At one time, Hancock County was part of Hawkins County, North Carolina, which
later became Hawkins County, Tennessee. During the brief rule of the State of Franklin, Hancock was part of Spencer County. The creation of Hancock County
in Tennessee was a complicated process. The 1844 act creating the county from
parts of Claiborne and Hawkins Counties violated some provisions of the state
constitution. A second act passed in 1846, and commissioners were appointed to
organize the county and fix boundary lines. When some Hawkins County residents
filed a bill enjoining commissioners from further action, all county business
was suspended from 1846 to 1848, when the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled in favor
of Hancock County. W. H. Sneed, a Knoxville attorney, represented Hancock County
in the court action, and commissioners named the new county seat (at the site
of Greasy Rock) Sneedville in his honor. The county was named in honor of John Hancock (1737-1793), president of the Continental Congress, first signer of the Declaration of Independence, Revolutionary War militia officer, governor of Massachusetts. The first court was held at the house of Alexander
Campbell and afterward at the old Union Church until 1850, when a small brick
courthouse was built.
Newspapers were published in Sneedville. Scattered early issues are available from 1896. See Extended History for More information. There were fires at the Hancock County courthouse
in 1885 and 1930 most early records were destroyed.
PLEASE READ!! Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information.
Hancock County Clerk has Marriage Records from 1930 and Probate Records from 1929 and is located at Courthouse, Main
Street, P.O. Box 347,
Sneedville, TN 37869; Telephone:
(423) 733-4524. The County Clerk maintains Marriage & Divorce records. It also has jurisdiction over probate cases. Wills, administrations, and all other records pertaining to probate are recorded in the respective county clerk's office. If the will or administration was contested, the records of these actions may be filed in the circuit court or chancery court.
Hancock County Register of Deeds hasLand Records from 1879 and is located at Courthouse, Main
Street, P.O. Box 347, Sneedville, TN 37869; Telephone:
(423) 733-2519. The Register of Deeds office has land records beginning with county organization, land records are available from the register of deeds at the Hancock county courthouse. Land and property records include transfer of real estate or personal property, mortgages, leases, surveys, and entries
Hancock County Clerk of Circuit Court has Court Records from 1929 and is located at Courthouse, Main
Street, P.O. Box 347, Sneedville, TN 37869; Telephone:
(423) 733-2954. Circuit Court Clerks serve an important role in the operation of the court system in Tennessee. Chancery courts have jurisdiction over property disputes, and circuit courts oversee criminal cases, divorces, and adoptions. Early courts included courts of common pleas and quarter sessions.
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Below is a list of online resources for Hancock County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Hancock County Court Records by clicking the link below:
Tennessee Immigration & Emigration Records - Immigration records help the family historian to understand the movements of their ancestry as they relocated to different parts of the world.
Click Here to Search Tennessee Birth, Marriage & Death Records! - Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information. Look also for baptism, christening, and burial records in this collection.
Tennessee State Vital Records, is located at Central Services Building,
1st Floor,
421 5th Avenue North,
Nashville, Tennessee 37243;
Phone (615) 741-1763,
FAX (615) 741-9860. The Tennessee Office of Vital Records registers and maintains the original certificates of births, deaths, marriages and divorces that occur in Tennessee. They have the following records:
Birth Certificates: Records are available beginning with January 1914, for Nashville since June 1881, for Knoxville since July
1881, and for Chattanooga since January 1882. Records of some births that occurred in the major cities from 1881-1913 are also available. A certified photocopy of the original record may be obtained at a fee of $12.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time. For persons born from 1949 to the present, a certified copy produced by computer is also available at a fee of $7.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time. You can download an application online for Birth Certificates. You can also order Order Electronically and get the certificates much quicker by ordering HERE. For Earlier Records See Tennessee
State Library and Archives Below.
