The tombstone of Sarah Hankins Duckworth in the churchyard at Olney Presbyterian Church, Gastonia NC, reads:

"In memory of
SARAH DUCKWORTH
Who departed this life
July 11th 1804
Aged 102 years

Draw near, young man, as you pass by,
And on this stone cast an eye,
As I am now, so you must be,
Prepare for Death and follow me."


Regarding the origin of the Hankins Family, (from Rev. J. W. Dupree, a descendant): The Hankins family were in NJ, and later in Frederick Co., VA, with the Duckworths. Some of the Duckworth first names in Mecklenburg Co., NC, came from the Hankins side of the family. Researchers have been unable to pinpoint Sarah Hankins' actual parents.

There have been some who have speculated that "Hankins" could have been "Harkins," but due to a spelling error on some document or another, it was later read to be Hankins. This theory remains unproven.


HANKINS FAMILY ~ (NOTES FROM DR. JOHN F. DUCKWORTH):

John Hankins came to New Jersey from Westchester Plantation, New York
Thomas (b ca 1700/09) and Mary Clevenger Hankins went to Fredrfick VA ca 1740 from Nsw Jersey
William died ca. 1782 in VA and Jane Sharp Hankins. His chilgren were John, Richard, William, Abel.
Amos (Amases and Asa, Fredriuck C. Will Book 4, 1770-1782, pp 600-601. John, Richard, and
William moved to Montgromery County, VA and then to TN.
(Absalom born 1722 in NJ)
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William Hankins born 1743 in NJ, died 1782 in Granger County, TN, married Jane Sharp. Their children were:William, Richard, Abel, Amos, Asa,

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Sarah Hankins born 1702 died 1804, married John Duckworth. (died ca. 1757), 1734/35 in Burlington County, NJ. Sarah was a sister of John Hankins, early in Burlington ounty, NJ.

• Married: 20 Mar 1734 in , Burlington, NJ

1. Sally DUCKWORTH b: ABT 1735 in , VA
2. William DUCKWORTH b: 1736 in , VA c: in McDowell Creek,Mecklenberg Co., ,NC
3. John B. DUCKWORTH b: ABT 1739/1742 in , VA, USA
4. Simon DUCKWORTH b: ABT 1750 in , , VA
5. Rebecca DUCKWORTH b: ABT 1750 in VA or , NC

• Married: 9 Oct 1769 in Mecklenburg Co., ,NC

1. Title: Family records of Dr. John Duckworth, Rockwood, TN
2. Title: Olney Pres. Church, Gastonia, NC.
3. Title: Rev. James William Dupree