Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History & Culture Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva's Black History

Record Detail

Record #44 from Free Black Families of Colonial Delmarva (abstracted by Paul Heinegg)

State Virginia
County (Primary) Accomack
Other Counties Sussex, Kent
Family Name Hanser/Hanzer
Family History Notes 1. Mary Vincent, born perhaps 1648, was a neighbor of the Johnson family in Accomack County.(1) In 1665 Richard Johnson and Thomas Tunnell agreed to support Mary's child by Aminadab, a slave of Southy Littleton, a planter on Nandua Creek in Accomack County [DW 1663-66, fol. 91]. The elder Aminadab died before 14 April 1665 when Southy Littleton of Accomack County gave the younger Aminadab "ye sonne of my servant Aminadab negro deceased and Mary Vincent Three cows and there female increase wch were formerly given to my said servant" [DW 1664-71, fol. 20]. On October 1666 Mary married John Okey, and they moved to Somerset County, Maryland, and then to Sussex County, Delaware, with the Johnson family [Torrence, Old Somerset, 399-400, 453, 474]. Mary's child by Aminadab was 2 i. Aminadab1, born about 1664. 2. Aminadab1 Hanzer, born about 1664, apparently adopted the name Hanzer sometime before April 1683 when he recorded his cattle mark in Sussex County, Delaware [Horle, Records of the Sussex County Court, 222]. He was about twenty-four years old in September 1688 when he, John Okey and Mary Okey testified in Sussex County court that they had helped John Barker move his cattle from Accomack County to Sussex County, Delaware. His wife, Rose Hanser, also testified [Court Records 1680-99, 262]. In March 1689/90 he was called "Aminidab Hanger Negro," a twenty-six year old, and his wife was called Rose Hanjaw, an eighteen year old, when they testified in Accomack County court about this same court case in which John Barker was convicted of appropriating seven cattle belonging to William Burton and Thomas Bagwell. Rose testified that in 1684 she lived in John Barker's house on the land of William Burton and Thomas Bagwell [W&cO 1682-97, 181, 181a]. Rose may have been Rose Matthews who testified with Aminadab in another case concerning John Barker which was held in Sussex County court on 8 September 1685 [Court Records 1680-99, 93]. In February 1690 Aminadab acted as attorney for William Burton and Thomas Bagwell in their Sussex County court case, and on 2 September 1696 he and Edward Carey each purchased 200 acres of a 400 acre tract in Sussex County [Horle, Records of the Sussex County Court, 682, 1025-6; DB A-198]. He was found not guilty in Sussex County court of stealing a fishing boat valued at ?20 on 4 November 1706 [RG 4815.017, dockets 1707-41, frame 3]. John Burton mentioned him in his 10 February 1708/9 Sussex County will [de Valinger, Sussex County Probate Records, 21]. He sued Aminadab Oaky (perhaps his half-brother?) in Sussex County court on 3 May 1704 over some damage which their neighbors were ordered to inspect and report back to the court [Horle, Records of Sussex County, 1191]. On 9 April 1713 Aminadab Oaky posted a ?100 security in Sussex County court to guarantee Aminadab Handsor that he would abide by the arbitrators' decision regarding the removal of a fence. He sold his 200 acre tract to Thomas Marriner on 28 May 1715. Aminadab and Rose were still living on 16 October 1717 when their son Aminadab, Jr., mentioned them in his Sussex County will. Aminadab, Sr., died before 8 December 1725 when Rose Hanzer was called the "widow, relict, and administrator of the estate of Aminadab Hanzer...Deceased" in the deed by which for ?33 she sold to Job Barker 150 acres being part of 200 acres (part of a larger tract of 400 acres which Aminadab Hanzer and Edward Carey purchased from Sarah