Death Certificates: Death records are available for the past 50 years (1957). The fee is $7.00 per certified copy. The cause of death is not normally included on a certified copy unless specifically requested and then is available only to certain family members or legal representatives. You can download an application online for Death Certificates. You can also order Order Electronically and get the certificates much quicker by ordering HERE. For Earlier Records See Tennessee State Library and Archives Below.Click Here to Search the Social Security Death Index for FREE
Marriage & Divorce Certificates: Marriage and divorce records are available for the past 50 years at a fee of $12.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time. You can download an application online for Marriage Certificates or Divorce Certificate. You can also order Order Electronically and get the certificates much quicker by ordering HERE. For Earlier Records See Tennessee
State Library and Archives Below.
Make certified checks and money orders should be made payable to "Tennessee Vital Records". Credit Cards may be uses by using VitalChek services Please do not send cash or checks. Fees are non refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service. Mail all Applications to: Tennessee State Vital Records, Central Services Building,
1st Floor,
421 5th Avenue North,
Nashville, TN, 37243.
Tennessee
State Library and Archives have the following records:
Birth Records & "Delayed" Birth Certificates:
Tennessee began keeping birth records statewide in 1908. TSLA has statewide birth records for the years 1908-1912. To find a birth record, we need the following information: name of child, date of birth or approximate date of birth, county of birth (if known) and names of parents (if known).
The larger cities in Tennessee did keep earlier birth records: Nashville (beginning in 1881); Knoxville (beginning in 1881); Chattanooga (beginning in 1879); and Memphis (beginning in 1874). Only the early Nashville birth records are indexed. For birth records after 1912 or for "delayed" birth certificates filed for persons born after 1903, contact the Office of Vital Records above.
TSLA also has "delayed" birth certificates for persons born 1869 - 1903. These delayed certificates were filed at the request of the individual or that person's representative for legal reasons. To locate a delayed birth certificate, we need the following information: name of child, date of birth or approximate date of birth, county of birth (if known) and names of parents (if known). E-mail TSLA and they can check thier index to the "delayed" birth records for a specified name. Please specify that you are requesting a "delayed" birth certificate.
There is a $20 fee to search for a birth record. If the record is found, they will mail a copy to you. If the record is not found, you will be notified by mail. The $20 fee is not refundable. Payment in advance by check, money order or credit card is required. Send your request to Tennessee State Library and Archives, Research Department, 403 Seventh Avenue North, Nashville TN 37243-0312. [GO TO FORMS PAGE]
Death Records:
Tennessee began keeping death records statewide in 1908. TSLA has statewide death records for the years 1908-1912 and 1914-1955. To find a death record, we need the following information: name of individual, date of death (or three year range to search), county of death (if known) and name of spouse (if known). Please keep in mind that some deaths were not recorded, due to poor record-keeping by local officials.
For death records from 1956 to the present, contact theOffice of Vital Records above.
The larger cities in Tennessee did keep earlier death records: Nashville (beginning in 1874); Knoxville (beginning in 1881); Chattanooga (beginning in 1872); and Memphis (beginning in 1848). Only the early Nashville and Memphis death records are indexed. TSLA can search the unindexed records for one year only; you must provide us with the name of individual, date of death, the city, and the name of the spouse (if known).
There is a $20 fee to search for a death record. If the record is found, they will mail a copy to you. If the record is not found, you will be notified by mail. The $20 fee is not refundable. Payment in advance by check, money order or credit card is required. Send your request to Tennessee State Library and Archives, Research Department, 403 Seventh Avenue North, Nashville TN 37243-0312. [GO TO FORMS PAGE]
Below is a list of online resources for Hancock County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Hancock County Vital Records by clicking the link below:
Click Here to Search Tennessee Voter Lists & Census Records! - Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable.
Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Hancock County, Tennessee are 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your family tree in Hancock County, Tennessee are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Slave Schedules exist for 1850 & 1860. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880.
