John H. Hancock

• General Notes
  • From Arvil Hancock: "The will of Samuel Hancock dated 1 Sep 1760 first names son Samuel and then grandson John the son of Samuel. This John was born 1732. He left a will in Cumberland Co., VA dated 12 Mar 1763. He had purchased land on the Tar River just across the state line in North Carolina but he never occupied it. He apparently became ill and died at the early age of 31. His will leaves half of the NC property to his brother Samuel and the other half to his wife Martha and upon her death to be divided between their 3 sons Samuel, John and William. Samuel and John ended up in Montgomery Co., NC. We have considerable information on them.
    
    I think it is highly unlikely that the John Hancock who witnessed Samuel's will was the grandson John who was only about 28 and lived in Cumberland County, somewhat removed from Chesterfield. Witnesses to wills were typically close friends or neighbors. If a family member, it was usually a son. The John Hancock who witnessed Samuel's will signed with an X. The John who left the will in Cumberland County signed his name.
    
    John Hancock of Cumberland County had 4 children: Samuel, John, William and Ann."
    
    His will in WB 1 Page 263 (Cumberland Co., Va) reads:
    
    "In the name of God Amen. I John Hancock of Cumberland County being in a low state of health but of perfect mind and memory...etc...
    ...I give to my brother Samuel Hancock one half of my tract of land lying on Tar River in North Carolina to be laid off from the river to the back line...etc..., the half on which my father now lives but my father not to be distrurbed as long as he lives, to him and said Samuel...
    ...I lend the other half of my tract of land in N.C. to my dear and well beloved wife Martha...at death of wife, land to be divided between my three sons Samuel, John and William...
    ...negro Adam to my father as long as he lives and at his death Adam to go to eldest son Samuel...
    ...after debts, rest of estate to be sold and the money equally divided between my three children Ann, John and William as they become of age...
    ...appoint wife Martha, brother Samuel Hancock and John Morton to be executors...
    ...my hand and seal this 12 March 1763. signed, John Hancock. Witness: Thomas Redd, William Penick, Judith Penick, Susannah Richardson. Rec: 27 June 1763." [from pages 84-85 of The Hancock Family in England and America].
    

Click here for details of John H.'s family with Martha Waller

Source/Citation Named in Will of Grand father, Samuel Hancock, Chesterfield County, Virginia Will Book #1 (1749-1765), Page 377

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