Painter on 3 September 1695). Rose died before 5 May 1752 when their descendants, Bridget Norman, William Handsor "who lives in Kent County" (signing), Samuel Hansor (signing), Elias Hansor, and Mary Brown sold to Benjamin Burton 50 acres which was part of 400 acres in Little Creek Hundred called "Ebonezer ... being the Dwelling place of Rosanna Hanzor Deceased." On 2 February 1773 Thomas and William Handzer, "Mallatos," made a quit claim deed for 350 acres on Ivey Branch which had been granted to "Aminadab Handzer Malatto Deceasd" [DB D-4:225-7; F-6:220-2; H-1, 329-30; L-11, 314-5]. Aminadab and Rose's children were i. Aminadab2, born 23 January 1688/9 [Turner, Records of Sussex County, 146]. He made a Sussex County will on 15 March 1717 leaving a saddle and bridle to his brother Samuel, a yearling steer to his sisters Ann and Mary, and the remainder to his father and mother, Aminidab and Rose Handzer [WB A-1:122]. 3 ii. William1, born say 1692. 4 iii. Thomas1, born say 1693. 5 iv. Samuel1, born say 1695. v. Ann, born say 1710. She may have married Edward Norman, a "mulatto," who baptized his son, Edward, on 16 May 1747 at St. George's Protestant Episcopal Church, Indian River [Wright, Vital Records of Kent and Sussex Counties, 92], and they may have been the parents of Bridget Norman who sold land in Sussex County in 1752 "where Rosanna Hanzor formerly lived." vi. Mary, perhaps the Mary Brown who sold land in 1752 where (her mother?) Rosanna Hanzer had lived. 6 vii. Elias, born say 1712. 3. William1 Handsor, born say 1692, purchased 100 acres, called "Bottle and Cake," at the head of Long Neck in Indian River Hundred by deed proved in Sussex County court on 1 November 1715 and recorded a survey for "Bottle & Cake" in 1716 [DB A-1:301; Shankland's Surveys & Warrants, p.55]. He patented land in Dover Hundred, Kent County, and was taxable there from 1733 to 1765. His son Nehemiah was taxable near him from 1758 to 1765. By his 28 August 1756 Kent County will, proved 16 December 1767, he left his land called "Jolly's Neck" to his youngest son Cornelius (son of Mary), left his gun to his son William, an iron pot to son Jonathan, and his shoemaker's tools to his son Nehemiah. He also named his daughter Naomy (daughter of Mary) [WB L-1:39-40]. The account of the estate named heirs: Cornelius, Naomi, Rhoda, Rachel, and Sarah Handsor [de Valinger, Kent County Probate Records, 238]. His wife Mary apparently died before the will was proved on 16 December 1767 since his wife was called Sarah Hansor when she and (her brother?) John Durham were granted administration on the estate until Cornelius Hansor arrived to the age of seventeen. Sarah, John Durham, William Conselor, and Daniel Durham posted bond for its administration. Sarah was probably "the widow Handser" who was head of a taxable household in Dover Hundred in 1768. She sued her son Cornelius in Kent County court in February 1771 but the case was abated by her death [DSA, RG 3815.031, frame 395]. She died before 8 February 1771 when administration on her estate was granted to her "next of Kin" John Durham [WB L-1, fol. 91]. William was the father of 7 i. William2, born say 1713. 8 ii. Jonathan1, born say 1715. 9 iii. Nehemiah1, born say 1720. iv. ?Jacob1, born say 1721, taxable in Dover Hundred from 1742 to 1751. In 1748 he was a "Malatto" taxable in adjoining Murderkill Hundred. He and Nehemiah Hanser testified in the Kent County trial against "Negro" Phil who was found not guilty of robbing Thomas Parke on 25 August 1749 [Delaware Archives RG 3811.1, 1749-1750, Court for the Trial of Negro Slaves]. He may have died before 1756 when his father made his will. v. Naomi, died before 24 December 1793 according to the account of her father's estate. vi. Cornelius, born say 1752, not yet seventeen years old