Below is a list of online resources for Hancock County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Hancock County Census Records by clicking the link below:
Genealogy Atlas has images of old American atlases during the years 1795, 1814, 1822, 1823, 1836, 1838, 1845, 1856, 1866, 1879 and 1897 for Tennessee and other states.
You can view rotating animated maps for Tennessee showing all the county boundaries for each census year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries. You can view a list of maps for other states at Census Maps
You can view rotating animated maps for Tennessee showing all the county boundary changes for each year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries . You can view a list of maps for other states and State Department of Transportation Maps at County Maps. The Tennessee Department of Transportation has county maps the show the locations of churches, cemeteries, roads, ect... free for viewing or download here
Below is a list of online resources for Hancock County Maps. Email us with websites containing Hancock County Maps by clicking the link below:
Click Here to Search Tennessee Military Records! - Military and civil service records provide unique facts and insights into the lives of men and women who have served their country at home and abroad.
The uses and value of military records in genealogical research for ancestors who were veterans are obvious, but military records can also be important to re-searchers whose direct ancestors were not soldiers in any war. The fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and other close relatives of an ancestor may have served in a war, and their service or pension records could contain information that will assist in further identifying the family of primary interest. Due to the amount of genealogical information contained in some military pension files, they should never be overlooked during the research process. Those records not containing specific genealogical information are of historic value and should be included in any overall research design. A list of Wars fought on American.
Below is a list of online resources for Hancock County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Hancock County Military Records by clicking the link below:
Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783 (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Documents in NARA publication M246 include muster rolls, payrolls, strength returns, and other miscellaneous personnel, pay, and supply records of American Army units, 1775-83.
Southern Claims Commission from the State of Tennessee (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Documents In the 1870s, southerners claimed compensation from the U.S. government for items used by the Union Army, ranging from corn and horses, to trees and church buildings.
Tennessee tax lists can be used to locate families, document historic properties and study community history. Early tax lists generally include all white males over 21 and indicate whether they owned land or slaves. They usually do not provide other personal information.
The 1796 Constitution levied taxes on “every freeman of
the age of twenty-one years and upward possessing a freehold
in the county wherein he may vote, and being an inhabitant of
this State, and every freeman being an inhabitant of any one
county in the State six months immediately preceding the day
of the election, shall be entitled to vote....”
Many early surviving tax records were published in an effort
to replace the missing federal censuses.
Original extant tax records are preserved in the respective
county courthouse as well as in the Tennessee
State Library and Archives, where a card index exists for tax records in its
collection pre-dating 1835, arranged by county, date, and district.
The 1891 tax lists of male inhabitant voters in each county
were recently found. Available on microfilm at the Tennessee
State Library and Archives, these nine reels are arranged alphabetically
within each district in each county. Tax records from trustees
office in counties are available on microfilm as well.
Below is a list of online resources for Hancock County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Hancock County Tax Records by clicking the link below:
The Repositories
in this section are Archives, Libraries, Museums, Genealogical
and Historical Societies. Many County Historical and Genealogical
Societies publish magazines and/or news letters on a monthly,
quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Contacting the local societies
should not be over looked. State Archives and Societies are
usually much larger and better organized with much larger archived
materials than their smaller county cousins but they can be
more generalized and over look the smaller details that local
societies tend to have. Libraries can also be a good place to
look for local information. Some libraries have a genealogy
section and may have some resources that are not located at
archives or societies. Also, take a special look at any museums
in the area. They sometimes have photos and items from years
gone by as well as information of a genealogical interest. All
these places are vitally important to the family genealogist
and must not be passed over.
Below is a list of online resources for Hancock County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Hancock County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:
Tennessee Newspapers & Periodicals Records - Newspapers and periodicals are the diaries of local communities. They are excellent sources of family history details - often recorded nowhere else. Look for obituaries, marriages, legal notices, and more found in our Historical Newspaper Archives.
