First Generation  

1. Capt. Daniel Hankins ^1,2 was born from 1715 to 1720 in Stafford Co., VA (prob.),² died about Oct 1797 in Franklin Co., VA (prob.) about age 81, and was buried in Pittsylvania Co., VA (prob.).

General Notes: NOTE: Another person, Jordan Hankins, insists on linking the names of persons as the parents of my progenitor, Daniel Hankins. His source is from another in whom I once, many years ago, confided with such a possibility. That person proliferated the link even though I told him it was wrong and never should have been posted. Jordan Hankins now refuses to remove it although I can prove otherwise, and was the source of the original speculation to the contrary. He refuses to acknowledge my own family facts, and he isn't even part of the same Hankins lines, or even linked in any way. I mention those wrong parents below. Viewers, there are people like this populating our planet.

Comments by James C. "Jim" Hankins: Concerning the identity of Daniel's parents & the 1st Hankins immigrant in his line: No one has presented anything that identifies his parents, siblings, or aunts/uncles. You will see several falsehoods on the major web sites concerning Daniel & Hannah. Most are speculations that appear as fact. Among these is that his name is William Daniel Hankins. That could be true, but there is no evidence whatsoever to even hint at it. I know that because I was the person making the original speculation, and others took that idea and gave it a life of its own. Another is that Hannah's maiden name is Clift. That is a wild speculation that I once made, and mistakingly shared it with others. Clift is the surname of her daughter's husband, and nothing more. Another is that Daniel's parents are Daniel & Elizabeth Hankins; that could be accidentally true but there is no evidence to support it. There is a Daniel & Elizabeth Hankins that I speculate may be his grandparents, but they died in 1691 and 1693 respectively. Another falsehood, as seen in DAR records is that Daniel was married twice, first to Hannah and then to Elizabeth. That is not true, and direct proof exists to counter it, in that Hannah has finally decided to divorce Daniel in 1793 but she dies before the divorce proceedings can begin. Concerning Daniel's ancestry, I see three possibilities, none of which have any evidence that is adequate to form a conclusion that has any merit whatsoever, they are:

1st: I believe there is promise in one particular family as his grandparents, but it's purely speculation at this time. That family is Daniel Hankins and his wife Elizabeth (Unknown) Hankins Coleman, who are from that area, and there are no other Hankins I've found in that area at this time. He died in 1691, and Elizabeth died in 1693 (after remarrying a Mr. Coleman or possibly reverting to her maiden name). Thus, because of their death dates, Daniel & Elizabeth Hankins are not Daniel's parents even though you'll see this association on the internet. However, Daniel & Elizabeth Hankins had two sons -- John and Daniel. Both children were minors when their parents died, and their guardianship given to Mr. William Downing. Although their ages aren't given, John is the elder son who was born about 1676 and Daniel was born about 1680. Thus, either son could reasonably be the father of Capt. Daniel Hankins.

2nd: There is a letter written by John James Hankins (Daniel's 2nd great grandson), where he says that Daniel was the 1st immigrant for his line. I've long ignored that idea, because Daniel was supposedly born in Virginia. A story about Daniel making silver coins appears later in this narrative, and tells how Daniel was taken before the courts for counterfeiting. I brushed this aside because Daniel's supposed silver mine was in Pittsylvania County, and it wouldn't make sense for him to be taken to court in Williamsburg because it was maybe 200 miles away. Since nothing supporting his birth in Virginia appears, I'm reconsidering the story. I do so because it doesn't mention Pittsylvania County at all, and its court was for the Colony. Thus, the date must surely be before the revolution and possibly by many years. New life came to this with the details behind the great Pittsylvania County counterfeiting scam of 1753. Although covered in detail later herein, the Govenor sent an armed guard to the county to apprehend the counterfeiters, and they were taken back to Williamsburg for trial, and others, unnamed were questioned and probably brought before the courts for hearings. These new facts resolve any issues I'd harbored about Daniel being tried in Williamsburg, or at least questioned, and about the counterfeiting possibilites, and the likelyhood of a rumored silver mine.