on 15 February 1768 when Sarah Hansor and John Durham were granted letters of administration of the Kent County estate his father William1 Hansor [WB L-1, fol. 41]. He was indicted by the Kent County court in 1778 to keep the peace [DSA, RG 3505.003, 1735-1779, frame 685]. He was taxable in Dover Hundred, Kent County in 1776, taxable on a cow and calf in Duck Creek Hundred in 1798, and head of a Little Creek Hundred, Kent County household of 5 "other free" in 1800 [DE:32]. He died before 6 January 1814 when administration of his Kent County estate was granted to William Collins. vii. Rhoda, born say 1764, born after her father made his will on 28 August 1756. She assigned her right to her father's estate to Gabriel Harmon before 24 December 1793 when this part of the account of her father's estate was included in the account of the estate of John Durham [RG 3545, reel 68, frame 621]. viii. Rachel, born say 1768, born after her father's death, called a minor above the age of fourteen years in Orphans' Court on 28 August 1783 [Orphans Court Book C:255]. She was living in Dover Hundred on 11 October 1788 when she sold 200 acres which had been granted to her father William Hansor on 9 November 1734 and laid out for him on 21 November 1737 in the forest of Dover Hundred, called Jolly's Neck, adjoining the main branch of the head of Dover River and Chances Branch [A-2:95]. She was taxable on 87-1/2 acres in St. Jones Hundred, Kent County in 1798 and head of a St. Jones Hundred household of 5 "other free" in 1800 [DE:45]. 4. Thomas1 Hanzer, born say 1693, brought a successful case against Samuel Cary in Sussex County court for assault in November 1727. Richard Poultney withdrew a case against him for debt in Sussex County court in February 1727/8 and he was sued for debt in May 1735 and by Christopher Topham in May 1737. In November 1742 the Sussex County court allowed him ?2 for the support of Ann Oakey. He called himself a house carpenter on 22 March 1743 when he petitioned the Sussex County court to be adjudged a servant to his creditors for three years in order to pay a total of ?50 debt (a not uncommon request). The court agreed and allowed him to retain enough of his earnings to support his family [RG 4815.017, 1707-41, frames 63, 164, 168, 170, 175, 355, 469, 485; 1741-53, frame 153]. He received a warrant for 150 acres in Sussex County on 20 October 1735 and another 205 acres, called "the Addition," in 1754. He sold (signing) to Benjamin Burton land in Indian River Hundred in Long Neck called "Ebonezer ... part of a tract formerly belonging to Rosanna Handzer the mother of the sd Thomas" by deed proved in 1749 [Warrants, C 1776, p.329; DB H-8, 253]. He and his wife Hester registered the birth and baptism of their son Job at St. George's Chapel, Indian River Hundred, in 1753. He made an Indian River Hundred, Sussex County quit claim deed (signing) with William Handzer (who made his mark) for 350 acres on Ivey Branch in Indian River Hundred, Sussex County, on 2 February 1773. They called themselves called "Mulattos and yeoman" in the deed for land for which "one Aminadab Handzer Molatto Deceasd" had been granted a patent [DB L-11, 314-5]. Thomas and Hester were the parents of i. Job, born 17 June 1753, baptized 9 December 1753 at St. George's Protestant Episcopal Church, Indian River [Wright, Vital Records of Kent and Sussex Counties, 96]. 