Joseph Hankins

Complied by the late Kenneth Paul Clark, San Antonio, Texas; 5/18/97

Joseph Hankins was in the Civil War in 1861 and died while serving. Died in Oct 1862. He was sick in a field Hospital in Nashville, TN. Joseph’s cause of death was Typhoid Fever. Also, that son William was serving in the Civil War at the same time and managed to live through it and, after returning home…lived to be 83 years old and died in 1928. Joseph was in the 69th Co. Infantry of Ohio. Son William was in the Infantry from West Virginia. The death of Joseph Hankins was found in the roster of Ohio Soldiers, Company I, 31st Regiment of Ohio Volunteers. Also verified by Lucinda’s pension certificate.

1850 Lawrence County Federal Census, page 376; Perry Township:
(All living in the same household)
Hankins, Joseph, age 26, Farmer, born in Virginia
Hankins, Lucinda, Age 28, born in Virginia
Hankins, Mary A, age 7, born in Ohio
Hankins, William, age 5, born in Ohio
Hankins, Daniel, age 1, born in Ohio
Gillen, Benjamin, age 18, born in Ohio

• * * Thomas’s name was in an Old Bible record owned by Honor Hankins of Ironton, Ohio. It shows that George Washington and Thomas were born on the same date, in 1857. Lucinda’s pension file mentioned a baby being born in 1862.
  Additional research on June 30, 1998: Joseph “Hawkins,” 31st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company I; Joseph died Oct 2, 1862, in Nashville, Tennessee, and is buried at Nashville National Cemetery, Section A, Grave 236.
  Source: Roll of Honor, In defense of the American Union, Vol l. 22, page 197.
• Joseph Hankins
  31st Regiment, Ohio Infantry
  Private, Company I
  He died in the service of the United States in the Civil War
  October 1, 1862

Joseph Hankins was born in 1824 in the state of West Virginia. He married Lucinda Campbell on July 20, 1842. Joseph and Lucinda had four sons and two daughters:

• William K. Hankins
• Daniel James Hankins
• George Washington Hankins
• Thomas Hankins
• Mary A.
• Laura
  J. Joseph’s Profession is listed as a farmer.

A Summary of the 31st Regiment, Ohio Infantry’s participation during the American Civil War
Highlighting Joseph Hankin’s Known Activities

Compiled by Kenneth Paul and Carmen Clark with facts and most personal information on Joseph Hankins provided by Mr. Paul Hankins.

Relationship: 3rd Great Grandfather to Kenneth Paul Clark
Conventions used in notation: Personal information about Joseph Hankins, information about the 31st Regiment, Ohio Infantry, and general information about the Civil War is shown in regular lettering.

• * *Remarks, references, speculations, and comments by the authors are shown [surrounded by square brackets]

Synopsis From the company, Muster rolls indicated that Joseph Hankins enlisted on September 3, 1861, at Reesville, Lawrence County, Ohio, in Company I, 31st Regiment Ohio Infantry, to serve three years during the War. Mustered into service as a private on September 18, 1861, at Camp Chase, Ohio; for a period of 3 years. On muster out roll of Company I of that regiment, dated July 11, 1965, he reportedly died October 1, 1862, in Nashville, Tennessee. Recorded in Remarks that there are no records of final statements.
Signed J.A. Weal.

Widows Pension approval sent to Joseph’s wife Lucinda, validating said Pension (original with increase) October 4, 1871; approved by Adjutant General’s office, Pension section. Joseph died in Nashville, Tennessee.

History of the 31st Regiment, Ohio Infantry Organized in the summer of 1861 under Colonel Moses B. Walker, served that fall and part of the winter in Kentucky. It was afterward moved to the Army about Pittsburgh Landing and took part in the siege of Corinth. The regiment continued in Tennessee until Buell’s campaign in Kentucky and was a Perryville. It later served at Stone River, Chickamauga, and Mission Ridge. The Regiment went north on veteran furlough and returned to take part in Sherman’s march to Atlanta, to the sea, and up through the Carolinas. It was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, in July 1865.

