John Smock of Hanover Township
Reminiscences of a Jefferson County Pioneer
Published in the Madison Courier – June 26, 1874; July 3, 1874
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... My mother’s maiden name was Rachel Ryker; ...
... There was only one family of whites nearer than fourteen miles on this side of the river [Bullskin]. There were plenty of Indians. The white family was Mason Watts. His wife, Debby, was a sister to my mother. They lived where Captain Robert Kyle now lives, half a mile south of Hanover. Mrs. Watts was equal to the vicissitudes and privations of a new wilderness home. She cut down with an axe; and the use of her own stalwart arms, a black walnut tree; cut off a log the length she wanted it split, dressed cut the pieces and made the first loom ever made in Jefferson County. ...