5. Samuel1 Hanzer, born say 1695, was mentioned in the 16 October 1717 Sussex County will of his brother, Aminidab. He was involved in a fight with Elias Fisher at the widow Johnson's harvest. Fisher claimed in Sussex County court in May 1723 that Samuel struck and kicked him. However, the sheriff testified that Samuel had tried to avoid a confrontation with Fisher, and Albert Jacobs and James Bailey swore that Fisher called Hanser a "Black son of a Bitch" and struck Hanser first. The jury found Samuel not guilty. Perry Fordham sued him for debt in Sussex County court in May 1729, Thomas Stockley, Joseph Pemberton and Richard Poultney sued him in August 1733, Thomas Petty in November 1730, and Serjeant Smythies sued him for debt in august 1736 [RG 4815.017, dockets 1707-41, frames 56, 69, 244, 281, 285, 289, 404, 414, 460]. On 20 May 1733 he and his wife Ann (both signing) sold 124 acres of land in Sussex County which his father had owned and which he had purchased from the administrator of his father's estate. It was described as being on Fishing Creek or Goldsmith Creek, proceeding out of Rehoboth Bay, bordering land of Robert Okey on the south side of Herring Branch, called "Ebenezer." This was land which was part of Aminadab Okey's Sussex County estate. Samuel received a warrant for 200 acres in Sussex County on 20 October 1735 and sold this land, called "Hanzors Lookout," on 13 April 1744 [DB G-7:18-19, 34, 35; Warrants C 1776, p.329; DB H-8:76]. He may have been the father of 10 i. Samuel2, born say 1730. 6. Elias Hanzer, born say 1712, was married to Nancy before 1 April 1747 when their "mulatta" son John was born [Wright, Vital Records of Kent and Sussex Counties, 106]. Thomas and Peter Robinson sued him in Sussex County court in November 1765 [RG 4815.017, General Sessions Court, 1761-71, frame 292]. Their children were i. John1, born 1 April 1747, married Eliza Norman at Lewes and Cool Springs Presbyterian Church on 21 September 1768 [Records of the United Presbyterian Churches of Lewes, Indian River and Cool Spring, Delaware 1756-1855, 279]. He was taxable in Indian River, Sussex County, from 1770 to 1791 and head of an Indian River Hundred household of 6 "other free" in 1800 [DE:437]. He left a 7 October 1806 Sussex County will, proved 6 January 1807, leaving his land to his wife Leviney during her widowhood and then to nephew Robert Handser, son of William Handser, and if he died then to John Handser, son of Isaac Handser [RG 4545.009, reel 100, frame 193; WB F-6:249]. 11 ii. William4, born say 1752. 7. William2 Hanser, born say 1713, purchased 212 acres in Indian River Hundred on the east side of Hanzer's Lookout for ?30 on 7 November 1752 [DB H-8:339-40]. He was called "William Handzer of ye County of Sussex ... Yeoman" when he purchased 200 acres in Sussex County on 4 March 1767. This was land that (his uncle) Samuel1 Handsor had owned from 1735 to 1744. He sold 100 acres of Handsor's Lookout on the west side of Delaware Bay in Indian River Hundred for ?30 on 4 March 1767. He was probably the William Handzer who made an Indian River Hundred, Sussex County quit claim deed with Thomas Handzer, "Mallatos," on 2 February 1773 [DB K-10, 242-3; L-11, 314-5]. He was taxable in Dover Hundred, Kent County in 1773 and 1774 and taxable in Indian River Hundred, Sussex County, in 1777 and 1784. By his 26 October 1784 Sussex County will, proved in 1801, he left a gun to his son David, his land to son Thomas, a bed to son Peter, a bed to wife Jane, and a shilling to grandchildren Aaron, Isabel, Thomas, Elise, and Cary Hanzer and divided the remainder between Elizabeth Roads, Agnes Hanzer, Easter Hanzer, Jane Rigwah and Ann Salmons who was apparently the wife of Henry Sammons. The estate paid Elisabeth Rawles, Nany Rawles, Elizabeth Morris, John Rawles, and David Hodgskin [WB E:312; RG 4545.009, reel 100, frames 107-112]. His children were 12 i. David1, born say 1734. 13 ii. Thomas2, born say 1745. iii. Peter, born say 1750. 