Theophilus Van Deren Hanks

In 1791, Theophilus Sargent Hanks, then 22 years old, left Mansfield, Tolland County, CT, (birthplace), in company with his friend John Gifford of Ellington, Tolland County, CT, left on foot and went to Vermont. This was the year that Vermont became a state. They bought land in Randolph, Orange County, VT. For first choice in division of the valley, Theophilus gave John Gifford a log chain and chose the upper valley. The woodshed of the house still stands on the Gifford farm (1959). These men returned to Connecticut. and in 1794, with their wives, Martha (Stevens) Hanks and Cynthia (Kimball) Gifford, they went back to their valley to make their homes. This trip was made on the horseback. Stone Fences laid by these men are still in use on these farms (1959). One interesting fact, about this valley in 1959, is that Lydia Buck Wight, GG Granddaughter of Theophilus who married Clayton Gifford, now lives in the house built in 1829 on the Gifford Farm. Her son Howard Wight lives, owns and operates the Theophilus Hanks farm. According to the dates on the headstones, Theophilus and several members of his family are buried in East Bethel Cemetery. Martha, wife of Theophilus, died in 1849. - Genealogy of Hanks Family by Isabel Hanks Oliver.

The first record we have of Hanks family in Randolph, VT. was when Theophilus purchased 81 acres of land and paid 36 pounds lawful money on June 24, 1793. Azariah remarried and removed to Warren, VT. where he raised a family. The Theophilus Hanks homestead still exists and is one of the oldest farms in town and is only about a mile from the Bethel Town Line. Since Mr. Hanks was an attendant of the Baptist Church at East Bethel, he was buried in the East Bethel Cemetery, as were many other Randolph residents of that section of town, which was nearer to many of the people than the center business, social and religious reason. East Bethel is a village in the township of Bethel, so genealogical records perhaps only list as Bethel. Wes Herwig, Randolph Center, VT. Curator of Randolph Historical Society, Randolph, VT Baptist Religion