3rd: Another possibility recently surfaced, but it lacks any of the mild substance included in the two preceeding possibilities. A Sharon Lucille Harris provides the fodder in her book "Hankins and Harris Family. She states that a Daniel Hankins is the son of William Hankins of Middlesex Co., New Jersey, who she stated had family members who moved to Virginia, and a Daniel Hankins is mentioned in William's Will of 1745 of that county. It lacks the substance to presume any linkage to our Daniel, but since no other records have been found, then perhaps it is true.

4th: I have obtained my Y-Line DNA signature of 56 markers. Although analysis is still young, one can approximate the generations back to the most recent common ancestor between two persons, who supposedly share the same paternal line. To date, of the few who ascribe to being of the descendant line of Thomas Hankins (Northern Hankins lines), who also have a Y-Line DNA signature, there is no most recent common ancestor between my Daniel and Thomas that would have been here in American whereby they were the descendants of that common ancestor. Perhaps that common ancestor was Richard Hankins, or perhaps the common ancestor was prior to Richard, but at this point, I have seen no Y-Line DNA signature from the Northern Hankins lines whereby we have a common ancestor in America; he may exist, but that isn't yet verifiable by DNA analysis.

Daniel & Hannah Hankins:

Daniel and Hannah were separated sometime prior to him moving to Pittsylvania Co., VA. Though the reason isn't known, it appears that they had a rocky marriage. They may have truly separated, or maybe it was kind of a back and forth type separation. Unfortunately, things never worked out and they truly separated when Daniel moved to Pittsylvania County. One would think that they would have divorced, but a Bill of Complaint settled in March 1793 proves otherwise because it directed Daniel to pay Thomas Clift for support and maintenance of his wife Hannah. Also, per the research of Jim Self, he has a copy of a document that states that the divorce compliant was dismissed due to death of plaintiff (Hannah). This combination of things proves that Daniel and Hannah never divorced, even though Hannah fully intended to do so in her latter years.

Though we don't know the cause of Daniel's and Hannah's marriage troubles, per the research of Jim Self, we may have some new insight into a reason. Jim is continuing his search in this area, but it has very good merit, and while it may not be possible to prove the details, it's a very reasonable conclusion. While reviewing the Lunenburg County Order Book, Jim came across an entry for Daniel being charged with adultery with an Elizabeth Dear, and Jim indicates that it was about this time that Hannah first left Daniel. The past isn't very different from the present in some respects, and this would certainly explain why Hannah could not live with Daniel. Jim also indicates that the surname Dear also shows up on later documents in Pittsylvania County as a neighbor, or witness on a deed (still researching the specifics). It may also be the source for speculation in DAR records that falsely says that Daniel was married twice, with his 2d wife being Elizabeth.

It's difficult to figure out how the family lived after their separation, but it appears that Sarah was newly married. It also appears that Hannah went to live with Sarah and her husband Thomas Clift. It's unknown if any of the other children went to live with their mother, but they probably did if any were very young. However, that would have placed a heavy burden on Thomas Clift, so it's possible that the other children were older and remained in the household of their father. Hannah probably lived most of her life in Charlotte Co., Virginia but she also moved to Pittsylvania County with Thomas & Sarah Clift near the end of her life. Of their children, Diannah moved to Tennessee just after the turn of the century, John remained in Charlotte Co., Virginia and Sarah and William moved to Pittsyvlania Co., Virginia.

The following is a story excerpt from the 1897 personal letters of John James Hankins (Daniel is his 2GGF). Whether this story is true or not isn't really relevant, but I do suspect there is some exaggeration in it, and it was formulated by the writer some 40-50 years after Daniel's death.