8. Jonathan1 Hanser, born say 1715, sued by James Prettyman in Sussex County court in November 1742. The sheriff sold some of his property, including a horse, a sow and pigs and a saddle. Cornelius Stockley sued him, Nehemiah Handzer and Jonathan Handzer, Jr., in court in August 1769 [RG 4815.017, General Sessions Court, 1741-53, frame 72; 1761-71, 510, 582]. He was listed in the account of the Sussex County estate of Cord Hazard, Jr., on 12 March 1750 [Orphans Court 1744-51, 80]. He was taxable in Indian River Hundred, Sussex County, from 1770 to 1789, perhaps the "Jona. Hanzer a poore Melato" who was a delinquent taxable in 1789. He may have been the father of i. Sarah, born say 1748, married Levi Morris, in Sussex County, Delaware, in September 1768 [Records of the United Presbyterian Churches of Lewes, Indian River and Cool Spring, Delaware 1756-1855, 279]. 14 ii. Jonathan2, born say 1749. iv. Caleb, a born say 1760, a delinquent taxable in Lewes and Rehoboth Hundred, Sussex County, in 1781 and 1782. v. Aminadab3, born say 1763, married Hannah Pettyjohn on 13 November 1784 in Sussex County, Delaware [Records of the United Presbyterian Churches of Lewes, Indian River and Cool Spring, Delaware 1756-1855, 298]. He was taxable in Indian River Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware, in 1784 and 1789. Perhaps his widow was Hannah Hansor, head of an Indian River Hundred household of 4 "other free" in 1800 [DE:438]. 9. Nehemiah1 Hansor, born say 1720, was taxable in Dover Hundred from 1738 to 1785 [Kent County Levy Assessments]. On 16 May 1752 he purchased 80 acres, formerly owned by John Chance, on the northwest side of the main branch of the Dover River in Little Creek Hundred from Nicholas Lockerman (written as Nehemiah Handson) [DB O:213]. He witnessed the 31 January 1757 Kent County will of William Beckett [WB K-1:62]. By his 15 December 1785 Kent County will, proved 20 November 1787, he left his land on the north side of a branch of the Dover River to his son Nehemiah, Jr. (where Nehemiah, Jr., was then living) and left the remainder of his land and estate to his wife Johannah and his two grandchildren Elizabeth and Jemima Handzer. His wife Johannah and "friend" Peter Miller, Sr., were executors [WB M-1, p. 89 - fol. 90]. Johannah was probably the "Widow Handsor" who was charged for John Hagins' tax in Dover Hundred in 1785 [Levy Assessments, frame 45]. She married Sanders Oakey before 12 November 1787 when she and Saunders Oakey were ordered to return an account of her husband's estate [Orphans Court Book D:144]. Nehemiah's children were 15 i. William3, born say 1740. ii. Nehemiah2, born say 1750, taxable in Dover Hundred from 1772 to 1788, called Nehemiah, Jr., from 1772 to 1785. He had an illegitimate male child by Ann Griffin in Dover Hundred about January 1774 [DSA, RG 3505, MS case files, February 1775 indictments; RG 3805.003, 1735-79, frame 597]. He may have married Amelia Sisco. 10. Samuel2 Hansor, born say 1735, was twenty-four years old when he was listed in the muster of Captain John Wright's Company of Delaware recruits in the French and Indian War on 11 May 1759 [Public Archives Commission, Delaware, 25]. He was married to Comfort Hanzer before 15 April 1770 when their "Melatto" daughter Ann was baptized at St. George's Chapel, Indian River Hundred. He had married Mary before 14 August 1784 when they registered the birth of their son Samuel at St. George's Chapel [Wright, Vital Records of Kent and Sussex Counties, 99, 106]. He was taxable in Indian River Hundred, Sussex County, from 1770 to 1791 and head of an Indian River Hundred household of 4 "other free" in 1800 [DE:438]. He was apparently married to Bridget Hanzer by 7 March 1805 when she and William Rigwaw (signing) administered his estate, valued at ?7 [RG 4545.009, reel 100, frame 156]. His children were i. Ann, born 16 M(arch?), baptized 15 April 1770. ii. Nisa, born 18 February 1772, "melatto" daughter of Samuel and Comfort Hanzor [Wright, Vital Records of Kent and Sussex Counties, 101]. iii. Samuel3, born 14 August 1784, baptized 31 July 1785. 