Service: March to Somerset, Ky., December 12, 1861. Relief of Gen Thomas at Mill Springs, Ky., January 19-21, 1862
Moved to Louisville, Ky., February 10-16, 1862
Moved to Nashville, Tennessee, February 18-March, 1862
March to Savannah, Tenn., March 20-April 8, 1862
Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-30, 1862
Pursuit to Booneville May 31-June 6, 1862
March to Luka, Miss., with skirmishing June 22, 1862
On to Tuscumbia, Ala., June 26-28, 1862
Moved on to Huntsville, Ala., July 18-22, 1862
Action at Trinity, Ala., July 24, 1862
Action at Courtland Bridge July 25, 1862
Moved to Dechard, Tenn., July 27, 1862
March to Louisville, Ky., in pursuit of Bragg August 21-September 26, 1862
Pursuit of Bragg into Kentucky October 1-15, 1862 [Death of Joseph Hankins]

September 18, 1861

Company Descriptive Book: Joseph Hankins is described as having a dark complexion, gray eyes, and black hair. He was listed as born in Lawrence, Ohio, and his occupation is listed as a farmer. He is shown at 5’9 ½ ” tall. Shown in muster rolls at Camp Chase, Ohio. Assigned to Company I, 31st Regiment, Ohio Infantry. Age at enlistment is shown at 45, a rank of Private. No down payment of bounty (enlistment bonus) is listed. Company muster roll signed by …Calloway.

Not Dated

No information other than the statement accompanying the voucher shows payment to Oct.31.1861.Copy of voucher not attached; and in present or absent block: “not stated”; Company Muster Roll. December 31, 1861

Present of absent block: “not stated”; Company Muster Roll

January-February 1862
Noted as “present.” Remarks: Absent sick in the hospital in Lebanon, Kentucky.
Returned March 16, 1862; Company Muster Roll

March-April 1862
Noted as “present”; Company Muster Roll

August 18, 1862
List of Absentees at Special Muster: Joseph Hankins is sick at Tuscumbia,
Ala., July 20, 1862.

May 1 – September 1, 1862
Noted as “absent” in Company Muster Roll. The remarks section indicated that Joseph was sick in Nashville, Tenn.

January-February 1863
Not noted if present or absent. Remarks Section on Company Muster Roll;
Died Oct 1, 1862.
June 4, 1866
Correspondence from the Surgeon General’s Office, Record and Pension Bureau, Washington DC, indicated that Joseph Hankins died on Oct 1, 1862, at General Hospital #14, Nashville, Tennessee. Joseph died of chronic diarrhea Surgeon in attendance was listed as R.H. Werill. Document signed by J.J. Woodward, Brevet Major and Assistant Surgeon, U.S. Army. The document supported Lucinda’s widow pension claim and was dated June 4, 1866.

Supporting Documents: Supporting documents on most information contained herein are on loan from the late Mr. Paul Hankins. Documents will not be available for review as I will no longer possess them. Therefore, the more important documents will be transcribed and contained as best as possible. I am transcribing those documents that I consider most important in support of military service and pension information. Due to the volume of documents made available, only those transcribed will be copied and retained on file.

[Transcribed from original documents, exactly as written.]

Document #1: Statement-Lucinda Hankins
Made in support of Widows Pension Claim, October 26, 1866: State of Ohio, County of Lawrence. Personally appeared before me Wm A Campbell, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said county and state aforesaid.

Mrs. Lucinda Hankins was first duly sworn by me. Deposition and Oath; she is the widow of Joseph Hankins, who was late a private in Company “I” 31st Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. That said, Joseph Hankins died while serving the United States as a soldier at Nashville, Tennessee, on December 1st(?) AD1862.

That upon the 30th day of July AD1841, she was married to Joseph Hankins at Helca Furnace in the County and State of aforesaid (proof of which may be found on file in the office of probate of said County and state aforesaid) by the Rev. Jesse Corns, that she was the first and only wife of said Joseph Hankins and that he was never married except to this affidavit and that to this affidavit excepting those hereinafter mentioned in this affidavit.
That she sustained the relationship of a wife to the said Joseph Hankins until the time of his demise.

The affidavit further states that she has not remarried, nor has she abandoned the support of any of her children under 16 years of age, nor has she permitted the adoption of any child. The names and ages of the children of said Lucinda & Joseph Hankins are,

1st Mary Ann Born May 29, 1842
2nd William Born Jan 4, 1845
3rd Daniel, J Born June 14, 1848
4th Laura Jane Born May 6, 1851
5th George Washington Born November 17, 1854
[Thomas Hankins was born in 1857. Unknown why he was not listed-personal note.
Documents provided by Paul Hankins support the existence of Thomas]
As appears by these above, leaves cut from the family bible for this special purpose. The leaves being torn and mutilated as at____before being removed from said Bible.

This affidavit further states that there were present at the birth of Mary Ann, the widow Panchke [Pancake?] since deceased, Betty Jenkins, since deceased, and Margaret (cobnik) also since deceased. So that no one is able to prove the birth save this affidavit. At the birth of William, there were present Annie Ward, residing still within Ohio County and State aforesaid, and Betsy Gillin [Gilliand] since deceased.

