Diane George of Gladstone Oregon:Information about Robert Hawkins/Hawkynns
Robert Hawkins/Hawkynns (b. 1610, d. 11 Sep 1704)
Notes for Robert Hawkins/Hawkynns:ROBERT HAWKINS came from London, England to Charlestown, Ma. in 1635 with his wife Mary.
During the latter part of April, 1635, there sailed from the Blackpool section of the Port of London, England, a ship named the "Elizabeth and Ann," commanded by Captain Roger Cooper. On its passenger list were the names of Robert Hawkynns and Marie Hawkynns, destined to be the ancestors of numerous descendants, many of whom still live on Long Island, New York, and in southern, Connecticut where two of their three sons settled.
Of Robert Hawkynns' ancestry the records in America and England to the extent consulted are singularly vague. While some have claimed that his birthplace was in Suffolk, others Essex, still others, Devonshire, none has established the place of his birth or even the names of his parents, much less earlier forebears. It is probable, however, that he came from the southern part of England and was a member of that clan whose origin is lost in antiquity.
While the immediate reason which actuated Robert Hawkins with his wife, Mary, to sever kindred ties and leave the land of his forefathers for a wild and sparsely populated country can only be conjectured, undoubtedly underlying factors were the bigoted and overbearing government at home which made life there not only intolerable but even insecure, the reports that in America there was ample room and opportunity for all persecuted creeds, and also the encouragement by the government of settlement there. Moreover, the fact of greater importance is that they set sail in April, 1635.
It wasin the late spring or early summer, 1635, that the "Elizabeth and Ann," bearing Robert and Mary Hawkins to America, arrived in the harbor of Charlestown, Massachusetts. Shortly afterwards he built both a house and windmill, the hill on which it was located receiving the designation, "Windmill Hill," from the colonists to distinguish the locality. Apparently he lived in that house but a little more than three years for in 1638 it is recorded that he was fined by the authorities for selling his house to a foreigner without the town's consent. Later that same year a listing of his holdings of real estate comprised the following: House and two acres at Southfield; four acres at Linefield; 1 3/4 acres of cow commons; two acres of fresh meadow; ten acres of woods; and twenty-five acres at Waterfield.
Of Robert Hawkins' day to day occupation there is no record or reference that has come to light, but since he was recorded as husbandman on the passenger list of the ship that bore him to America, he undoubtedly tilled the soil, raised stock, and ran his water power grist mill. He bought and sold land, selling his cow commons on the "28th day, 2d month, 1646" (May 9, 1646, new style) to a Mr. Gardy James. The town granted him meadow land 1644-1645. He witnessed the will of an Edward Wilson on June 19, 1638. While some claim he lived for a while in Milford, Connecticut, a Robert Hawkins is recorded as having died in Charlestown on Sept. 11, 1704, the record further stating that his was a great funeral when he was buried the following day. In any event he left no will of record nor is his place of burial known.
The following taken from the Records of the First Church in Charlestown, Mass., compiled by James Frothingham Hunnywell is of interest in that it provides information regarding the children of Robert and Mary Hawkins:
"(Page 203)
1636. 10th month: day 25. Eleasar Haukins the son of Robert Haukins and of Mary his wife was baptised.
(Page 206)
1639. 8th mo. day 25. Zachary Haukins the son of Robert Haukins and of Mary his wife was Baptised.
(Page 210)
1642: 2nd mo. day 3. Joseph Haukins the son of Robert Haukins and Mary his wife was Baptised."
While the records of the First Church of Charleston do not record any other children of Robert and Mary Hawkins than Eleazar, Zachariah and Joseph, it is not impossible that there may have been others, particularly daughters whose identity became lost because of no descendants bearing the name of Hawkins. In fact uncorroborated statements have been made that there were a number of daughters but the paucity of data regarding Robert and Mary makes difficult the substantiation of such claims.
More About Robert Hawkins/Hawkynns:
Occupation: Husbandman.316, 317
More About Robert Hawkins/Hawkynns and Marie/Mary [Hawkins/Hawkynns]:
Marriage 1: 318, 319
Marriage 2: Bef. 1635, England.320, 321
Children of Robert Hawkins/Hawkynns and Marie/Mary [Hawkins/Hawkynns] are:
- +Joseph Hawkins, b. 03 Apr 1642, Charlestown, Suffolk, MA321, d. Oct 1682, Birmingham Point, Pegassett, CT322, 323.