11. William4 Hanzer, born say 1752, was taxable in Indian River Hundred, Sussex County, from 1773 to 1787, called "Wm Hanzor of Elas" in 1787 when he was a delinquent taxable, perhaps the Wm. H. Hanzer who was taxable in Indian River Hundred from 1789 to 1791. He and his wife Easter/ Hester registered the 15 March 1773 birth of their son, Joshua, at St. George's Protestant Episcopal Church, Indian River [Wright, Vital Records of Kent and Sussex Counties, 101]. William was head of an Indian River Hundred household of 3 "other free" in 1800 [DE:437] and 3 in 1810 [DE:455]. He may have been the William Handzor who died before 24 December 1816 when Jane Handzor was granted administration on his estate [RG 4545.009, reel 100, frame 122]. William was the father of i. Joshua, born 15 March 1773. ii. Alce, born 3 September 1777, married Nathaniel Morris, "Two free Mulatoes," in Sussex County, Delaware, on 24 December 1799 [Records of the United Presbyterian Churches of Lewes, Indian River and Cool Spring, Delaware 1756-1855, 315]. iii. Agnes, born 1 February 1784, baptized 31 July 1785 [Wright, Vital Records of Kent and Sussex Counties, 103, 104]. iv. Robert, son of William and nephew of John Handzer who named him in his 7 October 1806 Sussex County will. 12. David1 Handzer, born say 1734, was listed in the account of the Sussex County estate of Thomas Waples on 2 September 1766 [Orphans Court 1761-72, 138]. He served in the First Company of the Delaware Regiment and died before the February 1780 muster. His administrator received his pay from 1 August 1780 to 1 November 1782 [DHS, MS Delaware Regiment Pay Records, 1778-1783, certificates 54,358, 54,816, 54,479, 55,180; Public Archives Commission, Delaware Archives, 196; also NARA, M246, roll 31, frame 496]. On 8 December 1784 (his son?) David Handzer, Jr., was granted administration on his Sussex County estate. He was the father of i. ?David2, born say 1765, a delinquent taxable in Indian River Hundred in 1787. ii. ?Aaron, born say 1767, a delinquent taxpayer in Indian River in 1787 and a "poore Melato" taxable in Indian River Hundred in 1789, head of an Indian River Hundred household of 8 "other free" in 1800 [DE:437]. iii. William5, born say 1769, taxable in Indian River Hundred from 1787 to 1790, called "Wm Hanzer of David" in 1789 when he was a delinquent taxable, probably the William who died intestate about 1804 according to the petition of his widow Susan Durham on 21 February 1821 which stated that he had conveyed a 75 acre tract of land in the forest of Jones Hundred to Jacob Stout on 16 January 1804 while she was still an infant under twenty-one [Brewer, Kent County, Delaware, Guardian Accounts, Edmonson to Hopkins, 21].e. iv. ?Mary, born say 1774, married William Harmon, "free Mulattoes," on 11 May 1795 in Sussex County, Delaware [Records of the United Presbyterian Churches of Lewes, Indian River and Cool Spring, Delaware 1756-1855, 311]. 13. Thomas2 Hanzer, born say 1745, was married to Priscilla before 22 April 1784 when they registered the birth of their son Thomas at St. George's Chapel, Indian River Hundred [Wright, Vital Records of Kent and Sussex Counties, 106]. He was head of an Indian River Hundred, Sussex County household of 3 "other free" in 1800 [DE:437]. His Sussex County will, proved 18 May 1821, mentioned his sons, Peary, John, Alexander, Nehemiah, and William. They were the parents of i. Jane, born before 1776, wife of Woolsey Foster who was head of a Dagsboro, Sussex County household of 7 "free colored" in 1820 [DE:370]. ii. Thomas3, born 22 April 1784, baptized 31 July 1785, married Katherine Jackson, 4 February 1808 at Lewes and Coolspring Presbyterian Church [Records of the United Presbyterian Churches