"It is also said that he (Daniel) coined silver into coins of that date, being the silver dollar, milled, or what is now termed the Spanish "Pieces of Eight". At one time a neighbor went into his shop and, on asking for him, was told by his confidential servant that he was upstairs and would be down in a few minutes. Soon a silver dollar fell through a crack in the floor overhead. The man picked it up and found that it was very hot. He left at once, carrying the silver dollar with him and made a complaint that Daniel Hankins was counterfeiting money, and produced the hot coin as evidence against him. He (Daniel) was taken to Williamsburg, the Capital of the Colony, to be tried, but it appeared during the trial that his coins were of purer silver and of heavier weight than the genuine Spanish coins, and also, on finding that he had violated no English law, the Judge dismissed the case, telling him (Daniel) to go home and make all the coins he could as silver currency was very scarce at that time." I brushed this story aside as possibly having some truth to it because Daniel's supposedly had a silver mine in Pittsylvania County, but it was suspect because it wouldn't make sense for him to be taken to court in Williamsburg because it was about 200 miles away. Recently (Feb 2005), another researcher (Mark Shelton) related details from the Henry Meyer biography of Patrick Henry (pg 171): "In 1773 Lord Dunsmore jailed a counterfeiting ring from Pittsylvania County, Virginia in Williamsburg because he was afraid their jailing in Pittsylvania County might prove ineffective and the suspects might flee over the border into nearby North Carolina." A review of any existing confinement records may reveal whether or not Daniel was involved. However, if the Lord Dunsmore account is accurate, even if Daniel wasn't jailed or even involved in that specific incident, it does substantiate an incident whereby counterfeiters were tried in Williamsburg even though they lived in Pittsylvania County, and thereby increases the likelihood of Daniel's story being true.

Per the research of Jim Self: In continuing with details about Daniel's possible involvement in the counterfeiting of coins:

February 25, 1773, Virginia Gazette, Williamsburg, Virginia:

"On Tuesday last, Captain John Lightfoot arrived in Town from Pittsylvania County having executed the Commission he lately went upon to that County, by Instructions from the Governour, in apprehending and bringing down, under a strong Guard, Benjamin Cooke, Joseph Cooke, James Cooke, Benjamin Woodward, and Peter Medley, informed against by one John Short, formerly an under Sheriff there, who had been concerned with them in counterfeiting and passing the Treasury Notes of this Colony, as also in making and circulating several false Coins, particularly Dollars, Pistoles, and Half Pistoles. They were taken about two o'Clock in the afternoon, at work in their shop; with all their tools for engraving, frames for making paper, a rolling press, dies for dollars and half pistoles, besides a large quantity of counterfeit Five Pound bills, and a plate for the Forty Shilling bills. Upon their arrival they were immediately carried to the Palace, and examined by the Honourable Peyton Randolph, Esquire, in presence of his Excellency the Governour, the Attorney General, and other Gentlemen, who thought proper to order them all to be committed to the publick jail, except James Cooke, nothing criminal appearing against him and; next Tuesday they will be carried down to York, for a further examination.

We hear of several others being committed to different county jails, upon suspicion of being concerned in the same crime; and Gideon Rucker and Shem Cooke, of Pittsylvania, and John Hightower and William Hightower, of Lunenburg, are fled, for the apprehending of whom the Governour has been pleased to issue his Proclamation, offering a reward of Fifty Pounds for each.

It is hoped that a Nest of the same pernicious crew to society, in the Province of North Carolina, are by this Time apprehended, an express having been sent to the Governour there, acquainting him of sundry persons informed against; and thus a stop be put to the schemes and machinations of a gang of villains, who would aggrandise themselves upon the ruins of the publick."

Note by Jim Self: The Gazette story mentions that several others were involved. Daniel Hankins, may or may not have been involved. It is also possible that he was, but the sequence of actual events as it played out in his case were not exactly as they were told and re-told over the years and ended up being sincerely related by his great grandson. The counterfeiting that was done was counterfeiting because there was no money to back up the paper money or the coins were not of true precious metal value. If Daniel was actually making coins and they were of equal precious metal value to the ones issued by the state, then this may have been investigated and he might have been queried in a court-like proceeding, but that would not have been the same as the fellows as above -- they had motive. What would have been Daniel's gain to make coins that not only cost him the labor of doing so, but were equal or more worth than ones he could get from the state. However, like in any deal, he may have escaped the roundup and no one told of his involvement, whatever the level of that was, but years later in the re-telling his involvement was hyped. Or maybe he was not really involved at all, but due to the situation of an actual ongoing counterfeit ring in Pittsylvania County a circumstance arose in which he was accused of maybe being involved. If he did have mines, then it's possible the actual counterfeiters got some metal from him. A counterfeiting ring was definitely operating in Pittsylvania County and I believe that Daniel was well acquainted with Shim Cook. (both from Charlotte Co. and Pittsylvania Co., and the Hightowers from Lunenburg Co.). That does not prove anything on its own, but it does open the door for Daniel to know directly or indirectly something about the operation.

