My Genealogy Hound

HON. R. A. HANCOCK, farmer, was born in Wilson County, Tenn., January 17, 1827, and is one of twelve children of Lewis and Frances (Adams) Hancock, born in Virginia in 1788 and 1791, and died in Tennessee in 1866 and 1864, respectively. The father was of English origin, and came to Tennessee with his brother, Richard, in 1809. He was married in 1812. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days on a farm and acquired the rudimentary portion of his education in the schools near his home, and afterward attended the Liberty school in DeKalb County, Tenn. January 12, 1858, he married Ann J. Sneed, daughter of John and Annie Sneed. Mrs. Hancock was born in Wilson County, January 29, 1835. She and husband became the parents of these children: Della (deceased), Etna (wife of Jacob Young), Addie (deceased), Walter, Hallie and Myrtle. After attaining his majority, Mr. Hancock began farming for himself, but at the end of three years went to Texas where he remained six years. He then returned and purchased 500 acres of land in Cannon County, where he remained until the fall of 1879. In 1870 he purchased his present farm and now owns 250 acres of valuable land, also 166 acres of fine land in Cannon County, including the old home place of his father. Mr. Hancock has held various civil offices, and in 1884 was chosen to represent Wilson County in the State Legislature. He is a Democrat and a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is always ready to assist laudable enterprises, and has been instrumental in organizing and starting a number of schools. He is a grandson of Benjamin Hancock, who helped prepare the Declaration of Independence. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church.