At the birth of Daniel, J. Elizabeth Miles’s residence was unknown, Mrs. Howell, Residence was unknown, and Ellen Bostwick, who now resides in Portsmouth, Ohio, at the birth of Laura Jane, Mrs. Hannah Prim, residing now in Vesuvius Furnace in this County. Jane Lunsford, now residing in the state of ____Post office unknown to this affidavit & Perry Gates since deceased, Emily Christian, at Vesuvius Furnace said County and State aforesaid. At the birth of George Washington, Clariss Danders,[Sanders] now residing at Vesuvius Furnace, Lawrence Co, Ohio.

Elizabth Stevens, residence unknown, Perry Gates, since deceased. Nancy Bust, [Burt] residence unknown to this affidavit. This affidavit further states that these were the only persons by whom the possible truth of the above-mentioned children could be established and she says that she has endeavored to obtain the testimony of those still living in said county and state but, being in almost desperate circumstances has failed on acct of not being able to fee justices and pay the necessary ______notes. She further states that this affidavit is made in support of Pension claim No. 10153 for increase pension, under act June 26, 1866. Signed Lucinda Hankins (X)..her mark. [two witnesses provided] Wm Lecte? and WA Campbell.

Sworn to and acknowledged in my presence this day of October AD 1866, and I hereby certify that the interlimitations[?] in the forgoing affidavit were made prior to the execution of this Jarat and that I have no interest in the furtherance of this claim.
Signed WA Campbell, Clerk, Court Common Pleas, Lawrence County, Ohio.

Document #2 – Statement of Friend of Joseph Hankins-Supporting Widows Pension Claim
State of Ohio, Lawrence County. Joseph Gilland being first duly sworn says that his age is 46 years, that he has been for many years engaged in the furnace business, manufacturing Pig-metals, and that he has been for 20 years acquainted with Joseph Hankins, who as a private in Co I, 31, Ohio Regt Vol inft.

That previous to the enlistment of said Joseph Hankins, he was accustomed to do the severe manual labor incident to a labores life. About an Inn[?] Furnace that said Joseph was a mule hearty and robust man and that he further believes that said Hankins must have contracted the disease of which he died in the service of the United States and further that he has no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
Signed Joseph Gilland.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 7th of May 1870; Peris R Polley, Judge of Probate.

Document #3-Statement of Friend of Joseph Hankins; supporting Widows Pension Claim
State of Ohio, County of Lawrence. Before me, Wm Campbell, clerk of the court of Common Pleas within and for said county and state.

Personally Name. Andrew J. Dalton of Upper township in the county and state aforesaid. Who being first duly sworn, states that he is 37 yrs of age and by occupation miner that he was acquainted with Joseph Hankins, who was late a private in Co I, 31 Ohio Regiment. I knew that Hankins was ferrous to his enlistment in said company and regiment. A whole-hearty, robust man.

Have known said Hankin’s all my life. he was accustomed to perform the manual labor about our ordinary Blast furnaces. Knew that whenever his family was sick, he always employed Dr. Pringle or Dr. Gates, know that both are dead. Knew that for quite a time after said Hankins enlisted service, he was a well man. Knew that he was hearty while at home on furlough in 1862. Further says that he does not know any person that was in the same regiment. And further that he has no interest in this claim.
Signed Andrew J. Dalton.
Witnessed by: E.L. Wilson and Wm C. Donohue. Signed and sworn before me this the 10th day of May AD 1870. I certify that I have no interest in this claim. Signed WA Campbell, Clerk, Court Common Pleas. Pension Claim No. 10.153

Document #4-Certificate of Widow’s Pension Approval

Pension No. 153862
West Virginia…note Ohio Crossed out
Lucinda Hankins, widow of Joseph Hankins
Rank; Private, Co “I”
Regt: 31″ Ohio Vols

Wheeling Agency..Note Cincinnati crossed out
Rate per Month $8 commencing 2 Oct 1862
Additional Sum of $2 per month for each of the following children, until arriving at the age of 16 years, commencing 25 July 1866
Laura J 5 May 1867
George W. 16 Aug 1870
the Word “DEAD” stamped on Certificate
Certificate dated 7 Oct 1871
Sent: 17th Oct 1871
Ralph Leete, Ironton, Ohio
Act of 14 July 1862, Book C, Vol 12, Page 14
CW (gullary), clerk