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A brother to Lincoln's mother, Nancy, Fielding Hanks was born in Virginia about
1783. He later settled in the part of Old Morgan Co. that was to become Campton,
now Wolfe Co., building a cabin there in 1818.
Fielding was among the dozen men who met to organize the new county of Morgan in
1823. As authorized by an act of the General Assembly, these magistrates met at
Edmund Well's tavern in the sparse Wells Mill settlement - present day West
Liberty. (Wells Inn and water mill stood where the historic Old Mill Park is
today) However, at the close of this first court session, presumably feeling
himself better suited to more basic pioneer pursuits, Fielding gave up the
commission he had received from Governor Adair. He continued to reside in Morgan
Co. until Wolfe County was created in 1860, one of his sons being instrumental
in the formation.
Fielding and his wife Lydia both died in 1861. They are buried in the old
cemetery behind the present Church of God in Campton. Fielding's name is cast in
bronze on the Founders monument in Morgan's courthouse square.
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