Hanks - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Nancy Hanks

nroyce49 — 2012-04-29 13:33:16Z

I have heard of this agreement before but could not find a source for it. Do you know where the original is located so I can get a copy? Thanks.

Re: Nancy Hanks

ocalhoun1 — 2012-04-29 04:23:20Z

I don't need to look at his book. He has all the wrong information. You can believe whatever you wish but it was written by Judge Felix E. Alley of the North Carolina Supreme Court and proved that John C. Calhoun & Nancy Hanks are the parents of Abraham Lincoln. I also have the copy of the agreement where John C. Calhoun agreed to pay Nancy Hanks the sum of $100.00 per year for the support of an Illegitimate son born February 12, 1809. It was witnessed by Christopher Orr, Robert Brown Norris, and Thomas Lincoln. John C. Calhoun also paid Thomas Lincoln $100.00 to take Nancy south to have the child.

Re: Nancy Hanks

Rich_Hileman — 2012-04-28 21:30:47Z

This is, of course, complete bunk. You might look at William Barton's book, The Paternity of Lincoln, in which Barton proved in the 1920s that this ancient story has no historical basis at all. Nancy Hanks was never in North or South Carolina, and certainly never met John Calhoun.

Re: Nancy Hanks

ocalhoun1 — 2012-04-28 16:39:46Z

Nancy Neel;

You have the story exactly correct. That is how it happened. Nancy & Thomas Lincoln named the baby after Thomas's father, Abraham, but the child's father is John C. Calhoun. I have a copy of the agreement for John C. Calhoun to pay Nancy the sum of $100.00 per year for the child and it was witnessed by Thomas Lincoln and two others. John C. Calhoun also paid Thomas Lincoln $100.00 to take Nancy south out of the area to have the child. Later, they were on their way to Abraham Enloes in North Carolina when the child was born and then they continued on to Kentucky to live. Nancy was riding horseback when she went into labor.

Re: Nancy Hanks Siblings?

carlaray56 — 2012-04-04 04:50:39Z

His mother could have been Celia Johnson as well - evidently Abraham Lamb was married to both Celia Johnson AND Zilpha Mccoy.

Re: Nancy Hanks Siblings?

carlaray56 — 2012-04-04 04:46:37Z

I have Riley Lamb's mother as Zilpha Mccoy 1792 - 1822

Re: Nancy Hanks Siblings?

1_jake883 — 2012-04-04 03:09:12Z

Did any of nancy hanks' (lincoln's mother)half siblings marry a Detwiler?

Re: Robert R Hanks

rhonda36879 — 2012-04-03 05:00:54Z

Louisa House b: 1814 Troup Co., Georgia her parents are William G House 1770-1846 and Olive Thornton House 1775-1878

Louisa and Benjamin in Randolph Co, alabama in 1850

this is all that I have on Louisa House

Helen G. Hanks & Lewis Richards - Please help return some lost letters!

edgefamilygen — 2012-04-03 02:50:23Z

Hi!

A few years ago I purchased a large quantity of WWII letters at a local flea market. I felt bad for these lost items.

They are from Lewis H. Richards to his fiancee Helen G. Hanks, who was born in Montana to George? and Bertha Hanks. Lewis lived in Queens, New York.

I have tried to find the decendants of these people but I have turned up nothing. I am hoping you folks can help me!

Any leads would be appreciated!

Sam Edge

Re: Robert R Hanks

VirginiaJimenez46 — 2012-04-03 01:51:07Z

Rhonda, I have tried to learn Cassia Otwell's parents. I found her in Arkansas with her sister, and I have only guessed for her parents.

I have her father as Benjamin D. Otwell and I could not read the mother's name.

I would appreciate your help.

Re: Donald B. Hanks

Janis96181 — 2012-04-02 17:30:20Z

I was just reading posts on Hanks I have info on Edward Shelton Hanks who married a Margaret Keefe with sons Louis and Donald if you are still in need of info. Ziza Hanks was my gg. grandfather.