Note by Jim Hankins: The details of the counterfeiting ring, and the family story of Daniel making silver coins, does not prove that the two events are related. However, they do open the door for Daniel to maybe have had direct or indirect knowledge or some level of possible involvement in the counterfeiting operation. Since there are no known records of Daniel being incarcerated, it appears that the happy ending from the family story is probably true, though the events leading to it are probably unreliable, but maybe true. Plus, in 1783, Daniel became Commissioner of the Peace for the county, and he was also a Captain of the County Militia during this period, thus, it seems unlikely that his involvement with the counterfeiting ring was anything but minor, if anything at all, and that the family story of the silver coinage is probably more fiction than fact, but a good story nonetheless, and supported by events from the time.

Research Notes: Daniel earned his title as "Captain" for service in the Revolutionary War. His service was certainly that of Civil service, because there is no evidence that he deployed with his friends and neighbors to actually fight in the Revolutionary War battles. He would have been in his 50s during the war and this was probably the discriminator that prevented his deployment to fight. However, the DAR includes him as follows: DAR Patriot Index-Centennial Ed., Part 2, pg. 1299: Hankins, Danl: b c1720 VA M 1 Hannah unk 2 elizabeth unk Capt CS PS VA (CS stands for Civil Service, and PS for Patriotic service).This indicates his approximate birth year, although there is some evidence that it may be as early as 1715. It also identifies his birth place as Virginia, but there is no known official record of that. His wife's name was Hannah and although it says he had a second wife named Elizabeth, that isn't true. His rank of Captain is verified in multiple places, as well as his Civil (CS) and Patriotic (PS) services during the Revolutionary War. From 1776-1783 he was as young as 61 or as old as 68At that age, he was simply too old to be effective in battle, and maybe somewhat useful but over time a burden in the myriad other duties of fighting soldiers when not engaged in battle. Thus, MY IDEA of what probably qualified him for Patriotic service was that he, like everyone else too old or young to fight, sought an opportunity to somehow be a part of the direct fight. That said, I suspect that he chose himself to either drive or accompany a wagon(s) of provisions from the county to the battlefront. Doing that, and maybe taking some opportunity to be a part of the battle front, like directly resupplying the line, or evacuating the wounding from the battle, or transporting munitions to the battle, or some other of many possibilities, he thereby qualified himself for Patriotic service.

He was Captain of one of the County Militia, and a Commissioner of the Peace from 1783 - 1797. The court also appointed him to furnish the wives of certain soldiers with the necessities of life, to wit: Bartlett Atkins (M. Clements book spells his name Atkins, whereas Revolutionary War muster record sometimes spells it Adkins), Francis Henry, John McMahan, and Peter Hutchinson. These names appear in the 14th Virginia Regiment of Continental Regulars, commanded by Col. Charles Lewis.

In the 1740 Census, Daniel is shown living in Stafford, Virginia, and lists his daughter, Diannah.

In 1748, Daniel Hankins was paid for a Smith's work in Stafford Co., Virginia. Thus, Daniel Hankins is documented in Stafford Co., Virginia prior to moving to Southside Virginia. He owned land in Stafford County which he sold. The few records we have in Stafford County indicate that the Hankins name was there as early as 1666 and as late as 1750. In 1753, Daniel acquired 3,000 acres of land in Southside Virginia.

