Hancock Gold Mine, near Placerville CA?
an old gold mine in california is said to have belonged to the hancocks of missouri and virginia and possibly tennessee. ancestors of edwin and nancy hancock, james anderson hancock and wife sarah mahulda decker went to placerville california along the American River. It is said that they bought mining land from disillusioned miners and ended up with a lot of land. He and his son jasper worked in hydraulic mining at union ridge. does anybody know where exactly, when, who owns the land now, or how well the family did from the mines?? any info at all would be great. i can share what family info i have. thanks Laurie
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Re: Hancock Gold Mine, near Placerville CA?
You may have already have found your answer but the Mountain Democrat has a writer who has extensive information and writes frequently about the mines in the area. You may also want to check with the Placerville Library or Placerville Museum. If you find out more I may be able to provide you with a photo of the area from the present.
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Re: Hancock Gold Mine, near Placerville CA?
Laurie, My Great-Great Grandfather, James Hancock, owned and operated the White Rock Gold Mine on Mosquito Road near Placerville back in the 1800s. His ranch was at Union Ridge on Mosquito Road. It was an hydraulic(placer)mine, and as such left a scar on the land from the placer mining. A remnant gorge is still visible where Mosquito Road crossis it just as the road reaches the top of Union Ridge.There are many remains of placer mining near Placerville. Placer mining was outlawed, and that put a stop to the practice. I am descended from James' son Jasper, and his son Lester, and his son Raymond, all of Placerville,California.
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Re: Hancock Gold Mine, near Placerville CA?
I haven't done any research in years, haven't even logged into this site, and something told me just now on my lunch break at work to just sign in. And here's your message today. Thank you!
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Re: Hancock Gold Mine, near Placerville CA?
Hi all, James Anderson Hancock was my gr-gr-grandfather as well, descended through the youngest son Hezekiah Lester and his son Charles Aldrich Hancock (who was born in Placerviller but moved to Marin County).
My father and grandfather never shared stories from that far back, so whatever you have I would love to hear. Or photos ...
I have one photo of Hezekiah in his old age
I have a copy of Lester's obit from the Sun-Herald; he led a fascinating life.
If anyone has any documentation on Sarah Mahulda Decker as James' mother, I am looking for something in addition to the International Marriage Record.
Good intuition, Laurie!
Kathleen
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Re: Hancock Gold Mine, near Placerville CA?
Thank you Kathleen. Hez was my Grandfather(Lester's) brother. Hez worked on the Diamond Caldor railroad hauling timber out of the mountains, and later went to Arbuckle. My cousin William (his Grandson) reciently passed, but his wife Betty is stil living,and is into family history also. I do have some photographs that you might be interested in. The Hancock (White Rock) placer mine is on Rock Creek just off Mosquito road near Placerville (Old Hangtown.) All of the brothers including Edward who you didn't mention plus James & Hulda are burried in union Cemetery in Placerville. Another brother Edward also had a gold mine near Gold Hill. Edward is the only one that I clearly remember growing up. My Great Grandfather Jasper passed from an injury before I was born. I have visited all of their graves. Thank you for the reply.
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Re: Hancock Gold Mine, near Placerville CA?
Hi Bob, This is Kathleen again. (son's membership). So sorry I missed your reply last year, perhaps because my membership lapsed?
This is wonderful info. It turns out that my mother corresponded with Betty Hancock whom you mention, back in the 80's. She got some info and pics from her of Hezekiah & Emma, and of their three sons. I am hoping that Betty is still doing well.
I would love to get in touch with her if that is possible? You can message me at this account. I would love to have any photos. I have some old rather bad photocopies of the clan back in Missouri, from a book that my aunt had on the Hancocks. (Which I do not have, unfortunately, only these old copies.)
I have an old newspaper clipping that mentions Jasper and his work, which sounded quite interesting.
Kathleen
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Re: Hancock Gold Mine, near Placerville CA?
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Re: Hancock Gold Mine, near Placerville CA?
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Re: Hancock Gold Mine, near Placerville CA?
I've been researching James Anderson Hancock because he shares a lot of commonality with my ancestor Joseph Anderson Hancock (B Jul 1829 Tennessee) and I'm hoping to find some link by following the line. I know Joseph's history once he arrives in Texas, but hoping some other Hancock (such as James Anderson) might turn up more clues. Have any of you encountered other Hancock/Anderson linkages? Thanks in advance. PS, do you think James Anderson Hancock learned about placer mining in the East, and had some experience in Carolina mining?
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