James Hook Genealogy

James Hook, son of James and Margaret Hook, was born in Prince George County, Maryland, about 1716, died in lower Frederick County, Maryland, 1802. He was a very energetic son and amassed a large estate. His large holdings in Lower Frederick County were christened Potomac Hills, upon which in 1812 his son James Samuel Hook built the historic Mansion House that still stands. This fine old southern dwelling was built over the foundations of the earlier mansion on the western slope of Catoctin Mountain overlooking the valley of Catoctin Creek on both sides of which. the Hook farms extended for a distance of several miles. On the south, a half mile away, the Potomac River cuts through the Blue Ridge Mountains and flowing silently between its curved and wooded banks adds charm to that stretch of scenery that extends itself in unsurpassed loveliness all the way from Point of Rocks Station to historic Harpers Ferry.

The house, of charming proportions, was built of stone from the quarries of the Catoctin Mountains nearby, brick and stucco transported by boat from Virginia and England, and southern pine and cypress hauled by team from the forests of Georgia. The rooms with high ceilings and large windows containing eighteen small panes, the spiral stairways leading into wide airy halls, the fire-places with beautiful mantels, all reflect the true southern atmosphere of a very early day. Not far from the mansion house still stands a remnant of the old slave quarters "built of logs once chinked and daubed," with the old stone chimney still standing. On a knoll adjacent to one of the barns is the. family burying ground, terribly desecrated by the plow and planter of later generations. The old house is now fast crumbling away and before long will be only a memory. The rooms are still (1924) intact, however, and the mantels with their plain but dignified carvings are still in place. The floor of the old chapel in the basement is all gone exposing remnants of the foundation stones of the earlier mansion where James Hook3 was found dead with his bowed head pressed upon his Bible. Another interesting room is that occupying the entire north wing on the second floor. It was here, in the early part of the last century, that the Masonic Lodge of Lower Frederick County held its meetings.

James Hook owned many slaves who referred to him as "General." He settled in Lower Frederick County in 1740 when John Magruder on August 26th of that year executed a deed of gift to his "good friend James Hook" of "150 acres of land on the mouth of Ketauken Creek" (now called Catoctin Creek) "which falls into the Potomock River about ten miles north of Monocaccy." (Deed Book Liber Y, page 195, Prince George County.) At that time Prince George County embraced all that territory which in 174.8 became Frederick County. On November 27, 1740, James conveyed to his "loving Brother John Hook" by deed of gift fifty acres of the land given him by John Magruder. These two deeds of gift signalized the advent of the Hook family in Lower Frederick County, Maryland, where it was prominent for almost a hundred years. In 1780 and again in 1788 two parcels of land, the first called "Daniel's Diligence" containing 393 acres and the second called "Hook's Conclusion" containing 1,002 acres, were surveyed for James Hook. The latter parcel and twenty-five negroes were willed to his son James Samuel Hook. Other property and the residue of the estate was willed to his three sons-James Samuel Hook, Stephen, and Daniel Hook. The will was dated June 10, 1798, and probated October 12, 1802. (See Will Book Liber GM No. 3, page 537, Frederick County.) The name of the first wife of James Hook3 is not known, but on February 15, 1768, he married Elizabeth Northcraft by whom there was no issue. The marriage article recorded in Deed Book Liber K, p. 1225, Frederick County, reads as follows

"Whereas the said James Hook and Elizabeth Northcraft have each of them several children by their former marriages, it is hereby bargained and agreed by and between the aforesaid parties that in case the aforesaid marriage shall take effect, that their several and respective estates of which they are at present possessed shall be in no wise affected by said inter-marriage."

James Hook figured in many court affairs in Lower Frederick County, was several times a grand juryman, and frequently a defendant or complainant in some minor action. In 1775 he was appointed a Captain in the Revolutionary forces and contributed his bit by recruiting soldiers for service "against the common enemy." His children by his first wife were as follows:

(1) James Samuel Hook, d. 1820, unm. He was the natural legatee to his father's position in Potomac Hills and was called Colonel by his slaves and servants. Upon his death Potomac Hills, which he had greatly enlarged in 1812, was purchased by Patrick McGill, Jr., who had m. his niece, Mary Davis Hook.

(2) Stephen Hook, b. 1756, m. Nov. 14, 1784, Sarah Thrasher. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and pensioner from Alleghany Co., Va. He moved with his family to Bath Co., Va., after 182o and had issue: Eli Hook and Stephen Hook.

(3) Daniel Hook, m. Feb. 19, 1787, Sarah Burgess whose mother was Mary Davis, a close relative of Governor Robert Bowie of Maryland. After death of his wife about 1800, he moved to Kentucky and m. second, Miss Crowe and had issue by this marriage two daughters:

(1) America, who m. R. S. Thompson and
(2) Emily, who m. J. B. Stockton.

Issue by first marriage, four sons and one dau. as follows:

(1) John Burgess Hook, b. 1788; d. 1824; m. 1st, Dec. 10, 1813, Ruth Weakly; no issue. M. 2d, May, 1816, Jane Clapham, b. 1801; d. 1858; issue: one dau., Mary Hook, who m. James Muse.
(2) James Hook, b. 1790; d. Feb. 16, 1837; buried Hancock, Md. M. 1st, Apr. 13, 1819, Elizabeth McGill, dau. of Patrick McGill, Sr., m. 2d, July 29, 1826, Catherine Jamison. The family moved in 1835 to Hancock, Md. Of issue by first m.: James Daniel Hook, who m. Miss Davis and had issue two sons and two dau., as follows:

(1) James Patrick McGill Hook, who now resides in Hancock, Md., unm.;
(2) Harrison Hook, who d. by accident, unm.;
(3) Mary Hook, who m. Mr. English and lived in Hancock, Md.;
(4) a dau. who d. unm.

(3) Mary Davis Hook.

(4) Dr. Daniel Hooke.

(5) Samuel Hook, killed by accident in a saw-mill. Unm.