Mapped properties of Thomas from 1653-1674

ghancks — 2012-04-02 13:13:35Z

I have mapped the properties acquired by Thomas, who arrived in Virginia about 1650. The information is online at:
http://jameshancks.wordpress.com/etc/lands-of-thomas-the-imm...
If anyone has more specific or different information, I would appreciate knowing.
By the way, the county reflects Thomas's location as #9 on this map:
http://www.kingandqueenco.net/html/Visit/visit100map.html#

Re: Robert R Hanks

rhonda36879 — 2012-03-28 03:12:46Z

Catherine cassie otwell is my cousin not Robert's, Cassie married Robert Hanks. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I was jut putting how she was related to me

Re: Robert R Hanks

VirginiaJimenez46 — 2012-03-27 22:33:33Z

Rhonda, would you please let me know your source of information that Cassia Otwell was a 2nd cousin, 4X removed from Robert Hanks. Robert was her second husband. I have been researching the Hanks family for my nephews. Thanks

Re: Robert R Hanks

rhonda36879 — 2012-03-27 10:41:34Z

Cassia Otwell 2nd cousin 4x removed married Robert Hanks Nov 8, 1880 Bossier Parish County, Louisiana, Robert was born May 1860 South Carolina. Cassia Otwell Hanks is buried at Riverside Cemetery, Wichita Falls, Wichita County, Texas, Block G lot 451. If someone is near this cemetery, maybe go check the block and lot

Hope this may help someone find him

rhonda bruce

Re: Nancy Hanks Siblings?

kayakgide10 — 2012-03-25 02:37:11Z

My great grandmother was Dora Hanks/sister to yours? Would love any info on family ties. Thanx

Re: Nancy Hanks Siblings?

carlaray56 — 2012-03-25 01:45:22Z

I have two spouses for Riley Lamb -

Zilpha McCoyZilpah McCoy
1792 – 1822

and

Celia Johnson
1814 – 1861

Re: Nancy Hanks Siblings?

carlaray56 — 2012-03-25 01:45:21Z

I have two spouses for Riley Lamb -

Zilpha McCoyZilpah McCoy
1792 – 1822

and

Celia Johnson
1814 – 1861

Re: Nancy Hanks Siblings?

Lincar72 — 2012-03-24 01:24:13Z

I have different names than you have. I need to find my updated Hanks information. Fom the Nancy Hanks museum, Lucy is Nancy's, the mother of Lincoln, mother. I do remember the Sparrow name but cannot locate that information right now.

Re: Nancy Hanks Siblings?

Lincar72 — 2012-03-24 01:12:53Z

Keep in mind there are 2 Nancy Hanks'. Nancy Hanks, Lincoln's mother, and Nancy A. Hanks who was Nancy's cousin. I have both in my information. Do you have Riley Lamb's mother's name? I have sisters listed for both Nancy's.

Linda

Re: Nancy Hanks Siblings?

carlaray56 — 2012-03-23 22:18:52Z

I too have a family story of being related to Nancy Hanks. My second great grandfather was Riley Lamb who lived in Meade County, KY - next to Hardin County. It was said that his mother was a sister to Nancy Hanks - he referred to her as Aunt Nancy. If anyone knows of the possibility of this connection, please let me know.

Re: Nancy Hanks Siblings?

immommysgirl909 — 2012-03-17 18:26:39Z

I am cousins with nancy hanks because of my aunt her last name is hanks and that's her cousin

Re: Hanks Family Book

chrishanks158 — 2012-03-16 02:58:39Z

jacqueline,
sorry we have no wyatt in our family.
regards

Re: Hanks Family Book

jacquelinespearman1 — 2012-03-14 03:29:05Z

TODAY I SCANNED YOUR BOOK AT THE CLAYTON LIBRARY IN HOUSTON. I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT WYATT HANKS. LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.

CARLTON HANKS

jacquelinespearman1 — 2012-03-12 22:50:01Z

I AM LOOKING FOR ANY INFORMATION ON A CARLTON HANKS THAT GREW UP IN JASPER COUNTY JASPER TEXAS. HIS PARENTS WAS ROBERT AND KATIE HANKS. IF ANY ONE HAVE ANY INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT ME THROUGH MY EMAIL ADDRESS: jacquelinespearman@yahoo.com

Re: Nelson Hanks

Grandmaisonm — 2012-03-12 21:50:15Z

Nelson Hanks was born in 1870 in Braintree VT to Frank Hanks and Sophia Hanks. He was the brother of my Great Grandfather Henry Hanks.
Frank Hanks was born in September 1832 in Canada and migrated to Vermont.
Nelson Had a total of 9 siblings:
Climena (F) Charles (M)
Frank (M) Oliver (M)
Adelle (F) Joseph (M)
Henry (M) Frederk (M)
Rosalie (F)

Re: Gallenton Hanks

UilleannPiper — 2012-03-07 20:12:58Z

I descend from Mary L. Daniel Wren Hanks through her first husband. I'll be glad to exchange family information with you.