Click Here to Search Tennessee Obituary Records! - This database is a compilation of obituaries published in U.S. newspapers, collected from various online sources. Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.
Although
few histories for Tennessee churches have been published, there
are church records for almost every county in the state.
Baptist, Presbyterian, and Methodist were the principal religions
of early settlers in the state, and documents from these
groups make up the largest number of records available. Other
representative religions include Lutheran, Church of Christ,
Episcopal, Roman Catholic, and Jewish. Most early Tennessee
churches only kept minutes and membership records.
Church records could, however, include records of baptism, marriage,
burial, membership, or removal, but it is rare to find all or
several of these categories maintained by one church. .
As with cemetery records, the DAR has collected church records
for Tennessee, available at the DAR Library in Washington, D.C.,
and through the FHL.
Many compilations of church records have been compiled and/or
published for the state. The Tennessee
State Library and Archives has records of over one hundred churches that pre-date 1900.
There is a online Tennessee Marriage and Bible Records which contains over 25,000 records for the state of Tennessee for the years approximately 1720-1890. This includes marriages, births, deaths, and wills, etc., has been obtained from family bibles, church, court, and county records.
A large collection of transcripts of Tennessee cemetery records has been compiled by members of chapters of the DAR. Records collection available at the Tennessee
State Library and Archives and through the FHL. The state library and archives has notebooks containing listings of cemetery records.
County genealogical and historical societies and local citizens have collected, compiled, and published numerous volumes of cemetery records.
Below is a list of online resources for Hancock County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Hancock County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:
Click Here to Search Tennessee Family Tree Records! - The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher.
When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. Below is a list of online resources for Hancock County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information . Email us with websites containing Hancock County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:
Genealogy Encyclopedia: General Abbreviations, Early Illnesses, Nickname Meanings, Worldwide Epidemics, Early Occupations, Common Terms, Censuses Explained, Free Genealogical Forms
Nichols and Related Families of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virgina.
Tennessee Family & Local History Records - The Family & Local Histories Collection lets you read journals, memoirs, and other first-hand historical narratives right on your computer. Gathered from some of the world's finest libraries, these materials may provide hard-to-find town, county, and state information; tax records and wills; military, church, and court records; as well as photographs, stories, and maps.
As Anglo-Europeans arrived in the area, the first settlers included Joseph Lamb,
Jonas Lockmiller, John Ray, Enos Matthais, William McCully, and Daniel Slavins.
The first settlers were joined by families with the following surnames: Greene,
Purkey, Bray, Cantwell, Trent, Mitchell, Amis, Boulden, Anderson, Bryant, Campbell,
McGhee, Mills, Ramsey, Winkler, Wilder, Jarvis, and Wallen. The earliest ministers
were John Givens, Moses Williams, and Zachariah Seal. Initial settlement occurred
in the area surrounding Greasy Rock, a large stone that protruded into a creek
that ran into the Clinch River. The rock acquired its name because it was used
by hunters to clean game.
Hancock County has been the home of many men and women of character and ability.
Among them are Ben Testerman, a Knoxville lawyer; W. T. Testerman, a member of
the State Highway Commission; Judge H. Tyler Campbell; Hon. Alonzo Tyler; Judge
W. T. Coleman, Judge A. T. Bowen; Colonel Grant Trent; Hon. Lewis Cass Jarvis;
Hon. Alfred Tylor Drinnon, a legislator and attorney; and Burkett Wallen, superintendent
of Rogersville schools. The grandparents of U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield moved
from Hancock County to Oregon. Governor Clyde Pearson of Virginia was born in
Hancock County. Hancock native Alex Stewart, master cooper and world-renowned
Appalachian artisan, received the National Heritage Award at the Smithsonian
Institution in Washington, D.C. At the time he received the award, Stewart was
the only Tennessean who had been so honored.
