Alphabet File page 162
Such are the views, and such the motives, which have induced a number of respectable citizens to combine their efforts in establishing a College at Bay of Saint Louis, in the state of Mississippi. The position is on the Florida shore of the Gulf of Mexico; is salubrious, and pleasant; and is about six hours sail from the city of New Orleans, and twelve from Mobile. It is a common retreat, in summer, form the disease of the cities; and unites all advantages for the purposes of education.
But the institution, emanating from these motives, and affording, with proper endowments, the highest pledges of future utility, must languish, and perhaps fail, if such endowments are withheld. The state of Mississippi does not possess the adequate funds; and, although disposed in the most favorable manner; cannot render to it the requisite encouragement. The public lands situated in the state are a part of the national domain; and to the representatives of the nation, does this nation now appeal for health and vigor.
The object in view is high, and holy, and honorable. To impart the lights of science; to establish a character for morals; to form, in a rising and extensive country, the human mind, and develop its powers in honorable pursuits; are of more importance to society, than all the pomp of victory, or the enthyusiasm of triumph. To objects so essential in their character and consequences, the patronage of an enlightened Congress is solicited; and they are entreated, by every consideration which combines or embellished society, to aid in the great and arduous work.
Should the prayer of your memorialists be granted, they feel a confidence, that a new impulse will be given to the character of this part of the nation; regenerating in its influences, and last in its effects. Under the auspices of a well endowed institution, devoted to the great purposes of science and morality; a public opinion would be speedily formed, commanding the applause of the virtuous, and the approbation of the wise. The enthusiasm created by a mild and genial climate, it is fondly hoped, would be aroused to noble purposes; and the vivacity of temperament, excited by the same cause, would be directed to lofty pursuits. And perhaps it may not be too sanguine to predict, that here, at a future and distant day, the human mind may receive its elevation in the schools of a pure and practical philosophy. The monuments of our nation's glory, may awaken the creative powers of the pencil. And the grandeur of the republic, the wisdom of her laws, and the energy of her arms, may excite the loftiest efforts of eloquence and song.
And, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
A.R. ELLERY EL. W. RIPLEY
Committee of the Trustees of Hancock College, specially appointed and instructed, by a vote of said Trustees, passed at their session, Tuesday, September 16, 1818
HANCOCK COUNTY 4-H - 4-H'ERS ATTEND CLUB CONGRESS - Hancock County 4-H members attended the annual 4-H Club Congress June 8-10 at Mississippi State University, participating in more than 50 different judging and visual presentation contests.
Those attending the Congress were Sherie Ladner and Rhonda Cuevas, food and nutrition; Gerry Lee, public speaking; Melonie Seal and Melinda Smith, clothing selection; Daren Swilley, clothing construction; Regina Ferguson, plant pathology; Linda Ladner, home environment; Tammy Lee, Loren Strong and Jimmy Durham, rifle match; Kim Ladner and Billy Joe Ladner, poultry; Duon Ladner, forestry;
Donnie Famularo, meats judging and beef visual presentation; Chip Lee, horse visual presentation; Gary Hoda, automotive driving and Norman Breaux, plant and weed science.
Adult leaders accompanying the 4-H'ers were Mrs. Donald Famularo, Mrs. Ervin Hoda and Bill Boodwin, Extension 4-H Youth Agent. (Coast Buyers Guide - June 23, 1976)
HANCOCK COUNTY
HANCOCK COUNTY, Organized in 1812, Hancock County is bounded on the south by the Gulf of Mexico and on the west by the Pearl River. The county ranks fifty-third in area and was named for John Hancock, first signer of the Declaration of Independence. Only eight counties had been organized when Hancock and Jackson Counties were formed on the same day. At the time of organization David Holmes was Territorial Governor and James Madison was President of the United States.
Hancock County now plays an important role in the National Space Program, with a rocket engine test site being located here. (Hometown Mississippi by James F. Brieger)
Population of Hancock County, Biographical and Historical Memors of Mississippi by Dunbar page 191. Compiled 1888
White Colored
1820 - 1594
1830 - 1962
1840 - 3367
1850 - 3672
1860 - 3139
1870 - 4239 1186
1880 - 6439 1764
1890 - 8313 1067
Cities
Bay St. Louis
Pearlington
Gainesville
Anner
Gulf View
Kiln
Lacy
Logtown
Nicholson
Ricardson
Stockdale
Waveland.