Rick Ramey

Re: Lucy E. Hanks Cherokee/Choctaw Indian married Mahagel Harward

derekeanes — 2012-02-06 02:36:05Z

Hi, I'm doing research on my grandmother's Hanks family from Louisiana. I know that my g-g grandfather is Calise Hanks and he may be Indian (either Cherokee or Choctaw), I may be related to the Lucy E. Hanks listed in your family tree. Could you give me info on this family? Thanks.

Re: Hanks in Texas

sting0fsc0rpi0 — 2012-01-30 03:17:27Z

Hello,

I currently live in Silsbee, Tx (Hardin county). My full name is Dougls Dwain Hanks Jr. The Grandson of Douglas Dan Hanks. I don't know much about our family past other than what I have been told.

Virgil Hanks

simmorgan1974 — 2012-01-25 05:25:34Z

I've been working on some of my genealogy. I was wondering if anyone might know any information about the Hanks side of my family. Jimmie Don Hanks is my father and his father was Virgil Hanks. Virgil passed away around 1938 in Oklahoma. Virgil had a brother named Dick. Dick moved to California in 1940 and passed away in 1981 in California. Dick is the only brother that I know of. My dad was very young when his dad (Virgil) passed away. A few years later his mother passed away her name was Thelma Taylor-Griffin. My dad doesn't remember anyone from that side of the family.
Here is what I know. Virgils mom was Mae Kuykendall and his father was C.C. Hanks. I know that Mae and C.C. married in Madill, Marshall county, Oklahoma. If anyone would have any information please let me know. I would love to see some old pictures and know that family history.

Re: Joseph Hanks

kenhanks — 2012-01-18 04:43:09Z

Zoe, Hey there .. I will look in my Hanks book and see what I can find. I've heard the Mize name mentioned before but I've forgotten where it ties in. I'm also researching my Prickett family's Georgia ties and England before that. It's a task isn't it? I'll let you what I find on your Nancy. It's pretty difficult to definitively tie a particular Nancy Hanks to Abe Lincoln. Yours, like mine, may be a cousin. The name "Nancy" was very popular at the time.
Take care
Kenny

Re: Joseph Hanks

kenhanks — 2012-01-18 04:43:07Z

James at Hat Creek, Va., 1780 to 1800

ghancks — 2011-12-25 21:35:15Z

A documented history of James and his chidren, Abraham, Thomas (Sr.), Tabitha (Barnes), and James (Jr.), in Campbell County, Va., from 1780 to 1830 has been published online at http://jameshancks.wordpress.com

Re: Pascal Hanks is my Great Great Grandfather

Pattihanks1 — 2011-12-25 16:24:16Z

After research and a copy of the family generations My husband is also a great great grandson to Pascal, Jim Jr.

Re: Pascal Hanks is my Great Great Grandfather

Pattihanks1 — 2011-12-23 02:56:23Z

We'll try and do. that the one we have is one glass of two planes in flight in a metal frame which we are afraid to take the back off as we don't want to mess anything up. We're still trying to figure how he is related to my husband.

Re: Pascal Hanks is my Great Great Grandfather

47KarenHanks — 2011-12-23 00:55:40Z

I will try to take some photos of the paintings which are in my family, done By Pascal Hanks. Some are on Velvet, the others are reverse glass paintings. Would you also be able to post whatever paintings you have which were done by Pascal? That would be fun to see . Karen Hanks

Re: Pascal Hanks is my Great Great Grandfather

Pattihanks1 — 2011-12-18 04:55:18Z

My father James Leroy Hanks Born appox. 1928 his father was Earl Eugene Hanks I have a glass painting of Pachal Hanks. James had sisters Patricia & Donna as well as brother Eugene. Would like info on the paintings if any.

Re: MULLATO HALF BROTHER OF PRES. ABRAHAM LINCOLN

janice_b1 — 2011-10-23 00:33:08Z

I doubt that your story is false but its hard to prove the facts many times due to it was so dangerous for the colors to mix in many areas esp .But the melungeons here in KY TN NC VA ,red black and white-some runaway African slaves,some escapees hiding from the collection forcing them to go west on the Trail of Tears and some W European caucasian indentures who were also in form of slavery who came into the hills to escape capture-established hidden communities-in some places these mixed colors were called creoles and in some saponions and others simply gypsies or Portugese-but the name Hanks ie Tom Hanks the contemporary actor and oscar winner -comes from this type of heritage-so many do not accept it but if you feel its correct and have enough proofs for you then keep looking :try the Indian route-maybe you will find it on the listings the Cherokee nations have for those of mix colors -for they are still human race not matter what color skin hair and eyes-

