WHO WERE JAKE HICKS & JACOB H. HICKS?

by

William C. “Bill” Hicks
Dec. 20, 2008

First, based on civil documentation, I am certain they were not the same person. Both were from Sullivan County and fought in the same Civil War units. Their names are found in Civil War rosters of the 8^th Tennessee Cavalry (although they originally enlisted in the 4^th Tennessee Infantry), along with the two brothers of Jake; William Cate Hicks and Henry Jack Hicks. Their identities are a “bone of contention” with Hicks family researchers. I believe this is due to 1) the early death of my Jake Hicks, 2) his widow’s return from Sullivan County to her native Carter County, and 3) lack of information by researchers on the Carter County Davis connection.

Photo of Memorial Service for Jake Hicks at Boy Cemetery (fall of 2008).

Jacob or “Jake as he was most commonly called was born on April 5, 1842 and died January 18, 1867 just months short of his 25^th birthday; the son of Reuben Hicks (July 19, 1800 to February 12, 1874) and Mary “Polly” Mottern (February 13, 1806 to April 22, 1879). Jake married Mary Jane Davis of Carter County on August 26, 1866 by A. B. McGarry, a minister of the gospel who was married to Jake’s sister Sarah. The license was issued August 13, 1866 in Blountville. Jake is buried in the Boy Cemetery of Bluff City, Tennessee beside his father, Reuben. Mary Jane is buried in the Crowe Cemetery, located off Basin Road in the Keenburg Community of Carter County, her headstone bearing the inscription, “Wife of Jacob Hicks”.

A son, William Jacob Hicks (May 25, 1867 to November 15, 1944) was born to them. He was my grandfather, their only child of a very short marriage. Reuben Hicks’ will was published on May 6, 1869, two years after the death of his son Jake. With Jakes death, the heir became Jake’s son William Jacob Hicks: .......And lastly I will and bequeath to my Grandson, William Jacob Hicks, ten dollars. And appoint my two sons William C. and John E. Hicks my Executors. In witness whereof I do this my last will and Testament set my hand and seal this the 6^th day of May 1869. Also significant is the 1870 Census, Civil District 9 of Carter County, taken August 20^th, 1870 which shows the Philip Davis family of Carter County. The household includes Philip, his wife Axie and children: Mary J. Hicks (Jake’s widow), Elizabeth, Martha, Margaret, David, Delilah, Isaac B., Julia, and Virginia. The last member listed is William J. Hicks, age three, my grandfather and son of Jake Hicks and Mary Jane Davis Hicks.

On April 26^th, 1906 Mary Jane filed for a Civil War widow’s pension (#1094). On the page, Questions for Witnesses is found the testimony of W.C. Hicks, Jacobs brother. On line 14, W.C. states that Jake was his brother. On line 19, he states he was present and witnessed their marriage. Also remarkable is the fact that Mary Jane filed her Widow’s Pension on my Jake in 1906. Jacob H. Hicks died in 1909! The complete Application can be found at the web site www.tngenweb.org/sullivan/. Link to Pensions and the Application can be read along with the applications of Jake’s two brothers.

And now, I will present the information I have on Jacob H. Hicks (1842-1909), whom some researchers maintain is the “Jacob”, son of Reuben. I respectfully disagree with this assertion based on the above presentment. Indeed, a Jacob H. Hicks did marry Emma J. Carriger December 15, 1874 with issue: E.C., Charles, Wily, and Bert. The Will of Reuben makes no mention of this Jacob H. as being a son. Also, some researchers have this same Jacob H. Hicks as being the husband of my great grandmother Mary Jane Davis. This is an impossibility based on documentation and I must dismiss it out of hand!

I also have the marriage contract of a “third Jacob Hicks” age 24 , marrying a Susan Carriger in 1858. My Jacob would have only been sixteen years old in 1858! Also significant is J.H. Hicks’ statement in his Pension Claim that he was born in Sullivan County, Tennessee in 1834. This would make him the same age as the “Jacob Hicks” who married the above named Susan M. Carriger.

Other evidence supporting my claims is found in the State of Tennessee Soldiers Application for Pension for J.H. Hicks (No. 9076), filed May 2, 1907. As mentioned earlier this Jacob H. served in the same military units as the 3 sons of Reuben Hicks. He is probably related, known to live in the same vicinity, and no doubt knew the 3 brothers. Joseph A. McClellan and William Cate Hicks, well known in the community, were witnesses to the service of J.H. Hicks: [Transcription] —“That he was a member of same company with applicant and knows he served the army as stated by him, that he was still in the service at the time affiant was wounded on March 22, 1865, when affiant was taken to a private house, and this was the last he saw of Mr. Hicks until after they all came home. W.C. Hicks stated that he was a member of same company with applicant and knows he remembers the service as stated, that he was present when General Johnson surrendered and knows that J.H. Hicks was there in the service at the time of the surrender near Greensboro, N.C. but that he and affiant left as soon as the surrender occurred without receiving a discharge. Affiant knows about applicants property and will here state that he has just about the property set out by him, that he is totally disabled from work, is in bad financial condition, that he was a good soldier and is a good citizen and he is very near badly in need of he1p.”—Feb, 15, 1907; W.D. Lyon, Notary Public. Significant is W.C. never mentioned Jacob H. as a brother, however, in my great grandmothers Widows Application for Pension, W.C. definitely stated my great grandfather Jacob (1842-1867) was his brother.

Also at issue to some Hicks researchers is the assertion that Reuben had one son named William (William Cate), and therefore he would not have given another son the name (William) Jacob. It is indeed possible but having no documentation other than my great grandfather being called Jacob or Jake, the “William controversy” is irrelevant by any measure. My main concern with the matter of the “two Jacobs” is seeing that my Hicks direct line great grandfather and great grandmother, as well as their descendants receive an accurate recording in the family trees of other researchers and is a major issue to the honor of my Hicks relatives who have worked so hard to “get it right”.

Sincerely and Respectfully,

William C. “Bill” Hicks

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See William C. “Bill” Hicks' follow up report Who Was Jacob H. Hicks (1834-13 May 1909)?