Hanks, Thomas ¹

   General Notes:

Thomas Hanks first acquired land in the area between the Mattapony and the Rappahannock Roiver, in Virginia, February 16,1653; subsequently continued to patent land including some in now Richmond County, according to the account in Shelbourne's "In Freedom's Way". No records have eeen located further of Thomas Hanckes or of his estate. It has been conjectured that his name and property disappeared during the turmoil of the Bacon Rebellion. On the route of an ancient road from the Rappahannock River to the Falls of the James, now route 360, near the boundary line of Essex and King and Queen counties, stands this historical marker:
BACON'S NORTHERN FORCE At Piscataway, near here, the northern followers of Bacon the rebel assembled in 1676. On July 10, 1676, an action was fought with Governor Berkeley's supporters, some of whom were killed and wounded. Several houses were burned. Passing here the rebels march south to the Pamunkey River, where they joined their leader, Bacon.

   Marriage Information:

Thomas married Elizabeth (Hanks). (Elizabeth (Hanks) was born about 1627 in Glouchester, Virginia.)

   Marriage Notes:

There is no direct evidence that these men were sons of Thomas Hanks but, from the fact, he is the only one of record then, in that area, who could have been their father; from proximity; from possibility and probability, they aare so presumed. William, being an owner of land without record or purchase, is presumed to have been the eldest son and acquired the land by inheritance according to the then law of primogeniture. When his estate was later probated in Richmond County, the inventory listed certain assets"from across the river" which meant south of the Rappahannock. The face he had property in that area tends to confirm whence he came. For a more complete discussion see Barton"s "Lineage of Lincoln".