living family for Jeannette Beaver (CA)

reneeubry — 2011-10-18 19:48:24Z

I am looking for any family members of Peter Beaver & Mary Smith or his parents= Peter Beaver & Marquite. We can have several versions of the surname.
Known Children of Peter & Mary: Margaret Beaver, Jeannette Beaver, Francis Beaver, other children: Pat, Ken, Mike Charles and possibly a Henryetta.The children were in CA in the late 1949's or early 1950's. I have located some living family for Margaret. Mary Smith was born in Holland and immigrated ABT 1889.Want copy original birth cert. for so Abraham Esau Hanks whos name was changed later.

Re: Ann Hanks and James Young

MaryelizaFarrelly — 2011-10-18 09:16:02Z

Many thanks - that's interesting information I didn't have.

Re: Ann Hanks and James Young

Rubatoatm — 2011-10-18 03:48:58Z

Hi, I have only some general information, not the specifics about Ann and James. The Hanks family home seat was Malmsburg in England. Because of the family's loyalty to the King during one of the civil wars, they and their descendants were given land grants to last as long as any of the family lived there. They did not all stay. My mother's relatives left and moved into an area in southern Wales. That was the home of the members of the Hanks family who moved into Virginia. This may or may not help you, but it is an intresting part of this family's history.

Ann Hanks and James Young

MaryelizaFarrelly — 2011-10-16 20:28:05Z

Does anybody have any information on Ann Hanks b. abt 1791 in Malmesbury, Wiltshire who married James Young also born there? They had 7 children: Richard, Sarah (1812-1905), Jane, Eliza, Matilda, James, Frederick. James & Ann appear to have lived in or close to Malmesbury all their lives.

On Sarah's Death certificate (New Zealand), Hanks is given as the maiden surname of her mother.

Any assistance greatly appreciated.
Mary Farrelly

Romulus Hanks with Jacob Ritner of the 25th Iowa Infantry in Rome, Georgia

clarimer_1 — 2011-09-08 19:59:36Z

Hello,

Captain Romulus Hanks spent some time with my great great grandfather, Captain Jacob B. Ritner of the 25th Iowa Infantry (and previously the 1st Iowa Infantry) during the Atlanta Campaign. They shared a room together in (of all places) Rome, Georgia. Rome, Georgia served as a Union Army hospital base during the Atlanta Campaign.

Letters from
Love & Valor – Intimate Civil War Letters Between Captain Jacob and Emeline Ritner
Sigourney Press, Edited by Charles F. Larimer

Charles F. Larimer
3047 N. Lincoln Avenue, Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60657
clarimer@prodigy.net
(708) 567-5491 cell

