled not far from the mouth of King's creek in 1797. Joseph Ralston settled in Butler district in 1788. William Ledlie settled in the county in 1784 and his conveyance of land was From Patrick Henry, governor of Virginia. William Hamilton settled in 1795 and laid out Hamilton town. Samuel Baxter settled in now Grant district in 1798. John Nesleroad settled about 1795. Jacob Nessly, near Tomlinson's run in 1785. John Spivy settled on the farm now owned by his son, Nicholas Spivy, in about 1794, and about the same time came the Cochrans, Jesse Ellis, Thomas Philson, John Gratehouse, Robert Grafton, the Hamiltons, William Ryon, the Pattersons, who built the first grist mill in the county. And in 1800, or near that time, George Baxter, old Mr. Corey and George Wilhelm Migrated to the county. Alexander Scott settled on the farm now owned by J. C. Scott in 1802. W. W. Evans settled on the farm now owned by Jeremiah C. Evans. McCoy's settled in 1804 near New Cumberland. William Hutson settled near Hamilton town in 1808. William Chapman settled near New Cumberland in 1785. Samuel Williams settled in Holliday's Cove in 1800. William Murry settled where Murry's mill now stands in 1818. William Mercer settled what is now Grant district in 1823. Robert Glass settled in 1813, one mile east of Fairview. John Huff settled on the farm now owned by his son, William Huff, in 1802. Hosea Geer settled in 1808. John Gallgher settled in 1801. James Allison settled in 1780. R. Rodgers settled in 1819. Samuel E. Marks settled on the farm now owned by Alfred B. Marks in the year 1827.