|
|
MATTHEW HAWKINS (1783-1855) Matthew Hawkins was not a
direct ancestor of mine, but there were several of my ancestors who did marry members of his family. I also have found that the history of Matthew
Hawkins was a fascinating and interesting one and I feel that it needs to be told. He was a slave of Philemon Hawkins who left a will in 1801 where he freed
Matthew for helping him in a matter of fraud involving Philemon's grandson; there was a long drawn out court battle over the provisions of the will, but the
move to getting Matthew freed was immediately carried out. Matthew married Mahaly Mushaw on February 26, 1812 in Warren County, with whom he had at least 5
children, Betsy, Amy, Woodley, Frank and Nancy Hawkins. The early Census records indicate that there were probably
another child or two, however, I haven't
been able to determine who they were yet. Their daughter, Betsy, died in July 1849 of bilious fever; daughter Amy, married Plummer Carter on January 1,
1838, and died sometime before 1850, possibly right after the birth of her
last child born in 1845; Plummer & Amy had 4 children - Thomas, Elizabeth, Hawkins Wesley, and Matthew Carter, all of whom went to live with
their HAWKINS grandparents after Amy's death, and are the children referred to in Matthew Hawkins' will. Son, Woodley Hawkins, married Margaret Blacknall on March 4, 1844 in Franklin County, the daughter of former slave, Thomas and Patsy Blacknall, Thomas was a blacksmith who had earned the respect
of his slaveowner, William Blacknall, and had saved enough money to free himself and his family in 1820; son Frank
who was 30 years old at the time of his death in February 1851, had recently
married 14 year old Lucy Ann Ward, on January 5, 1850. She was still a minor
when she was widowed and was placed under the guardianship of Micajah T.
Hawkins, a grandson of Philemon Hawkins, until she remarried in 1855 to William Robinson of Martin County, North Carolina.
Matthew and Mahaly's daughter, Nancy Hawkins, married
on December 21, 1858 in Warren County, to Henry Green, my 3rd great grand
uncle, the son of Allen Green & Lucretia Evans. Henry and Nancy became the
guardians of the 4 CARTER children -Thomas, Elizabeth, Hawkins and Matthew,
the children of Amy Hawkins & Plummer Carter; Plummer had remarried in 1852
and the children had remained with their grandparents, until the death of
Matthew's widow in 1862. Mahaly was from Franklin County, probably a daughter of John or William Mushaw who had appeared in
the Census of that County as early as 1790. Another child who was living
with Matthew in 1850 but never mentioned with his family afterwards, was a
boy named William Hawkins, age 14, born 1836. But there is a strange
situation with him because I did find a record of him in an
1859 Warren Co. deed, where William Hawkins, a free person of color,
age 26, freely placed himself in lifetime servitude to Samuel Duke. I'm not
sure what to make of it, but others have suggested that it's possible there
was a female slave that he was in love with, and this may have been his way
of being with her. Whatever the case, I haven't found him afterwards. Most
interesting, though, in Duke's 1860 Slave Schedule where he had a total of
14 slaves, 13 of whom are listed in descending order by age, there was a
separate 26 yr. old male out of order at the bottom of the list. I am
assuming, too, that William was a grandson of Matthew's, most likely from
his daughter Betsy. Matthew Hawkins was probably the
son of the slave named Amy, who was freed with him at the same time as he
was. He was
mentioned as the heir of Amy Honesty in an 1820 Warren County deed, that was
registered in 1823,
an indication of her death,
and their names were both also included in an 1829 court action concerning John D. Hawkins,
grandson of Philemon. Following is an excerpt of Philemon's will, and the emancipation papers for Matthew Hawkins; also, below
is the will of Frank Hawkins, son of Matthew & Mahaly Hawkins. Will of PHILEMON HAWKINS;
(exerpt from will, Codicil)
I PHILEMON HAWKINS SENIOR of the County of Warren and State of North Carolina do make and ordain this to be a Codicil to my last Will and Testament
bearing date the Twenty Second Day of July 1801. Whereas my Boy MATTHEW has discovered an honest disposition in making Known to me many