Bluegrass singer and musician Jimmy Martin calls Hancock home and wrote a popular
song about the county. Martin became a major star during his years as part of
Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys. Critics conclude that the duets of Martin
and Monroe are among the true classics of bluegrass music. Martin left Monroe's
group in 1954 and struck out on his own, eventually forming his own influential
band, the Sunny Mountain Boys, and recording for Decca Records. He expanded his
popularity in the early 1970s when he performed on the Will the Circle Be
Unbroken album by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Martin was elected to the
International Bluegrass Music Association Hall of Honor in 1995.
Sneedville, with a population of approximately 1,400, is the only incorporated
town in the county. WSJK-TV, Channel 2, at Sneedville was the first state-owned
public television station to sign on the air in Tennessee. Other communities
in the county include Mulberry Gap, Kyles Ford, Treadway, and Vardy. At one time
Hancock County had at least fifty-seven post offices, but today most mail is
delivered through Sneedville.
Hancock County reported a 2000 population of 6,786 in 230 square miles. Traditionally,
its economy has been based on agriculture and small businesses. In the 1950s
zinc was discovered at Treadway. Mining operations continued until 1971, and
at its peak, the mine employed more than 220 men. Present industries include
a furniture factory, a laminated desktop factory, a roof truss factory, an electric
motor plant, a concrete plant, and a wholesale craft manufacturer. A number of
family-owned businesses operate alongside modern franchise establishments. The
county has two banks with combined assets of over $112 million.
The county's labor force numbers 3,120, and in 1991 unemployment stood at 5.1
percent. Currently, natural gas and oil wells are being developed, and gas lines
are under construction. The county is also developing an industrial park on the
Clinch River. State Highway 31 into Sneedville from U.S. 11W has been widened
and straightened, and a new bridge across the Clinch River had been opened.
The Goodspeed Publishing Co., History of Tennessee, 1887
Hancock County lies immediately east of Claiborne County, and is bounded on the north by Virginia. Clinch River traverses the county from northeast to southwest, and Powell River crosses the northeastern corner of the county. The surface is very rough and mountanous, but some excellent land is found along the streams. The valleys, however, are generally narrow. The extent of its mineral resources is not well known, but both coal and iron exist in considerable quantities.
The settlement of this county began about 1795, but for many years it remained very sparsely populated. As in other counties, the river valleys were the earliest occupied. No record has been left of the pioneers of the county, and but little can now be obtained from personal remembrance of them. Jonas Loughmiller located just southeast of Sneedville, and William McGee beyond him on the north side of the Clinch. Below the latter, and to the southwest of the town, was the settlement of John Ray, while on the opposite side of the river, at the mouth of Duck Creek, lived Enos Matthias. William McCully and Daniel Slavens located still further down the river. John Givens, an early Baptist preacher, lived on Beaver Creek. In the neighborhood three of four miles south of Sneedville was Alexander Treat, Solomon Mitchell, John and Lincoln Amis, the Bouldens, Andersons, Bryants and Collinses. A settlement was also made at an early date at Mulberry Gap, where a little village sprang up. Newmans' Ridge, which runs through the county to the north of Sneedville, and parallel with Clinch river, is said to have taken its name from one of the first settlers upon it. It has since been occupied mainly by a people presenting a peculiar admixture of white and Indian blood.