References to Captain Romulus Hanks of Knoxville, Iowa

Rome, Georgia
July 2, 1864

My Dear Wife,
Well, dear, I have got settled in a new position, and take the first opportunity to write you a few lines. In the first place, I must say my health is not much better than when I wrote to you last from the hospital at Big Shanty. I don’t seem to improve as fast as I thought I would. I think that one thing that is the matter with me, in that I have had the ague a good deal and have taken a great deal of quinine, and then lay out in the rain and on the damp ground, and it got into my bones and joints, and they don’t seem to limber up very fast. But I think that with a few days’ rest with the right kind of food and I will be able to go to the front and buck against the rebel breastworks again. But I suppose, dear, you don’t care how long I stay sick! so I don’t get very bad—so bad I can’t write! But I do, and I shall go to the front just as soon as I can, and so would you if you were in such a hole as this is. But I must tell you all about it. I am sitting on the floor, with my paper on the bunk, writing, and if you will just come in and sit on the bunk beside me I will tell you all about how they use “brave and patriotic” soldiers in this country. I did not want to come back here at all. But the next day after I wrote to you before they got orders to break up the hospital at Big Shanty immediately and send every man to his regiment, or to the rear. As I was not able to go the regiment, I had to come back.
We were all loaded onto the cars at midnight Thursday night, and lay there till after sun up next morning before the train started. We had nothing but common freight cars, very dirty, and the sick and wounded were all crowded in together, till there was not room enough for all to lie down. We got back to Allatoona Pass Hospital about 9 A.M. This is 12 miles from Big Shanty. Here they left all the wounded of the 15th Army Corps. We got to Kingston about noon, which is 16 miles from Allatoona Pass, and lay there in the cars roasting in the heat for three hours. Finally they put several cars loaded with wounded into our train and we started for this place, which is 16 miles from Kingston. We got here about 4 o’clock, and expected to find everything prepared to receive us, but were badly disappointed. We were all ordered off the cars immediately, and there we lay on the ground, sick and wounded together for two hours before anyone came near us, or we could find any place to go. There was about three hundred all together. There were five other sick officers of our division along, but none from our regiment except myself.
Rome is pretty considerable of a town, or has been—contains a good many fine buildings and nice residences. I should take it to be about as large as Mount Pleasant. The inhabitants are mostly here yet, and it is not destroyed like most of the towns through which our army has passed. Well, we finally got to what they call the Officer’s Hospital where we are now. We got no supper and had had neither breakfast nor dinner. This morning they brought us a little hard bread and coffee, no meat or anything else. I couldn’t eat anything. I had the good luck to meet Captain Hanks1 here of the 15th Iowa. I got acquainted with him last winter at Davenport, and like him first-rate. He is sick, but able to walk around more than I can. So gave him $20 and he went and hired boarding for us at a private house, and we are going to go it on our own hook after this.
We are in the second story of a brick building; the room is about 30 by 50 and contains about 30 sick and wounded officers. There is another room in front with I don’t know how many in it. There is no Sanitary Commission here—nothing but army rations and not much of that. But we have good cast iron cots to sleep on, and some have bed ticks and sheets. I have not got any yet, but have two nice white blankets besides my own, and a pillow, which makes a first-rate bed. But I must stop and lie down awhile. I will try to finish this after dinner.
_______
Well, dear, it is now 7 o’clock and I have had a good rest and my dinner and will try to write some more. Captain Hanks, Lieutenant Lee of the 16th Iowa and myself went out to the place I spoke of for dinner. We had corn bread and buttermilk! Pork, beans, and new potatoes, fresh butter, and blackberry pie! Wasn’t that splendid. I thought I never sat down to so good a meal, and eat lots. It won’t take long with that kind of living to make me able for another fight. I am afraid though we will not be allowed to enjoy it—the other officers say the surgeon in charge does not allow the patients to board away from the hospital. They must stay here and pay him $1.05 per day and get nothing then. The other officers have had no dinner yet.
We intend to run our own machine as long as we can, anyhow. The weather here is very hot and sultry. It seems to me as hot as it was at Vicksburg last August. I think this is a hot hole anyhow. It is situated at the junction of the Etowah and Oostanaula Rivers. The country is extremely rough and broken around here, ranging from low hills to high mountains, rocky and steep, in many places almost inaccessible, especially if surmounted with rebel cannon. Blackberries and huckleberries are very abundant and are getting ripe. There will soon be roasting ears. I had a ripe apple today. I forgot to say that the folks where we sent to dinner seem to be very nice people. They have no Negroes. There are two white woman who do their own work. They live in a nice two-story brick house and keep a cow. The men are at home, and work at their trade, shoemaking. They have a looking-glass, and I got to see myself for the first time in two months. I don’t believe you would know your Jake at all, if you were to see me now. I never looked so slim and hollow-eyed, I know. But I will come out all right some day yet. I have been thinking about those gooseberries you put up for me. I am very much obliged to you, and think it very kind of you to put them up just for me. I hope I will get there to help eat them.
I have not got any letter from you since I wrote to you last, and have been uneasy about Nellie and the other children ever since. My letters will all go to the regiment and I will not get them till I go back, and perhaps not then. I know there are letters there now for me. I do wish I could get them. Whenever you get this you must write me a great long letter right away—get a big sheet like this and write two full, and direct to the regiment as usual, for I will be back there by the time it gets there. Tell me all about everybody. How do Sarah, Alvah, and Mrs. Morley get along? Did you go to the big show2, and what did you do on the 4th of July?
Well, Dear, what do you think of the war now anyhow? I declare I am getting tired of it. I do wish I could go home and live with you the rest of my days. Oh how I long for that time to come. And I still think it soon will. I think prospects never were so bright. Sherman will certainly take Atlanta, but it may be some time yet. Johnston has fought us for 20 days in his present position. But we will “flank” him yet. We have very encouraging news from Grant’s army3. And if both are successful, and the people of the North come up to the support of “Old Abe4” as they ought to, we will all be home by New Years. I see plenty of officers here who are not as sick as I am who have sent in their resignations and expect to go home soon, but that is not my style. I am bound to see it through. I will make one more effort at it anyhow, before I give it up. I know it is a hard life, full of privations and danger and temptations. Profanity and vice of all kinds abound as well as rebel bullets and shells. But I know that pure lips have promised to pray for me, and I feel that I shall be shielded and guarded and kept uncontaminated—true to my “North Star” which shines so brightly in my dear home. True to my wife, my country, and my God. But I must close for this time. I have your photograph with me yet. I am glad you have the children’s. Send me a copy of each—I will take care of them.

