Alexander Trotter Hand

A. T. Hand home near Chunky, MS in early 1900's.
Alexander Trotter Hand (PIC) was born 11 December 1835, in Clarke Co., MS, son of John Britton Hand and Sarah Ann Everett. On 4 May 1858, he married Eliza Mary Frances O'Ferrall, (PIC) daughter of John O'Ferrall and Eliza Humrichouse. Eliza O'Ferrall was born in Berkeley Springs, VA (now West VA) 5 May 1835. It is believed that she met Alexander T. Hand while visiting her brother, John William O'Ferrall, in Enterprise, MS.

In early life, Alexander Trotter Hand ("Trot" to his family and friends) wanted to be a doctor and studied to that end for one year in Mobile, AL. He was not able to finish his studies for lack of fund, but kept his medical kit always and used it when there was sickness or injury on his farm or neighborhood. He farmed in Clarke Co. and Lauderdale Co., MS. A. T. Hand fought for the South in the Civil War, rising to the rank of sergeant in Co. F, 2nd Miss. Cavalry, fighting in a number of battles in the Mississippi/Alabama area. It is recorded that he surrendered at Citronelle, AL, in May of 1865. Family history records that he walked home from there, and seldom talked of his experiences.

Eliza O'Ferrall's mother passed away just a few days after Eliza was born. Eliza's father, John, remarried a few years later and she grew up under the guidance of her step-mother, Jane Green, in Berkeley Springs, W. VA. Her father and step-mother ran a resort hotel associated with the spring, and her father served as county clerk. Eliza's older brother, John William O'Ferrall moved south, settling in Enterprise, MS. It is believed that Elza met Alexander Trotter Hand on a visit in her brother's home.

Eliza O'Ferrall Hand's grandchildren remember her as being a nice person but having to walk with crutches in her later years having broken her hip.

Alexander Trotter Hand passed away 3 October 1898 at his home near Chunky, MS. He is buried in Goodwater Baptist Church Cemetery near Meehan. Eliza O'Ferrall Hand passed away 18 July 1908 and is buried next to her husband.

The children of Alexander Trotter HAND and Eliza O'Ferrall are:


  1. John Richard Hand, b. 6 FEB 1859, d. 13 NOV 1925, m. 18 DEC 1882 Eleanor Kenturah Jones b. 30 OCT 1862.

  2. Sarah Ann Everett Hand, b. 31 AUG 1860, d. 22 OCT 1944, m. 18 DEC 1878 Martin Luther Thompson b. 10 DEC 1854 d. 27 NOV 1917.

  3. Ida Trotter Hand, b. 6 JUN 1862, d. 24 MAR 1940 m. 24 NOV 1880 John Ambres Brown b. 7 APR 1857, d. 14 MAY 1934

  4. William Britton Hand, b. 9 AUG 1864, d. 9 SEP 1959 m. 30 NOV 1898 Minnie Tiller b. 12 FEB 1879, d. 20 OCT 1952.

  5. George Hunter Hand, b. 9 AUG 1864, d. 5 JUL 1930
    m. 1) 24 DEC 1889 Zemily Ellington
    m. 2) 4 JAN 1896 Mora Harlan b. 3 JAN 1874, d. 12 APR 1912.
    m. 3) 1913 Lee Brown
    m. 4) 1920 Lillie Mae Holleman b. abt. 1887, d. abt. 1975

  6. Albert Trippet Hand, b. 29 MAY 1867, d. 2 JAN 1927, m. 18 MAR 1894 Laura Ophilia Daniel b. 2 SEP 1870 d. 2 SEP 1946.

  7. Francis O'Ferrall Hand, b. 18 DEC 1868, d. 2 AUG 1873.

  8. Amelia Hand, b. 11 APR 1870, d. 6 FEB 1957, m. 2 JUN 1897 Joe Oliver Allen b. 16 OCT 1862, d. 24 FEB 1943.

  9. Mary Helen Hand, b. 18 AUG 1871, d. 12 FEB 1962, m. 9 FEB 1891, David Burney Fox b. 11 NOV 1865, d. 4 SEP 1931.

  10. Medora Hand, b. 4 MAR 1873, d. 30 AUG 1873.

  11. Cornelia Hand, b. 14 APR 1874, d. 26 JAN 1971, m. 14 JUL 1896 Augustus Milton Smith b. 8 JAN 1862 d. 14 MAY 1941

  12. Alice Hand, b. 9 SEP 1875, d. 25 JUL 1877.

  13. Corette Hand, b. 18 JAN 1880, d. 26 NOV 1979, m. 9 JAN 1906 Charles Berry Little b. 24 JAN 1879 d. 16 MAR 1971.