Descendants of Daniel & Hannah Hankins

2. Diannah Hankins was born on Dec 8, 1740 in Overwharton Par., Stafford Co., VA. She was usually called Diana.

Research Notes: The 1740 Census shows Daniel and Hannah living in Stafford, Virginia, and records the birth of their daughter Diannah. Diannah is thus the eldest child of Daniel and Hannah. Deed transaction also shows Diannah Hankins and her son William selling land. Last name of Hankins and having a son indicates that either Diannah had a son out of wedlock, or she changed her name back to Hankins after a marriage that ended in divorce or her husband's death.

Diana Hankins was on the 1782 Pittsylvania Co., Virginia tax record with one horse and five cattle and one white tithe over 21.

She was listed again in 1784 with two horses and eight cattle. By 1785 her holdings had increased to ten cattle and she had four white persons in her household and one dwelling.

On one 1787 tax record of Pittsylvania Co., she was listed as exempt. Another 1787 tax record listed her with seven cattle and two horses.

On April 30, 1787, Dinah Hankins is charged with taxes on: 0 white males 16-21, 0 blacks abv 16, 0 blacks under 16, 2 horses, 7 cattle [not tithable]. She is living near Wm Hankins. (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, 478 Apr 30, 1787).

For the first time in 1789, William Hankins is indicated on a tax as son of Diana with one white and one horse. Diana is listed separately. In 1790 William and Diana are listed separately. In 1791, Diana and son are listed. In 1792, Diannah is listed but in 1793 she is listed again as Diana and son.

In 1795, William Hankins, son of Diana, is listed with one tithe and three horses. This same year, William, son of Diana, had power of attorney to sell land belonging to John Oliver who was living in South Carolina.

When Daniel Hankins was presented in court, 1796, Diana Hankins was part to contesting his will, Pittsylvania County., VA.

In 1797, Diana Hankins is listed on the Pittsylvania Co., tax and with her is someone named Akin. The record stated one white and one black. William Hankins is listed separately.

William Hankins is listed in 1798 and 1799. Diana is listed separately in 1799.

With her son William Hankins in 1802, Diana Hankins sold land in Pittsylvania Co., Virginia, which she had from Daniel Hankins' estate, her father. She then moved to Tennessee since a bond was recorded in the Humphrey Co., Tennessee record which was made in Charlotte Co., Virginia.

Diana had a relationship with someone. Marriage status: partner unnamed - unmarried.

+ 6 M i. William Hankins ¹⁷ was born on Sep 5, 1762 in VA^¹⁷ and died in 1824 in Montgomery Co., TN^¹⁷ at age 62.

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

General Notes: Sarah lived in the vicinity of Daniel Hankins, probably on his land, which he gave to them in 1791.

Research Notes: Court Orders: (provided by Jim Self)

Pittsylvania Co., Virginia Court Order Book 8, p. 484, May 1798: Sarah Clift, together with her securities William Hankins and George Dear post bond of $3,000, is granted Letters of Administration of goods and chattels of Thomas Clift, deceased. Ordered that Joseph Austin, Edward Covington, George Dyer, John Carter, any three of them to appraise the personal estate of Thomas Clift, deceased.

Deeds: (provided by Jim Self)

Pittsyvlvania Co., Virginia Deed Bk 9, pg. 68, April 2, 1791: Deed of Gift. Daniel Hankins sells to daughter Sarah Clift for five shillings, two hundred acres chosen by her anywhere in my Order of Cousel............ and the intent of this deed is that as soon as she may request the said land it is to be layed off and surveyed and I bind myself to do it and forever warrant and defend the title to her and her heirs......" signed by Daniel, wit. by Samuel Callands, John Smith, James Cox.

Sarah married Thomas Clift, son of Joseph Clift and Joyce Barrett, about 1762 in Stafford Co., VA (prob.) Thomas was born on Sep 22, 1744 in Stafford Co., VA (prob.) and died about May 1798 in Pittsylvania Co., VA^¹⁸ about age 53.

General Notes: Supplemental (June 2003): Another researcher verifies the presence of a John Hankins, in Charlotte Co., Virginia, who married Letitia Power; this marriage apparently being the 2nd marriage for each of them. My web site contains sufficient data to support this John Hankins' marriage to Amy Jones and Felicia Collins. However, the name of Felicia and Letitia are close enough for this to warrant closer scrutiny. Virginia archives speak of the life of Letitia Power, and indicate that she and John Hankins had six children. Since this John Hankins died about two years after his 1st wife, Amy, died, then it isn't possible that he could have had six addition children with his 2nd wife. Thus, I speculate that there were two John Hankins' living in Charlotte Co., Virginia, and that the ancestry of the other John Hankins may lead to the identity of the parents and siblings of Capt. Daniel Hankins.