1. Captain Romulus L. Hanks, Company G, 15th Iowa Infantry, was 39 when he was mustered as First Lieutenant. Hanks was promoted to Captain on August 1, 1862, when Captain William Cunningham was promoted to Major, who replaced William W. Belknap, who was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the 15th Iowa.

2. Jacob was talking about the Monster Equescurriculum Circus that appeared in Mt. Pleasant on June 27, 1864.

3. Grant’s objective was to capture Richmond. That failed, and he was now participating in operations similar to Vicksburg. He disengaged his Army of the Potomac from the Army of Northern Virginia at Cold Harbor, then took it south of Richmond and crossed the James River to attack Petersburg. During the Battle of Petersburg, Grant began a nine-month siege operation against Lee.

4. Jacob was talking about the upcoming Presidential election in November 1864. Running against Lincoln was Democrat General George McClellan, who at one time was Commander in Chief of all the Union armies. The Democratic party platform included a plank calling for a negotiated settlement with the Confederacy, which would have been equivalent to a Confederate victory of the war. (Albert Castel, Decision in the West, page 480)

• The Confederates retreated six miles south of Marietta to the Smyrna Camp Ground. The Confederates rested briefly and then began building their defensive lines. Sherman himself was surprised at Johnston’s position of defense that was so close to the Chattahoochee River that it would hinder Johnston’s next withdrawal. July 4th was an extremely hot day; half the men in Osterhaus’ Division dropped by the roadside during the march and some died. (Albert Castel, Decision in the West, page 331)

Hospital
Lookout Mountain, Tenn.
July 11, 1864

Dear Daughter Nellie,
I have just written a letter to Lulie and as I promised to write one to you I supposed I had better do it now or your black eyes will look back at me. The doctor made me take a dose of calomel last night and a dose of salt this morning. And, I don’t feel very bright this morning, but I am afraid I may not have another chance to write.
The last letter I got from Ma was written a month ago (June 15) and she said you had the sore throat. I have been very anxious to hear from you ever since, but it seems like I will never get any more letters. I hope you did not get very bad and that you are well as ever and going to school again long before this. But, I would like to hear all about it and whether Lulie and Tommy and Kittie got it too. I am afraid they did.
I never tried to write a letter to such a little girl before and I am afraid you won’t think it very interesting. I suppose you don’t care anything about “War News.” If you do, I have none to tell. We are up here on this Mountain six miles from Chattanooga. We are not allowed to go to town and we don’t get any papers or see anybody, nor hear anything that is reliable. And, that makes us all want to get away and go to the front where there is something going on and some excitement.
This country is not a bit like Iowa. It’s covered with hills and rocks and there are no nice towns and houses. The people live in little old log cabins. I have seen a great many little boys and girls like mine who were dirty and ragged and had nothing to eat and looked very miserable indeed. And then, there are no schools in all the country and the children all grow up without learning anything. I’ve seen girls and boys a great deal larger than you and Lulie who never were at school in their lives. And I am so thankful that my little girls have a nice home and good clothes and plenty to eat and a good school and Sunday school to go to. Don’t you think you ought to be very thankful that you have all these things and such a good, kind mother to take care of you? And then these wicked people down here would like to make our country just as poor and miserable as theirs is. And, if it was not for your pa and the other soldiers, you would soon have no nice homes or schools either. But I expect you think this may be hard to understand. Ask Ma to tell you more about it.
Now, you must be a good little girl both at home and at school and learn to write so you can write me a letter. Captain Hanks who stays in the same room with me has two little girls in Knoxville, Iowa, just about as old as you and Lulie and they both write letters to him. And I shall look for a letter from you some of these days to tell me all about Tommy and Kittie and Mandy and Maud and Edith and all the little boys and girls who go to school, about your lessons and the garden, the pigs and corn, the new fence and everything. And I will write to you both a whole sheet full of the next time. How many verses have you learned at Sunday school?
Your affectionate father, J.B. Ritner