The first act for the creation of Hancock County from portions of Hawkins and Claiborne Counties was passed in 1844, but, finding that it violated some provisions of the Constitution, a second act was passed two years later. Commissioners were appointed to organize the county and to fix the boundary lines to conform with the constitutional requirements. This was done, and the county was organized. At about the same time certain inhabitants of the Hawkins fraction filed a bill enjoining the commissioners from further action. The cause came up for hearing before Chancellor Williams in May, 1848. He rendered judgement in favor of the complainants, and an appeal was taken to the supreme court, where the chancellor's decree was reversed. During the two years, therefore, from 1846 to 1848, the county business was suspended. The first court was held at the house of Alexander Campbell. Afterward the old Union Church was used until 1850, when a small but substantial brick courthouse was erected. At about the same time a log jail was completed. It was only a temporary structure, and in 1860 was replaced by the present brick jail. Recently the courthouse with all its contents, was destroyed by fire, and as yer no steps have been taken toward replacing it. Two places, known respectively as Mulberry Gap and Greasy Rock, were placed in nomination for the seat of justice. The latter was chosen, and a town laid off on land owned by Robert and Alexander Campbell, the latter owning the part of Greasy Rock Creek, and the former the portion east of it. The father of these gentlemen, Robert Campbell, Sr. who was one of the first settlers in Hawkins County, obtained possession of a large body of land, including the site of Sneedville, and about 1815 divided it among his three sons who located upon seperate tracts. The third son, Joseph Y. Campbell, obtained the farm where Joseph Campbell now lives. The neighborhood had long been known as Greasy Rock. This name is said to have originated in this way: A spring just below the present town was once a famous rendezvous for hunters and trappers, who were accustomed to dress their skins and pile up venison and bear meat on a large rock there. This rock was, therefore, usually greasy, hence the name. When the town was laid out, it was named Sneedville in honor of W. H. Sneed, of Knoxville, who had acted as counsel for the new county
The first building erected in the town is still standing opposite Mr. Tyler's office. It was built by Maj. John M. Sawyers. Soon after a double log house was built on the lot just in front of the dwelling of Mrs. Elizabeth Campbell, facing Main Street. A store was opened in it by Robert and Alexander Campbell and William and John McNeil, with William McNeil as manager. The same building was afterward occupied by George Fain, and Robert and Joseph Campbell successively. In 1848 Tyler, Jesse & Co. began business near the old church, but soon moved to Main Street and there continued as the firm of Lea Jesse & Co. until 1862.
Soon after the town was established an academy was incorporated under the name of Greasy Rock Academy. A two-story frame building was erected, and the school was placed in operation with the following board of trustees: Lea Jesse, Joseph Campbell, G. W. Baker, Isham Brewer, David Trent, Samuel Jarvis, Holden McGee, A. Campbell, William B. Davis, Canada Hodge and William S. Rose. Among the first teachers were M. H. B. Burkett, D. T. J. Burkett and James G. Rose. Within the past few years the institution has been reincorporated as the McKinney High School.
In 1829 or 1830 a union church was built at Greasy Rock, where Baptist and Methodist congregations were organized. After the twon was established each denomination built a house of worship. The number of Presbyterians in the county has always been very small, and no congregation has ever been formed in Sneedville.
1870 Census of Hancock County, Tennessee (Andrews & Hansen, 1989)
1880 Census, Hancock County, Tennessee (Sistler, 1996)
Blue and Gray from Hawkins County (includes Hancock County) Tennessee, 1861-1865 [3 vols.] (Johnston, 1995)
Campbell County, Tennessee (commissioner certificates only), Clay County, Tennessee, Hancock County, Tennessee [1891 enumeration of male voters] (Reed, 1990)
Hancock County, Tennessee 1850 Census (Treadway, 1989)
Hancock County, Tennessee, 1860 Census (Treadway, 1991)
Hancock County, Tennessee, 1870 Census (Treadway, 1991)
Hancock County, Tennessee, 1880 Census (Treadway, 1992)
Hancock County, Tennessee, 1900 Census (Treadway, 1994)
Hancock County, Tennessee, 1910 Census (Treadway, 1994)
Hancock County, Tennessee, 1920 Census (Treadway, 1995)
Hancock County, Tennessee, Marriage Records : As Recorded in the papers of William Paul Grohse (Grohse & Rather, 1998)
Hancock County, Tennessee, Vital Statistics, 1914 through 1925 (Wiefering, 1993)
The following companies are currently offering free trials on their subscriptions from 7 to 14 days. You can receive more information by clicking the links below:
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