In 1756, The Land Entry Book, Pittsylvania Co., Virginia lists Hankins holdings: 380 acres was surveyed for Daniel on the north fork of Chestnut Creek.

Land Patent dated July 7, 1763: The following Land Patent was recorded to Daniel Hankins from George the III for 40 Shillings: Location - Lunenburg Co., Virginia; Description: 400 acres on the head branches of Maherrin, and head branches of Little Roanoak, adjoining Hill, Jones &c.; Source: Land Office Patents No. 35, 1762-1764 (v.1 & 2 p.1-556), p. 282 (Reel 35). Electronic copy possessed by James C. "Jim" Hankins.

Land Patent dated July 7, 1763: The following Land Patent was recorded to Daniel Hankins from George the III for 3 Pounds: Location - Lunenburg Co., Virginia; Description: 585 acres beginning at Bollings Corner on Prince Edward County Road, and adjoining the lines of Walton, Womack &c.; Source: Land Office Patents No. 35, 1762-1764 (v.1 & 2 p.1-556), p. 256 (Reel 35). Electronic copy possessed by James C. "Jim" Hankins.

In 1765, The Land Entry Book for Pittsylvania Co., Virginia shows John Morton and Daniel had surveyed 262 acres on Sandy River and Daniel's old line and Joseph Austin's corner.

In 1767, Daniel was on the Pittsylvania County tax list with 1,780 acres. In 1777, he took oath of allegiance in Pittsylvania County. Others taking the oath were Joseph Austin, William Hankins, Thomas Clift, and William Oliver.

From the Camden Parish Vestry Book of Pittsylvania County are several Daniel Hankins entries. He, Joseph Austin and others processioned patented lands from the mouth of Bearskin Creek up Bannister to Hickery Road to the south fork of Sandy River to county line to Pigg River Road to mouth of Bearskin Creek to the beginning.

In 1775 and 1776 Daniel Hankins was assessed six tithes, blacks listed were Frank, Ned, Nan, Judy, and Pat, in Pittsylvania County. The 1780 tax listed Daniel with seven tithes. In 1781, names of blacks listed for Daniel Hankins were Peton, Jack, Nan, Pat, and Judy. In 1782, Daniel was taxed for nine blacks, one white, five horses, and 44 cattle. That same year William Hankins was listed with ten whites and George Hankins with four whites. John Hankins was in Charlotte Co. with eight whites and one black.

On January 1, 1777, Pittsylvania assumed its present size. A new commission of peace was received from the governor naming the following men as justices of the peace: John Donelson, James Roberts, Crispen Shelton, Thomas Dillard, Peter Perkins, John Wimbish, Benjamin Lankford, William Witcher, John Owen, Abram Shelton, William Todd, Stephen Coleman, William Short, Reuben Payne, Charles Kennon, George Carter, Daniel Hankins, Joseph Morton, Charles Lynch Adams, John Dix. We miss from this list many familiar names of those who had been foremost in the settlement of the section and the enforcement of the laws. They were no longer inhabitants of Pittsylvania, for their homes lay in the new county of Henry. Source: Maude Carter Clement.

On January 20, 1777, The first court for Henry Co convened at the home of John Rowland on Smith River.The court informed the governor that James Roberts, Peter Perkins, Danl Hankins, and John Martin were not eligible to serve as justices of the county court because they were found to be living in Pittsylvania Co aft the line between the two counties had been surveyed. ("History of Patrick Co VA, Patrick Co Historical Society, 1999, pg. 39).

Land Grant dated March 1, 1781: The following Land Grant was recorded to Daniel Hankins: Location: Pittsylvania Co., Virginia; Description: 282 acres on the waters of Dann River adjoining land of Dunkin, &c.; Source: Land Office Grants P, 1784-1785, p. 766 (Reel 56).

Land Grant dated April 10, 1781: The following Land Grant was recorded to Daniel Hankins from Thomas Jefferson for 30 Shillings Sterling: Location: Pittsylvania County; Description: 1224 acres on the waters of the south fork of Sandy River adjoining Austin, Martin, Graham &c.; Source: Land Office Grants F, 1781-1782, p. 106 (Reel 47). Grant consists of 3-pages; an electronic copy is in the possession of James C. "Jim" Hankins.

