Van Hook Family History

Our Van Hook line originated in 1580 with Isaac VanHoeck, the mayor of Amsterdam, Holland. He and his wife had a son Arent Isaacszen VanHook, who moved to New Amsterdam, which is now New York.

Arent and his second wife, Styntie (Christiana) Laurens married August 6, 1665. Their son Lawrenence VanHook married Johanna Hendricks Smith. They had five children, one of whom was Aaron who was born about 1665.

Aaron VanHook married Catherine Balck ca. 1722. They migrated from the new Jersey area to Pennsylvania around 1750. They finally settled in Orange County, Virginia. Their son was David Van Hook. David VanHook married Lucy Bumpass. They had five children.

Their son Jacob VanHook was born in 1761 in North Carolina. He became a Revolutionary War soldier and fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain.. Jacob married Nancy Jones and moved to Virgina in 1807. They had six children.

Jacob VanHook, Jr. lived in Virginia and married Frances Newman. After Jacob, Jr. died, his wife and their small children moved to Tennessee. there she married Snowden Hickman in Wilson County January 20, 1829.

Joel Newman VanHook was born June 1821 in Halifax, Virginia. He came to Tennessee with his mother as a child. He had one sister, Winnie. Joel married Mary T. (Polly) Hickman January 5, 1843, in Wilson County Tennessee. She was the daughter of Sarah and Wright Hickman. Joel and his wife settle in the Barton's Creek area on Franklin Road. He was a veteran of the Civil War and fought in the Battle of Murfreesboro. Joel and Mary T. had seven children: Sarah Anne married William H. Laine; Martha married P.W. Bryan; Berry Jacob married Virginia Ligon; Joel Wright married Annie Rice; Mary married John Johnson; Liza married Jack Rick (brother of Annie); Bet married Harris ?

Joel Wright VanHook was born in 1858. He married Annie Rice daughter of Rebecca Jane and John Rice on September 12, 1883. They raised their family in the Barton's Creek area. Annie Rice Van Hook died September 7, 1917. Joel died June 30, 1936. Their children were:
Addie E. married Arthur Reed; Will Wright married Goldie Reed; John Franklin married Pauline Rice Pulley; Lurley Frances; Walter Eugene married Ida Myrtle Reed; Mattie (died age 3); Meldora married J.L. Dies; Nannie Patience (Betty) married Robert Carl Tuggle and Berry who died in infancy.

Interesting note here is that three VanHooks married three Reeds. Thanks to Fred VanHook for the above information.