of Lewes, Indian River and Cool Spring, Delaware 1756-1855, 320]. iii. Ann, born 1775-1794, perhaps identical to Nancy Hanzor who married Myers Clark on 26 January 1815 at Lewes and Coolspring Presbyterian Church [Records of the United Presbyterian Churches of Lewes, Indian River and Cool Spring, Delaware 1756-1855, 325]. iv. Peery, born 5 February, baptized 12 August 1792 at St. George's Protestant Episcopal Church, Sussex County, son of Thomas and Priscilla Hanson [Wright, Vital Records of Kent and Sussex Counties, 109], married Mary Butcher in Kent County in 1812. v. John2, born say 1794. vi. Alexander, born say 1796. vii. Nehemiah3. viii. William6. ix. Sarah Lack. 14. Jonathan2 Hanser, born say 1749, was taxable in Indian River Hundred, Sussex , (called Jonathan, Jr.) 1770 to 1791 and a "Negro" head of an Indian River Hundred household of 4 "other free" in 1800 [DE:437]. He and his wife Agnes registered the 5 September 1772 birth of their son Jacob and the 23 November 1777 birth of their daughter Jane at St. George's Protestant Episcopal Church, Indian River [Wright, Vital Records of Kent and Sussex Counties, 101, 103]. Jonathan and Agnes were the parents of i. Jacob2, born 5 September 1772, head of an Indian River Hundred, Sussex County household of 1 "other free" in 1810 [DE:455] and 6 "free colored" in 1820 [DE:214]. ii. Jane, born 23 November 1777. iii. ?Polly, married Israel Jackson, "free Mulattoes," on 18 April 1802 at Lewes and Coolspring Presbyterian Church [Records of the United Presbyterian Churches of Lewes, Indian River and Cool Spring, Delaware 1756-1855, 318]. 15. William3 Hanzer, born say 1740, was called William Hanzer, Jr., when he was taxable in Indian River Hundred, Sussex County, from 1773 to 1777. He died before 6 March 1784 when his widow Bridget Handzer and William Rigwaw administered his Sussex County estate. The estate was valued at ?11 [RG 4545.009, reel 100, frame 160]. On 15 December 1785 his father Nehemiah1 Hanser made his will naming grandchildren Elizabeth and Jemima. Elizabeth was called the "daughter of William Handsor deceased" in 1788 when she chose her guardian in orphan's court [Orphans Court Book D:152]. His wife Bridget was head of an Indian River Hundred, Sussex County household of 2 "other free" in 1800 [DE:437]. William and Bridget were the parents of i. Elizabeth, born say 1773, a minor above the age of fourteen years in 1788 when she chose William Pierce as her guardian in Kent County Orphans Court [Book D:152]. She and her sister Jemima were mentioned in the will of her grandfather, William1 Hansor. She married Benjamin Durham. ii. Jemima, born say 1775. Another member of the family was i. Sibilla/ Isabell, sued Thomas Hanzer, Junr., in a Sussex County court case that was agreed to before coming to court [RG 4815.017, General Sessions Court, 1771-93, frame 529]. Endnotes: 1. William Vincent was one of the headrights claimed by Richard Johnson for land in Accomack County in 1652 [Deeds 1651-54, 133]. 2. The Hanser name may have originated with William Anzer, the servant of Daniel Jenifer, whose age was adjudged to be eighteen years by the Accomack County court in 1674 [Deeds 1673-76, 144]. 3. John Hagins may have been related to the mixed-race Hagins family of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. See the Hagins history.
Additional Notes

If you are citing this record, please use the following format:

[Author (if known)], Free Black Families of Colonial Delmarva (abstracted by Paul Heinegg), [Date (if known)], Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva’s Black History, Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University.

Pinned records can be viewed at any time by clicking the More menu in the top right corner of the page, then selecting My Pinned Records.