Land Grant dated April 10, 1781: The following Land Grant was recorded to Daniel Hankins from Thomas Jefferson for 35 Shillings Sterling: Location: Henry Co., Virginia; Description: 316 acres on the waters of Turkey Cock Creek adjoining William Hankin.; Source: Land Office Grants F, 1781-1782, p. 49 (Reel 47).; This Grant consists of 2-pages; an electronic copy is in the possession of James C. "Jim" Hankins.

The Pittsylvania County Land Books begin in 1782. Daniel Hankins was taxed on 7,167 acres and Joseph Austin on 702 acres. In 1783, George Hankins was listed on 150 acres. In 1792 James or Joseph Hankins, deceased was listed on 280 acres.

At a court for claims held at the courthouse of Pittsylvania County the 18th day of Mar 1782 for adjusting claims for property impressed or taken for public use during the Revolutionary War (Source: VA Public Claims, Pittsylvania Co VA, compiled & transcribed by J.L. Abercrombie, Iberian Publishing Co, Athens, Georgia):

a. Mar 18, 1782, pg.1: present James Roberts, John Dix, Wm Witcher, Reubin Payne, John Parks, Jeremiah White, Danl Hankins and Wm Short, Esq.

b. Mar 18, 1782, pg.2: Danl Hankins for 2 bu corn, 1 iron kettle, 17 bu corn for state, 3-3 lbs; 5 1/2 bu corn, 10 # bacon, 3 pr horse shoes for Cont, 1-15-6 lbs; 50 gals brandy for state, 15 lbs; 2 barls corn, 1/2 # bun[sic] powder, 208 # bacon, 30 gal brandy for Cont, 21-1 lbs; 2 bu corn, 1/2 bu meal, 20 # bacon, 1/2 barl corn, 1-15-6 lbs.

c. Oct 15, 1782, pg. 41: Danl Hankins for 25 bu wheat for Cont, 6-3 lbs.

d. May 17, 1785, pg. 59: Present Wm Witcher, Danl Hankins, Wm Dix and Peyton Smith, Gents.

In 1783, The Land Entry Book for Pittsylvania Co., Virginia, #19736, where Daniel entered 20,242 acres on Turkey Cock Creek.

A 1785 tax list showed Daniel Hankins with one tithe, two dwellings and two other buildings. His son William had ten whites and one dwelling. Diana Hankins had four whites and one dwelling. Also in Pittsylvania County, William Oliver had nine whites and one dwelling. Joseph Austin had twelve whites and one dwelling, Thomas Clift had eleven whites and one dwelling, and Mary Oliver had eight whites.

Land Grant dated April 11, 1786: The following Land Grant was recorded to Daniel Hankins from Patrick Henry: Location - Henry County and Pittsylvania County (note: there were two entries for the same amount but for each county, but with the same source information. Henry & Pittsylvania County were separate counties so it's unsure if this is the same tract, or two tracts of the same size); Description: 4822 acres on the branch of the south fork of Sandy River and Leatherwood Creek; Source: Land Office Grants No. 1, 1785, 1786-1787, p. 155 (Reel 67); Grants consists of 3-pages; an electronic copy is in the possession of James C. "Jim" Hankins.

Daniel Hankins continued to be listed on the Pittsylvania County tax returns and in 1787, he had ten blacks, five horses and 25 cattle.

May 25, 1787: List "A": Danl Hankins charged with taxes: 0 white males 16-21, 4 blacks abv 16, 6 blacks under 16, 5 horses, 25 cattle. (Source: 1787 Census of VA, Pittsylvania Co., Personal Property by N. Schreiner-Yantis and F.S. Love, Genealogical Books in Print, Springfield, VA 1987, p457, 479).

