The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-08-11

ley's son, old Jacob moving some time
ago into North Wales village. Squire
Roberts was a bachelor, and unless
report bellies him, rollicking one, and |
even added years did not bring to him
that sedateness that popularity attaches
to a huary head. The Squire with an
utter disregard of the frowns and
winks of his neighbors, made one day
an addition to his household in the
person of-well, some say she was
bousekeeper and others insist that she
was an ordinary domestic, but all
agree that she was pretty. These
things happened about the beginning
of this century, and consequently
minor details concerning them may
differ, but the essential facts, as known
through the traditions of the people,
do not vary. Squire Roberts and his
pretty servant seemed to get along
very well together, until one fine
morning the girl was missing, and
when questioned concerning herwbere-
abouts, the Squire simply said she had
gone away, and beyond this he was
silent. AS to the subsequent dOings of
the girl and as to whether or not she
was ever again seen on the Roberts
farm tradition is dumb and the mem.
ory Of the oldest inhabitant Preacher.
Gus. Early one morning some years
latter Squire Roberts walked into old
William Collins school at Montgomery
Square, leading a little boy by the
hand.
"What shall I call himY" said the
master.
BENJAMIN Franklin Hancock" re-
piled the Squire, and in that way was
the first Hancock brought to the at
tention of the people of Montgomery
township. People ere still living here
who went to school with the boy, and
who rem amber when he first came
within the reach of Master Collins
rattan. They describe him as being a
"chunk of boy" at the time, but as
to whether the chunk was large OF
small they give but indefinite ideas
but from all accounts it would appear
as though BEN jamin Franklin Han
cock, when he walked up the pike tC
the school house door clasping Squire
Roberts hand, had but shortly before
discarded the dresses that had marked
his previous infantine career.
"Why l remember Benz Han
cock well" said old John Kibblehouse
whose weight of 81 years did no
prevent him from nimbly stepping
from his porch to the roadside. :"
went to William Collins school unit
} the War of 1872 was over, and
played ball with Benny Hancocl
many's the time. 1t was nothing
against him, you know, but all tn
boys knew that Benny was taken b.
the Squire out of the Poorhouse." !" A
B, to the correctness of John Kib BILE
e houses belief that Benjamin Hancocl
. has been a charge upon some county
opinions differ. Other men who ar
e not quite octogenarians, but who ar
8 related upon their mothers side to tn
e Hancock family, and are cousins {
the Democratic Presidential candidate
say that Squire Roberts received th
= boyish charge from lady in Philf
IS delphia. Folks round about Mont
s gomery Square, after taking one loo
Y at Benjamin Franklin Hancock, ha
y made up their minds as to his pattern
ty. i Without receiving til
name of Roberts, there had been visite
upon him The cognomeus of two mel
much thought of and much talked
~ in those days-Benjamin Franklin
) philosopher, and John Hancocl
y patriot. Thus did he come by II
Of name of Benjamin Franklin Hancocl
}. = Schoolmaster Collins hG
!. either died or survived his usefulue
=, and so young Hancock assumed contr
. Of the school, living in the dwellin
N house attached to the building in tt
of rear. 1t was here that two boy babi
A were born to Benjamin Hancock's wi
as on February IA, 1924. The larger
the two was christened Winfield SEQ
@ Hancock, and is to-day the nomin
la of the Democrats for President.