The following was provided by Melissa Hankins Pearman. According to Melissa, her father gave this family history to her some years ago, but she does not know who did the original research:

John Hankins and his wife, Amy Jones, were the great great grandparents of John Keen Hankins of Lexington, NC. John lived for most of his life in Charlotte Co., Virginia. He appears in the household of his father, Daniel, on the List of Tithables of Cornwall Parish, Lunenburg County, in 1764 (page 3 of that document). The 1782 Census of Heads of Families in Charlotte County shows him with eight family members and one slave. Note: A John Hankins is also listed as a tithe payer in Cumberland Parish, Lunenburg County in 1772, 1773, 1774, and 1775. As Charlotte County was formed in 1765 and Cumberland Parish remained in Lunenburg County, this may not have been the same person. Also, a John Hankins is listed as a Colonial soldier of Lunenburg County during the period of 1754-1774.

By 1774, John and Amy were living in the vicinity of Spring Creek in Charlotte County on land adjoining Thomas Read, John Foster, James Foster and Clement Read. Note: The Hankins and Foster families were closely linked by marriage as will be shown in the following paragraphs. Clement Read of Williamsburg was one of the early settlers of Cornwall Parish, settling there about 1733. Amy was probably related to Richard Jones and Phillip Jones who were mentioned in the deeds cited earlier. John and Amy must have been on good terms with Daniel Hankins as he gave them land on two occasions (1774 and 1778) and left the bulk of his estate to their son, Robert; this decision may be because the Courts had appointed Daniel as the guardian of Robert when his father died..

John Hankins died in late 1794 or early 1795. His estate was appraised by Ben Watkins, Josiah Foster and Richard Watkins on 2 February 1795 (Charlotte County Order Book 2). The inventory includes furniture, livestock and slaves.

On 2 February 1795, Felicia Hankins, widow of John Hankins, petitioned the Court in Charlotte County and Daniel Hankins, administrator of the estate of his father, John Hankins, for a division of his slaves, personal estate and land, on which there was a grist mill. The Court named Josiah Foster, Jacob Martin, Thomas Spenser, and Reuben Johnson to make the division (Book 10, page 15). On 7 April 1795 the Court named Josiah Foster as guardian of Peggy and William Hankins, George Foster as guardian of Amy Hankins and Daniel Hankins as guardian of Polly and Robert Hankins, all orphans of John Hankins, deceased (Book 10, page 41).

On 7 September 1795, Daniel Hankins, James Woodall and his wife Elizabeth, George Foster and his wife Sally, Peggy Hankins, Amy Hankins, Polly Hankins, Robert Hankins, and William Hankins, representative of John Hankins, deceased, petitioned the Court in Charlotte County for a sale of the land of John Hankins and for a distribution of the money arising there from. On 8 March 1796 the Court commissioners reported to the court that they had sold the land and that one of the parties to the suit, Elizabeth Woodall, had died, leaving children, Susannah and Daniel Woodall (Book 10, page 146).

At the July 1798 Court in Charlotte County, "Josiah Foster guardian of Peggy Hankins, orphan of John Hankins, came into court and produced a receipt of David Hairfield, who hath intermarried with the same Peggy Hankins, in full of his guardianship." (Book 11, page 179)

John and Amy Hankins had seven children as confirmed by the above records and by the letters of John James Hankins in 1896: two sons and five daughters. John and Felicia Hankins had one child, William. The names vary somewhat between the two records. For example, John James Hankins does not list Amy Hankins, but lists Julia Hankins who married a Mr. Cox and raised a numerous family of children in the neighborhood of the old Hankins settlement where there are many of her descendants living today (1896). Another family document gives the following information:

"My mother's father was named John Hankins. His wife was a Jones before marriage but I don't remember her given name. My mother, Sallie, daughter of the said John Hankins, had two own brothers, Daniel and Robert, and one half brother called Buck. She had three sisters named Bettie, who married James Woodall, Peggie married David Hairfield and Polly married John Divin, brother of old Jimmy Divin."

Epilogue: We know little of the personal life of John Hankins and his family. He was apparently a successful farmer and left a substantial estate at his death. The records do not show that he was active in politics or that he personally participated in the Revolutionary War. He was probably several years older than his brother, William, and may have served as a militiaman during the Colonial period. Considering the records, the period, and the area where he lived, we can conclude that he was a prosperous, energetic man -- a solid citizen -- who gave priority to his family and his home.