Respondant's Reply of October 24, 1789: Daniel Hankins sued by John Burch, Sr.: Appears that John Burch says Daniel owes him 5 Pounds because the transaction was a forgery. "The answers of Daniel Hankins to the Bill of Injury Exhibited against him by John Burch Sr. (looks like Jr. here, but case file looks like Sr.) in the Worshipful Court of Henry. This respondant now and at all times hereafter saving and reserving to himself all manner of benefit and advantage of exceptions of the many errors and untruths in the Complainants said Bill contained, for answers thereto or so much thereof as this Date (sic) is advised is material for him to make. Answers unto he Answereth & South (?). That the bond on which suit was brought by this Respondant, was signed and delivered by the said John Burch, as his bond or obligation for the rest of a plantation lying in Henry County, which plantation the said Burch or some one under his direction remained in possession of a year to the best of this respondants knowledge, and this respondant further gave to the said Burch, an obligation by which he warranted the possession of the said Burch in and to the said Land for one year. And this respondant further answering saith, that he reasonably conceives the said Burch can by no means think it a hardship to pay the said rent, since from the Dispensation (sic) of the paper Currency, this respondant must be a considerable looser (?) in what was thought to have been contracted for, as the rent of said plantation. This respondant humbly ????? that the said Injury may be desolved, and that he may have the benefit of his Judgement at Law, together with his costs in this behalf expended and shall ever pay for. Richard N. Venable Atty of Respondant." No Verdict documents have been found.

Land Grant dated January 27, 1790: The following Land Grant was recorded to Daniel Hankins from Beverley Randolph, Governor of Virginia: Location - Pittsylvania Co., Virginia; Description: 94 acres on the draughts of Turkey Cock Creek and Sandy River adjoining Reads Order Line and John Stocktons land.; Source: Land Office Grants No. 22, 1789-1791, p. 83 (Reel 88).; an electronic copy is in the possession of James C. "Jim" Hankins.

Land Grant dated October 4, 1791: The following Land Grant was recorded to Daniel Hankins from Beverley Randolph, Governor of Virginia: Location - Pittsylvania Co., Virginia; Description: 202 1/2 acres on the branches of Sandy River and Turkey Cock Creek adjoining Pearson, and Reads land.; Source: Land Office Grants No. 24, 1791-1792, p. 368 (Reel 90).; Grant consists of 2-pages; an electronic copy is in the possession of James C. "Jim" Hankins.

Daniel's family had differences with him and his wife Hannah while they were in Lunenburg County and in 1760 received money for separate maintenance. In 1790, in Pittsylvania County, she sued for divorce and received alimony.

Prior to his death, Daniel made a deed gift to daughter Sara Clift in 1791 and a sale of land to son William for a nominal fee in 1794. To his namesake Daniel, son of John Hankins, Daniel made a gift of land in 1774.

The District Court Order Book 3, Franklin Co., Virginia, page 21 states that the last Will & Testament of Daniel Hankins was produced by James Garner. The Will duly executed and published, ordered recorded. William Hankins prays an appeal to this order to the next court of appeals; which was granted. Date of the foregoing was 21 April 1797, New London, VA (in both Campbell & Caroline Counties).

The 1796 return listed him as deceased.

The court removed to the Franklin County Court. At Superior court on 16 Sep 1800, Franklin County, James Garner appeared and refused to be executor of Daniel Hankins' Will. William Hankins gave bond, and certificate was granted him for obtaining letters of administration. The Will heretofore proved and recorded in this court was annexed. On 19 Sep 1800 an order was issued that the slaves and personal property of Daniel Hankins be appraised.

In 1806, Robert Hankins brought suit against Joseph Morton, Will Hankins and Matthew Wells regarding the Daniel Hankins estate.

A Pittsylvania County deed made in 1809 mentioned that Robert Hankins was the sole devisee of Daniel Hankins deceased, and stated by order of the high court of chancery.

Daniel's son William was appointed administrator of his estate. An inventory was made. John's son Robert was the primary beneficiary of the estate and Robert made numerous land sales until his death in 1813. In 1810, he made bond regarding five Negroes to Diana Hankins during here life and then to William Hankins or his heirs.

