Joseph Hanks

Joseph Hanks (1725–1793) was the great-grandfather of United States President Abraham Lincoln. It is generally accepted that Joseph was the father of Lucy Hanks, the mother of Nancy Hanks Lincoln. There is also a theory that Joseph and his wife, Ann ("Nannie"), had a son named James who married Lucy Shipley, sired Nancy Hanks, but died before Lucy and Nancy came to Kentucky. Joseph Hanks' children and grandchildren figure prominently in Abraham Lincoln's youth. Biography Early life and marriage Joseph Hanks was born the second son of Catherine Hanks (died 1779) and John Hanks (d. 1740) on December 20, 1725, in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia. He was a tenant farmer and oversaw a plantation. Joseph and his family lived in Richmond County until 1782 when they moved to what was then Hampshire County, Virginia.