Research Notes: Charlotte Co., Virginia Order Book, Feb 5, 1804, Pg 117:

"Daniel Hankins, George Foster & Sally his wife, Jeremiah Walker & Amey his wife, David Hartfield & Peggy his wife, which said Daniel, Sally, Amey and Peggy are children of John Hankins, dec'd; Plaintiffs vs Robert Hankins, Polly Hankins, William Hankins, infant children of the said John Hankins. Susannah Woodall, and Daniel Woodall, infants under the age of 21 years, and children of Elizabeth Woodall, one of the daughters of the said John Hankins, by James Woodall, their father and guardian; Defendants - a suit in chancery. It is ordered that the land which was devised to the said John Hankins by his father Daniel Hankins containing about 400 acres . . . adjoining the land formerly belonging to COL Thomas Read and others on the waters of Little Roanoke . . . etc."

The Daniel Hankins referred to is Captain Daniel Hankins (~1720-1790) and his wife Hannah.

Jury Duty: Court Orders - Charlotte Co., Virginia, Extracts from Book-7, 1786 - 1789, 2 March 1789, page 228: Obediah Claybrook,Foreman, Joshua Morris, William White, Cutbirth Williamson, John Smith, Thomas Rice, Burwell Brown, Luke Palmer, William Johnson, Thomas Pettus, Josiah Foster, Snr., John Hankins, James Hamblett, Richard Bouldin, Josiah LeGrand, John Watkins, William Foster, John Petty, John Rice and Francis Lindsay, were sworn as a Grand Jury and returned the following presentments:
1. William Brown, for drunkenness and swearing four oaths;
2. William Collins, for profane swearing two oaths;
3. Thomas North, for living in adultery with Elizabeth Low;
4. Elizabeth Low, for living in adultery with Thomas North;
5. Robert Puckett, for living in adultery with Sarah Potter;
6. Sarah Potter, for living in adultery with Robert Puckett;
7. Francis Haily, for having a bastard child;
8. Susannah Jones, for having a bastard child;
9. James Johnston, and for living in fornication with Agnes Herbert;
10. Agnes Herbert, for living in fornication with James Johnston;
11. William Beazley, carpenter, for living in fornication with Sarah Sims;
12. Sarah Sims, for living in fornication with Wm Beazley.

From Jury Duty Court Orders - Charlotte Co., Virginia, Extracts from Book-7, 1789- 1792, Pg 160: James Hamblett, Foreman, Thomas Chaffin, George Cardwell, John Rice, Thomas Liggon, Ebenezer Vernon, Richard Dabb, John Blankenship, William Brizendine, Charles Crenshaw, Joseph Barksdale, William Marshall, William Mullins, John Hankins, William Rice, Samuel Spenser and Josiah Foster, were sworn as a Grand Jury and returned presentments against:
1. John Tankersley for swearing one oath at Archibald Campbell's store the 23rd day of July.
2. James Skelton for swearing one oath at Capt Collin's Muster the 16th day of July.
3. Dudley Holt for getting drunk at this place last July Court.
4. William Bouldin for getting drunk the 15th day of July last, at this place.
5. William Bibb, Philip Bibb and John Marable for interrupting the congregation at time of Publick worship at Sandy Creek Meeting House the 17th day of July last by information of Henry Ford.

John married Amy Jones ¹⁰ ^,11.^,24 Amy was born in 1754^¹⁰ and died before Mar 18, 1792 in Charlotte Co., VA.^¹⁰

+ 13 F i. Elizabeth Hankins ¹⁰ was born in 1769 in Charlotte Co., VA^{¹⁰^,25} and died between Dec 3, 1793 and Jan 1, 1797 in Halifax, Halifax Co., VA.^¹⁰

+ 15 F iii. Sarah Hankins ¹⁰ ^,24 ^,30 ^,31 ^,32 was born on Oct 16, 1773 in Charlotte Co., VA,^{¹⁰^,30^,32} died on Jul 12, 1858 in Keysville (near), Charlotte Co., VA^{¹⁰^,30} at age 84, and was buried in Foster Cem., Keysville, Charlotte Co., VA.^³⁰

+ 19 F vii. Polly Hankins ³⁴ was born in 1786 and died in Prince Edward Co., VA.^³⁴

John next married Felisha Collins,¹⁰ daughter of Richard Collins and Mary Madison,.

5. 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.).

General Notes: In William's Will, he leaves land to grandsons of his son John, but the grandsons are not called by name.

Research Notes: On September 11, 1783, William Hankins entered 1,000 acres by warrant dated 11 September 1783, #19239, Crooked Creek of Sandy River.

