Info on John Hockaday

Go to the Hockaday Home Page for links to other info on Hockaday.

This information is taken from a photocopy of two pages of a book -- pages 308 and 309. At the top of the left page is, "Early Families of Eastern and Northeastern Kentucky," but I do not know if that is the title of the book. The section name is "Hockaday Family of Greenup County."

This document and "History of Greenup Co., KY" state that John Hockaday was the son of Isaac Hockaday. However, "Kentucky Court and Other Records" by Ardley shows both John and Isaac as sons of Edmund Hockaday.

On the same day and at the same session of the court, on motion of Isaac Hockaday [John's father], Clerk of the Court, John Hockaday was permitted to take the necessary oath (as clerk [?]) with John Nicholas, Moses Fuqua and William Lowery as sureties on his official bond.

John Hockaday was the first clerk of the county. The Rev. James Gilruth wrote concerning him: "Next above Boone (Daniel) settled John Hockaday. He came to these parts as a single man, not far from 1804 or 1805. He was said to posses $3,000 in cash. He kept school for one term in an old cabin between Thomas Hoods and Jesse Boone's. He bought a tract of improved land (I think it was part of the Boone tract), built a hewed log double home with an open entry between nearly as wide as either end was long, shingle roofs and brick chimneys. I mention these things because brick chimneys and shingle roofs were not yet common in these parts and the plan of the house was rather novel. Hockaday obtained the Clerkship of the Court of Greenup County, kept his office in his own house a few miles above Greenupsburg. After living here some years he m. Margaret Donathan, a young lady of good family and of respectable character. On settling here Hockaday commenced improving his land in which he succeeded to a considerable extent. He was considered a good shot with the rifle and enjoyed a gentleman the chase and fishing rod, but did not let them interfere with business. he owned some slaves and was never know to use his tongue or talents to the injury of others. Few men sustained a more amiable and worthy character than John Hockaday." (See Gilruth manuscript herein.)

2. John Hockaday m. Margaret Donathan. They purchased a from [sic] from Jesse B. Boone lying on the Ohio River above Greenupsburg at present Riverton, the terminal of the Eastern Kentucky Railroad. It is said that Mrs. Juliet Collins, a descendant, is in possession of the deed to the land from Boone to Hockaday, dated 1807, and also another deed, from the same party, dated 1817 (just before Jesse B. Boone went to Missouri). John and Margaret Hockaday were buried in [a/the] cemetery on the farm at Riverton and the land has ben in possession of the Hockaday family since that early day.

Last update 24 September 1997