Circumstances relative to the Deeds of Gift which were obtained from me by fraud and imposition by my Grand Son PHILEMON, son of JOHN, and Negro AMY
is very attentive to me in my sickness, It is my Desire that my Executors should do all in their Power to procure his Emancipation, provided the Order
for his Emancipation made by Warren County Court should be set aside and provided he should continue to behave himself well and there is no obstruction
in the Way Towards the recovery of my Deeds from my Grand Son PHILEMON Son of JOHN and others, I hereby give and bequeath to him two hundred and fifty
acres of Land on the South Side of Ballards Tract including Howells improvement, one feather Bed and furniture; my bay Horse Saddle and Bridle, one
hundred Pounds Virga. Currency, Two Cows and Calves, four Saws and pight, and fifty Barrels of Corn. This Legacy to be void if he should hold the
property contained in a Deed of Gift which it is alledged I have made to him at or about the Time it is alledged I made a Deed to my Grand Son PHILEMON
Son of JOHN It being my intention that he shall not Possess both this Legacy and the property contained in the said Deed.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my Hand and affixed my Seal this Twenty Second Day of July Anno Dom. 1801.
PHIL. HAWKINS (Seal)
Signed, Sealed and declared to be his Codicil to his Will in presence of us
JAMES VAUGHAN
W. GILLIAM
Warren County - February Court 1802.
This last Will and Testament of Philemon Hawkins dec'd together with the Codicil hereto was proved by the Oaths of James Vaughan and William Gilliam
Subscribing Witnesses hereto and ordered to be recorded, whereupon John & Philemon Hawkins Executors named in Said Will qualified according and Letters
Testamentary granted them.
Test. M DUKE JOHNSON CC
I William Green Clerk of Warren County Court do hereby certify that the foregoing Will and the Codicil to said Will are correct Copies from the Records
in my office.
WM. GREEN, C.W. CT.
Warrenton,
October 26, 1815.
NOVEMBER COURT 1800,
Page 14 - Monday - November 24th
On hearing the petition of Philemon Hawkins praying that two Negroes, the one by the name of Amy and the other by the name of Matthew,
may be liberated for reasons in said petition set forth, it appearing to the Court that the said Negroes, for the said reason in the said petition set
forth, ought to be liberated and emancipated, it is therefore considered by the Court that the said Negroes in the petition mentioned shall from this
time be free and emancipated agreeable to the prayers of the petitioner, and that the said Negro Amy shall hereafter be known by the name of
AMY HONESTY, and that the said Negro Matthew shall hereafter be known by the name of MATTHEW HAWKINS, agreeable to the prayers of the
petition.
Will & Estate of Matthew Hawkins Warren County Will
Book 49, Page 12
MATTHEW HAWKINS - February Court 1856
I MATTHEW HAWKINS of the County of Warren and state of North Carolina, Knowing that all men must die, and being in feeble health but sound in mind and of
disposing memory, do make this my last will and testament, to wit,
1st. My will and desire is that all of my property of every description (except one sorrel horse name Ponie which I give to my daughter NANCY) shall remain
as it is for the benefit and support of my beloved wife MAHALY, my son WOODLY daughter NANCY and my four grand children THOMAS CARTER, ELIZABETH CARTER,
HAWKINS CARTER, and MATTHEW CARTER. My will and desire is that nothing shall be sold or disposed of in any way, (except it be a surplus raised on the
plantation) so long as my beloved wife MAHALY shall live; after the death of my wife MAHALY; my will and desire is that my property of every description
shall be divided into three equal parts, one third I give to my son WOODLY, one to my daughter NANCY, and one third to be equally divided between my four
grand children, THOMAS CARTER, ELIZABETH CARTER, HAWKINS CARTER and MATTHEW CARTER. I appoint WILLIAM WATSON JR. and JOHN WATSON my Lawful Exr. this 17th
December in the year of Our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and fifty five,
MATTHEW HAWKINS ("X" his mark)
Witness
EDWIN D. DRAKE
L. Y. CHRISTMAS
Warren County February Court 1856.
This paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of MATTHEW HAWKINS, was exhibited for probate in open court and the execution thereof by the
said MATTHEW HAWKINS, was duly proved by the oath and examination of EDWIN D. DRAKE and L. Y. CHRISTMAS the subscribing witnesses thereto. & on motion the
same was admitted to probate and ordered to be Recorded, Test
JNO WHITE, Clk
Image 1
Image 2
Estate of Matthew Hawkins
Feb. 22, 1858
JNO & WM. WATSON Exrs. To amt due as per returns made this day.
Dr [debit]
$962.73
Feb. 23, 1863
To int. on $962.73 to date
288.82
Feb. 23, 1863
To Amt. Rec'd for 1 horse sold H. GREEN
$60.00
[Total] $1311.55
Feb. 23, 1863
To amt due to Estate by Executors
$1080.23
Agreeable to an order to us directed from Feb'y Term of Warren County Court 1863 we have examined the above account of JOHN & WM. WATSON Executors of
MATTHEW HAWKINS F.M.C.* dec'd & the same we find supported by proper vouchers. And after allowing 5 just Commissioners on $552.51 amt of receipts &
disbursements the balance in the hands of the Executors this day due to the Estate is One Thousand & Eighty dollars & twenty three cents. All of which is
respectfully submitted.
THOS. G. PLUMMER
JACOB PARKER
MATTHEW HAWKINS
Account Current of Estate
February Court 1858
Recorded Pursuant to order Page 192
JNO. W. WHITE, Clk
Account Current of Estate
February Term 1863
Recorded Page 122
WILLIAM A. WHITE, Clk
[Among entries in the Accounts are following]
A check on White, Davis & Hardy, Feb. 1856; amounts pad to J. S. JONES of Petersburg.
A Bond on M. T. HAWKINS for $317.70, Dec. 1855.
================================================
Division of the Land of MATTHEW HAWKINS, dec'd
February Term 1863
Recorded Page 208, Book 47
WILLIAM A. WHITE, Clk
Surveyed the MATTHEW HAWKINS tract of land for a division finding it to contain 150 acres. It was ordered by THOMAS G. PLUMMER, HENRY B. HUNTER & LOUIS
WATSON Com's. to be divided into the following tracts. No. 1 or House tract to contain 45 acres. No. 2 or Middle tract to contain 55 acres and No. 3 or the
Lower tract to contain 50 acres.
Boundaries of the house tract No. 1 begins at a small dogwood on the s. side of a small branch and run S 48 1/2 W 190 pole to the Shaker[?] road entering
the road 8 feet S. E. of a Willow Oak then down the road towards Warrenton to a persimmon DRAKEs Corner on the N. side of Hill road, then the bottom to the
head of a branch and along said branch to the begining.
Boundaries of the Middle tract, No. 2, begins at a small dogwood on the S. side of a small branch and RUN s. 48 1/2 W 190 pole to the Shaker road entering
said road 8 feet S. E. OF A Willow oak, thence along said rad to the ford of Phibby's Creek, then down Phibby's Creek to about 8 feet of a Poplar marked on
the E. side of said Creek, then due E. 96 pole 15 links to DRAKE's line then due S. 3 pole to a small branch and up the branch to the begining.
Boundaries of the lower tract No. 3, Begin at a stake in DRAKE's line 3 pole 5 links N. of a small branch & run due N. 48 pole 20 links to DRAKE's corner in
JONES' line, then S.87 1/2 W. 44 pole to a corner stone, then due N. 132 pole to Phebys Creek, then up the meanders of Phebys Creek to 8 feet south of a
poplar marked standing on the E side of said Creek then due E 96 pole 15 links to the begining.