Hancock County – History
(DUNBAR ROWLAND; ENCY OF MS HIST.)
HANCOCK COUNTY
Hancock County is one of the three gulf counties of the State and was established during the territorial era. The county has a land surface of 611 square miles. It was named in honor of John Hancock, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and has had a varied and romantic history. The coast region along its southern border was first discovered by the Spaniards and later re-discovered and colonized by La Salle and Iberville for the French. A part of the great French Province of Louisiana for a time, by the treaty of Paris in 1763, it became ba British possession and was incorporated with the newly established province of West Florida. It was not until early in the nineteenth centurey that the settlements of the whites penetrated far into the interior of the county from the coast, as all of sosuthern Mississippi was up to that time in the actual occupancy of the Indians. Under the treaties of Fort Adams, December 17, 1801, and Mt. Dexter, November 15, 1865, the Indians relinquished to the United States all the southern portion of the present State of Mississippi, and May 14, 1812, the district of Mobile, lying east of Pearl River, west of the Perdido and south of the 31st degree of Latitude, was annexed to the Mississippi territory. A few months later, December 14, 1812, all that part of this region lying within the present limits of Mississippi, was erected into the two large counties of Hancock and Jackson. The original act defined the limits of Hancock as follows: “All that tract of country lying south of the thirty-first degree of north latitude and west of the line running due north from the middle of the Bay of Biloxi to the thirty-first degree of North latitude and east of the Pearl river”. February 5, 1841, that portion of Hancock lying east of the line between ranges 13 and 14 was embodied in the county of Harrison, and February 22, 1980, that portion of the county lying north of the dividing line between townships 4 and 5, and extending from the middle of Pearl river east to the line between ranges 13 and 14 west, was taken to form the new county of Pearl River. Among the early settlers of the county prior to the year 1825, were John B. Lardasse, Chief Justice of the Quorum in 1818; Noel Jourdan, Chief Justice of the Quorum, the same year; Elisha Carver, Assessor and Collector (1818); Samuel Slade, John Lott, George Sheriff, Alexander Frazar, Alex. Williams, Louis A Caillaret, Solomon Ford, John Morgan, John Deal, William Stackhouse and John S. Brush, Justices of the Peace: John P. Saucier, Chief Justice of the Quorum (1820); Haman Hammond, James Toole, Elihu Carver, Sheriffs, and George H. Nixon and Zebulon Pendleton, Presidents of the town of Pearlington. The important gulf town of Bay St. Louis is the county seat, and, with the exception of Biloxi and Gulfport, is the most important city between New Orleans and Mobile. It is located in the extrene southeastern part of the county on the line of the Louisville & Nashville R.R., and contains a population of 3,500 inhabitants It is the favorite resort of New Orleans people, one o f the celebrated winter resorts for northern people and the center of a large coasting trade. It was originally named Shielsboro for Thos. Shields,a pioneer settler, but subsequently was named for Louis XI| (IX correct). Other important towns in the county are Pearlington, a thriving lumbering town of 850 inhhabitants; Pickayune, Gainesville, Logtown, Carriere, Nicholson, Westonia, Caesar, and the pleasantly situated little coast town of Waveland of 520 people. The principal streams in the county are the Pearl river, which washes its western border and affords transportation for the great lumber industry along its banks; the Jordan and Wolf rivers, and numerous tributary creeks. The prevailing timber is the long leaf or yellow pine and the face of the county is level or gently undulating. The soil is sandy, buy,with reasonable fertilizing, will produce a great abundance of all kinds of begetables and fruits. The pecan nut is also a source of profit, while sugar and molasses are extensively produced. Oysters and shrimps are found in unlimited quantities along Mississippi Sound and in the marshes along the coast, and the canneries of Bay St. Louis and Biloxi do a thriving business, their products going to northern and eastern markets and even to Europe. Salt and fresh water fish and crabs are also caught in great numbers in the gulf, bayous and streams of this favored region and prove a source of profit. Grazing lands are excellent and wool of a superior quality is being grown in the county. Besides the splendid water transportation facilities afforded by its rivers and the gulf, the Louisville & Nashville R. R. runs along its southern fringe and provides ample rail transportation. The New Orleans and Northeastern R. R. also runs through the county frm northeast to southwest. The climate along the coast is invigorating and healthful , the salt air, the piney woods, and the mild temperatures prevailing both winter and summer, are attracting an increasing number of outsiders every year, many of them invalids seeking a return of health in this land of flowers and balmy breezes.