Camp 25th Iowa Infantry,
East Point, Georgia
September 11, 1864

My Dear Wife,
This is Sunday evening . . . We have been trying for three or four days to get into camp, and after being moved about a dozen times and clearing off the whole county, we have at last got located and commenced fixing up. Our camp is about 300 yards east of the railroad at East Point. We built a line of fortifications today and began to police the camp, which is right in the brush, but we have good water close by and can make it a pretty good camp.
Your letter was of date August 24th. I was glad to hear that you had been to the Association and that you had a good time and enjoyed yourself so well. I wish I could have been there. Where is it to be next year? I think I will go. I think “Old Bets” is the biggest fool out, I don’t care how many pictures you give Uncle Jake. If she don’t like it, tell Lib to tell her to send me one of her pictures, and then you will be mad! That is the way to fix you! You know I lost your photograph with my pocketbook; well, it is lost yet. I want you to send me another and send the children’s along too—I want to see them. Did you ever find that “pin”? I hope you have. We haven’t heard anything of the paymaster yet. Some “lousy cuss” from the “Army of the Cumberland” stole my haversack, sword-belt, hair brush, towel, and nearly everything I had left, night before last. I expect it will take half my pay to buy clothes again.
I was detailed today as a member of a court-martial at Division Headquarters. We meet tomorrow, so that knocks my going home all endways; we may be engaged there all the time we are in camp. I think it is pretty rough. I have been flattering myself this long time that when the campaign was over I would get some rest and time to fix up my papers &c. I worked hard all day on payrolls and forty other things that have to be done. But here I have to go and be shut up on a court-martial. But one year more and then!
We hear it rumored that the draft is postponed again. If that is so I tell you there is not one soldier in a hundred that will vote for Lincoln; I won’t. Our railroad has been cut and we have had no papers from the North since the victory here. But I suppose there was great rejoicing, and all think we have done a big thing—we think so too. And no one who has not been here knows anything about what we have done or the dangers we have passed through. I realize it more myself, now that it is over, than I did at the time. The 25th Iowa started [the Atlanta campaign] with about 365 men and have lost in killed, wounded, and prisoners, 65. Our division lost 889. We have been under fire 87 days out of 130 since we left Woodville. You think it strange that we should be exposed so much and no more hurt. It seems just as unaccountable to us. As you say, it was “only the kind, protecting power of the ruler of all things” that saved us, and to Him be all our thanks. We all got so used to the danger that we did not think of it. I have lain down and slept many a night and passed many days, in almost perfect unconcern, when the balls were striking all around, and I was liable to be hit any moment. It makes me almost shudder to think of it now that it is all over. We have all graduated in the art of building fortifications. I can take Company B and beat the world “or any other man,” building works; I always carry a spade myself, and we have two axes, three spades, 2 picks, and one shovel in the company. It takes just four lengths of a rail, or logs 40 feet long, to hold the company. And if there are any rebels close about, the way we can get up a breastwork in a hurry is a caution to lazy folks. But I will tell you all about these things when I get home. We have whipped the rebels anyhow and captured Atlanta. And that is glory enough for once, but it cost the company two good men, killed, and four wounded.
We have not had as good fare since the fighting was over as we had before, and there is a great deal of complaint. Our Officers’ Mess have not had a bite of meat for three days, and can’t get any for five days more—nothing but hard tack and coffee and sugar, and the men are in the same fix, except that we get plenty of hard bread and they don’t. What has become of all the Sanitary? I know that the men at the front who do the fighting never got any. I am more than ever dissatisfied with the way the thing is managed. The whole army is suffering for vegetables—we have got none in the country except a few messes of green corn. There are a great many cases of scurvy1.
Captain Hanks, who was with me at the hospital came back when I did, but got sick again and has gone home. I saw Rodgers and Cady a few days ago. They are well.
So Mrs. Morley has another girl, has she? Well, I did not expect anything else from a copperhead. But Al’s might have known better.
I am no hand at match-making and can’t get Lieutenant Steele to write to Lib. I think they would make a good match2. But if they do, they will have to take it the natural way. I am sorry she failed to get the school. But I don’t know what you would do without her. I think Dr. McClure3 ought to have his back broke for not setting Nellie’s arm straight. I will write to Tommy as soon as I get time. I am glad he is a good, smart, boy. I think he is the best little boy in the town. But what about Kittie? You haven’t said anything about her for a long time. I have not forgotten the little dear. I want you to send me her picture.
Billy Degroodt has the ague again and is quite poorly. Lieutenant Steele is well. Billy Black and Sergeant Payne are quite well. I have 11 men absent sick and 7 absent on detached service. But had not lost one this summer by disease. I will write you again in a few days and describe our camp and my headquarters.
Good night and pleasant dreams to you, my dear.
Your own Jake