JAS. EGERTON
In obedient to and order to us directed, we the Commissioners have divided, and allotted the lands of MATTHEW HAWKINS dec'd, according to the within survey.
Lot No. 1 or House tract, containing 45 acres to NANCY GREEN, wife of HENRY GREEN, Lot No. 2 or Middle tract containing 55 acres to the CARTER children, as
follows, to THOMAS CARTER, one fourth, to ELIZABETH CARTER, one fourth, HAWKINS CARTER, one fourth and one fourth to MATTHEW CARTER. Lot No. 3 or lower
tract containing 50 acres to WOODLEY HAWKINS. All of which is respectfully submitted.
THOS G. PLUMMER
LEWIS N. WATSON
H. B. HUNTER
Image
Image
Will of FRANK
HAWKINS - probated February 1851 Warren County Wills, Will Book 41, Page 80
In the name of God amen, I, FRANK HAWKINS of the County of Warren and State of North Carolina being in feeble health but of sound mind & memory do make
and declare this to be my last Will & Testament in manner and form following to wit:
First I give and bequeath to my Father MATTHEW HAWKINS my Sorrel filly
Secondly I give and bequeath to my wife LUCY ANN all the balance of my property of every description after paying my just debts to her and her Heirs
forever.
Thirdly, I ordain and appoint Genl M. T. HAWKINS my Executor to this my last Will and Testament.
In Testamony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affix my seal this 31st day of January 1851.
FRANK HAWKINS ("X" his mark)
Signed, Sealed, & acknowledged
in the presence of
E. W. BEST
THOS. G. PLUMMER (Jurat)
Warren County February Court 1851
The execution of this will was duly proven in open court by the oat of THOMAS G. PLUMMER one of the subscribing witnesses thereto and on motion was
ordered to be recorded, whereupon Genl M. T. HAWKINS the Executor therein named came into and qualified as such in due form of Law.
Test
JNO WHITE, Clk
================================================
M. T. HAWKINS
Guardian Bond
May Court 1851
Recorded pursuant to order Page 133.
JNO. W. WHITE, Clk
G. D. BASKERVILLE, M. M. DRAKE & EDM'D WHITE Esqrs. on the Bench who accepted this Bond and ordered that the same be recorded.
Test,
JNO. W. WHITE, Clk
State of North Carolina
Warren County
Know all men by these presents that we, M. T. HAWKINS SR., RICH'D W. KEARNEY & JAMES BALL all of Warren County, in the State aforesaid, are held and
firmly bound unto the State aforesaid, in the sum of Sixteen Hundred Dollars current money, to be paid to the State, in Trust for the benefit of the
child hereafter named, committed to the Tuition of the said M. T. HAWKINS SR. to which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves and each of
us, each and every of our Heirs, Executors and Administrator jointly and severally, firmly by those presents. Sealed with our seals and dated the 28 day
of May in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty one.
The condition of the above Obligation is such, that whereas the above bounded M. T. HAWKINS SR. is constituted and appointed Guardian to LUCY HAWKINS
widow of FRANK HAWKINS a Minor Orphan. Now if the said M. T. HAWKINS SR. shall faithfully execute his said Guardianship, by securing and improving all
the estate of the said LUCY HAWKINS that shall come into his possession, for the benefit of the said LUCY HAWKINS until she shall arrive at full age, or
the sooner thereto required, and then render a plain and true account of his Guardianship, on oath, before the Justices of our said Court, and deliver
up, pay to, or possess the said LUCY HAWKINS of all such Estate or Estates, as she ought to be possessed of, or to such other persons as shall be
lawfully empowered or authorised to receive` the same, and the profits arising therefrom- Then this obligation to be void, otherwise to remain in full
force and virtue.
M. T. HAWKINS
RICHARD W. KEARNEY
JAMES BALL
Witness
JNO. W. WHITE See also: Hawkins Wesley Carter
and Nancy Hawkins-Green
|
