In about 1818, he moved with his family to Bibb Co AL.529

In 1838 his father John Hathcock mortgaged 120 acres of land, a slave girl named Teaty, one yoke of oxen, 15 head of cattle and miscellaneous household furniture to Fearn Hathcock for $1,600 (equivalent to more than $1,000,000 in modern value).

Fearn H. Hathcock moved with his parents and other members of the Hathcock from Bibb Co AL to Tippah Co MS in about 1842. They appear in the special Tippah Co census of 1845.

Fearn Hathcock is not found in the 1850 census of MS, but he does appear in the 1860 census of Pontotoc Co MS.

1860 Census of Wallerville, Pontotoc Co MS

Name Age
Fern Hathtock 45
Lucinda Hathtock 37
Andrew J Hathtock 18
Jas K P Hathtock 14
John T Hathtock 12
Mary A Hathtock 10
Eliza A Hathtock 8
Martha A Hathtock 6
Elizabeth Hathtock 4

Fearn died between 1860 and 1870, as his wife and surviving children are listed in the 1870 census of Prentiss Co MS.

An unpublished family history written by Minta Lee Crabb Stephens in 1963 recited the following family tradition:

“James Hurd Crabb married the first time Disey _______Cabb. No further information is available concerning her. His second marriage was to Lucinda McDaniel Heathcock, who was born Nov. 15, 1826. The widow of Dr. Heathcock who died as a Surgeon in the Civil War at Pontotoc.”

Since Fern Hathcock lived in Pontotoc at the time of the 1860 census, it is not clear if he was a surgeon and died at home during the Civil War or if there was actually a battle at Pontotoc and Fern was killed in that battle. The most notable Civil War battles in the neighborhood of Pontotoc were the Battle of Tupelo July 14/15, 1864 (General Andrew J. Smith v. General Nathan B. Forrest). Tupelo is 18 miles fro Pontohoc.

1870 Census of Prentis Co MS

Name Age
Lucinda Heathcock 46
Polly Ann Heathcock 19
Eliza A Heathcock 18
Martha A Heathcock 16
Elander E Heathcock 13
Serena Heathcock. 25
James T Heathcock 4
William A Heathcock 2