 Henry Hancock surveyed Rancho San Pedro for the Dominguez family, Rancho San Francisco for the Del Valles, Rancho San Jose owned by the Palomares and Vejar families; and Henry Dalton's Rancho Azusa de Dalton.He also served as the city surveyor for Los Angeles.In 1854, Hancock, along with Benjamin Davis Wilson, bought Rancho Rodeo de las Aguas.