1. Scurvy is disease caused by the lack of ascorbic acid. A soldier suffering from scurvy would bruise easily, his gums may bleed and teeth become loose, and he might have sore joints. (World Book Encyclopedia)

2. Jacob was unable to get his friend Lieutenant Samuel Steele matched with his cousin Lib Alter. About one year after the end of the war, Steele married Miss Sarah Margaret Everts and they had one child. Sarah died in 1868. Steele was married a second time in 1872 to Martha D. Oaks and they had five children. (Portrait and Biographical Album of Henry County, Iowa—1888, pages 221-222)

3. Dr. Andrew W. McClure, MD, graduate of the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, served as surgeon for the 4th Iowa Cavalry that included Billy and Ol Bereman. He also operated a drugstore in town. After the war, he became a trustee of the State Hospital for the Insane, a member of the American Medical Association, and was a prominent and successful citizen of Mt. Pleasant. (Portrait and Biographical Album of Henry County, Iowa—1888, page 286)

Re: Nellie M Sikes Hanks, Henry County Georgia

harrisbrewing — 2011-07-25 14:16:08Z

I have since learned that Nellie Sikes husband was a Fabro A. Hanks but the only information I have been able to find on him is the Social Security death index. He was born on June 10, 1916 and died on Dec 28, 1999 in Louisiana... his last address is listed as McDonough, Henry County, Georgia. I have been unable to find him in any census or any information on him at all. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Nellie M Sikes Hanks, Henry County Georgia

harrisbrewing — 2011-07-18 16:19:13Z

Hello, I am looking for any information on Nellie M. Sikes Hanks. She was born on Feb 3, 1914 in Clayton County Georgia, daughter of Thomas Emsy Sikes and Martha Pettit.

According to her brother Otis Watson Sikes' obituary, she married a Hanks. According to the Social Security death index, she died on Feb 18, 2007. Her last address is shown as McDonough, Henry County Georgia. I have been unable to locate an obituary for her but I would like any information on her burial location, name and information on husband and children.

Any help would be appreciated.

Re: Joseph Hanks

zoeylynndale — 2011-06-04 01:24:56Z

keeny, I happened to find your note about the Hanks. I had a great grand mother Nancy Hanks that married a Mize. Our family has often thought she would be related or tie into the Hanks that tie into Abe Lincoln. Her name was nancy elizabeth hanks born feb. 14,1872 in va. and died nov.10, 1955 she is burued in danville, va. In fact I found her grave stone a couple weeks ago when I visited there.If you can give me any info on that end of your research I would love to check it out. thank you, sylvia

Re: Simon Peter, Peter, Rachel Hanks

pehanks — 2011-04-07 18:27:31Z

I don't have much on Rachel. It's possible she was born in Conneticutt. Her Father's name was Nehemiah. She and Peter Hanks(my husband's ancestor)had a son named Nehemiah(my husbands Great Great Grandfather). I believe there is a picture of Rachel's headstone and her father's. Look in my tree and you might be able to find it. One story of how the Nancy Hanks/Abe Lincoln connection happens: William Hanks, Jr., Son of William J. Hanks, Sr.(1655). William, Jr and Hester Mills had son Richard. Richard married Mary Hinds. They had son Abraham. It's said that Abraham could have been Nancy's father. Their are so many "Nancy Hanks, Abe Lincoln" stories out here, it's hard to say which one is true.

George William Hanks/Elizabeth Edwards

bilsquires — 2011-04-07 13:59:33Z

Looking to visit with family members from George William Hanks and Elizabeth Edwards. bilsquires@msn.com thanks bill s

HANKS Danny D - Vietnam Wall section 13W

t42Vietnam_ParkerCoTX — 2011-03-22 15:09:29Z

HANKS Danny D - Vietnam Wall section 13W

Honor our Veterans. This is one of many photographs of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Parker Co, TX. Feel free to use this picture for your personal records. This is one of the 219,952 photos free at http://teafor2.com where they are listed in order by state(Texas), county(Parker), cemetery(Vietnam) and Surname.

If you know more about this person please reply here instead of contacting me because this is not my family.

Re: Robert Mansfield Hanks

dan_sings — 2011-03-16 18:35:15Z

To Larry Johnson,
Hi Larry, I was impressed to see how far back you've traced the Hanks Family. I'm a descendant of the Hanks family as well and would very much enjoy sharing some information with you. Could you write me directly at danielmeno@yahoo.com
Thanks so much!
Dan in INDY