This bond was recorded in Humphrey Co., Tennessee deeds in 1826. It was as follows, Humphrey County Deed Book D., page 46-47: "I Robert Hankins of Charlotte County, State of Virginia do bind myself my heirs and assigns to make or cause to be made a good and lawful right or title to five Negroes named as follows to wit: Dorcas, Bob, Letuce, Jack, Peter, and their increase of said Negroes to Dinah Hankins during her life according to Daniel Hankins' Will, deceased, then to William Hankins minor or his heirs and so forth---for value received of said William Hankins minor given under my and seal 2 Oct 1810, Robert Hankins."

From the June Court, 1767, Pittsylvania Co., Virginia:

1) Page 6, Walling vs. Jones Judg: Elisha Walling, Plaintif against George Jones, Defendant On an Attachment The Sherif having returned that he has levyed the said Attachment in the hands of Daniel Hankins and Summoned him a Garnishee. This day came the plaintif by his Attorney and came also the said Garnishee, who being sworn, saith that he hath in his hands and possession of the Estate and Effects of the said defendant one large Pot, one chest, one Meal Tub, 1.20 gallon Cask, one small grind stone, one broad ax, one hand Saw, 3 chizels, 1 sett shoe tools, 3 water pails, 1. 2 foot reels, Pott hooks and Box Iron and heaters, fire Tongs, one iron Wedge and mauling ring, one plough hoe, one chest sold to Joseph Morton for 18/, 1 loom, 1 shock and iron, one large pine Table, 2 pewter dishes, 4 basons, 4 plates, 1 Spinning Wheel, 1 chair, 1 small brass kettle, 1 small jug, 1 square flat bottle, 15 fowls, 1 bedstead, one bed cord and one bell & that the said defendant is justly indebted to him, the said Garnishee, six pounds Current Money and the said defendant not appearing to repley (altho solemnly called) the plaintif produced the said Defendant's Bond for Ten pounds and five shillings. Therefore it is considered by the Court that the Plaintif recover against the said defendant his Debt, aforesaid, with Legal Interest thereon from the 1st day of February 1767 until the same shall be paid together with his Costs by him in this behalf appended and It is Ordered that the Said Effects be condemned in the hands of the said Garnishee and that the Sherif make Sale thereof by way of Auction to the highest bidders, and out of the Money arising from such Sales, pay and satisfy the said Garnishee his debt aforsaid and the overplus (if any remains) to be apply'd towards satisfaction of this Judgment.

2) Page 25, Levy Laid: To Daniel Hankins for a pair of Hand cuffs and putting them on William Young 60.

3) Page 39, Hankins vs Dupriest Dis'd: Daniel Hankins P. ag William Dupriest D. On an Attachment Attachment dismissed.

4) Page 45, Hankins vs Jones Judg: Daniel Hankins P. Ag John Jones D. On a Petition The D. not appearing and the P. proving his Account for Three pounds, fifteen shillings, and one penny half penny to be Just, Judgment is granted him against the D for the same with Costs.

Daniel married Hannah Unknown ⁷ about 1739 in Stafford Co., VA.⁷ Hannah was born in 1724 in Manakin Town, Charlotte Co., VA,⁷ died in Mar 1791 in Pittsylvania, VA (prob.)⁷ at age 67, and was buried in Pittsylvania, VA (prob.).⁷

Children from this marriage were:

+ 2 F    i. Diannah Hankins was born on Dec 8, 1740 in Overwharton Par., Stafford Co., VA.

+ 3 F    ii. Sarah Hankins ⁸ was born on Jan 13, 1746 in Overwharton Par., Stafford Co., VA.

+ 4 M    iii. John Hankins ^9,10,11 was born in 1747¹⁰ and died about 1794 in Charlotte Co., VA¹⁰ about age 47.

+ 5 M    iv. William J. Hankins, Sr. ^12,13 was born in 1750 in Stafford Co., VA (prob.),^14,15 died before Nov 15, 1824 in Pittsylvania Co., VA (prob.),¹² and was buried in Pittsylvania Co., VA (prob.).