On Apr 30, 1787, List "A": Wm Hankins is charged with taxes on: 0 white males 16-21, 0 blacks abv 16, 0 blacks under 16, 8 horses, 19 cattle. He is living near Dinah Hankins Apr 30, 1787: List "A": Wm Hankins charged with taxes for Jno Auston (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 & 478).

November 6, 1809, Wm Hankins Wit to LWT of Abram Parrish. (Source: Abstracts of Pittsylvania Co., Virginia Wills, 1767-1820 by L.C. Adams, Southern Historical Press, Inc., 1986, pg. 200).

On 20 July 1814 surveyed for William Hankins Sr., 410 acres, Sandy River at Reuben Hankins' line.

He is listed in the 1820 Census, Pittsylvania Co., Virginia: 1-male age 45 and over, and 1-female age 45 and over (his wife).

Will of William J. Hankins, Pittsylvania Co., Virginia, Will Book #1, pages 68 & 69: "In the name of God Amen. I William Hankins of the County of Pittsylvania and State of Virginia do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in the form of following court. First of all, I recommend my soul to the care of him that gave it and then my body to be decently buried then it is my will and desire that all my just debts and burying expenses be first paid then my Estate to be divided in the manner and form following Viz (?): Item. I give an bequeath unto my daughter Mary Smith Austin an equal share of my estate with the deduction of Eighty dollars to her and her use only and after her decease to the lawful heirs of her body. Item. I give and bequeath to the heirs of my son John Hankins (dec.) all that tract of land lying and being in Henry County on the water of Turkey Cock Creek Containing by survey Eight hundred and thirty eight acres and the sum of ten shillings current money of Virginia as their whole legacy and the said ten shillings to be raised out of my property before the other legacies goes into division. Item. I give and bequeath daughter Elizabeth Juley Cox an equal part of my estate to her and her heirs forever. Item. I give and bequeath unto my son William Hankins an equal share of my estate with the deduction of one hundred and sixty nine dollars to him and his heirs forever. Item. I give and bequeath to my son Reuben Hankins an equal share of my estate to him and his heirs forever. Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Jane Davis Covington an equal share of my estate to her and her heirs forever. Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Peggy Williams Curry and equal share of my estate with the addition of one hundred and sixty nine dollars to her and her heirs forever. Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Rebecca Austin an equal share of my estate with the deduction of seventy nine dollars, be it further understood and it is my desire that my son John Hankins' heirs as above mentioned have no other share other than the land and ten shillings as is bequeathed to them. I further constitute and appoint my son William Hankins and James S. Cox Executors to this my last Will and Testament revolking all other and former Wills by me at any other time heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and twenty three. William X (his mark) Hankins

Signed sealed published and declared in the presence of us in the presence of the testator: Thos. Deal, Pendleton Burgess, Thos. Hanks.

At a court held for Pittsylvania County the 15th day of November 1824. This last Will and Testament of William Hankins Dec. was exhibited in court and proven by the oaths of two ???????? witnesses and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of James S. Cox one of the Executors in said Will named made oath thereto according to law and with Thomas Hines, Pendleton Burgess, and James A. Mitchell his securities entered into and acknowledged bond in the penalty of Five thousand Dollars conditioned according to Law. Certificate is granted him for obtaining probate of said Will in due form and liberty is reserved to the other Executor to join in the probate when he shall see fit. Test. Wm. Tunstall, Clerk of Court."

Additions to his Will in July 1828

Written on the left margin is written "examined and contains 616 words".

William married Elizabeth Davis, daughter of Jacob Davis and Nancy Unknown, about 1769 in Pittsylvania Co., VA (prob.) Elizabeth was born in 1756 in Virginia (prob.), died before Nov 15, 1824 in Pittsylvania Co., VA (prob.), and was buried in Pittsylvania Co., VA (prob.).

+ 21 M i. John Hankins ³ ^,12 ^,20 was born in 1770 in Pittsylvania Co., VA (prob.), died before Apr 24, 1823 in Henry or Pittsylvania Co., VA (prob.), and was buried in Henry or Pittsylvania Co., VA (prob.).

+ 24 F iv. Jane Davis Hankins ¹² ^,20 ^,43 ^,44 ^,45 was born on Sep 13, 1776 in Pittsylvania Co., VA, died on May 14, 1853 in Murfreesboro, Rutherford Co., TN at age 76, and was buried in Wray-Covington Cem., Murfreesboro, Rutherford Co., TN.

+ 25 F v. Rebecca Hankins ¹² ^,20 ^,46 ^,47 was born in 1778 in VA and was buried in Lynch Gap Cem., Bell Buckle, Bedford Co., TN.

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Descendants of Daniel & Hannah Hankins

Second Generation